Stephen Atkins

1946 - 2024

Stephen Atkins
Stephen Atkins, 78, of Woodbridge, died at Yale New Haven Hospital, after a long illness. Born in the Bronx on August 6, 1946, he was the son of Sidney and Paula Atkins. Steve always loved learning. As a teenager, he read Freud. At Hamilton College, he read philosophy and Shakespeare.
Later, he earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of Chicago and a medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. After studying psychiatry at Yale, and psychoanalysis at the Western New England Institute for Psychoanalysis, Steve became a highly regarded clinician and teacher. He affiliated with Yale and with the Institute, where he served a term as president, and also engaged in private practice, deeply appreciating the opportunity to serve patients and students.
Steve's work included efforts in public health, working early on at the West Haven V.A., and later spending many years at the Greater Bridgeport Community Mental Health Center, through which he became Medical Director of the Southwest CT Mental Health System. In that work, he was able to blend his theoretical understanding with the practical demands of caring for the community.
Steve's life was especially marked by love and connection to his family. He was devoted to Rosalind, his wife of 55 years, and was an adoring father to his precious sons, Joshua and Michael, both of whom died much too soon of Mitochondrial Disease. We cherish and remember Steve for his kindness and patience, open-mindedness, unaffected humility, wisdom and gentle humor. He had the down-to-earth quality of a man born in the Bronx.
Funeral Services will be held at Congregation B'nai Jacob, 75 Rimmon Road, Woodbridge, on Monday afternoon October 28, at 1:00 PM, Interment to follow at B'nai Jacob Memorial Park, Wintergreen Ave., New Haven. Robert E. Shure & Son Funeral Home, New Haven, is in care of arrangements. To sign an online registry book or to leave a message of condolence, please visit, www.shurefuneralhome.com . Shiva will be observed at the family's home following the service until 8:00 pm; and Tuesday- Wednesday 1:00- 3:30 PM and 6:30-8:00 PM and Thursday, 1:00- 3:30 PM.
Contributions may be made to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, 8085 Saltzburg Road, #201, Pittsburgh PA 15239; or to Congregation B'nai Jacob Adult Education Fund, 75 Rimmon Road, Woodbridge, CT 06525.