William S. Rachlin ’49

He prepared for Princeton at New Britain (Conn.) High School. At Princeton he majored in chemistry. He was a member of the Chess Club and Hillel.

Bill received early acceptance by Harvard Medical School after three years at Princeton, graduating in 1952. He did training in surgery at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston and then spent two years in the Air Force. Bill spent the rest of his career in private practice as a surgeon and also taught at Harvard Medical School.  

In addition to membership in the American Medical Association and the American College of Surgeons, Bill served as president of the Norfolk District Medical Society, which named him community clinician of the year in 2002. After retirement he became a volunteer science teacher in several middle schools in the Boston area. He was also active in the Temple Israel Brotherhood.

Bill was predeceased by his wife, Joy, Nov. 30, 2008. He is survived by two daughters, Margo Gray and Fay Rachlin, and two grandchildren. The class extends sincere condolences to them on their loss.