Louis DeRosis, M.D., 1917-2010

At 93, we have lost one of our most esteemed and revered members, Dr. Louis DeRosis. With appreciation, we recognize his deep impact on the American Institute for Psychoanalysis over many decades.

Dr. DeRosis graduated with a BA from Columbia University in 1938 and received his M.D. at Long Island University Medical School in 1942. After a memorable interview by Karen Horney, that he was most fond to recount to younger generations of psychoanalysts, Dr. DeRosis was accepted into training at The American Institute for Psychoanalysis in 1946. Some of the great pioneers of the Institute, Muriel Ivimey, Harold Kelman, and until 1951 Karen Horney herself, were his supervisors. Dr. DeRosis represented the first flowering of Horneyan analysts at the institute, and then went on to serve for several decades as a wise mentor to generations of psychoanalysts in his capacity as training analyst, training supervisor, and faculty. In addition, he was a charter fellow when the American Academy of Psychoanalysis was formed in 1956 and was a member of the Association of Existential Psychology and Psychiatry.

The esteem with which Dr. DeRosis was held at our institute was not derived simply from his long years of service but from the palpable depth of his being: his utter decency, his humility, his tireless commitment to his analysands, supervisees, and to the Horney community. His influence was no less profound as a personal confidante to many fellow institute members. Courageous and yet humble, Dr. DeRosis gave his counsel to all who sought him out, never insisting on public recognition and never betraying confidence. For those who knew him, this was one of his greatest contributions to the institute. He was a valued colleague to many, young, and old and he lived the life he wanted to live.

Louie, as he was affectionately known, was an utterly rare combination of conviction and unaffected modesty. Passionate about many things, he nevertheless had the authenticity of an honest and kind