Our beloved “Herbie” was born February 5, 1925 to parents, Edgar and Marjorie (nee Higgins) Nichols in Denver, CO and passed away on September 18, 2018. Herb was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Edgar S. (“Stan”) Nichols and David Nichols, daughter Karen Barker, wives, Doris (“Dorie”) Nichols and Clara (Otten) Nichols, granddaughter, Crystal Schulz as well as son-in-law, Robert Barker. Survived by sons, Gary Nichols, MD (Shierley) in Santa Rosa, CA, Kevin Nichols (Debra) in Austin, TX, daughter, Connie Footlick (Brian) in Mission, KS, stepdaughter Carla Helling (Mike) in Lakewood, CO, ten grandchildren: Derek Schulz, Chris Nichols, Justin Nichols, Maya Nichols, Cameron Nichols, Kelsey Nichols, Melissa Footlick Blake, Aubrey Kelly, Nick Helling, Jim Sarenas, nine great-grandchildren: Julia Lyons, Dalton Schulz, Malaya Sarenas, Eden Nichols, Addie Nichols, Jack Kelly, Ben Kelly, Aiden Dowell, Cameron Helling, and close friend, Barbara King in Prairie Village, KS.

Herb attended the University of Colorado and Denver University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree and was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. As a naval pilot during WWII, he flew several Avenger aircrafts, before retiring as a Lieutenant Commander. Soon after being discharged from the Navy, Herb spent several years helping start a new airline, Monarch Airlines, which began air service in November 1946 and eventually emerged as Frontier Airlines. For several years thereafter, he worked at the Montgomery Ward mail-order house as a buyer and an operating superintendent. From there, Herb sold trucks for the Colorado GMC factory branch, where one of his customers, Sears, Roebuck, & Co., hired Herb into their management program. He eventually retired from Sears after serving as a senior executive manager in eight cities. Before full retirement, Herb spent six years as the National Retail Marketing Manager with Peerless Products.

Herb was a very charitable man, who worked tirelessly helping many causes and people. He was a 50+ year member of the Masonic Lodge, Abdullah Shrine, and the American Legion. His greatest pride was being an Eagle Scout and an Admiral in the State of Nebraska Navy. Herb enjoyed all types of hunting and fishing, but most of all, golf. He golfed as often as possible, and was a member of the Hillcrest Country Club for many years. Later in life, he played in the Senior Golf Association, Tomahawk Seniors, and Abdallah Shrine Nomads. Herb played last round of golf on January 1, 2018. Prior to that time, Herbie shot his age twice, most recently when he was 90. Weather permitting, with his friendly group of eight, he played golf on most Friday mornings. Herb was an investor in the KC Hopps, LTD restaurant group and was infamous for giving away free drink coupons to everyone he met. Along with his late wife, Clara, he traveled extensively, visiting six continents and 56 countries.

Herb requested a private memorial service and suggested everyone have a ‘good stiff drink’ to celebrate his long, rewarding life. Herb requested for all to dig deep and be generous with donations to the Kansas Foster and Adoptive Children Scholarship Fund https://gkccfonlinedonations.org/give/kans15.asp or checks may be mailed to J. Eugene Balloun 2555 Grand Blvd. Kansas City, Missouri 64108.