Arthur J. Deikman M.D.

Arthur J. Deikman, M.D.

Arthur J. Deikman, M.D., beloved husband, father, friend, and colleague, passed on September 2, 2013 at his home in Mill Valley, CA after a brave and patient encounter with Parkinson's. Son of Elsie and Jules Deikman of Long Island, NY, he was born September 27, 1929. He attended Harvard University. After graduation, he married his wife of 60 years, artist Etta Deikman (nee Mandelbaum), also from Long Island. They have two cherished daughters.

Arthur pursued psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and served two years in the USAF. In 1966, at Austen Riggs Institute in Stockbridge, MA, he conducted the first research in meditation and altered states of consciousness. Arthur was a founder and proponent of the Human Potential Movement, a movement in psychology in the 60's and 70's that explored and advocated the actualization potential of all people.

In 1969, Arthur accepted a position as associate professor and administrator of the inpatient psychiatric ward at the University of Colorado Medical School. He was a staunch opponent of reducing mental illness to a diagnosis and a lifelong advocate of treatment without use of psychotropic medication.

Arthur and his family moved to Mill Valley, CA where he maintained a practice in psychiatry including work with underserved patients, worked with a therapeutic community for alcoholism, served as associate professor at UCSF, and lectured at Esalen Institute. He continued his work in the study and understanding of consciousness and human potential with the exploration and practice of Zen Buddhism and Sufism, researching the transcendent nature of service, and authoring numerous books and papers.

Arthur played cello, wrote poetry, loved classical music, tracked and monitored hawks on the mountain, ran, and cycled. Kind, thoughtful, humorous, and insightful, he will be deeply missed. Arthur is survived by his wife Etta, daughters Cathy and Susan, and grandson Zimran. A memorial service will be held October 13th at 1 pm at the Muir Woods Park Community Association Clubhouse, 40 Ridge Ave, Mill Valley CA.

Donations in his memory to the National Resource Defense Council, the Parent Aide Project of the Family Service Agency of Marin. A Step Up Academy PA: http://astepupacademy.org/.