John Sanbourne Bockoven

J. Sanbourne Bockoven was an American medical doctor and psychiatrist, born December 17, 1915, in North Dakota, Dr. Bockoven served at four of the six hospitals he described in his book Moral Treatment in Community Mental Health. After working as a research psychiatrist at Boston Psychopathic Hospital, he became Clinical Director and then Acting Superintendent of Butler Health Center in Providence, Rhode Island. This was followed by a Superintendency at the Cushin Hospital at Framingham, Massachusetts. Since 1966 he has been Superintendent of the Dr. Harry C. Solomon Mental Health Center in Lowell, Mass.

In addition, Dr. Bockoven has also taught at Harvard Medical School and the University of Vermont College of Medicine. Long engrossed by the history of mental hospital care, he has written extensively about it. In 1964 he received a Certificate in Commendation from the American Psychiatric Association for his distinguished service as Chairman of the Committee on History of Psychiatry. In addition, he served his country as an officer in the U.S. Army during World War 2.

Dr. Bockoven died at age 91, on June 30, 2007. He was a long time resident of Lincoln, Massachusetts. He was husband of Dorothy (Purinton) Bockoven. Father of John S. of Lincoln, Shirley of North Hamilton, William P. of Louisville, KY, Frank R. of Waltham, Peter M. of Tuscon, AZ and Ralph C. of Acton. Brother of the late William Bockoven and Elizabeth Kadish. Also survived by 13 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Kind, intellectual, adventurer are only a few words to describe Dr. Bockoven.