Dr. Robert E. Nicks

Dr. Robert Everett Nicks, age 94, passed away in his home on Wednesday, December 27, 2017. Dr. Nicks was born December 28, 1922 in State Center, Iowa to Dr. Clyde and Alice Nicks. He moved to the Elkin area with his family as a young boy.

Dr. Nicks was an active member of Elkin First United Methodist Church.

Dr. Nicks was a graduate of N.C. State University where he received a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He was inducted into the Army immediately after his graduation and served in the Army Air Corps. After the war, he attended Colorado A&M (now Colorado State University) where he received his doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. He practiced veterinary medicine at Nicks Veterinary Clinic in Elkin from 1952 until his full retirement in 1992.

Dr. Nicks was a devoted husband and father. Family and community were his life!

He served as an Elkin Town Commissioner and Airport Commissioner for many years. His love of outdoor sports and medicine lead him to serve with National Ski Patrol for 28 years. Dr. Nicks and his wife Louise were avid members of the Winston-Salem Dog Training Club.  Additional interests included a photography club, wood turning, biking, camping, boating and water skiing. After obtaining his private pilot license, he spent many hours at the Elkin Municipal Airport where he enjoyed all things that could fly!  In his younger years, Dr. Nicks played the saxophone and clarinet in a band named “The Rebels”.

In addition to his parents, Dr. Nicks was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Morton Nicks and daughter, Miriam Nicks Cochrane. Survivors include: two daughters, Dr. Barbara Nicks, of Blacksburg, SC and Gail Nicks Richard of Shelby; one brother, Dr. Gene Nicks of Diamondhead, Mississippi; six grandchildren, Sara Richard, Zack Richard, Chris Richard, Michael Cochrane, Lynette Boone and Leah Cochrane; and one great-grandchild, Amber.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, January 14, 2018 at Elkin First United Methodist Church at 2:30 p.m. with Rev. Michael Shuford and Dr. Bill Johnson officiating.  The family will receive friends following the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Elkin Public Library, 111 N. Front Street, Elkin, NC 28621, Mountain Valley Hospice, 401 Technology Lane, Mount Airy, NC 27030 or to Feed the Elderly Program, c/o: Charles Mathis, P.O. Box 125, Elkin, NC 28621.