DAVID C. NICHOLAS, PH.D Cedar Rapids David C. Nicholas, Ph.D, 76, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, at UnityPoint Health-St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids of a sudden illness. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, in Wyoming, Iowa, by Rev. Scott Meador of Lovely Lane United Methodist Church. All are welcome. Attendees are required to wear masks and practice social distancing. Teahen Funeral Home is serving the family. He was born on July 14, 1944, to Curran and Mildred (Siler) Nicholas. A native Cedar Rapidian, he attended Johnson Elementary, McKinley Middle School (formerly Junior High) and Washington High School. He later attended Iowa State University, receiving his B.S. in electrical engineering in 1967, M.S. in 1968, and Ph.D in 1971. He worked for the former Collins Radio for 38 years, retiring in 2009. A very accomplished, and modest inventor, he is credited with numerous patents via what is now Collins Aerospace. He is most famously known for unlocking an encoding process essential to fax machines, as a doctoral student at Iowa State University in the 1960s. The endowed David C. Nicholas Professorship in Electrical and Computer Engineering was created in his honor at Iowa State University. Survivors include three children, Christopher Nicholas MD (Shannon), of West Burlington and Quincy, Ill., Sarah Nicholas Ph.D (Joshua Lynch) of Shoreham, N.Y., and Jane Nicholas of Cedar Rapids; seven grandchildren, Cole and Sydney Nicholas (Christopher), London and Brigid Lynch (Sarah), Isabel, Joseph and Curran Schmidt (Jane); former son-in-law, Rodney Schmidt; former wife, Kathleen Hall; and longtime girlfriend, Mary Day. He was preceded in death by his parents. He was an active bridge player, downhill skier and fisherman. He was a member of Lovely Lane United Methodist Church, the Eastern Iowa Ski Club, IEEE and the Iowa Inventors Hall of Fame. The Iowa Donor Network was a recipient of his tissue. Memorials may be directed to Mission of Hope, 1700 B Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402; or Lovely Lane United Methodist Church, 2424 42nd St. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.

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Published by The Gazette on Jan. 17, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for David Nicholas

Sponsored by Teahen Funeral Home - Cedar Rapids.

12 Entries

Patricia A Andrews

February 6, 2022

I just learned of Dave´s passing when I read Kathy´s obituary, I´m sorry to hear it. An interesting guy.

Ginny del Rosario

July 18, 2021

I just heard about David and am so sorry to hear this news. Wish I had known, I would have been there. We grew up together as our moms were best friends for 77 years. May God continue to give you peace and comfort.

Stephen D. Eicherly

March 14, 2021

David and I grew up together, neighborhood, Junior High School thru Senior High School. In Junior High School we spent many Fridays together cleaning the school's Chemistry Laboratory in return for charred or chipped glassware the teacher would give us in return for our cleaning. After High School, I spent a career as an Army Officer but still kept in contact with David through e-mails, etc. My computer has David's photographs from our earliest days as friends through his skiing days. After my retirement, I spent another career in law enforcement here in Southern California but kept in contact through e-mails. I hope to be with David again someday. I would like to hear from his family members when it is convenient.

Stephen D. Eicherly

March 14, 2021

I was so shocked when I received the information on David's passing. I sent out e-mails to everyone in my address book to check the e-mail addresses etc. David and I lived only a few blocks away from each other during elementary school. We were in Cub Scouts together. During our Junior High School days, we shared an interest in Chemistry and spent many Fridays after school cleaning the Chemistry lab in return for scorched, chipped glassware the teacher would give us. We shared a friendship with Mr. Lovejoy (RIP) and later in our school years, we would go to his house to visit with him. I spent a career as an Army Officer but would still keep in contact with David through e-mails. I stayed here in Southern California to complete a second career in law enforcement but still exchanging e-mails. I have photographs of David on my computer from pre-Junior High School through his skiing days. I will miss him because we grew up together and shared the wonderful values of those days in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I would like to hear from any of his relatives and look forward to being with David again someday.

Gary Dalecky

January 20, 2021

East Iowa Ski Club member

Julianne Thomas, MD

January 17, 2021

My condolences to David's children who I knew through childhood as a pediatrician and to their mother. I enjoyed seeing you grow and as I often went to the same restaurants as David, he would always catch me up on your successes. He was so proud of you Christopher, Sarah and Jane. May that assurance help you through this time.

Nancy Kellen

January 17, 2021

It was many years ago I worked with Dave at Collins. He was a great person, very professional. He was admired by all that had the pleasure of working with him. I am very glad to have the chance to know him

Nancy Kellen

Jennifer Yow

January 17, 2021

Daves son, Chris, is my brother in law. Although I didn't get to see Dave that often, it was always a pleasure getting to see and talk with Dave. Such a smart man, I always enjoyed listening to him on how much he knew about things. He also had a sense of humor, just had to know Dave to appreciate it. He will be surely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Janie Thomson

January 17, 2021

Would like to extend my sincere condolences to David's family and friends. I remember David from our church, Central Park Presbyterian. He was polite and led a very impressive life.

Rev. Barbara Losey

January 17, 2021

David and I have been friends since 1955. We went to the same church (Central Park Presbyterian) , to Washington Sr. High and then both worked at Rockwell Collins. Sending sincere sympathy to his children and friends at this time.

Tamera Augustine

January 17, 2021

Mary and family, sending a hug and our condolences in the sudden loss of your loved one and our friend Dave. We will miss him at our gatherings.
Tammy & Jeff Augustine

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