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Nicholas John "Nick" Pappas
1940 - 2017
Nicholas John "Nick" Pappas
1940 - 2017
Obituary
Guest Book
Nicholas Pappas Obituary
Nicholas "Nick" John Pappas, 77, passed away Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at his home in Radford.
He was a member of Central United Methodist Church and was a U.S. Marine who proudly served his country during the Vietnam War.
He was retired from Radford University where he was a Political Science professor.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John Nicholas and Alvina Chalmers Pappas.
Survivors include his wife of almost 51 years, Pamela Pappas; his son and daughter-in-law, Mark Chalmers and Karen Pappas of Wardensville, WV; grandchildren, Samantha, John Lucas, Kimberly, Leann and Logan; brother and sister-in-law, Michael James and Hope Pappas of Arrington; and many other relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. on Friday, September 8, 2017 at Central United Methodist Church, 803 Wadsworth St., Radford. Funeral services will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the Rev. Don Shelor officiating.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 9, 2017 in the Greenfield Cemetery in Wardensville, WV.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Central UM Church, General Missions, 803 Wadsworth St., Radford, VA 24141; Radford Daily Bread, P.O. Box 3323, Radford, VA 24143; or the Women's Resource Center, P.O. Box 477, Radford, VA 24143.
The Pappas family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford. www.mullinsfuneralhome.com
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H. Burke
June 18, 2024
I just read of the passing of Dr. Pappas. I was thinking about him as my daughter is about to start college and he is one of those professors that made my years special. What an extraordinary educator. I ended up doing my MA in International Affairs and have lived/worked overseas most of my career. LIkely because he lit the spark for me.
Leon
June 22, 2023
I think about Dr. Pappas all of the time. I'll embarrass my kids by calling for them with the "KLOO KLOO KLOO" call he used to make and I'll occasionally end my team's meetings by telling them to "Float away, like seedpods upon the wind."
You will be missed. Sir.
Former student
April 29, 2022
Dr. Pappas was the best professor I ever had, and a good man. RIP
Duncan Clarke
August 11, 2020
Pam,
You probably don't remember me at all. I visited you and Nick in Wardensville when Nick and I were in in grad school together @ UVA. I'd heard, but never confirmed, that Nick joined the faculty at Radford shortly I left there in 1970 after only one year. I just now learned of his death in 2017 entirely by accident because of a novel I wrote that was published last week. The book is a fictional rendition of my experience at Radford. I recently touched base with some former colleagues, like Ed Jervey, and somehow Nick's name popped up.
I'm so sorry. He was one of a kind. Indeed, Nick inspired me to include a "Nick-like character" in my novel, whom I call John Manikas, a Vietnam vet. I, too, lost my spouse of 30 years in 2000. It's hard, very hard. I have remarried, and happily so. I retired from American University in 2007 and live in Carmel Valley, CA.
Nick is not someone I can ever forget. I send my love with fond memories.
Duncan L. Clarke
Emeritus Professor
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Andrew Gray
September 17, 2017
I can honestly say that I thought about Dr. Pappas about once every three or four months every year since I graduated from Radford. That's going on 20 years. I went from a Bluebird, to Cardinal...and eventually became a true Raptor in the theory room down by the sea, (Bom Bah Bom Bom Bom).
We bonded over a shared love of World War 2 aircraft, drives on I-81, and Click & Clack. I would be walking on campus and Dr. Pappas would come up to me and say "Twin boom, twin engine fighter..." and of course I would answer "Lockheed P-38". We could do verbal aviation cards all day!
I also cherish his stories about being under serious pain medication and dreaming he was a frogman, sent to sink the Italian Battleship Roma, and about being in Walter Reed when Lyndon Johnson told he boys "I know exactly how you feel" and revealed the scar from his Gall Bladder surgery.
I googled Dr. Pappas when my daughter was having me quiz her on the geography of Greece. I launched into an impassioned speech about the clangdoros colossus of the two armies coming together in the Peloponnesian War - a story my wife has heard countless times (yes, I still have EVERY book from his classes). When I saw his obituary, I cried, but knew I had to somehow put this out to let him and his family know how much he meant to me.
I am eternally grateful to him, for helping me be a thinker.
Arete.
Myrtle Watson
September 12, 2017
Pam, I want you to know my thoughts and prayers are with you and family
Tom Martin
September 12, 2017
To the family;
I had Dr Pappas for several political science classes at RU. His passion and insight into our complex government and political choices were quite a learning experience. He was a very popular and beloved teacher, and his power muffins are stuff of legend!
May The Almighty embrace the family during this time.
Karen Poff
September 10, 2017
Even though I don't know you all, I wanted to say that my heart hurts knowing the world has lost such an extraodinary man. He was my Political Science professor at Radford University 30+ years ago. I can say without a doubt that he impacted thousands of lives by pushing us to exceptionalism and teaching us to think critically. I still have and will always treasure the final exam paper on which he wrote Areté. It is such a blessing to know now that we will get to see him again one day. What a reunion that will be! Your family is in my thoughts and prayers and will continue to be in the coming months. I hope that this post provides a bit of comfort in knowing how much he was loved by all. Forever, Areté.
Gary Barr
September 10, 2017
Pam ( My Ms. Emswiler ),
I was in your senior English class at Moorefield in 1965-66. I married classmate Barbara Sherman. We have been married almost 49 years. We are Shepherd College alumni.
You were a shy, young teacher who related to her students. I never met Nick but heard lots of stories from Shepherd friends. I send to you my deepest sympathy.
My Class of 1966 celebrated its 50th reunion last October. Thank you for your wonderful guidance for our class.
Gary Barr
Berryville, VA
[email protected]
Kialeen Potterton
September 8, 2017
Pam,
I just saw the email from Shepherd. Pam, you and all the family are in my prayers. I have known you all for a loooong time! Nick was a fine man and together you all made it through some very difficult times after his war injuries. He was also a brilliant man. I know he will be greatly missed by so many people. I didn't know you all lived at Radford.
Cathy Orndorff
September 7, 2017
Pam and Mark: I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Nick. I will always admire his courage, his strength, his love of country, and his great knowledge. You were always there for him, Pam. Your love for each other was so evident. Jeff, Mitch and MaryRae will be at your side tomorrow. We love you and appreciated your message before the wedding. Keep in touch and may God put His arms around you during this difficult time.
Traci Holub Colley
September 7, 2017
I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of Dr. Pappas. He was a wonderful man and truly a kind and gentle spirit that meant so much to so many. I've always kept a picture of he and I from the RHS cross county days on a bookshelf or table wherever I've moved through the years. I'm thankful for the many lessons in strength and perseverance, Greek philosophy and selflessness he taught me all those years ago. Rest In Peace, Coach Pappas!
William Wade
September 6, 2017
It's hard to explain all that Coach Pappas has done for me without breaking down.
He really took me under his wing. I grew up with very little and couldn't afford much. Coach Pappas went into his own pocket and bought me throwing shoes, discus, shot put, and meals.
I'll never forget the time I didn't show up to practice because I went astray and was hanging with the wrong crowd after school. Coach Pappas showed up and picked me up and took me to the discus circle where we proceeded to throw until dark. He never scolded me or anything afterwards but from that moment on forward I knew he really loved and cared for me and I did not want to disappoint him.
Coach Pappas had a way with people where they wanted to please him and had the upmost respect for him. I thank god for placing him in my life and I will never forget his teachings.
I will keep the promise I made to him to teach one day.
I love you Coach and miss you!
Reid Nelson
September 6, 2017
I am sorry for your loss. Dr. Pappas was a mentor to me, a sensei almost. He was kind and energetic as he could be. It was an honor to learn from a man such as that. Please always know that he had such as wonderful impact on so many people's lives. Thank you Dr. Pappas.
Benjie Saunders
September 6, 2017
There is not a more memorable person I met during my High School years. Not only the smartest person I ever met, but also a wonderful sense of humor. Someone who made you feel that you were truly an important part of humanity.To this day, when our friends get together we still sing a song he taught us, make bird noises, or laugh at a story he was was a key part of at a track or cross county meet. Arête.
Nancy (Worrell) Hunter
September 6, 2017
Pam, Mark, and family-
I'm so very sorry for your loss. Dr. Pappas will be greatly missed. He was so interesting,inspirational, and funny! Please know he made a positive impact on many, many lives. Prayers for all of you.
Marceline Huff
September 6, 2017
Coach Pappas was a wonderful man! He never gave up on me, even though I wasn't very good, but always taught me not to give up and work hard. You will be truly missed!
RDJ
September 6, 2017
My prayers of comfort to Dr. Pappas' family. He was a passionate teacher, and made my education at RU a lifelong desire to learn.
Alvin Alexander
September 6, 2017
To the family our condolences and prayers for God's comfort in your time of need. He was a great person and will truly be missed for all that he offered and gave to all that he encountered. SEMPER FIDELIS.
Terri Dorton
September 6, 2017
Dear Pam & Family, I am truly sorry to hear of Nick's passing. I enjoyed working with and getting to know Nick. In the brief time that I was with him I have some really good memories. He was a remarkable man with a great sense of humor. I remember when I first met him he told me he was the real Captain America, I believed him. May Jesus comfort you now and in the days ahead.
With Love
Brian Taylor
September 6, 2017
"Two qualities are indispensable: first, an intellect that, even in the darkest hour, retains some glimmerings of the inner light which leads to truth; and second, the courage to follow this faint light wherever it may lead" - Carl von Clausewitz
Rest easy Dr. P
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