Robert L. Nichols, 72, of Arlington, VA, died Tuesday February 1, 2005, at home after being stricken with an apparent heart attack.
He was born in Niagara Falls, NY, on February 27, 1932, the son of the late Merwin "Shorty " L. and Lucille [ Moore ] Nichols, where he attended local schools.
"Bob" was a renowned basketball personality throughout Western New York as well as a creative entrepreneur in the travel and food business. A man of many talents Bob was a basketball coach at D'Youville College in Buffalo,a high school and Division I college basketball official and for many years coached and played for variety of basketball teams in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls region.
He brought a unique brand of food to the Niagara Falls area, including the first foot-long hot dog, as the original owner and operator of the Hog Dawg Drive-In Restaurant in the Town of Niagara. He was a pioneer in operating charter flights from Western New York to Las Vegas and the Caribbean,being the the first person to schedule affordable trips to both locales.
His outgoing personality and generosity enhanced the lives of countless individuals as he used his many talents to assist anyone who sought his help.
A loving father and devoted husband he is survived by his wife of fifty years,Terry; his children, Carmel Fritz, of Las Vegas, NV., Camille Nichols, of Alexandria,VA., Michael Nichols, of Frederick, MD, Mark Nichols, of Milan, Italy, Cynthia Nichols-Kaarid, of Frederick, MD., Cheryl Geary, of San Antonio, TX., and Matthew Nichols, of Port Orchard, WA.; his brother, Henry O. Nichols of St. Davids, PA, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. |