James B. Southard III, M.D.

Cumberland – James B. Southard, III, M.D., 75, died Sunday, January 21, 2018 at Miriam Hospital, Providence.  He was the beloved husband of Jean M. (Clauss) Southard.  Dr. & Mrs. Southard had been married for eighteen years.

Born in Cold Spring, New York, a son of the late James B. Southard, Jr. and Adair (Sohst) Southard, he had lived in Connecticut, Johnston and Lincoln, before moving to Cumberland one year ago.

Dr. Southard was a graduate of Taft Academy, Watertown, Connecticut, and Boston University, where he earned a Nursing Degree and Doctorate of Medicine.  Upon graduation, he became an anesthesiologist at several hospitals, including in Connecticut at Hartford Hospital and Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, and in Rhode Island at the former Lying-In Hospital, Notre Dame Hospital, Roger Williams Medical Center, and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, before retiring.

A U.S. Army veteran, he served during the Vietnam War as an Operating Room Technician, stationed in Würzburg, Germany.

He was a member of the Lincoln Council, Knights of Columbus, the American Medical Association and the Rhode Island Anesthesia Association.  He enjoyed hockey, regularly playing in Men’s Leagues at the Smithfield Municipal Ice Rink.

Besides his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Sharon Southard of Boston, Massachusetts; three sons, Matthew Southard (Rebecca) and Nathaniel Southard (Carrie), both of Northfield, Connecticut, and James P. Southard of Boston, Massachusetts; two step-daughters, Tamara A. DiRobbio (David MacDonald) of Albion, and Alicia J. Sullivan (Michael) of Woonsocket;  two step-sons, Christopher C. DiRobbio (Sheila) of Cumberland, and Michael J. DiRobbio (Amanda) of Framingham, Massachusetts; five grandchildren, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Hayden, Avery and Riley; and three step-grandchildren, Brady, Colin and Hailey.  He was the brother of the late Barbara Case, and brother-in-law of the late Robert Case.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, January 26, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in Saint Ambrose Church, 191 School Street, Albion.  Military Honors will follow.  Relatives and friends are invited.  Visiting hours are respectfully omitted.  Private burial will take place at the convenience of the family in Cold Spring, New York.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory to the ALS Association - Rhode Island Chapter, 2374 Post Rd #103, Warwick, RI 02886, or to the Alzheimer’s Association - Rhode Island Chapter, 245 Waterman St #306, Providence, RI 02906 would be appreciated.  Arrangements with Bellows Funeral Chapel, 160 River Road, Lincoln.

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