Russell Jenks Nickerson Sr., age 90, died unexpectedly of a heart attack at home on March 13, 2017.
Russ was born in Providence, RI on June 15, 1926. He was the son of Alice (Jenks) Nickerson and Leon (Edgar) Nickerson. He is survived by his wife Judith (Wallace) Nickerson of Mystic, CT; son Russell J. Nickerson Jr. and wife Sonya Nickerson of Mystic, CT along with their sons Andre and Luc; and son Christopher Wallace Nickerson of Madison, NJ along with his children Christopher, Rebecca and Grace.
He was predeceased by his older brother Richard E. Nickerson and his wife Bette of Pawtuxet, RI and his younger brother Robert B. Nickerson and his wife Nancy of Mystic, CT.
Russ grew up in Cranston, RI and enjoyed numerous childhood passions including sailing, ice boating, music, scouting, skiing and his German Shepherd “Prince.” He received a Congressional appointment to the US Naval Academy, but chose instead to attend Penn State in the Navy V-12 program (later NROTC), earning his Officer’s commissions in 1949. At Penn State, Russ earned a degree in Chemical Engineering and was a member of the Penn State Blue Band for four years. He was also a member of Theta Xi and President of Phi Mu Alpha and the Quarterdeck Fraternities.
Following college, Russ worked as a chemical engineer for the US Rubber Company in Naugatuck, CT. He volunteered for the Korean War, serving aboard the USS Osprey in very active duty. Until his death he maintained a close relationship with his Navy and college friends. Russ continued six decades of trumpet playing, including concert and symphony orchestras, dance bands, Mystic Flag Day ceremonies, 45 years of Rock of Ages as well as performing for President Eisenhower.
Following Korea, Russ joined the Foxboro Corporation in 1954 where he concentrated in controls and automation. In order to pursue his passion for sailing, he moved to Mystic, Connecticut in 1959 and worked for Electric Boat. While at EB Russ worked on many interesting projects, earning several letters of commendation from Admiral Rickover, as well as a number of patents. Russ left EB in 1969 to start his own company, Nickerson Engineering, where he pursued additional design innovations as a consulting engineer nationwide. Russ had 3 Professional Engineering Licenses; Chemical, Electrical and Control Systems, and Automation. In 1980 Russ went to work with Pfizer for 10 years, focusing on controls and automation processes and documentation. During his nearly 70 years in Engineering, he never stopped creating and learning.
Russ was a good man – he lived honorably, taught virtue by example, provided for and loved his family unconditionally. He will be lovingly remembered and sorely missed in our lives.
A celebration of Russ’ life will be held on Sunday, April 23 at the Ram Island Yacht Club, located at 60 Front Street in Noank, CT from 1:00-3:00pm.
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