BENNET I. ENOWITCH ’55

BENNETT I. ENOWITCH, M.D., a psychiatrist and former medical director at several managed care companies in the Hartford, Conn., area, died Jan. 6, 2009, at age 74. He was a member of the John Wesley Club. In addition to a master’s degree in public health, he received his medical degree from the University of Basel and a further medical degree from the University of Geneva. More recently, he received a master’s degree in Comparative Literature from Wesleyan and in 2003 he received a Ph.D. in German literature with a subspecialty in Swiss Literature from the University of Connecticut. Board certified in psychiatry and neurology since 1972, he was appointed a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Among those who survive are his wife, Elisa Cohen Enowitch, two children, three grandchildren, a brother, and a cousin, Paul S. Ruderman ’79.

Bennett I. Enowitch, 74, of West Hartford, husband of Elisa (Cohen) Enowitch, passed away on Tuesday, (January 6, 2009) due to complications from leukemia. Born in Middletown, he was the son of the late Elliot and Anne (Chester) Enowitch. He graduated from Middletown High School and then received his A.B. degree from Wesleyan University. Upon graduating from Wesleyan University, Dr. Enowitch studied microbiology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. After studying in Tennessee he began working for the United States Army at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. He was stationed in Mercury, Nevada, for several months researching the radiation effects of the atomic bomb. All research took place at ground zero. He then entered Yale University’s School of Public Health, receiving a Masters in Public Health in 1959. He then continued his education by graduating from the University of Basel School of Medicine in Basel, Switzerland in 1965. He also received a medical degree from the University of Geneva Institute of Human Genetics in 1966. Dr. Enowitch was able to study at the Basel Tropical Institute of Medicine as well. Upon returning from Europe, he completed his psychiatric residency at the Institute of Living in Hartford, He was a member of Hartford Hospital’s Senior Staff for 19 years. He worked for several insurance companies doing specialized work in utilization review cases and was the Medical Director at several managed care companies. He worked at CIGNA (Connecticut General) for over 21 years. Dr. Enowitch has been Board Certified in psychiatry and neurology since 1972. He became a Diplomat Fellow in 1978 and a Life Fellow in 1999. In 2003 the American Psychiatric Association appointed him as a Distinguished Life Fellow. In January, 2008 Dr. Enowitch was appointed by Governor Jodi Rell to become a member of the Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee. This past April, 2008 Dr. Enowitch was chosen by his peers as Connecticut Magazine Top Doctors. Dr. Enowitch also became the American representative for the University of Basel Medical School alumni organization. Throughout his career he was able to give speaking lectures at various hospitals around the world. He spoke at the An Ding Hospital in Beijing, China, hospitals in Peru, and Switzerland. Since Dr. Enowitch has always had a passion for reading, he decided that he wanted to pursue a Master’s Degree in Comparative Literature from Wesleyan University. He completed this and then entered the PhD program in German Literature at the University Of Connecticut. He received his M.A in German Literature and then in 2003 completed his studies by receiving his PhD in German Literature with a sub-specialty in Swiss Literature. His dissertation was focused on a Swiss writer and medical doctor. The Peter Lang Publishing House based out of Bern, Switzerland, was very much interested in his work and decided to publish his dissertation. Dr. Enowitch was clearly a true intellectual. He could always be found reading several books at once. He loved reading. He would read great writers from Germany, France, Italy, South America, etc. He also enjoyed reading biographies, literary criticism, and philosophy. Dr. Enowitch was very dedicated to his practice. He treated all his patients with kindness and respect. He was a true renaissance man. He enjoyed listening to classical music as well as Jazz, he was especially a huge fan of Stan Kenton. He loved to reminisce about growing up listening to Fibber Magee and Molly, The Shadow, The Quiz Kids amongst others. He enjoyed talking about the old days in Hartford, the State Theater, The Hartford Chiefs, etc. He also was huge fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Dr. Enowitch was both a scholar and a gentleman. He leaves his loving wife of 44 years, Elisa Cohen Enowitch, his best companion; a devoted son and his best friend Boris Enowitch of West Hartford who assisted him and helped care for him whenever needed; a caring daughter, Schalleen Connelly, of Farmington and his son-in-law Michael Connelly, three grandchildren, and a brother Gerald Enowitch of Boynton Beach, Fla. Dr. Enowitch also leaves his brother-in-law Albert Cohen and his wife Nina Cohen of Panama. The Family wishes to thank Dr. Peter Tutschka for all of his help and his friendship. They also want to thank Dr. Tutschka’s entire staff at the Saint Francis Cancer Center. Services will be private and at the convenience of the family at the Pine Street Cemetery, Middletown. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dr. Enowitch’s memory to the Cancer Center Holiday Fund- in care of Dr. Peter Tutschka, Saint Francis Mount Sinai Regional Cancer Center, 114 Woodland Street, Hartford, CT 06105. The Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church Street, Middletown is handling the arrangements. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www. doolittlefuneralservice.com.