Dr. William Innes Forbes III

Dr. William Innes Forbes, III, passed away in Dresher, PA, peacefully on April 10, 2026. A respected otolaryngologist, and a passionate advocate for hospice care, Bill was 83. He is survived by his sons, David Forbes (Melissa Landsman) of Glenside, PA, and William Forbes of Paoli, PA. He was the proud grandfather of Sarah Forbes and Tyler Forbes, in whom his legacy of curiosity and kindness lives on.
Born on December 2, 1942, Bill attended Episcopal Academy in Lower Merion through the 8th grade before graduating from St. Mark's School in Southborough, MA, in 1960.
Bill first turned his sights toward the skies, graduating from Princeton University in 1964 with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. After four years of working with Boeing on their Vertol project, Bill felt a different calling. He returned to academia at Jefferson Medical College, where he was one of the institution's first MD/PhD graduates in 1972. He chose to specialize as an otolaryngologist, beginning a medical career defined by community-first care.
On June 20, 1970, he married his anatomy professor and soulmate, Dr. Barbara Louise Frederick Forbes. Their partnership was one of shared intellect and mutual devotion, lasting until she passed in July of 2010.
The Forbes family moved to Saranac Lake, NY, in 1977 where Bill invested in a solo ENT practice. His impact on the Adirondack region, however, extended far beyond his office. He began running clinics in other towns within upstate NY, served on the medical staff of the 1980 Winter Olympics, and after recognizing a vital need for end-of-life dignity, he was instrumental in founding the first Hospice program in the Adirondack region, a legacy of compassionate care that continues today.
In 1990, the family relocated to Evans Mills, NY. Bill played an influential role in the medical community there as part of the Watertown Ear, Nose, and Throat practice, and even served as an interim Chief Medical Officer for Samaritan Medical Center. In addition, he played an instrumental role with another hospice organization he joined as one of the medical directors of Jefferson County Hospice. He remained a dedicated medical practitioner until his retirement in 2017.
A memorial service will be held at St. David's Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 11 am. Family and friends are invited to visit from 10:15 until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you continue Dr. Forbes' lifelong mission of compassionate care by making a donation to Jefferson County Hospice (https://www.jeffersonhospice.org/support-us/donate) or any local non-profit hospice of your choice or perform an act of kindness in Bill's honor.