Monte Carl Nichols

Monte Carl Nichols
Mar. 15, 1938 ~ Jun. 4, 2014
Resident of Livermore, CA
Monte Nichols, 76, was an avid, passionate gardener, a noted Mineralogist, and a retired Sandia National Lab Chemist and Materials Scientist.
Monte was an award-winning scientist best known for three different R&D 100 Awards for his advances in X-ray imaging instrumentation and a Special Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer. In addition, he was a two-time Duncan Yo-Yo Award winner in 1949.
Monte was one of four authors responsible for the Handbook of Mineralogy, a five-volume set of scholarly reference material in the field of Mineralogy. He was a Fellow of the Mineralogical Society of America. In addition to the Handbook, Monte published several other Mineralogical reference materials including a field book and a comprehensive database.
In his retirement years, Monte was an avid reader and a loyal patron of the Livermore Public Library. He could often be seen walking with his wife, Barbara, around Livermore.
Monte is survived by his wife of 45 years, Barbara, as well as four children, Richard Nichols (Irma), of Springfield, OR; Jennifer Nichols (Stephen Ludwig), of McKinleyville, CA; Linda Henderson (Ken), of Gilbert, AZ; Eric Nichols (Keely), of Tigard, OR, and 12 wonderful grandchildren.
Monte will be greatly missed by his family and by the many friends who have enjoyed his unique sense of humor.