Bob Nichols ~ F-Faculty ~ 1978-2004
Departed ~ 2/28/04 ~ Cancer
Former ISB Economics teacher Bob Nichols
Bob Nichols Passed Away Feb. 28
By Betty Yugala
Former ISB Economics teacher Bob Nichols
It is with sadness that I pass on the news to you that Bob Nichols passed away Saturday, February 28, 2004, from a long, painful bout with cancer. He had been a colleague of mine at ISB, in the social studies department, for 25 years (August 1978 through June 2003). I shall miss his humor and wit, and when I look back upon those years, I realize that I learned much from him.
Should anyone wish to send any notes of condolence, you may send them to me and I shall pass them on to Bob’s partner K. Yuthapong. I’m sure it would be comforting to know how much he touched the lives of so many around the world.
Mom Bongkojpriya Yugala
Bangkok 10900, Thailand
beyugala at ksc.th dot com
Condolences may also be sent to: Khun Yuthapong Kittiwongpaibul
yuthapong.kittiwongpaibul at jwt dot com
Funeral services were held for Bob on Friday, March 8 from 8:30 a.m to 9:30 a.m. at St. Louis Church on Sathorn Road (next to St. Louis Hospital). Immediately following the church service, Bob’s friends attended the burial ceremony in Si Racha.
In honor of Robert Lee Nichols, who loved Thailand and dedicated his life to the education of children, donations to sponsor a Thai child’s education may be made in lieu of flowers. All contributions will be sent to the Human Development Foundation, a non-profit organization under the auspices of the Redemptorist Fathers Foundation of Thailand. Contributions may also be sent directly to the following address:
Sponsor-a-Child Program
Human Development Foundation
100/11 Kae-Ha Toey 4
Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Email: info at MercyCenter dot org
Tribute to former ISB Economics teacher Bob Nichols
By Freda B. Williams
Mr. Nichol’s Funeral
“Mr. Nichols will be missed by his students who had the greatest respect for him. He was an extraordinarily popular Economics teacher and MUN advisor, and Week Without Walls Sponsor to Golden Buddha Island. He was one of those rare geniuses who had a wicked sense of humor and who could spin a delightful tale. These admirable traits kept his students and his friends in awe, and often in “stitches” of laugher.”
Freda B. Williams
Former ISB English Department Chair and ISB Alumni and Activities Director
Robert Nichols passed away recently after a year and a half struggle with cancer. He was a teacher and friend of ISB for many years, from the late 1970s until 2003. His students, of course, called him Mr. Nichols, some called him Bob, some Nick, and a few Robert. He was my friend and colleague. I called him Mr. Nichols, and he called me, Miss Freda. Ours was a long and interesting friendship and I will miss him dearly. Mr. Nichols will be missed by his students, who had the greatest respect for him. He was an extraordinarily popular Economics teacher and MUN advisor, and Week Without Walls Sponsor to Golden Buddha Island. He was one of those rare geniuses who had a wicked sense of humor and who could spin a delightful tale. These admirable traits kept his students and his friends in awe, and often in “stitches” of laugher.
To be invited to Mr. Nichols’ home for dinner was enviable. And he was the ultimate host for these very formal affairs. He would often assemble some of his most promising International Banking (IB) Economic students, along with other faculty members. Dinner always began with assigned guests giving a toast to his Majesty, the King of Thailand, and to the President of the United States. One guest would always toast the host, then a 5-course dinner would follow. There would be talk of the economic state of the world, politics of Thailand. And always much laughter. If there were guests who were so inclined to entertain, there would also be music at the dinner table.
Serving on the ISB Salaries and Benefits Committee over the years, Mr. Nichols was greatly responsible for many of the fine benefits that ISB teachers enjoy today. As a favorite MUN advisor, he was well respected, not only by the MUN students, but also by the other advisors in the other IASAS schools in Southeast Asia.
Mr. Nichols spoke fluent Thai and had many friends in the Thai community, as well as in Thai politics and Thai society. One of my favorite Mr. Nichols’ “society” stories is the one he use to tell of falling asleep in his room and never making it for dinner during Elizabeth Taylor’s visit to one his mother’s political dinners in New Port.
Susan Dupree, who was also an MUN advisor and a member of the ISB history department, remembered Mr. Nichols in this email: “For me Bob was a man ofmany talents. He had an illustrious career and became well known for his IB knowledge for Economics. As a colleague and economics teacher, I truly enjoyed his guidance and insight about the discipline and his expertise when it came to picking stocks. As a friend, I had many fine evenings with him discussing politics as well as economics. We had some of the same interests, particularly when it came to politics. I truly enjoyed his story telling and was enthralled by his family history. Many balmy evenings were spent sipping Mekong under the stars on his roof-top balcony.”
Over the last year and a half that Mr. Nichols struggled with the cancer monster, he mentioned to me many times that what kept him alive was the love and support of his friends. He was so grateful for the fine professional care that he received from his Thai doctors and nurses, and the support that he received from his former students and so many friends.
Mr. Nichols hated being the center of attention and would be very unhappy with Miss Freda for writing this article about him for the alumni newsletter, but he had a forgiving heart, and I know that there are many alumni who will want to stop for a moment when they read this article, and think of their dear sweet Economics “Ahjon” with fondest memories and greatest affection.
Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail.com