Rodney Nicholls

Rodney Gene Nicholls, 58, of Cheney, Wash., passed away at home in his sleep from natural causes on Aug. 15, 2011.

He was born March 17, 1953, in Great Falls to Alexander H. Nicholls and Joan (Coffman) Nicholls. He was raised in Columbia Falls and Great Falls. While in high school, he was active in DeMolay and the United Methodist Church youth groups, along with participating in the Presidential Classroom for Young Americans in Washington, D.C., a program that provides select outstanding high school students with rigorous educational experiences to prepare them for roles as leaders in public service and private enterprise. He graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 1971.

After high school, Rod enlisted in the Navy. In January 1972, he married Lori Liudahl, of Columbia Falls. They moved to Cheney, and their first son, Rodney, Jr., was born that same year.

Upon graduation from basic training in San Diego, Calif., the family moved to Charleston, S.C.. While stationed at the Charleston Naval Base, he served on the USS Santa Barbara (AE-28) and the decommissioning crew of the USS Chewaucan (AOG-50). During his service on the Santa Barbara, he was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation, which is the U.S. military's award for unit valor that is equivalent to the awarding of a Bronze Star to an individual for valor.

He liked to say that while in the Navy, he had the "privilege of taking his only yacht cruises" in the Gulf of Tonkin, Mediterranean, Caribbean and across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, with exotic ports of call including the Philippines, Hong Kong, Greece, Turkey and many stops in between. It was in the Navy that he developed his love of the ocean, travel and reading.

In 1975, Rod left active duty and entered the Navy Reserve, and the family moved back to Cheney, where he joined the city of Spokane as a waste water treatment plant operator. In 1977, he was honorably discharged from the Navy. In 1979, his second son, Matthew, was born and he went to work for the state of Washington as a waste water treatment plant operator in Medical Lake, Wash.

In January of 1985, he joined the classified staff at Eastern Washington University in Cheney.

He worked at EWU for more than 25 years, holding positions in the custodial, HVAC and trucking departments. During his time at Eastern, he also served as president and vice president of the Washington Federation of State Employees Local 931, along with being a WFSE/AFSCME Council 28 executive board member and steward.

During his time as a Council 28 executive board member, he participated on the council's Statewide Policy Committee for Higher Education, influencing the higher education policy of the state of Washington.

His participation in this committee led directly to the passing of several pieces of legislation in Washington. He was recognized for these contributions at a bill-signing ceremony by former Gov. Gary Locke, who presented him with a signing pen for one of the pieces of legislation he worked to have adopted by the Washington Legislature. Rod retired from EWU on Jan. 1, 2011.

Rod was a true friend, fan and enthusiastic supporter of EWU, watching and contributing to student successes in small ways where he could. His time at Eastern continually inspired and reaffirmed his life outlook, which can best be described by quoting Henry Ford, "Whether you think you can or can't, you're right!"

He approached his time at EWU with this outlook, and his various job titles and positions were not broad enough to truly describe the care and dedication he provided to both the facilities and the community of Eastern. He knew the campus well and always offered a helping hand to its students, staff, faculty, alumni and visitors, whether they were asking directions, setting up for a presentation or just needed someone to talk to.

On one notable occasion, he helped former EWU President Jordan obtain the key to enter his office upon finding him locked out on his first day of work. He enjoyed the community life of Eastern, taking in athletic events and was always a passionate supporter of students. This is evidenced by the endowment he asked be created to fund a scholarship in his name. His years of dedicated service at Eastern and his leadership have helped to positively impact the culture of EWU by creating a family environment - where people know you by your first name. He was also a member of and supported the activities of the Cheney Rodeo Association, the local chapter of the International Association of Lions Clubs and American Legion Post 72.

He was predeceased by his father, Alex Nicholls and his sister Mary (Nicholls) Reddington.

He is survived by his two sons, Rodney Nicholls, Jr., of Seattle Wash., and Matthew Nicholls and wife Michelle (Gandolfo) Nicholls, of Elko, Nev.; two grandchildren, Justin Nicholls and Megan Nicholls, of Elko; mother Joan (Coffman) Bartle and stepfather Edwin Bartle, of Great Falls; stepmother Margene (Woods) Nicholls ,of Hermiston, Ore.; four sisters, Sheri (Nicholls) Wadekamper, of Hermiston, Ore., Denise (Bartle) Johnson and Sue (Bartle) Lindhorst, of Great Falls, and Patricia "Trish" Nicholls, of Spokane; six nephews; and three nieces.

At his request, he was cremated, and in the summer of 2012, his sons will commit his remains to the sea in Alaska.

He further requested that a funeral service not be held; however, his sons will be hosting a celebration of life memorial service with details to be announced shortly. Further information may be obtained by sending a request for information to P.O. Box 80705, Seattle, WA 98109.

In lieu of flowers or remembrances, the family kindly requests making a donation to the Rod G. Nicholls, Sr. Endowed Scholarship Fund, c/o Eastern Washington University Foundation, 102 Hargreaves Hall, Cheney WA 99004.