James Russell Nickel

James Russell Nickel ("Jim") was born on May 14, 1942. He was the oldest of five boys. His father was Walter Russell Nickel, MD; his mother was Mona Eileen Nickel. Walter had just completed his training as a dermatologist, and was serving in the US military in Washington State when Jim was born. After the war the family moved to San Diego, where Jim and his four brothers grew up.

Jim went to Stanford, attending "Stanford In Germany" his sophomore year. During a preparatory session he happened to sit next to Melanie Humphrey, also a sophomore. They had never met before, but each was very impressed by the other. Jim was impressed because Melanie had gone to an office and recorded a list of all 70 of the students planning to go to Stanford In Germany. Melanie was impressed because Jim had the bluest eyes she had ever seen. After returning to Stanford’s main campus, they both became chemistry majors.

After graduation, Jim moved to Los Angeles to attend medical school at UCLA, while Melanie took a fifth year at Stanford to get her teaching credential. They wrote letters and stayed in touch, and Melanie made a point of securing a teaching position in Los Angeles. One year later, in August 1965, they were married.

Jim and Melanie had two children, Robert and Linda. The family lived in New Orleans for two years during Jim's required time in the Public Health Service. They lived in housing on the grounds of the Public Health Hospital, along with many other young couples with small children. They all enjoyed New Orleans, especially Mardi Gras. Many of the families they met there are still in contact.

They then moved to Hawaii for a year, where Jim worked for a local medical laboratory diagnosing test results. Although they loved Hawaii and the “spirit of aloha” there, after a year they moved to Coronado, and then San Diego. In downtown San Diego, Jim opened up his own medical laboratory, with Melanie functioning as lab manager. The facility, Pacific Medical Laboratory, specialized in skin pathology and attracted business from all over the county. It flourished for about 40 years.

Jim was an active volunteer in the Point Loma and Ocean Beach communities. While it’s impossible to list everything here, a few of Jim’s major leadership roles included Boy Scouts of America, where he received the Silver Beaver Award, and the Ocean Beach Kiwanis, where he served as president and lieutenant governor. He and Melanie were the main organizers for many years at the OB Kite Festival, the Canine Carnival, the Christmas Food Drive, and other community events.

Jim was known for his generosity, kindness, and optimism. He was quick to support friends and family in new ventures, and always proud of everyone's successes, big or small. He loved spending time with his three wonderful grandchildren, working in his garden, playing bridge, and traveling with Melanie.

Although the lab kept them busy, Jim and Melanie never lost the urge to travel. Starting in 1990, they laid out a detailed plan to travel the world. They decided to take at least one multiple-week trip per year, starting with the most challenging locations; their first three choices were China, Africa, and India. They visited at least 60 countries, and kept it up well into their 70s. Although more than 60 years had passed, in 2024 they returned to the site of "Stanford In Germany" to watch the sunset from the same stone wall where they spent time together when they first met. In 2025 they returned to Hawaii to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.

Jim’s memorial service will be at 1:00 pm on December 13th at Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church, where he was a member for many years. The family requests that memorial contributions in lieu of flowers be given to the Ocean Beach Kiwanis Foundation or the Ocean Beach Woman’s Club.