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Terry Richard Nicklin
Terry Richard Nicklin
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Terry Nicklin Obituary
Terry spent his youth working along with his brother Charles Philip "Flip" Nicklin at the Diving Locker, a Pacific Beach hangout for scuba diving enthusiasts. Founded in 1959 by Chuck Nicklin (Terry and Flip's father) and divers from Scripps, The Diving Locker became a West Coast institution where the likes of Jacques Cousteau and Al Giddings, co-producer of the 1997 hit "Titanic," stopped by when coming through San Diego. Terry worked his way up from sweeping the floors, working the cashier, filling tanks and eventually becoming a Master Scuba Diver/Instructor and General Manager. During the 25 years he worked at the Diving Locker, Terry taught hundreds of people to love the underwater world. He had a calm, unassuming manner and quiet expertise that made people feel safe.
In 1997 he changed careers to become a realtor selling real estate in La Jolla and surrounding communities. Terry has been a Pacific Beach resident since 1978 and loved his community. He was an avid sportsman who played basketball in high school and college, enjoyed cycling, running, tennis, rollerblading, windsurfing and was a black belt in karate.
Despite his accomplishments, he was most proud of his daughter, Grace. He was actively involved in her life from the early days of babysitting at the Diving Locker to driving carpools, attending Girl Scout meetings, and every girls basketball team event. He loved being a "girl" Dad.
Terry is survived by his wife, Cynthia (nee Sweeney) and daughter, Grace Elizabeth; parents, Gloria (Bud) Clark and Chuck (Rosalind) Nicklin of San Diego; his brother, Flip (Linda) Nicklin of Juneau, AK; cousin, Dan (Jenny) Miller of Del Mar and uncle, Jim Miller. We all love and miss him terribly.
The immediate family will have a celebration of life for Terry at later time and suggests in lieu of flowers, donations in Terry's name to The Michael J. Fox Foundation or the American Parkinson's Disease Association.
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Ed Uditis
July 19, 2025
Fond memories from Ed uditis
Stefan Peterson
July 11, 2023
I'm devastated to hear of Terry's passing!
But he left his imprint on so many of us.
I was a young barista at the Pacific Beach Starbucks, a store Terry loved to frequent. I enjoyed getting to know him, and Terry found out about my diving experience and (he must have been desperate) hired me as a "swamper"/retail guy at his PB Diving Locker store.
I worked for him, part time, for a few years, and found him to be kind, gentle, and patient - to the degree that I remember him and his manner, his character, some 30 years later.
Terry had a special way about him - I know his talented brothers made a name in the photo/video world, but Terry was a celebrity in his own quiet, humble way. He put people at ease, quieted the noisy world around us, and had an infectious smile.
As a young man, I looked up to him, wanted to be like him - and I thank him to this day for his example.
God bless, Terry - and your family, you are loved, and are missed.
Joel Tracey
March 26, 2023
I am saddened to hear such a wonderful man has passed. I met Terry when I was a young ocean lifeguard in San Diego. Our area Lieutenant Brandt Bass introduced us to him and his dive shop - the Diving Locker of Pacific Beach. Terry was very involved in the San Diego dive community and extremely supportive of the work the San Diego Lifeguards did - to the point where he offered FREE rental equipment, the use of his Diving Locker swimming pool, and free air fills so that each interested seasonal lifeguard could obtain scuba certification through NAUI for a mere $5 (the cost NAUI charged for a c-card in those days). The man never charged a dime for us using his equipment and took the extra steps of helping train us new divers in how air-fills worked, etc. I would meet him again a year later while a newly minted SSI dive instructor through UCSD. Terry was very involved in the dive community and was the first to offer support for my budding life as a dive instructor. He continued to offer free rental equipment, tanks, air-fills and the like for all of the new incoming seasonal ocean lifeguards who wanted to get certified - a huge benefit to both the lifeguard service and the divers/snorkelers and swimmers in San Diego. Terry was instrumental in supporting the City of San Diego's 3R's program (at that time run by the San Diego Ocean Lifeguard Service). Terry always took the time to look you in the eye, smile and listen when you spoke...then followed his listening with a sincere offer of assistance, if that is what you needed. His staff loved him, his community loved him and I thought he was one of the kindest humans I'd ever met. Terry was the type of man that would go out of his way to help anyone - unassuming, kind, soft spoken and honest. I never met his daughter or wife, but know they were very lucky people to have had Terry in their lives. So sad to hear about your passing Terry, and now your father. Thank you for all you did to help build me into the diver I am today...I hope to continue helping others see the beauty of diving and exploration, as you did for me. Rest easy my friend - your kindness defined you.
Laurie Dunn
October 8, 2022
What a beautiful memorial. Wishing Terry, his family, and all his loved ones peace.
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Sue Lindstrom Arciaga
September 27, 2022
We lived just right down the street with music, parties and ping pong constantly in our garages.
A wonderful family in which my mom work for Chuck at the Diving Locker and also got certified.
A beautiful soul gone too early.
Thanks for the many memories
Karen C Lindstrom
September 23, 2022
Terry lived down the street from us. He was a good friend and we had lots of fun together. I was impressed by his knowledge of scuba diving and I will miss him!! His whole family were great neighbors and shared a big fish with the neighbors. I pray for his family and brother
Peg Coll
September 18, 2022
Peace to you and your family
Karol Hansen
September 15, 2022
We were in the same class of 1967. Much love to his family.
Fred Fischer
September 15, 2022
So sad to hear about Terry. Thoughts of him bring back fun memories of diving at the Diving Locker. He was a good person. May he rest in peace.
Tiffanie Kasner
September 15, 2022
He will be greatly missed!
I loved my cousin Terry! Memories...Summers in PB hanging out at the Diving Locker, swim lessons, the smell of sand, wet suits and sunscreen filled the air and his smile brightened everyone´s day. I especially loved hearing my mom, ( cousin Jackie) tell stories of the amazing family fun times growing up with Dan, Flip & Terry, being the only girl and the 3 boys. Thank you for all of the loving sweet memories and giving the world our, "Grace"!
Love & prayers to the family.
Love, Tiffanie Donoho-Kasner
Bill Arquette
September 15, 2022
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Ric Matthews
September 14, 2022
My deepest sympathies, Terry was a phenomenal caring, and smiling human being. Great memories
Carol Lundstrom Ramirez
September 14, 2022
Terry was my moms next door neighbor she loved Terry. Such a kind man. Peace tonite family.
Cece Pittman
September 14, 2022
My sincerest condolences to all who knew and loved Terry. He will be missed.
John Fleming
September 14, 2022
My prayers are Terry and the entire Nicklin family.
Tom Harman
September 14, 2022
I worked with Terry for many years.
Very sorry to hear of his passing.
RIP.
Ed uditis
September 14, 2022
Sorry to learn of his passing. Enjoyed knowing him when visiting diving locker
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