Owen H. Nickerson

OWEN H. NICKERSON
April 23, 1944 ~ May 27, 2015

Owen H. Nickerson, 71, of Vancouver, WA, left us on Wednesday, May 27, 2015.
Owen was born and raised in Belfast, Maine. There, as a young adult, he worked for the Clyde B. Holmes ocean-going tugboats in the engine department. After a 1974 vacation to Spokane, WA, he fell in love with the state and moved his family, wife, Donna and daughter April. Owen decided that the tugboat engines and railroad locomotives engines were about the same, so that was a good fit for him. He didn't lack confidence in his abilities and went in to the Burlington Northern Railroad office and said "Here I am!" He was hired as a machinist and was soon a" standout" and promoted to supervisory roles, not only for his knowledge, but for the special ways he had dealing with his workers and getting the best out of them. He was promoted and moved to Vancouver in 1978. His duties changed over the years and ended with him overseeing locomotive facilities in other areas throughout western Washington, Oregon and California.
Owen expected nothing of anyone that he wouldn't do himself. He was always a strong man, but getting through his 25th year with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad was very difficult due to the increasing progression of Multiple Sclerosis. After his early retirement, Donna fulfilled her dream of going to Egypt. She took a two year job teaching school in Cairo and that started Owen on his world travels, with Thailand being his favorite place. He was able to go there several times with Railroad friends before he was unable to travel anymore.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Donna (Stockman); and daughter April McClintock (Darren) of Tigard, OR. He is also survived by many sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews throughout the east coast and Spokane. Grandchildren, Emily Aurich of Las Vegas, NV; Brandon Eno (Nicole), Portland, OR; Josh McClintock (Erin) of Hillsboro, OR, Branden McClintock (Krys) San Diego, CA; Marishia McClintock, Arkansas; and great-grandchildren, Treyvor McClintock and Madison Aurich.
Owen was preceded in death by his parents, George W. Nickerson and Marion Ford Ellis; daughter Andrea Marie; grandson Michael Owen Aurich, and his beloved sister, Alfreda Perkins.
Special acknowledgement to Janet and Harold Smith (sister and brother-in-law) of Spokane, who were visiting him and have stayed on to offer support and love for the rest of us.
There will be a graveside service on Thursday, June 4, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the Evergreen Memorial Gardens, 1101 NE 112th Ave., Vancouver.
Please sign his guestbook at www.columbian.com/obits