Dr. Robert William Nichols Sr.

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Colgate University University of Pennsylvania

Robert Nichols Obituary

SKANEATELES < Dr. Robert William Nichols Sr., 91, a well-known veterinarian in Skaneateles, passed away peacefully in his sleep Friday, June 30, 2006, at Van Duyn Home & Hospital. Born July 27, 1914, in Ridgewood, N. J., he received a bachelor of science degree from Colgate University and a DVM from the University of Pennsylvania. Married 63 years to the late Anne Bohacket Nichols, they raised their six children in the Skaneateles area, where Dr. Nichols ran a thriving large and small animal practice, now owned and operated by his son, Dr. R. W. Nichols Jr. Among "Doc"s" many achievements were his track record at Colgate unbroken for 20 years, of a 4:13-minute mile in 1937 and the founding of the New York State Horse Council (100-mile competitive trail ride). He was a life-long member of the Rotary Club and the First Presbyterian Church of Skaneateles and a popular Sunday school teacher there. Dr. Nichols was the third son of Charles Ketchum Nichols, an electrical engineer, who designed the wiring of the Statue of Liberty in the early 20th Century and a prominent ornithologist later with the New York"s Museum of Natural History and Mabel Maynard Welch, a respected local artist in Ridgewood, N.J. Dr. Nichols is survived by two sons, Dr. Robert William (Sandy) Nichols Jr. of Skaneateles and Dr. David Lawrence (Bethany) Nichols, a practicing psychologist in Racine, Wis.; three daughters, Pamela (Peter) Nichols Shumway, a teacher in McCormick, S. C.; Jean (John) Nichols McEachern, a marine biologist of Herghata, Egypt and Sara (Frank) Rutherford Nichols, an attorney of Los Angeles. Dr. Nichols had 19 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. "Doc" was predeceased by a third son, Dr. Thomas "Tiger" Judson Nichols, in 2003. Services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 4, at the First Presbyterian Church of Skaneateles. Friends may call noon to 3 p.m. Monday, July 3 at the Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, 49 Jordan St., Skaneateles. To send a message to the family, sign our guest book at www.auburnpub.com and click on obituaries.

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Published by The Citizen on Jul. 2, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Nichols

4 Entries

Linda Scripa

July 6, 2006

Just learned of your Dad's passing, and must say he was an amazing man and excellent vet. He treated my horses, and dogs for many years. He had my upmost respect. One time he came to the house to due annual vaccines for the horses, it was just a couple of weeks after my son was born. He insisted on coming in the house to check "the baby". After giving "his" examine and approval, I felt confident that my son was going to be a good son and man.

My many thanks to him and his unbelievable knowledge and my deepest sympathy to his family.

July 4, 2006

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2006

Sandy Mietz Allen

July 3, 2006

What a wonderful man and veterinarian. He's the standard by which I choose the professionals to work on my horses today, very few measure up. It was an honor to know him.

Jack Mietz

July 2, 2006

Our deepest sympathy in the loss of your father, what a wonderful person he was. Years ago very late at night during a driving rainstorm he had us bring our aged Irish Setter to your house, and after putting her to "sleep" he helped us carry her back to our truck for her last ride home with such care and compassion. Whenever he came to our horse farm, after attending to our animals we would sit on hay bales, tip up a shot of scotch and solve all the world problems, it was always such a pleasure to be in his presence. Such a good man, he will truly be missed.

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