David A Nichols

May 1, 1940 - January 12, 2024

Blaine, Washington - David A. Nichols, retired Whatcom County Superior Court judge, passed away on Friday January 12th, 2024 at the age of 83 from advanced ALS. An east-coaster by birth, he had the amazing good fortune to meet his wife Dot of Minneapolis on a student ship bound for Europe when both were 17. Wedded the week after graduation from Amherst (Dave) and Wheelock (Dot), they were married for sixty-one years. Law school in 1968 brought them to Washington State which became their permanent home. There they raised three children: Mark (Julie), Brett (Nicole), and Jody (Eric), and fostered Reah (Denny). They were blessed with six grandchildren, Aidan, Gretchen, Susanna, Maggie, Jonathan, and Asher.

A renaissance man, Dave was a fine athlete (football, rugby,handball, water and snow skiing, sculling, polo, fox hunting), played piano by ear, and was an accomplished artist in oils and watercolors. There was very little he wouldn't try. A wicked sense of humor fueled his personality, and his Rotary Club meetings became the stuff of legend. He was on the governing board of Peace Health St. Joseph Hospital for almost thirty years.

In 1984, after thirteen years in law practice with the firm of Abbott, Lant, Fleeson, and Nichols, he won a seat on the Whatcom County Superior Court bench where he presided for 20 years, a position he characterized as the perfect job for him.

He will be remembered for his wit, compassion and devotion to his family, loyalty to his friends and respect for everyone with whom he came in contact.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Hospice of the Valley or ALS Association, Scottsdale, AZ.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Bellingham Herald on Jan. 16, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for David Nichols

16 Entries

Jim Gray

June 29, 2025

One of the finest men I ever knew.

Bette Ann Schwede

January 11, 2025

Thinking of you on this anniversary of David's passing. I'm hoping memories bring you peace.

Jones

February 8, 2024

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Ariel Lennon

February 4, 2024

Dave was always the consummate member of the back row of the choir at CLC Ferndale. Made rehearsals fun!!!

CINDY LOUISE PICCOLO

January 23, 2024

Sorry to hear the passing of Judge Nichols. Speaking on behalf of my Mother Marlene Piccolo she worked with him in the courtroom for many years. She always spoke highly of Judge Nichols and how he was respected in the courtroom. May God bless you Nichols family during this time of sorrow.

Christine J Wasserman

January 22, 2024

Dave was one of a kind and he will be greatly missed! Love and prayers to his family!

Dean Kahn

January 21, 2024

As a court reporter for The Bellingham Herald, I often interacted with Judge Nichols before and after hearings and trials, and occasionally by phone. I found him to be straightforward, courteous and highly intelligent. After I left the paper and he left the courtroom, it was always a pleasure to bump into him, usually at art events.

Ron and Eileen Steht

January 21, 2024

Our Condolences to the Nichols Family! May THE LORD BE WITH YOU, and GIVE YOU PEACE!! Judge Nichols, and my Dad, Abe Reimer had a bond! Judge Nichols would jump his POLO Horses, on my Dads property, and have a great time doing this! When my Dad, passed away, in Aug 1989, Judge Nichols with his Daughter, came to our house, on their POLO HORSES, to be with us, and, Judge Nichols, rescheduled all his Court Cases, for the day of my Dads Funeral, so he could attend, and came into the room at our Church, to be with our Family, before the Service! Thankyou, Judge Nichols, for being such a kind person, when we needed it at the time!!

Margie Hovde

January 19, 2024

Dear Dot, Brett & Nicole, and family,
So sorry to hear of Dave´s passing. . It was a joy meeting Dave and family during our neighborhood walks at the lake years ago. Dave told such fun and interesting stories of the extraordinary life he and Dot shared.
Love and Peace to your family.
Margie Hovde

Mick Moynihan

January 18, 2024

I always enjoyed working with Dave. he had a great sense of humor and was a good colleague. I liked the cases that he did not like and he liked the cases that I did not care for. That worked out well.

Karen Lerner

January 17, 2024

My sincere condolences go out to Dot and family. Dave was an excellent lawyer, jurist and artist. I have so many fond memories. He was a very dear and special man.

Susan Philpott ( Kelstrup)

January 17, 2024

I have many fond memories of the Nichols family as a young adult in Ferndale. We were neighbors and I spent many evenings babysitting the kids who were always fun and delightful. David was consistently kind, generous and friendly. He shared my interest in horses and allowed the neighbor girls to ride in his field and practice jumping over hay bales. He even let me to ride his horse around the Lynden fairgrounds, one of my favorite memories. I was truly saddened to hear of his passing and send my deepest condolences to Dot and the family. He was a fine and unique man. You are all in my prayers.
Sue Philpott (Kelstrup)

Bette Ann Schwede

January 16, 2024

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. Dave was such a special person. My heartfelt prayers to Dottie and to your family.

Dinah Matthers

January 16, 2024

So sorry to hear of your loss. It was a pleasure to assist you both those rainy autumn evenings in Blaine, WA.

Leigh Ann Hadaway-Fullner

January 14, 2024

So sorry to hear of his passing. I have many fond memories of hanging out at the house with Jody. He always gave us good advice and had a great sense of humor. My condolences Jody and family.

Ross and Sharon Grier

January 14, 2024

Dottie, Ross and I were sad to learn of Dave's passing. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Am glad that we had a chance to see you and Dave at Grunhurd´s this past summer. He still had that smile, in spite of all his challenges. Love to you both, Ross and Sharon Grier

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