Woodrow Malcolm Donovan

Woodrow Malcolm Donovan 1938-2006 Noted psychiatrist, psychoanalyst and long-time resident of Mill Valley, Woodrow M. "Woody" Donovan passed away peacefully on Friday, March 31, 2006. Born in Long Beach CA, Dr. Donovan received his undergraduate degree from Oberlin College in Ohio, and attended medical school at Wayne State University in Detroit. He completed his internship at Swedish Hospital in Seattle and his residency at Massachusetts General McLean Hospital in Cambridge. Dr. Donovan served as a psychiatrist in the US Navy at the Naval Hospital in Philadelphia during the Vietnam War. In San Francisco, Dr. Donovan was a psychiatric consultant and supervised residents at McAuley Neuropsychiatric Institute from 1979 until 1991. For 27 years he was chief psychiatric consultant at Sunny Hills Children's Garden Residential Treatment Center in San Anselmo, and since 1989, psychiatric consultant at St. Vincent's School for Boys in San Rafael. He maintained a private practice in both San Francisco and Corte Madera. Dr. Donovan completed his training as a psychoanalyst at the San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute where he also taught classes. He served as president of the newly formed Institute for Psychoanalytic Studies, where he was instrumental in developing the training program. Dr. Donovan took a special interest in cinema and psychoanalysis, participated in and gave papers at the Zuckerman Lectures, the Grand Round Lectures, and the European Psychoanalytic Film Festival in London. For 18 years he was a dedicated member of the SF Film Study Group. Known for his warmth, humor, compassion and generous nature, Woody enjoyed sharing experiences with friends, old and new. At his table both food and conversation were always memorable and in good supply. An avid intellectual, he expressed his ideas through informed writing and lively discussion groups. His many interests included political theory and social justice, travel and Irish history and culture. His loyalty to the Cal Bears and 49ers, through thick and thin, could only be admired. Woody's unique perspectives will be missed by his family, life-long friends and colleagues. Woodrow M. Donovan is survived by his wife, Kathryn Hughes; daughter, Allison Greenberg; and four grandchildren, Rachel, Matthew, Rebecca and Gabriel of Stockton, CA; son, Nathan (Heather) Donovan of Santa Cruz, CA; brother, James (Linda) Donovan of Ohio; and sisters Donna (Ramon) Estrada of Washington and Lauree (Skip) Allen of Michigan. A Memorial celebration of Woody's life will take place at the Mill Valley Golf Club House, 267 Buena Vista, Mill Valley, on Friday, April 21, 2006, from 4 to 6 P.M. Contributions may be made to the Woodrow M. Donovan, MD Memorial Fund at Oberlin College - c/o Development Office, Bosworth Hall, 50 West Lorraine Street, Oberlin, OH 44074.