Michael J. Bohnert

Michael J. Bohnert, M.D. of Watertown died on Sunday, May 1, 2022 at Mass General Hospital. He was 75.

Born on May 10, 1946 in Jasper, Indiana, Michael was the son of Vincent and Stella 'Kay' (Kaiser) Bohnert. He was raised in Jasper, playing baseball and graduating from Jasper High School. After high school he attended Indiana University for his undergraduate, then University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and finally, completed his medical training at Harvard, where he did his internship and residency. Dr. Bohnert was a board-certified Psychiatrist, Psychoanalyst and Psychopharmacologist. He held a number of positions at different hospitals, commissions and councils, and maintained a private practice throughout his career.

Behind any successful person is a great partner and supporter that makes anything possible. That was certainly true of Michael. In 1985, he met the love of his life, Dawn Frazier-Bohnert, at the Harvest Restaurant in Harvard Square. The couple would marry in the courtyard at Maison Robert on October 1,1994. They traveled the world together, but especially enjoyed a sunny beach in the Caribbean as a place to unwind. Michael was Dawn's biggest champion and supporter of her work as head of global diversity, equity, and inclusion at Liberty Mutual. The love, support and intellect of Michael was essential for their shared success. Though he and Dawn had different occupations their work had a common thread. They shared a passion for lifting the human spirit and treating ALL people with dignity and respect. This is a bond they shared deeply.

While work was core to Michael's life he did love to play. Sports were a key ingredient in his life. He had a love/hate relationship with the Patriots, go TB. He was a member of Oakley Country Club, but admitted that he liked practicing his golf swing more than actually playing the game. An avid art collector, and a lover of music, dancing and literature, Michael loved to entertain. The couple always opened their house to friends and relatives and made many happy memories from the times they had at their home on Martha's Vineyard. Michael will be missed and remembered as both quiet and charismatic, and a natural storyteller that could capture a room.

In addition to his wife, Dawn Frazier-Bohnert, he leaves his sisters, Gloria Hayes (Bernard) of Indianapolis, Indiana, Janet Bohnert of Jasper, Indiana, Barbara Bohnert of Louisville, Kentucky, and Dr. Peg Bohnert, M.D. (John Berntheizel) of Buffalo, New York; his in-laws, Drs. Joseph and Suzanne Davis of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Sandra Frazier of Farmington Hills, Michigan, Tracy Dawson of Kalamazoo, Michigan and Ret. Col. Richard Frazier USAF (Elizabeth) of Georgetown, Texas. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and their families and his sweet 14-year-old Cockapoo, Ruben.

Family and friends will honor and remember Dr. Bohnert's life by gathering to visit on Monday, May 16th in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham, from 10:30 to 12:30 p.m. A Life Celebration service will be held at 12:30 p.m. Burial will follow in Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The ITOG-International Thyroid Oncology Group. (www.ITOG.org)