Robert Arnold Nickerson

1925 - 2015

Robert Arnold Nickerson Robert Arnold Nickerson, formerly of Narragansett, Rhode Island, passed peacefully on October 20, 2015. He was the husband of Betty V. (Moss) Nickerson. Bob was born July 2, 1925, in Johnston, Rhode Island to Cora (Tourtellot) and Earl Clinton Nickerson. He was the 11th generation of William Nickerson, the founder of Chatham, Massachusetts. Bob attended Providence schools and graduated from Mount Hermon School in Massachusetts in January l944. He entered the US Navy the day after graduation and served 26 months in the Armed Guard in the Atlantic and Pacific areas. After graduating from Roger Williams College with an Accountant Degree, he worked for two years with the firm of Fielding CPA. In 1949, he was hired by the Wakefield Branch Company, a hardware and lumber business in Wakefield, Rhode Island, where he worked as office manager and accountant for 36 years. He married Betty V. Moss in September 1950. They resided in Wakefield and later moved to the neighboring town of Narragansett in 1959, where they lived for 45 years during which time Bob served as Chairman of the Narragansett School Committee and later served on the committee for the building of a new high school. Bob was an active member of the Peace Dale Congregational Church, UCC where he served as a Deacon and also chaired the committee for the building of the first addition to the church. In January 2005, they moved to Olympia, Washington, where they both became active members of The United Churches of Olympia. Bob served on the Administrative Ministry as well as Caring Friends Ministry. Bob was a Master Mason for 65 years. He belonged to Temple Lodge in Johnston, Rhode Island, Hope Lodge #25 in Wakefield, Rhode Island, and Harmony Lodge #18 in Olympia. He was also a member of Unity Royal Arch Chapter #12, Wakefield, Rhode Island. Bob was known for helping others and for making others laugh through his numerous jokes. He was grateful for the close friends he had made in his life. Those friendships meant a lot to him. He enjoyed gardening, especially growing dahlias, and beekeeping. Bob celebrated his 90th birthday this year with family and a 65th wedding anniversary with his lifelong friend and wife, Betty, on September 16th. Bob leaves behind his wife, Betty; children, David B. of Wakefield, Rhode Island, Donna J. (Dr. Uwe Tietze) of Olympia, Debra A. of Olympia, and Diana L. (Timothy Ward, DDS) of Kilmarnock, Virginia; three grandsons, Clinton of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Nolan Godfrey and William Godfrey of Olympia; and one great-grandchild, April Nickerson. He is predeceased by his sister, Ruth Audrey Mearon. A Memorial Service will be held at The United Churches of Olympia, 110 Eleventh Ave. SE, Olympia at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2015. Memorial donations may be made to the church or a charity of your choice. Please leave memories at: www.FuneralAlternatives.org.