Dr. Robert Ernest Nickell

Dr. Robert Ernest Nickell, 79, of San Diego, an icon of the engineering sciences community, died January 21st, 2015, at Vibra Hospital from adenocarcinoma. Dr. Nickell was born in Reedley, California on July 13th, 1935, to Ernest Nickell of Sallisaw, Oklahoma, and Selma Helen Mullen, also of Sallisaw, Oklahoma. He graduated from Dinuba High School in 1953 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. After his military service, Dr. Nickell returned to school, studying first at Fresno State University, then completing his undergraduate and graduate education at UC Berkeley. Dr. Nickell made significant contributions to the engineering profession throughout his nearly five-decade career in applied science and technology. He provided consulting services in a wide variety of engineering fields, from nuclear power generation to the safe destruction of nuclear and chemical weapon stockpiles around the globe. Dr. Nickell was widowed in 2012, but is survived by his two children and one grandchild. Funeral services will be held at St. Vincent de Paul Church on Jan. 31, 2015, at 10:30 a.m with a celebration of life immediately following. In honor of his service to his country, he will be interred at the Fort Rosecrans

National Cemetery, Miramar Extension, on Feb.4, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations maybe made in his name to his granddaughter’s school, St. Vincent de Paul School, 4077 Ibis Street, San Diego, CA, 92103.