Raymond S. Nickerson

Raymond S. Nickerson PhD, 91, of Bedford, died on December 13, 2022, at Emerson Hospital after a brief illness. 

Dr.  Nickerson (Ray) was born in Bangor, Maine on November 5, 1931, and was the son of Raymond W. and Velma (Rand) Nickerson.

Ray attended Providence Bible College as an undergraduate, where he met and married his wife of 62 years, Doris Van Sant. He served in the US Army for 2 years before earning his Master’s degree at the University of Maine Orono in 1959, and his PhD from Tufts University in 1965.  He became an internationally recognized researcher and author of many articles and books in the fields of cognitive psychology, applied experimental psychology, and human factors.  After spending 25 years at Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc (BBN Systems and Technologies), he retired as a senior vice president and returned to Tufts University as a research professor until his death. 

Ray and Doris had 4 children, one of whom, Danny, struggled with multiple physical and cognitive challenges.  Ray became very active in advocating for services for people and families facing similar challenges through his work with the Minute Man Arc for Human Services and the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council.  Following Danny’s death, Ray and Doris established the Daniel Raymond Nickerson Foundation that continues to provide small grants to benefit people with disabilities.  

Ray was also very active in church life, both teaching an adult class at the Arlington Heights Baptist church for many years, and more recently as a congregant at Grace Chapel, where he especially enjoyed working with the self-named “Council of Olders” who provided maintenance services for the church.

Ray valued time with his family, whether it be at the family camp in Maine or playing music together at annual Christmas “Yankee Swap” gatherings.  He took interest and pleasure in following and supporting the pursuits and dreams of his children and grandchildren.    

Ray is survived by his children Nathan Nickerson and his wife Nancy of Portland ME, Betsy Keeney and her husband Dennis of Pepperell MA, Sheri Traverse and her husband William of West Hartford CT, his grandchildren, Amara Lynch and her husband Michael, Rory Nickerson, Daniel, Bryan and his wife Jennifer, Erin, and Kevin Keeney, and Timothy, Laura, Jaime, and Landon Traverse, Danielle and her husband Zach Jylkka, and his six great-grandchildren, Mia Posey, Asher and Emmett Lynch, Henry Keeney, and Raymond and Eliza Jylkka.  Ray was also survived by his sister Beverly Hay and husband James of Wisconsin, and Virginia LaClaire and husband Gary of Maine. He was predeceased by his wife Doris Nickerson in 2016, son Daniel R. Nickerson in 1985, and brother Norris Nickerson in 2014. 

Visitation will be held at the Bedford Funeral Home, 167 Great Rd., Bedford, on Friday, December 30, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM.

A memorial service will be held at Grace Chapel, 59 Worthen Rd., Lexington, on Saturday, December 31, 2022, at 1PM, with a reception to follow to share memories and refreshments.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, people who wish to honor Ray’s memory in a tangible way make a contribution in his name to the Daniel Nickerson Memorial Fund at ARC, Massachusetts, 217 South Street, Waltham, MA 02453, or to the charity of their choice.