Obituaries
Renowned Psychiatrist Richard W. Roukema Dead at 83
The long-time Ridgewood resident was also a prolific author
Dr. Richard W. Roukema, 83, of Pompton Plains and formerly Ridgewood, passed away on August 28, 2011. Dr. Roukema was born in Prospect Park, NJ and spent his married life in Ridgewood.
He earned his undergraduate degree from Rutgers University and his medical degree in psychiatry from New York Medical School. He received his residency training at the Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Rockland State Hospital. In addition, Dr. Roukema served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy.
Dr. Roukema practiced psychiatry in Ridgewood, NJ and was a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark. He was a Clinical Director of Mental Health and Medical Staff President at the Christian Health Care Center in Wyckoff, NJ. Dr. Roukema was published in numerous journals and received many awards, including “Psychiatrist of the Year” from the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and the “Top Docs” award from NJ Monthly magazine.
Dr. Roukema was an avid skier and tennis player and was a long time member of the Upper Ridgewood Tennis Club. He was an author of six books: Walking All Over God’s Heaven; Spouse of the House; What Every Patient, Family, Friend and Caregiver Needs to Know About Psychiatry; Counseling for the Soul in Distress; What Every Religious Counselor Should Know about Emotional and Mental Illness; and Shepherding the Shepherd, Negotiating the Stress of Ministry.
He was married to former US Congresswoman Marge Roukema (Scafati) for 60 years.
He was the loving father of Greg, and wife Susan (McCormick) of Franklin Lakes, Meg and husband Jim Kuhn of Eagle, ID and the late Todd Roukema. He leaves his adoring grandchildren Bennett and Evan Roukema and Jimmy, Jennifer and Chris Kuhn.
Funeral services for the family were private, a public church service celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, October 8th at Upper Ridgewood Community Church, Corner of Fairmount and Hillcrest Roads in Ridgewood.
The family requests that contributions be made in Dr. Richard Roukema’s memory to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 811 West Evergreen Ave, Suite 204, Chicago, IL 60642 or Valley Hospice, Dorothy B. Kraft Center, Third Floor, 15 Essex Road, Paramus, NJ 07652. Arrangements Feeney Funeral Home, Ridgewood (www.feeneyfuneralhome.com).
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