DR. WILLIAM ARTHUR ROHDE

1945 - 2021

ROHDE, Dr. William Arthur Boston Physician Known to Bostonians as Dr. Bill, died January 27, 2021 of pancreatic cancer, at the age of 75. Dr. Bill was born in Nashua, Iowa to parents Clarion and Ruth Rohde. Dr. Bill graduated from Cornell College in Iowa and earned his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, completing residencies with the Osler Medical Service before pursuing a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School. He later pursued graduate studies at Boston University, Northeastern University, and the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy. At the time of his death, he was studying Genomics at Johns Hopkins. He was the chief medical director and administrator of the Massachusetts State Psychiatric Hospital from the mid '70's to the early '90's. Dr. Bill left the State Hospital to open a Boston treatment clinic to help those suffering from drug addiction and alcoholism. He was well known in Greater Boston's addiction recovery community. Although he had great respect for Alcoholics Anonymous and other Twelve-Step programs of recovery, he believed that judicious use of appropriate medication also had an important role to play. He co-authored numerous peer-reviewed articles on the subject, but also emphasized the treatment of addicted individuals in his private practice. Throughout his long career, Dr. Bill also served on the staff of the West Roxbury District Court's Clinic, Boston State Hospital, McLean Hospital, and Brigham and Women's Hospital. At the time of his death, he was working on the fourth chapter of a book explaining his sometimes controversial approach to the treatment of addiction. He will be missed and remembered by the many people whose lives he touched. Memorial observances are postponed due to Covid restrictions. Visiting Hours: Interested parties may text Dr. Cory Gudwin at 617-840-4848 for further information.

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