Arthur Harris Nickerson M.D.

Arthur Harris Nickerson, M.D. Gracious in life, generous to all, utterly devoted to his wife, four children and eleven grandchildren, Dr. Arthur Nickerson, 81, passed away peacefully from cancer at his Long Beach home on April 16, 2010. Arthur cherished his 52 years of marriage to Joan and 46 years in Long Beach raising a family. He was truly dedicated to his many patients during his 43 years of private psychiatric practice in Long Bea ch, and was well-respected and admired in the medical community. Arthur found great joy in music and theater arts and was happy on stage or in the audience. He supported the Long Beach Civic Light Opera and performed in many of its productions. He was also a founding and loyal patron of the Long Beach Opera. Arthur sang in the bass section in both the Long Beach Chorale and the choir at Bay Shore Community Congregational Church, where he was a faithful member for 46 years and also served as Moderator and on numerous church commissions. Arthur always found time to play with his children and help with their studies. He relished the chance to dance with his wife, garden, ski or read The New Yorker and Time magazines, often while basking in the California sunshine by pool or garden. Comfortable in any social situation, Arthur adored people, both friends and strangers, and had the gift of making others feel at ease. Perhaps Arthur's kindness, humility, generous spirit and integrity were rooted in his Dakota upbrin ging. Born in Fargo, North Dakota to Myron and Selma Nickerson, Arthur grew up in a family of modest means and developed a serious work ethic as well as a penchant for fun, singing, dancing and acting his way through childhood. He discovered his passion for the arts and medicine during his school years in Aberdeen, South Dakota, and as an undergraduate at the University of South Dakota. Arthur came to Southern California for medical school at the University of Southern California. He then fulfilled a rotati ng internship at Long Beach Veterans Administration Hospital, during which time he determined that Long Beach would someday be his home. He completed his psychiatric residency at the prestigious Menninger School of Psychiatry in Topeka, Kansas, where he met his wife, Joan, a music therapist at the hospital. He served two years as an officer in the United States Navy and was the psychiatrist at a naval base in Virginia. He pursued his specialty with a fellowship in child psychiatry at the Menninger Children' s Hospital back in Kansas, where he and Joan began their new family. Arthur's learning did not cease with the completion of his formal studies and subsequent move to Long Beach; he was a lifelong student in his field and, in addition to his 43 years of private practice, volunteered his expertise as a consultant to universities, school districts and hospitals. He was an integral part of the staff at Long Beach Memorial Hospital for most of his career and associated with several other local hospitals. Arthur was honored by the American Psychiatric Association for 50 years of service to the association and the field of psychiatry in January, 2009. Arthur's spirit will live on through his friends, former patients and family, including his wife, Joan; sister, Joy Kester; sister-in-law, Margaret Hensler; children, Anne (and Bill) Nickerson-Hughes, Susan (and Alex) Nickerson-Olivares, Myron (and Carina) Nickerson and John (and Renee) Nickerson; grandchildren, Keri, Chris, Kelli, Thomas and Emily Hughes, Madeline an d Kate Olivares, Soli and Arthur (due any moment now) Nickerson, Alexandra and Andrew Nickerson; "adopted" son, Anderson Ndakalu Inganga; and beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. The acceptance and care Arthur gave to his patients and the wisdom and sense of humor he shared with his relatives, friends and acquaintances will be missed immeasurably. We will gather on Friday, May 21, 2010 at 2:00 p.m., at the Bay Shore Community Congregational Church (5100 The Toledo, Long Beach, CA 90803) to remember and cele brate Arthur's remarkable and significant life. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Arthur Nickerson may be made to Long Beach Opera (507 Pacific Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802).