Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Jul 14, 1944 – Jan 14, 2021
DAVID C. NICHOLAS, PH.D Cedar Rapids David C. Nicholas, Ph.D, 76, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, at UnityPoint Health-St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids of a sudden illness. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, in Wyoming, Iowa, by Rev. Scott Meador of Lovely Lane United Methodist Church. All are welcome. Attendees are required to wear masks and practice social distancing. Teahen Funeral Home is serving the family. He was born on July 14, 1944, to Curran and Mildred (Siler) Nicholas. A native Cedar Rapidian, he attended Johnson Elementary, McKinley Middle School (formerly Junior High) and Washington High School. He later attended Iowa State University, receiving his B.S. in electrical engineering in 1967, M.S. in 1968, and Ph.D in 1971. He worked for the former Collins Radio for 38 years, retiring in 2009. A very accomplished, and modest inventor, he is credited with numerous patents via what is now Collins Aerospace. He is most famously known for unlocking an encoding process essential to fax machines, as a doctoral student at Iowa State University in the 1960s. The endowed David C. Nicholas Professorship in Electrical and Computer Engineering was created in his honor at Iowa State University. Survivors include three children, Christopher Nicholas MD (Shannon), of West Burlington and Quincy, Ill., Sarah Nicholas Ph.D (Joshua Lynch) of Shoreham, N.Y., and Jane Nicholas of Cedar Rapids; seven grandchildren, Cole and Sydney Nicholas (Christopher), London and Brigid Lynch (Sarah), Isabel, Joseph and Curran Schmidt (Jane); former son-in-law, Rodney Schmidt; former wife, Kathleen Hall; and longtime girlfriend, Mary Day. He was preceded in death by his parents. He was an active bridge player, downhill skier and fisherman. He was a member of Lovely Lane United Methodist Church, the Eastern Iowa Ski Club, IEEE and the Iowa Inventors Hall of Fame. The Iowa Donor Network was a recipient of his tissue. Memorials may be directed to Mission of Hope, 1700 B Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402; or Lovely Lane United Methodist Church, 2424 42nd St. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.
I just learned of Dave´s passing when I read Kathy´s obituary, I´m sorry to hear it. An interesting guy.
Patricia A Andrews
February 06, 2022 | Work
I just heard about David and am so sorry to hear this news. Wish I had known, I would have been there. We grew up together as our moms were best friends for 77 years. May God continue to give you peace and comfort.
Ginny del Rosario
July 18, 2021 | Friend
David and I grew up together, neighborhood, Junior High School thru Senior High School. In Junior High School we spent many Fridays together cleaning the school's Chemistry Laboratory in return for charred or chipped glassware the teacher would give us in return for our cleaning. After High School, I spent a career as an Army Officer but still kept in contact with David through e-mails, etc. My computer has David's photographs from our earliest days as friends through his skiing days. ...
Stephen D. Eicherly
March 14, 2021 | Friend
I was so shocked when I received the information on David's passing. I sent out e-mails to everyone in my address book to check the e-mail addresses etc. David and I lived only a few blocks away from each other during elementary school. We were in Cub Scouts together. During our Junior High School days, we shared an interest in Chemistry and spent many Fridays after school cleaning the Chemistry lab in return for scorched, chipped glassware the teacher would give us. We shared a...
Stephen D. Eicherly
March 14, 2021 | Friend
East Iowa Ski Club member
Gary Dalecky
January 20, 2021 | Cedar Rapids, IA | Friend
Remembered By
Ron Hamann
January 20, 2021 | Quincy, IL | Friend
My condolences to David's children who I knew through childhood as a pediatrician and to their mother. I enjoyed seeing you grow and as I often went to the same restaurants as David, he would always catch me up on your successes. He was so proud of you Christopher, Sarah and Jane. May that assurance help you through this time.
Julianne Thomas, MD
January 17, 2021 | Friend
It was many years ago I worked with Dave at Collins. He was a great person, very professional. He was admired by all that had the pleasure of working with him. I am very glad to have the chance to know him
Nancy Kellen
Nancy Kellen
January 17, 2021 | Coworker
Daves son, Chris, is my brother in law. Although I didn't get to see Dave that often, it was always a pleasure getting to see and talk with Dave. Such a smart man, I always enjoyed listening to him on how much he knew about things. He also had a sense of humor, just had to know Dave to appreciate it. He will be surely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Jennifer Yow
January 17, 2021 | Greenville, SC | Family
