header 1
header 2
header 3

In Memory

Richard Allen Nichols - Class Of 1957 VIEW PROFILE

Richard Allen Nichols

 

Richard Allen Nichols

Oct. 25, 1939 - Aug. 7, 2020

Richard (Dick) Nichols was born on October 25, 1939 in Ottawa, IL to Allen and Dorothy Nichols. His family moved to South Bend, Indiana where his sister Dorothy was born.

In high school, Dick was on the wrestling team, but enjoyed football the most. He was heavily recruited by many schools for a football scholarship and ultimately chose Northwestern University. At Northwestern, Dick played Center for legendary Coach Ara Parseghian and saw his team rise to the #2 spot in all of College football in 1959. He graduated Northwestern with 3 degrees, a B.S. in Engineering Science, a M.S. and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering.

After Graduation, Dick accepted a job in Southern California with Parker Hannifin. He worked as an engineer and paid inventor, developing new products in the aerospace, and Petro/Chemical industries; culminating with him holding multiple patents.

In 1973, Dick married Sandy Gladdys and they settled in Corona del Mar where they raised their three children, Kathy, Matt and Rich.

Dick was very passionate about politics throughout his life. He was the President of the Corona del Mar Community Association and very active with SPON and GREENLIGHT as well as the CA Republican Assembly where he was elected CRA Senate Director. He then became president of the CdMRA unit of the CRA, which was later renamed the Newport Beach Republican Assembly.

Dick was elected and served on the NB City Council from 2002-2006. He loved Newport Beach, especially Corona del Mar. During Council meetings, he requested clarification on many issues, not for himself, but to educate the residents as to what was going on in their city.

Dick's other love was athletics. When their children were old enough for organized sports, Dick could always be found on the sideline of their games. He coached AYSO soccer for several years as well as for the JR All-American football program and at CDM High School on their Freshman football team.

In May of 1975, Dick and Sandy started R. A. Nichols Engineering (RANE), to provide equipment and services to the Petroleum and Chemical Industries. Dick’s work was instrumental in the development of Phase I and Phase II vapor recovery pollution control technology that capture gasoline vapors at local gas stations instead of releasing them to the atmosphere. This work led to dramatic improvement in our Air Quality, especially here in Southern California.

Dick consulted for the American Petroleum Institute (API), the US EPA, the California Air Resources Board, and many other Air Quality Districts. Over the years, RANE designed and installed over 200 custom engineered pollution control systems for petroleum and chemical facilities throughout the world including the World’s Largest Portable Vapor Combustor which is about 200,000 times bigger than your BBQ at home.

Dick always took pride in sharing his knowledge and his expertise, helping many of his colleagues in the industry. He lectured and taught both foreign and domestic oil companies, helping them institute pollution control equipment and strategies. Dick was the chief engineer for RANE until he retired in 2015.

His legacy continues, RANE remains a family business, and is now operated by his children.

Dick had several other interests and was an avid reader. His interest in economics went hand in hand with History and Politics. He studied the Bible and enjoyed going to Bible Studies.

Dick believed in service to God, Country, and Family. His belief in God provides solace for his family and those that loved him. He is survived by his wife Sandy, his children and their families Kathy, Steve, Jacob and Marissa Obergfell, Matt and Dylan Nichols, Rich, Joanne, Natalie, Andy and Hannah Nichols as well as his sister, Dorothy and her husband Bob Howerton and many nieces and nephews.

12/29/2020 JFC



Click here to see Richard Allen's last Profile entry.