David Eugene Nickolauson

We are saddened to announce the passing of David Eugene Nickolauson on March 3rd, 2107. You may have known him as Dave, Gene or Nick. Perhaps you knew him as Dad, Uncle Gene or Grandpa. Regardless of what you called him, his smile and his kindness is unforgettable and he will be sorely missed. Dave was preceded in death by his wife Patsy, to whom he was married for 44 years until her passing in 2007. Also enjoying his company now are his parents, Carl and Lillie, his sister and brother in law; Florence and Cleo Henslee, his brothers Lloyd, Arthur and Albert, and more recently, his nephew Jim Henslee. As well as some of the many friends he had made over the years. He is survived by his son; Carl Nickolauson and his daughters; Carol Elliot and Deborah Buckmaster. Dave has 6 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. He cherished time at family gatherings and any other opportunity to spend time with family and friends. Dave was born and raised at the family home in Cow Creek/Parker Canyon, not far from Bonners Ferry Idaho on January 13th, 1933. He attended the Cow Creek school, and later, Bonners Ferry High School. Although he did not graduate from B.F.H.S., he did receive a GED in 1955. In 1965, he received an Associate in Applied Science Degree from Spokane Community College. With that, he went on to apply his artistic talents and love of things mechanical toward a career as a Mechanical Engineer. He worked in this field for 30+ years. He and Patsy returned to Boundary County in the 90’s after he retired from ASC Machine Tools in Spokane and founded Cedar Springs Drafting which he operated for a few more years before retiring completely. In February of 1951, he joined the U.S. Naval Reserve and served the Navy until receiving a discharge in November of 1951 so he could join the U.S. Air Force on active duty. He served the U.S.A.F. as a jet and aircraft mechanic and by the time of his discharge in November of 1955, he was a crew chief for an F-86 stationed at Foster AFB near Victoria Texas. He received an honorable discharge from the Air Force in November of 1955. He enjoyed anything mechanical, especially old cars, and he was a long standing member of the Early Ford V8 Club and was also a member of the Rod Benders. He always had at least one old Ford, and sometimes a dozen. His latest was 1951 Mercury that you may have seen in local parades and car shows.