Celebration of Life for Dr. Paul Aikin

Paul Aikin passed away on February 4, 2026. Paul had been facing health challenges for several years, and since September he had been receiving hospice care at home, surrounded by his wife of 53 years, Nancy, along with his family, close friends, and devoted caregivers. His bed was in the middle of their kitchen, and he was never alone. In that simple arrangement of daily life reorganized around care, the bonds he had cultivated over decades revealed their depth—attachment that holds a life in its most vulnerable hours.

In those final months, Paul continued to do what he had always done – show warmth, kindness, and appreciation to the people around him. Nancy shared that he repeatedly expressed how happy he was, right there, with them.

One of five brothers, Paul grew up in Michigan, shaped, as he wrote, by “mid-western values of responsibility, hard work, respect and compassion for others.” His father, an engineer, was the only extended family member who was not a farmer. His mother filled his childhood with spiritual training and taught him the value of caring for and serving others – something that stayed with him for life.

Paul’s professional life spanned over four decades. As a clinical psychologist, UC Davis hired him to teach in the Psychology Department and in the UC Davis Counseling Center. In addition, he became the first Ph.D. clinical psychologist in private practice in the Sacramento Valley in 1971. Paul’s work was more than a profession. For him, it was a calling. What was necessary for lasting healing became a commitment to understanding and passing onto others.

Nancy was studying at UC Davis in 1970 when she and Paul first met and eventually became a couple. After Nancy finished her doctoral training and began her private practice in 1982, Paul and Nancy often joined each other in teaching, training, writing, and clinical work.

Those who knew Paul and Nancy knew their love and devotion as something you could see and feel. They were “one” in the best way possible. There was a purity in Paul’s love and presence that was truly healing. His wife and family were so enhanced by being with him.

Paul leaves behind a son and a daughter, daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters, who he was also completely devoted to. He loved spending his free time with family; it was a true joy for him. In addition to a very full professional life, Paul absolutely loved nature and outdoor activities such as fishing, bird-watching, hiking, gardening, nature walks, and pheasant hunting. He especially loved being able to share these things with his children. Nancy and Paul’s shared love of nature inspired them to purchase a cabin in the Sierras that became Paul’s favorite place away from home. There are so many special memories that were made at the cabin, for them and many of their family members and dear friends.

Paul touched so many lives and will be missed by so many. His family and friends will always miss him, but still feel connected to how precious he was and what he gave to us all. And we feel so incredibly blessed for all the years that we got to be with him.

A memorial service celebrating Paul’s life will be held on March 29th at 11:00 am in the gazebo at the Carolee Shields White Flower Garden on the UC Davis campus in Davis, CA. The service will be followed by a gathering at the Aikin’s home beginning at 2:00 pm. We will be recording the service and the link will be available for those of you who want to experience it but cannot attend in person.