Franklin W Nitikman

Franklin W. Nitikman, a prominent Chicago attorney, died Thursday, Nov. 7, after an almost 20-year battle with frontotemporal dementia. A devoted husband for nearly 52 years to former Chicago Sun-Times reporter Adrienne Drell. Frank was born in Davenport, Iowa on Oct. 26, 1940, to Janette and David Nitikman. He attended Northwestern University and then Yale Law School. He worked at the McDermott, Will & Emery law firm for more than four decades, specializing in estate planning. When not helping people with their wills and trusts, Frank served as president of the board of the Chicago Sinfonia chamber orchestra and helped found the Chicago Council of Lawyers. He also chaired the board at the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership. Probably inheriting his love of music from his mother Janette, a concert pianist, Frank became a 17-year supernumerary (extra) with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He appeared in productions ranging from ‘La Bohème’ and ‘Don Quixote’ to ‘The Elixir of Love’ and ‘Elektra.’ In 1982, while playing a henchman in Puccini’s ‘Tosca,’ Frank’s nose was accidentally broken by Placido Domingo when the opera star snapped back his head to sing. The incident was noted in Domingo’s autobiography. Mr. Nitikman is also survived by his sister Nancy Nitikman.

Funeral service Tuesday, Nov. 12, 11:30AM at Weinstein & Piser Funeral Home, 111 Skokie Blvd, Wilmette, IL, 60091. Funeral service will be livestreamed. Interment Westlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to CJE SeniorLife at 3003 W Touhy Ave, Chicago, IL 60645 or at cje.net/donate. For info: 847-256-5700