February 2007

William Tickel, DC ‑‑ 1946‑2006

by The staff of The Chiropractic Journal

As the profession progresses into its second century, we have come to expect, and accept as a sad inevitability, the death of those pioneers who helped develop chiropractic. But we are always unprepared for the death of those contemporary leaders who leave life and our community without warning and far too soon.

Such is the case with William E. Tickel, DC, known to most as Will, who died on Dec. 11, 2006, four days after being involved in a head‑on collision while driving to his office to do what he did best ‑‑ care for his patients. Reading through the 100 or so memorial messages left on his legacy page at todaycenter.com, it became clear that no one was prepared to lose this much‑loved chiropractic doctor, philosopher and writer. Shock, mixed with sadness and grief, was evident in many of the stories shared at the site.

But there were other emotions evident as well, notably joy and gratitude: the joy that comes from reviewing a life well spent, and gratitude for having had the opportunity to be touched by that life. One former schoolmate summed it up by saying, "He was the epitome of: live well, laugh often, love much." Another, a student who listened to Will give a presentation, told the family that he "exposed me to the Principles of Life and Chiropractic; without Will, I wouldn't be the person I am today."

He was a favorite here at The Chiropractic Journal, whose phone calls and e‑mails were always greeted with a smile. A couple of weeks before his death, we received a new article from him. The subject line of the e‑mail was "Oh happy day!" It still makes us smile to see that letter in our inbox.

"Will was definitely special," stated Terry A. Rondberg, DC, publisher of the Journal. "I first met him years ago at an ADIO seminar and his rousing lecture set us all on fire. Every word came directly from his heart and no one left the room unaffected."

On Will's tribute page, his family noted, "His outstanding attribute was that he sought the truths and principles of life and attempted to live according to his heart." He also endeavored to share those truths in his writings for The Chiropractic Journal and other publications, and in presentations to schools and organizations.

Will was born and raised in Middletown, Ohio, a steel and mill town along the Miami River in southern Ohio. His father earned his living in the steel industry as an ironworker, while his mother worked in the school cafeteria and later became the regional president of the Ohio public schools union.

Will attended Miami University in Ohio, making the Deans List several times. Following graduation, he became an advertising writer and in the course of that career won more than a dozen national awards for excellence in writing. After a decade, however, he changed career paths and pursued a doctorate in chiropractic.

He is survived by his wife, Pamela Tickel, DC, six children and 11 grandchildren, including three who are chiropractors.

He is also survived by thousands of people whose lives were made fuller and more joyous by having known him, including all of us at The Chiropractic Journal. Rest in peace, Will.