John Dashiell Rouse

John, I´m finally bringing myself to this site to honor your life and my connection to it. I worked alongside you in San Francisco General´s Psychiatric Emergency Services for seven of my most difficult yet rewarding years as an RN. You were a kindred spirit there - your humanity, humor, well written and thorough patient evaluations, your vast experience in the field, your intellectual and cultural breadth, (I think I could go on and on), all were among my best teaching examples. That we...

As we prepare for the 100th Anniversary of St. Andrews Episcopal Church, the church that John grew up in, I remember the young man that sang in the Junior Choir and the Glorious Voice that he gifted us with when he came home to visit. What a sweet child and an Amazing young man!

John Rouse was an amazing man with many talents and possessed a joie de vivre unlike any person I have known. He loved his work and the Lamplighters with tremendous passion.

I worked for John for 10 years...helping him to restore his beautiful Victorian. We shared many great times, meals and extravagant parties. His home was so full of life...if those walls could talk, they would sing. One could frequently hear him playing his piano and singing outside on the sidewalk.

I just recently returned from Italy to learn of John's passing. John was born June 20 and I June 2. Our paths crossed in Lamplighter,I performing as violinist in the pit ,and of course John on stage. After my daughter was born with autism he guided me through some difficult times. His wit and beautiful voice will be missed by all who knew him. With deep sympathy to his family,, Brenda Bellizzi

A Memorial Service for John D. Rouse is planned for Saturday June 24, 11AM at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 45 Main Street, Newport News, VA.

I've known John for well over 30 years through me work with seriously mentally ill adults in San Francisco. I also knew him because his past partner Pasquale Calabrese was my coworker for many years. He was a delight to be with: warm, smart, funny, and compassionate. We worked closely with some very challenging clients, and I learned much as a result. I miss him, but am very thankful to have known him.

Godspeed John Rouse. The most decent man to grace the halls of San Francisco General's Department of Psychiatry. If there is a heaven you are there treating patients with compassion, dignity and respect that we would all do well to emulate. You will be sorely missed.

I had the honor of working with Dr. Rouse in the Psych Emergency Service at SFGH. He was a great role model, compassionate and humanitarian in his approach to the homeless mentally ill.
So sad he has departed too soon.
(Mai Alyschild, RN)