Robert E. Nyquist, M.D., 78, died on Jan. 7, 2007 in Chicago from weakening health brought on by acute myelogenous leukemia. Dr. Nyquist made a difference in the lives of all he touched. He had a reverence for Shakespeare, Beethoven, world history and lifelong learning and he encouraged all to pursue their dreams. He especially loved his family, his close friends and helping his patients. “He was so generous with his time and attention,” said his longtime friend and colleague, Elliot “Ben” Benezra. “People called him for advice and counsel all the time. His relationships with his patients often turned into meaningful friendships, many continued to write and call long after their treatment ended.” His motto was, “Get an education, because no one can take that away from you,” which was a message he took from his father, who had just an eighth grade education, said his daughter, Nancy. “He was always learning something new. For years he researched and learned a new ‘word of the day’ with the staff at the hospital. When we were in high school and taking Spanish, he took a course so he could speak it with us. He joined the school board in District 181 so he could make sure students learned Shakespeare.” “He was always there for you, as judgmental as one can be,” said his brother, Rev. Ray Nyquist. “He was interested in how you were doing, and he would always try to help you out whatever the situation.” Nyquist was born in 1928 into a large, struggling family in a Swedish neighborhood in Chicago. As a child, Nyquist experienced his share of health problems, and at the encouragement of his mother, he set his sights on becoming a doctor. He served in as medical officer in the U.S. Air Force at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, where he met his wife of 51 years, Jane Wilhoite Nyquist, a native of Kentucky. As a flight surgeon just after the Korean War, his wife was proud to say that her husband “fought the battle of Tampa Bay.” Still, military experience was another important slice of his life and he valued it greatly. When he was in his OB-GYN residency in Lincoln, Nebraska, he was sent to treat the physical problems of psychiatric patients, and he became more interested in their mental problems than their physical ones, so he resigned his residency and returned to Chicago to begin a new residency in psychiatry. He was always curious about what makes people “tick.” Nyquist moved to Hinsdale in 1960 and practiced child, adolescent and adult psychiatry at the Hinsdale Medical Center and Hinsdale Hospital for 45 years. He also founded and served for 15 years as director of the adolescent psychiatric program at River Edge Hospital in Forest Park. Nyquist is survived by his wife, Jane; his sister, Mildred Swenson of Skokie and brother, Rev. Ray (Nancy) Nyquist of Wheaton, and his children, Rex of Des Plaines, Julie (Charlie) Haapala of Park Ridge and Nancy (Ted) Powell of Jacksonville, FL, Bob (Hadley) Nyquist of Atlanta, GA; 11 grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 13 at 11 a.m. at St. Luke’s Christian Community Church, 9233 Shermer Road, Morton Grove. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Illinois Chapter, 651 W. Washington Blvd, Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60061, www.LLS.org or to Rainbow Hospice, 444 N. Northwest Highway, Suite 145, Park Ridge, IL 60068, www.rainbowhospice.org. Arrangements have been made by the Cremation Society of Illinois, 630-571-7390.
