Stuart Wilson Ph.D., age 80, died Monday, February 24, 2014, in Laguna Beach. Congestive heart failure overtook Wilson in the weeks prior to his death, and in keeping with his wishes, he remained at home among family and friends.
He was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, on Feb. 6, 1934, and earned a Ph.D. in psychology from Duke University. There, he and his wife Faye had their daughter Tara. Following a post-doctoral fellowship at the Menninger Clinic in Kansas City, he entered private practice in Newport Beach. He developed a practice as a highly qualified therapist for adults and children, and was relied upon by the court for expert legal testimony based on thorough psychological testing.
Dr. Wilson authored multiple editions of “Interpretive Guide To the Comprehensive Rorschach System,” which helped simplify the use of the so-called ink blot test for diagnosing certain mental illnesses. His legal activism as head of the California Association of Psychological Providers led to a Supreme Court ruling ensuring that patients in hospitals could have access to the services of a doctorate level mental health specialist when needed.
Following retirement, Wilson joined the board of the Susi Q Senior Center in Laguna Beach and became the resident historian for the era during which the center was organized and built. He compiled clippings of pertinent news articles from 1979 to 2009 and published them in a hard-back volume entitled “Clippings on the New Susi Q Senior Center.” Wilson was an experienced gardener, a reliable and expert cook, a devotee of classical music, and a push-over of a grandfather.
He is survived by Korey Jorgensen, his spouse and partner of 41 years; sister Jane Hoberg of Windsor, Ontario, Canada; daughter Tara Pittman; son Garth Jorgensen; grandchildren Brandon Jorgensen and Ivey Wilson; and friend and ex-wife Faye Wilson.
A reception will be held in his honor Saturday, March 29, from 3-5:30 p.m. at the Woman’s Club, 286 St. Ann’s Dr., in Laguna Beach. Rather than flowers, consider a gift to the Laguna Beach Community Clinic or the Susi Q Center.
