Jaime Rodriguez-Tellez

1931 - 2016

Jaime Rodriguez- Tellez M.D.

Hyde Park - Jaime Rodriguez-Tellez M.D., age 85, after a short illness, at his home went to be with God April 21, 2016.

Born in Bogota, Colombia January 20, 1931 he was a son of Amadeo and Isabel Rodriguez-Tellez and was the youngest of five children. With his father he left Colombia for Madrid, Spain in 1952 where he married his wife Conchita Rodriguez-Otero in 1957. Having lost his mother at a young age, he was inspired to become a Doctor. The year after his marriage he earned his Medical License from the University of Madrid and later a Doctorate in Medical Sciences in 1962. His Doctoral thesis written under the sponsorship of Jiminez-Diaz Foundation (Madrid) and Karolinska Institute (Sweden) with his Dissertation dated December 22, 1962.

With his wife "Tita" he arrived in Poughkeepsie in 1963 where Jaime completed his Internship at Vassar Brothers Hosp. A year later, he commenced his Residency in Psychiatry with the Hudson River Psychiatric Center & NYS Psychiatric Institute during which time his daughter Margarita was born. Upon completion he obtained his state license in 1966. For the year 1967, he was an Assistant Attending Physician in the Outpatient Dept of the Harlem Hosp ER. He then returned to HRPC as an Attending Psychiatrist/Director of the Adolescent Unit.

In 1976, Jaime was commissioned as a Major in the USAF Medical Corps as Chief of Mental Health Services at Griffiss AFB in Rome, NY and later was promoted to Lieut. Colonel. After his service, he again returned to HRPC, simultaneously appointed Medical Director & Director of Psychiatry at the Rhinebeck Lodge for Successful Living. In 1981, he accepted a position as a Consultant of Forensic Clinics of the NYS Office of Mental Health including the NYS Corrections system. In 1989, he joined the staff of the Central NY Psychiatric Center as Director for Outpatient Psychiatric Services and retired from the state in 2005. Never truly retiring, he was a Physician of the Dutchess County Mental Health Clinic and lastly with Care for the Multi-Disabled.

Jaime was a member of the American Medical Association. A Diplomate & Distinguished Life Fellow Member of the American Psychiatric Association having joined in 1967. Within the Mid-Hudson Psychiatric Society, he has held the position of every elected official, still holding an office to this day. In 1980, he was appointed as a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Anderson Center for Autism & in 1989, as a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Dutchess County Assoc. for Senior Citizens.

Jaime is survived at home by his beloved wife Tita. Their daughter Margarita predeceased him in 1996 however his legacy continues through his abundance of nieces and nephews and their children who he adored. His memory is also held especially dear by his colleague and friend of 53 years, Annette Patterson R.N., as well as her family.

He was a humble and generous man with a huge heart who possessed the unique ability to see only the best in people. He opened up the world to and shaped the lives of many. As a Doctor, he brought profound comfort to a great number of souls. His colleagues held him in the highest esteem as he did them developing a multitude of loyal friendships with many lasting for decades. He was a God fearing man, who cherished his family and treasured his friends, never hesitating to extend his affection and share his wisdom. In the quiet, he loved music and his books. He considered each day a gift and found great joy in the most simplest of things. A full life well lived with his light now extinguished his soul takes flight and the many heavy hearted near and far are thankful for the blessing of his precious life and the privilege to have known him.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday April 26, 2016 from 4-7pm at Sweet's Funeral Home, 4365 Albany Post Rd. (Rte. 9), Hyde Park, NY. Mass will be held 10am Wednesday April 27, 2016 at The Church of Regina Coeli, 2 Harvey St., Hyde Park, NY. Inurnment of his ashes at the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery with Military Honors will follow. Memorial donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105. (www.stjude.org)

To send an online condolence or for directions, please visit www.sweetsfuneralhome.com.