Karine Berghauser

Karine Berghauser was born in Wiesbaden, Germany, to Gilbert Davila and Irmgard Berghauser. The family moved to San Antonio in 1956. Karine attended Churchill High School, graduating in 1973. She was enthusiastically involved in school and local theater groups. She continued to study performing arts at Stephens College in Colombia, Missouri. There she studied acting and modern dance. She later moved to Los Angeles and then New York where she performed in live theatre and film.

After marrying Dr. Bart Nichols, she returned to San Antonio and settled in the King William District. In 1983, Karine gave birth to her daughter, Sydney Nichols. After years of dedicated motherhood, Karine studied psychology, earning her doctorate from Our Lady of the Lake University where she later taught psychology courses as an adjunct professor.

A large portion of her career was devoted to helping troubled teens find their inner strengths. Many adults today attribute their personal success and their enjoyment of life to her professional guidance and kind respect. She served as a school psychologist for the Northside Independent School District and as a counselor at the Bexar County Juvenile Detention Center. She was committed to offering counseling to minorities and underserved clients.

As an active member of the King William neighborhood community, she chaired the King William Parade during Fiesta for many years. Karine's parades reflected her bright personality: a warm and affectionate blend of wit and inclusion, with a liberal bent. She was a founding member of Art in the Hood, a successful and pioneering program that ushered in the King William neighborhood as an arts and cultural center of San Antonio.

Karine was a passionate lifelong advocate for human dignity, particularly LGBT rights and women's rights. She also had a vast knowledge of music, introducing numerous friends to new artists in many genres. Aretha to Led Zepplin, Bach to 2Pac; she appreciated musical genius regardless of genre. As her large diverse group of friends will attest, Karine's rich sense of humor, droll wit, and enthusiastic embrace of life's absurdities made her the best of company.

Karine is survived by her daughter, Sydney Nichols; her beloved granddaughter, Vivienne Gonzalez; her mother, Irmgard McGehee; her brother, Gilbert Berghauser; her former spouse and friend, Bart Nichols and her many dear friends.

MEMORIAL CELEBRATION OF LIFE

NOVEMBER 6, 2016

6:30 P.M.

BRICK AT BLUE STAR ARTS COMPLEX

108 BLUE STAR

In lieu of flowers, Karine asked that donations be made to Planned Parenthood of South Texas or the charity of your choice.