Dr. Samuel David Nickol

Biography: Dr. Samuel David Nickol had a gift for putting smiles on faces.
Those smiles arose from his 36 years of dentistry in Little Rock and from his volunteer dental service to the local and international communities. He was also widely recognized as a dentist who served children and families with disabilities.
But, Dr. Nickol saved his warmest smiles and ever-present joy for family; for Bonnie, his wife of 58 years, and his children, Julie, and Gary, and their extended families and friends.
Samuel David Nickol was born at home in Osceola, AR., on February 5, 1939, to the late Henrietta (nee Bauman) and Dr. Morris Nickol. He died in Little Rock on April 17, 2023. Dr. Nickol's humor and quiet, calm exterior belied the depth of his great passions which began with family, Judaism, the ethics of Tikkun Olam ("repairing the world") and his profession. Growing up in Osceola as a "southpaw", Dr. Nickol had to persevere to achieve his goals.
Dr. Nickol graduated from the University of Tennessee School of Dentistry. In 1966, after serving as a captain in the US Army in Korea followed by service at Valley Forge General Hospital, Dr. Nickol returned to Arkansas to open his dental practice in Little Rock. Much of his dental career comprised building a practice while also lending his profession to those less fortunate. When the AIDS epidemic arose, he was concerned about the needs of the gay community and slowly became known as the go-to dentist who would openly serve HIV patients. When patients couldn't pay for his services he would accept trades such as the time he came home with dozens of fresh eggs and vegetables from a rural farmer. Another time his old Chevy pickup returned home with tinted windows and a new car stereo. He also worked part-time for Medicaid assisting the state of Arkansas in adjudicating dental services.
Dr. Nickol loved to combine travel where he often volunteered his dental services. In 1982 he took his family to Israel for a month where they resided in a communal village (kibbutz). He provided free dental services while his family also worked in other areas of the kibbutz. He returned to Israel to work at a free dental clinic which serviced impoverished children of all faiths. In later years, Dr. Nickol's neurologist, Dr. Lee Archer, recruited Dr. Nickol to be the first dentist on their Presbyterian medical missions to rural villages in Honduras. In 2010, the Jewish Federation of Arkansas awarded Dr. Nickol a Tikkun Olam award for his volunteer dental work abroad as well as his for his well-photographed dentures that created smiles for needy patients at the Harmony Health Clinic in Little Rock.
Throughout his professional career, Dr. Nickol sought to promote and improve upon his dental education. He was an active member of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) where he assisted in founding the Arkansas Chapter. He also achieved the Academy's highest honor for lifelong learning, the Mastership's Award. Mastership represents the highest level of achievement for members in accordance with AGD's mission to advance general dentistry and oral health through quality continuing education.
Dr. Nickol's love for Judaism and its beliefs and values persisted throughout his life. He was the Sunday school principal at Temple B'Nai Israel and was an active member of Agudath Achim Synagogue. Dr. Nickol's retirement allowed him to pursue and expand his hobbies which included riding his recumbent bike around Little Rock trails, hiking, traveling with Bonnie and grandchildren, gardening and making beautiful jewelry for family and friends.
Sam and Bonnie Nickol celebrated their 58th anniversary in March 2023. He was Bonnie's most vocal cheerleader whom he encouraged to pursue her varied interests and work for non-profits organizations. Remembering him will always bring smiles to our faces.
Dr. Nickol is survived by his wife, Bonnie (nee Ceitlin); daughter, Julie Felsen & husband, Steve of Denver; son, Dr. Gary Nickol, his wife, Kaylin Nickol of Alexandria, VA; 4 grandchildren, Sydney Felsen, Phoenix, Mia Felsen, Flagstaff, Gavin Nickol, Lauren Nickol of Alexandria. He is also survived by his sister, Floy Blustein and sister-in-law, Margaret Biller of Memphis; brother-in-law, Dr. Harold Ceitlin and his wife, Julie of Birmingham; beloved nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews; and a myriad of first cousins, including Jan & Dr. Lee Stein, Billy and Sharon Nickol, of Memphis; and Sherrie Nickol & David Katzenstein, NYC.
A private family burial will be held. This will be followed by a memorial service and reception at Congregation B'Nai Israel 9700 Rodney Parham Road, at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in his memory may be made to Jewish Federation of Arkansas, Congregation B'Nai Israel, Congregation Agudath Achim, Harmony Health Clinic or to the charity of your choice.