William S. Kaden

At one of Bill Kaden's retirement parties from Harvard in May 2001 he quoted from a favorite novel titled 'The Bridge of San Luis Rey'. In particular he read a wonderfully profound and poignant excerpt from it which speaks about life and death…'But the love will have been enough; all those impulses of love return to the love that made them. Even memory is not necessary for love. There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love, the only survival, the only meaning.'

Bill crossed that bridge on Tuesday, October 30, 2018 when he died at Care Dimensions Hospice in Lincoln. He was 83.

William S. Kaden was born in Boston on July 4, 1935 and would forever relish in the fireworks, celebrations and cakes as America celebrates its independence and...his birthday. A son of the late George J. and Anna (Glickstein) Kaden he was raised in Boston. Bill graduated from Boston Latin High School and later served his country in the United States Army. He graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelor's degree and earned his Doctorate in Medicine from Yale University where he was second in his graduating class. Years later in life he earned his Master's in Business Administration from Northeastern University. On July 25, 1970 he married Elizabeth H. 'Betsy' Howe and they lived in Arlington before making Weston and Edgartown their homes.

His professional career began at Harvard Health Services in Cambridge where he eventually headed its Emergency Department. He treated everything from avulsion fractures from exploding tear gas canisters to acute narcotic withdrawal and everything in between. Bill later became the Medical Director at Harvard's Business School of Health Services. In 1975 while at Harvard he spearheaded a new effort in establishing two coronary units on the 40 yard line at every football game. Bill realized time was a critical element for heart attack patients and the availability of defibrillators and medical personnel ensured lives being saved…and it did!

In conjunction with his work at Harvard he maintained a private medical practice. Retirement from Harvard in 2001 led him to a position at MassPRO in which he reviewed medical reports for litigation purposes and more. He served as its director and enjoyed full retirement in 2009.

When away from work, Bill loved spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren and cherished his annual family vacations to Sebago Lake, Maine and Mont Orford, Canada. In recent years, these vacations were replaced by extended family gatherings in Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, where he and his wife maintained a home. Bill also enjoyed the excitement, relaxation and exercise from riding his bike. He traveled throughout the world on various trips exploring what the world has to offer via pedals and two wheels. He also participated in numerous charity rides to raise awareness and needed funds.

Bill also enjoyed a challenging game of chess with his son, Greg and others, time on the courts for a game of squash with colleagues and friends from work, classical music and raising orchids. Not one to sit idle even in retirement he always kept his mind active with games in trigonometry and math, crosswords and puzzles.

In addition to his wife of 48 years, Betsy, he leaves his children Felice A. Kaden-Laird (David) of Bethesda, MD, Benjamin H. Kaden (Roxanne Gruden), Gregory O. Kaden (Julianna) all of Weston and Matthew A. Kaden of Miami, FL; his sister, Barbara Matorin of Newton; his grandchildren, Connor K. and Harrison M. Laird, Jocelyn F. and Genevieve G. 'Gigi' Kaden, Christopher A. and Chloe C. Kaden; nieces & nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Bill's life by gathering on Friday, November 2nd in Wilson Chapel at Newton Theological Seminary, 234 Herrick Street, Newton where his Funeral Service will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Rabbi Carl M. Perkins will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow in Linwood Cemetery, Weston.

Memorial observances will be held on Sunday from 1 - 4 and 7 - 9 pm at the home of his sister Barbara in Newton.

In lieu of flowers memorials in his name to William S. Kaden Endowment, Harvard Business School, Development Operations, Teele Hall, Soldiers Field Road, Boston, MA 02163.