John Freeman Nickerson

John Freeman Nickerson, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away Sunday, October 9th, 2011 at age 79. John was a retired physician, a board certified pathologist of national repute who was Chief Pathologist heading the pathology department of Atlanta's Crawford W. Long Memorial Hospital for most of his tenure spanning 1965 to 1993, when he moved to Piedmont Hospital until retirement in 1997. John was not only a graduate of Auburn University and the University of Alabama Medical School, he was also a medical school instructor and published researcher early in his career. He was well respected by his peers throughout his life, "eminently qualified" per his professors and associates alike, consistently providing expertise and leadership. John was also a member of the House of Delegates of the College of American Pathologists from 1989 to 1999, further benefiting his fellow physicians. Additionally he successfully ran PSPA, a well-known reference laboratory test facility which served not only the metropolitan Atlanta area but the southeast as well. Dr. Nickerson was passionate about his work, loved the science of medicine, and in the words of one of his colleagues, "he not only loved it, he was the best at it". "Bright" does not begin to describe him.

John was also known for his sharp wit and humor, as well as his kindness. Many a co-worker has shared how over the years John helped them on such a touching, personal level that they were forever indebted to him. Comments such as "His help was a God-send at a critical time in my life" and "I do not know what I would have done without his support" have been frequent. His love of animals, dogs in particular, led John and his wife Madolyn to contribute significantly to the Highlands/Cashiers, NC Humane Society. He contributed to many such charitable efforts over the years, including most recently to the Bascom Art Center, the Highlands Community Child Development Center, and the Highlands/Cashiers Hospital. John was also a member of the Board of Advisors of the Georgia Museum of Art at the University of Georgia, the state museum of Georgia. He loved art, music, cooking, wine, boating and playing on the water, traveling parts of the world, and learning, learning, learning. All of these treasures of personality made John Nickerson the personable and sometimes wickedly teasing man we knew and loved.

But what many folks do not know is that John was literally self-made, the only child of a small town nurse, who excelled in school and also placed at the top in State of Alabama track competitions one year, in subsequent years went on to excel in college on the G.I.bill, and lived at one point in Section 8 Housing while in medical school with his wife and growing family as they both worked to make ends meet - and still he excelled. John's reputation for applying himself wholly and completely started early and remained untouched throughout his life. His high reverence for integrity, self improvement, achievement and education were imbedded in his character.

Accordingly, we know of no better way to honor his memory than with a scholarship fund for needy medical students. The family suggests memorial gifts to the John F. Nickerson, MD, Medical Scholarship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, c/o Virginia Gilbert Loftin, FOT 1230, 1530 Third Ave. South, Birmingham, AL 35294-3412; (205) 975-5659; [email protected] . In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution.

A memorial service is being held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, October 15th at All Saints Episcopal Church in downtown Atlanta.

John F. Nickerson is survived by his loving wife, Madolyn, children Lewis Nickerson and his wife Wilma, Mike Nickerson, Susan Nickerson, Beth Nickerson Hiers and her husband Chris, grandson Charlie Gocken, and numerous relatives, friends and colleagues - along with his kitty PurrPurr and two beastie dogs Abby and Jaeger. Sadly, his eldest daughter Jayne Nickerson Gocken passed away on Thursday, October 6th, 2011.