Richard Laman Nickelson

Richard Laman Nickelson, 78, of Athens, Georgia, died unexpectedly Friday, July 17, 2015. He was born on January 9, 1937, in Atlanta, Georgia. Richard was the valedictorian of Winder High School’s 1954 class in Winder, Georgia. He was a proud graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology where he obtained a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree in 1959, followed by a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1961. As a Georgia Tech Army ROTC graduate, he was called to active duty in the summer of 1963 and assigned to the U.S. Army Satellite Communications Agency (USASCA), where he served for about 4 years.

Richard had an impressive career in telecommunications, participating in a number of state-of-the-art telecommunication innovations and activities including pioneering work on communication satellites in the early 1960s and the DARPA project that led to the establishment of the Internet in the early 1970s. He served as the head of the first United Nations Development Program Project implemented by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in Ahmedabad, India, and managed telecommunication development projects in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Mongolia, from ITU headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. He served as advisor to the Secretaries-General of the ITU and managed a large study for the development of satellite systems for rural communications in sub-Saharan Africa. Richard managed global standardization of satellite news gathering digital broadcasting (sound and television) and HDTV as a member of ITU’s International Radio Consultative Committee (CCIR). He rounded up his career in telecommunication development in the Pacific Basin as External Affairs Manager and Senior Advisor of the Pacific Telecommunications Council in Honolulu, Hawaii, and Editor of the Pacific Telecommunications Review.

Richard was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend with a rich personality and charitable heart. He enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his beloved wife and supporting and encouraging her artistry. He was exceptionally proud of her graduating from the University of Hawaii with her degree in art. They traveled throughout the world, but he especially loved Jekyll Island where he spent vacations as a child and shared anniversaries with his wife. Richard was very proud of his daughter, bragging about her earning her doctorate whenever given the opportunity. He brought his love of technology home from work with him, and often refurbished computers for family and friends. He loved gardening and animals and was adored by his dog Lulu.

Richard is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Helena Agnes de Gielgud (née Miedzianowska) of Athens, Georgia; one daughter, Joyce E. (Jennie) Nickelson (F. Reginald Albritton, III) of Tuscaloosa, Alabama (daughter of Alma Joyce Rice Nickelson); two step-daughters, Maria Magdalena (Gianfranco) Bucher of Italy and Joanna Maria (Marco) Barolacci of Switzerland, three grandchildren, six step-grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and three nieces. Richard was preceded in death by his parents Ansel L. and Ella R. Nickelson and brother Jay Victor (Mary Jane) Nickelson.

A service to celebrate Richard’s life will be held Saturday, August 22 at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Winder. Visitors may sign the guest book at www.BernsteinFuneralHome.com.

Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service has charge of arrangements.