Steven Nicklas

The world is a less interesting place today. Steven (Steve) Dwight Nicklas, Ph.D., born September 17, 1956 in Lock Haven, PA, left this earthly existence behind the night of November 13, 2023 in Cumming, GA and crossed to the other side where breathing is easy, pain is unkown, and light and life and love surround him. He has joined his father, Gilbert L. Nicklas, M.D., his mother, Helen L. Nicklas, and his brother Gilbert L. (Nick) Nicklas, Jr. who preceeded him in death. He leaves behind his children, Brandi Marie and James Bailey, his brother Mike Nicklas (Susan Luster) and his sister Leena Bolin (Delmas), his sister-in-law Tita Nicklas, his nephews Nick Bolin and John Bolin, several extended family members and a great host of true and genuine friends to keep his memory alive and honor the extraordinary man he was by living out the best parts of him always.
As a child, Steve was able to travel extensively with his family. It was during these years that he developed a passion for archaeology and military history. When he was 14 he discovered evidence of an ancient tribe of Native Americans that inhabited an area near his home in central Pennsylvania. His fascination with archaeology only increased after that time, and his avocation eventually became his vocation.
Steve did not see himself as a natural academic student even though he earned a bachelor's degree from Lycoming College in Near Eastern archaeology, a master's degree from Drew University in the archaeology of Roman/Byzantine Palestine and a Ph.D. in archaeology of the Roman provinces from the Institute of Archaeology, University College, London. But he has always been able to engage people in discussion and share his joyous enthusiasm about the things he loves. He was an extraordinarily well-read student of history, archaeology, anthropology and palentology and could expound for hours about anything related to those fields, easily making the material endlessly fascinating even to those with only a passing interest. He put that gift to good use, teaching for many years at Gainesville State College and then at University of North Georgia once GSC merged with North Georgia College and State University in 2013. He was beloved by his many students who were each touched by his exceptional ability to connect with people on both an emotional and intellectual level. He was a brilliant man whose humility and kindness were evident to everyone he met.
Before his academic teaching career began, Steve had the opportunity to excavate at various archaeological sites both during his own education and after. Some of the highlights included locations such as Lahav, Israel; Caesarea Maritima on the coast of Israel; Beruit, Lebanon and 175 Water Street, New York City.
Twenty-six years ago, Steve turned his dream of giving the masses of amateur fossil fanatics the opportunity to explore and look for their own treasures into reality by founding Paleo Prospectors. He shared his endless enthusiasm exploring in the field with hundreds of clients, many of whom quickly became fast friends. He advanced science by arranging for the Paleo Prospectors team's most important finds to be donated to museums and research institutes across the country and around the world. With one of his best friends, Rob Sula, he later discovered th "Tanis site", which many palentologists believe is the most important fossil site ever found.
But while his contributions to the academic and scientific worlds are significant, the way he cared for and treated everyone he encountered was even more meaningful. It has been said of him that he "lifted everyone up around him"...that "he was one of the most positive and noble people I have ever met"...that "he changed the course of my entire life"...that he was "a one of a kind human being". His family could not agree more. He was supremely adventurous, unfailingly kind, perpetually optimistic, ever joyful, and full of love for those around him. He will be missed by more people than he could possibly count.
His family will lay Steve to rest privately at Milton Fields Natural Burial Grounds in Milton, GA. But there will be a grand and joyous celebration of his extraordinary life sometime early next year at a location yet to be determined when those whose lives he touched can gather to remember, share stories and laugh heartily together. If you wish to honor Steve, please consider making a donation to the charity of your choice in his name.