Captain Robert H. Nichols was born September 2, 1917 in Hartford, Connecticut and at 96 years of age passed away peacefully, October 13, 2013. He was at the Olivia White Hospice Home, Flagstaff, Arizona where he had resided for the last 3 years.
Captain Nichols was a Master Mariner, holding an Unlimited Masters License for any size vessel, in any ocean, worldwide.He was a member of the first graduating class of 1939 of the United States Merchant Marine Academy-Kings Point.
During World War II, he served with the US Merchant Marines in campaigns that included the Battle of the North Atlantic (anti-submarine warfare), the Invasion of North Africa at Casablanca, the Invasion of Sicily, the Invasion of Italy (Anzio and Naples), D-Day at Normandy on the SS Grenville M Dodge, a Liberty Ship, and briefly in the South Pacific.
During the Battle of the North Atlantic, July 9, 1942, he was aboard the SS Santa Rita, (a pre-WW II C-2 class cargo vessel operated by the Grace Line Inc., New York), when it was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat.There were 59 survivors.32 in one lifeboat were picked up on July 11, 1942 by two US vessels.The remaining 27 survivors, under the command of Executive Officer Nichols, set sail in a larger lifeboat to the South.Water and pimberkin were closely rationed and on July 26, 1942 the lifeboat was towed by a US Army Air Force Crash Boat to Borenquen Point, Puerto Rico.This ended a 17 day, 1,300 mile trip from the North Atlantic.There was less than 1 gallon of water left.He was 24 years of age.
Captain Nichols also served on the SS Santa Maria (C-2 class also operated by Grace Line Inc.) that was damaged five miles West of Dakar, Senegal, when it struck a mine.The bow forward of the bulkhead was completely destroyed.It was safely towed to port for repairs.There were 86 survivors with 1 death.
Following the war, he continued his carrier with Grace Line Inc.He advanced in his chosen profession becoming the Vice-President of Operations for the Gulf & South American Steam Ship Company.He retired in 1976.In retirement he took an active role in his community with memberships in the Propeller Club, Elks Club, and Masonic affiliations of El Zaribah Temple, Knights Templar, and Eastern Star.He loved chess, bridge, classical music, and collecting lighthouses.
Captain Nichols was preceded in death by his wife Joyce Harvey Nichols.He is survived by his children, Hudson Nichols (Mary), Ferne Nichols Covington (George), and Joel Nichols (Linda), his five granddaughters, Ellen Nichols, Maiko Covington Lehman (Mike), Katherine Covington Austin (David), Lisa and Laura Nichols and two great-granddaughters, Abigail and Cassidy Austin, and his dear friend, Carol Denmark.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the First Congregational Church of Flagstaff, 740 N Turquoise, on Thursday, October 24, 2013 at 2:00 pm. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Room.Arrangements are under the direction of Lozano's Flagstaff Mortuary.
Burial at sea by the United States Navy will follow at a later date.