Russell Nickels Obituary

Russell Arthur "Russ" Nickels

Jun 11, 1939 - May 2, 2024

Brookings, OR

Doctor Russell A. "Russ" Nickels, 84, passed through the veil peacefully in the arms of his beloved Thursday, May 2, 2024.

He was born in 1939 to Ohio farmers Russell L. Nickels and Ruth M. Nickels.

He graduated from Milan High School in 1957, earning bachelor degrees in biology and mathematics from Ohio State University in 1961. He earned his M.D. from Case Western Reserve University in 1967. He then moved to the Bay Area, interning in Pediatrics at the Children's Hospital in Oakland, then earning a Masters in Public Health from UC Berkley in 1969. In 1969, in partnership, he developed and became Medical Director of The Berkley Free Clinic. In 1971, he received a Federal Grant to practice medicine with Indigenous communities and became close with Henry and Lenard Crow Dog of the Lakota Nation, forming the Tribal Healing Council.

Russ moved to Brookings, Oregon in 1975, where he set his roots in the Winchuck River Valley and began his family medical practice locally in both Curry and Del Norte Counties, retiring 2020. Additionally, he was Captain in the Curry County Mounted Posse 1987-1998, founding organizer of Brookings-Harbor Medical Foundation, and founding member and Vice President of Winchuck Fish and Wildlife Enhancement project. He also belonged to the Elks and Rotary Organizations. Later, he became "Popi" to our community at Nickels Pumpkin Patch from 2000-2016, where over 1,000 community children were invited to come yearly to pick their "perfect pumpkin."

Russ married his eternal companion, Victoria Nickels, on Feb. 21, 1996, on Playa la Ropa, Zihuatanejo, GRO, MX. They traveled the world, offering volunteer medicine wherever their adventures took them. Together, they lovingly nurtured their family's connection. Russ was devoted to his family. His children and grandchildren were one of the proudest achievements of his accomplished life.

Russ will be remembered for his kind and generous spirit, compassionate bedside manner, and his (acre) garden, from which he distributed his organic vegetables abundantly.

His memory is cherished by his wife, Victoria; brother, Donald (Phyllis); children, Cristy (Michael), Kloud, Cedar (Rebecca), Annapurna (Kevin), Atlantis, Manja (Mario), and Russell (McKenna); and grandchildren, Elijah, Kate, Zane, Kai, Lola, Arella, Jude, Giovanni, and Lumina.

Russ was preceded in death by his daughter, Jubilee Ruth Nickels; and parents, Russell and Ruth Nickels.

A celebration of life will be in Brookings, Oregon, this summer.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to seva.org in his name.

In honor of his memory, we encourage you to plant seeds in your garden or lend a helping hand to your neighbor.