WESTON: Daniel L. “Dan” Nozik, DDS, 69, died on March 19, 2010 in Weston.
He was born in Cleveland, Ohio on June 25, 1940 the son of Helene T. (Fried) Nozik of Plantation, Fl and the late Benjamin J. Nozik.
Besides his mother, he is survived by his wife, Gail G. Watson Nozik of Weston. He was the devoted father of Andrew B. Nozik and his wife Diane M. Sautman Nozik and their son Hayden S. Nozik all of Mountain View, CA. He is also survived by his brother, Dr. Robert A. Nozik of Lafayette, CA.
Dr. Nozik has been a resident of Weston for the last 32 years and previously resided in Wayland and in Cleveland, Ohio.
He was a graduate of Western Reserve University with the Class of 1960. He received his doctorate in 1965 from the University of Pittsburg School of Dentistry. In 1966 he was awarded the Certificate in Oral Surgery from the Basic Science Program of the Boston University Graduate School. In the summer of 1966 he began his internship in Oral Surgery at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and was the first non-Harvard Alumnus to be appointed. In 1966 Dr. Nozik was appointed Assistant Resident in Oral Surgery and the following year, 1967, he became the Chief Resident Surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital. In 1968 Dr. Nozik left MGH to become Chief of Oral Surgery at the U.S. Marine Base Camp at Camp Pendleton in CA. Later in 1968 he became Chief of Oral Surgery and Divisional Oral Surgeon for the U.S. Third Marine Division in Vietnam. He served as a Lieutenant Commander during Vietnam with the United States Navy. After serving in Vietnam, he became the Assistant Chief at Kue Army Hospital in Okinawa and the Chief at the U. S. Naval Submarine Base in Groton, CT.
After serving his country, Dr. Nozik entered into private practice in Oral Surgery in Louisville, Ky. In late 1971, Dr. Nozik pursued more education in the practice of anesthesia. He returned to MGH and served as a resident in Anesthesia from 1971 until 1973. He was an outstanding surgeon, always kind and gentle and always had a thoughtful approach to his patients which was one of his strongest qualities.
He was a leader in the establishment of the MGH Day Care Surgery Unit and also served as a principal consultant to a number of the hospital services as they were developed. Dr. Nozik became a “bridge” between Anesthetist, Surgeons, Hospital Administrators, State Medical Boards and Health Care Licensing Authorities. He has given informed, thoughtful and always practical advice and played an important role in the development of Day Care Surgery and Surgical Units through New England and across the country, as well as promoting improved standards for office-based surgery.
Dr. Nozik was a member of the Weston Golf Club and was an avid golfer. He enjoyed cooking, traveling and reading. He volunteered for several years for Hospice in Wayland cooking for patients and families. He and his wife Gail have had many Golden Retrievers over the years and they have become special to them. He was a member of the First Parish Church in Weston with his family. He was a devoted and loving son, husband, father, grandfather and brother to his family. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
At the request of his family there will be no visitations and interment will be private for his family.
A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 10:00 am at the First Parish Church in Weston, 349 Boston Post Road, Weston Center.
In lieu of flowers, his family suggests memorial gifts in his memory may be sent to OXFAM, 226 Causeway St, 5th floor, Boston, MA 02114 or Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue, 110 Chapin Road, Hudson, MA 01749.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the John C. Bryant Funeral Home of Wayland. Please visit www.johncbryantfuneralhome.com for condolences and obituary.