Arthur G. Nikelly, Ph.D., retired clinical psychologist and associate professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, passed away October 19, 2011. Visitation was held at Renner-Wikoff Chapel in Urbana, Illinois on Friday, October 21, 2011 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. Visitation will also be held from 12:00-1:00 pm Monday, October 24, 2011 followed by funeral services at 1:00 at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2727 West Winona Street, Chicago, Illinois. The son of George and Mary (Koletti) Nikelly, he is survived by his sister, Eva, of Morton Grove, Illinois; brother, John, and sister-in-law, Margaret of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, and many friends and colleagues around the world. He received a bachelor's degree and master's degree from Roosevelt University in Chicago and a Ph.D. in psychology from Ottawa University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He served in the US Army during the Korean War. From 1959 to the mid 1980's he served as a clinical psychologist at McKinley Health Center and associate professor of psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was a member of the American Psychological Association and other professional societies. A prolific scholar on many topics, Dr. Nikelly had several books and over 50 scholarly publications to his credit. His books included Mental Health for Students: A Guide for Adjusting to College (1966); Techniques for Behavior Change (1972); Achieving Competence and Fulfillment (1977); Techniques for Behavior Change: Applications of Adlerian Theory (1979).

His publications addressed greed, nostalgia, depression, the challenge of immigrants to the helping professions, group psychotherapy with Greek immigrants, demons and the evil eye in Greece, the role of environment in mental health, sexual deviation in college students, the schizophrenic in college, ethical issues in research on student protest, alcoholism, techniques for counseling African-American students, health care and mental health care in Cuba, the impact of television on social interest, drug advertisements and the medicalization of depression in women.

Dr. Nikelly's last book, The Romantic Poetry of Greece 1880-1960 (2009) translated the work of famous Greek poets into English for the first time. The book is available from the National Hellenic Museum, 333 South Halsted Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661, www.hellenicmuseum.org. All proceeds are donated to the museum, a not-for-profit institution. He had a fascination with the Greek language and a strong connection to his ancestral homeland.

Professor Nikelly left a legacy of good deeds. A major philanthropist, Dr. Nikelly initiated the design and construction of Nikelly outpatient health clinic (Nikelleio Iatreio) together with his sister, Eva and brother John, in their hometown village of Vrisa on the island of Lesvos, Greece. They also provided funds for all medical equipment and office furnishings. The clinic opened in 2011. Dr. Nikelly also bought a century-old building and oversaw its adaptive reuse into the Vrisas Library (Bibliothiki Vrisas), to be opened shortly. Arthur, Eva, and John also donated land for the new St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and natural reserve in Vatera, a seaside village near Vrisa. The church opened in 2011.

Long before it became fashionable, Dr. Nikelly lived a sustainable lifestyle. He lived modestly in a small home, walked to work, maintained a regular health and fitness routine, and engaged in healthy eating habits based on a Mediterranean diet. He received awards for his swimming abilities and swam an average of one to two miles per day. He worked out regularly at the university recreation center.

Memorial contributions may be made to Modern Greek Studies Fund, #335869 c/o University of Illinois Foundation, 1305 West Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801. www.moderngreek.illinois.edu/giving/ . Please note "In Memory of Arthur G. Nikelly."