NICHOLS DANIEL R

LTC Daniel "Nick" R. Nichols was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 12/05/2021 at the age of 79.0 from Intestinal Cancer
Colorado Springs, CO
Flight Class 67-9
Date of Birth 11/22/1942
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with A/227 AVN 1 CAV in 67-68, B/7/17 CAV in 68, F/8 CAV in 70-71
Call signs in Vietnam CHICKENMAN, RUTHLESS RIDER, BLUE GHOST
This information was provided by Buddy Harp

More detail on this person: Daniel R. Nichols, (LTC, retired, U.S. Army) passed away on December 5 at home after a long illness. He was a longtime resident of Colorado Springs, CO. Dan was born November 22, 1942, to Daniel E. Nichols and Dorothy D. (Sabin) Nichols in Pomerene, AZ. He moved at an early age to Wheatland, CA, and graduated in 1959 from Wheatland Union High School. He entered the Army in June 1966, received helicopter flight training, and served two tours in Viet Nam. Among his many awards and decorations are the Silver Star and two Purple Hearts. His Army career of 26 years included specialties in Aviation, Armor, and Military Police. After retiring from the Army in 1992, he served as an Investigator for the District Attorney, Colorado Springs, and later as a volunteer for the Sioux City, IA, and Colorado Springs Police Departments. Dan was a Master Gardener with a passion for gardening. His background involved riding broncs in rodeos, driving heavy equipment on the farms and ranches near Wheatland, CA, and learned bee keeping skills from his father and grandfather. In the 1970s he developed an interest in riding motor cycles and competed in motocross, enduro, and hare scrambles. Some of his other interests included reading, guitar, entomology, computers, carpentry, mechanics, making plum liqueur, and bread baking. He was famous among family and friends for his "coast-to-coast" omelettes. He served as a Boy Scout Leader and was proudest when his son Jeremy earned his Eagle Scout Award. Dan will be greatly missed by his wife of 49 years, Mary Lou (Wadedo), his three children, Jeremy (Stephanie), Christopher, and Suzanna, and grandsons, Jackson and Charlie. He is also survived by his sister Sherry Salado Steele, sister-in-law Betty Nichols, nephews Ryan and Travis Stutz, Tim and Doug Castle, and close cousins Georgia and Penny Nichols Spoerry (Denny). He is also survived by Mary Lou's sisters and brothers-in-law, several nieces, nephews, and cousins. In this family, he formed the "S.O.B.s: Society of Brothers-in-law"! Dan wanted Honorable Mention to go to his many "rotorhead" brothers from Viet Nam and his home town friends from Wheatland, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents, step-father Joseph Salado, jr., brother Phillip S. Nichols, and sister-in-law Terri Wadedo Schweisthal. A Memorial Service will be held at 6:00 pm on Thursday, January 13, 2022, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 3122 Poinsetta Drive, Colorado Springs. Burial will be 11:00 at the Pikes Peak National Cemetery, January 14, 2022, 10545 Drennan Road, Colorado Springs. Dan Nichols From: Buddy Harp To: Jim Stein , Roger Scharmen , Dave Marks , John Black , Woody McFarlin , , Mike Roney , Mike Ronyak , Denny Reed , Anthony Granata , John Forsman , Bob Stevens , Bob Pillion , Rick Mills , Ron Cunningham , Mike Smith , Jim McConnell , Dave Russell , Pete Riesenberg , James Allen , Tim Flood , Stephen DaCosta , , Bob Moses , Ray Wallis , , Mike Piccone , Joe Papke , Ron Raible , Jim Lambert , Bill Ipock , Dana Charette , Wally Shields , Bill Hahn , John Ulacky , Raymond Unger , Jim Reeder , Stan Boothby , Al Iller , John Shafer , Pat Shepard , Tina Stevenson , Gary Brydges , Johnnie Griffitts , David Dog Olson , Barry Oxford , RJ Schissell , Dan Nichols , Tom Lewis , Rich Myer , Kirk Curran , Jim Rucker , Joe Shepherd , Ron Schmaling , Denny McMillan , Johnnie Griffitts , Mike Hasselgrove , Glenn Rother , Carmen & Kathy Forke , Tom Hanks , Bill Meese , Rollie Booth , Buddy Harp , Eddie Lee , Dan Neal , , Chris Oelerich , Mike Law , Jim Paul , Dick Cross , Tom McKinnon , Glenn Carpenter , JD Adams , Jim Nowicki Subject: Dan Nichols Date: Dec 6, 2021 2:14 PM With regret I must inform you of the passing of another B Trooper, Dan Nichols. Dan joined us in Pleiku from the 1st Cav Div, which ended up giving him a second tour in Phan Thiet. A memorial service will be held in January, date to be announced. Other than him passing last night at 11 pm, I have nothing else to share at this time. Be safe and stay well, Buddy

Burial information: Pikes Peak National Cemetery

This information was last updated 12/23/2021

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024