William Emes Semple, Ph.D.

William Emes Semple, Ph.D., of Brecksville, Ohio, lived a life of uncommon depth, purpose and devotion. Above all, he was a family man.

He was eccentric, easy-to-laugh (especially at his own jokes), and his greatest joy came from time spent with his family. He was known for his affinity for filling the many bird feeders in the backyard, his love of filling his plaid shirt pocket with a notepad and pens, and always having a favorite CD playing.

To the professional world, he was Dr. Semple. To those who knew him, he was Bill. To his children, he was Dad. To his grandchildren, he was Pop-Pop. To his brother Scott, he was Billy.

Bill was an accomplished psychologist, psychopharmacologist, neuroscientist, researcher, and educator whose career was driven by relentless curiosity and a commitment to helping others. As a Research Psychologist at the National Institute of Mental Health, he pioneered the use of PET brain imaging alongside psychopharmacology to study psychiatric illness and its treatment. He later continued his work with the Veterans Administration and as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Veterans became a central focus of his mission, reflecting his belief that those who served deserved understanding, treatment, and the fullest effort science could provide. His research included PTSD, substance-use disorders, and psychiatric neuroscience, including a 1993 PET study of cerebral blood flow in PTSD patients. Analytical, funny, opinionated, persistent, and endlessly curious, Bill believed that better understanding human suffering was one way to help relieve it.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Mary Ann; his children, John Cooper Semple (Shannon), Anna Catherine Semple (David), William Procter Semple; his grandsons, Carson Michael Semple and Ellison Hansard Dabney; his brother, Scott Semple (Barbara); and nieces, Laura and Kelley Semple.

He was Dr. Semple. He was Bill. He was Dad. He was Pop-Pop. He was Billy.

And to the people who loved him, he was irreplaceable.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations  to PTSD Foundation of America http://ptsdusa.org/

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