Rev. Robert Early Nicholson

Robert Early Nicholson, age 89, of Woodcrest Villa Retirement Community, went peacefully home to the Lord on January 22, 2016. Born on January 1, 1927, in Ridley Park, PA, he was the son of the late Dr. Blake E. Nicholson and Lucile Woodson Nicholson. He is survived by his wife, Joan Brown Nicholson with whom he shared 57 years of marriage. After graduating from Upper Darby High School, he joined the Navy V-12 program and attended officer training at Swarthmore College from 1944-45. Bob was assigned to the Airology (meteorology) Dept. at Oakland Air Station. He was discharged from the Navy in June, 1946. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with an A.B. in mathematics in 1948 and received a Master of Divinity from Drew Seminary in 1951. He was a member of Kappa Sigma. Bob was a member of The Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church, from which he retired in 1987. He served various churches in the Philadelphia and suburban areas. He taught math for 22 years in the Lower Merion School District. During that time, he served the Lower Merion Education Association as treasurer for 10 years and as president for 2 years. After retiring, Bob and his wife Joan moved to Lancaster County, working as professional fund-raisers for 3 years. Bob was active in Boy Scouts of America and served as a Scout Leader. He had a great love of music and was a gifted singer. Bob is survived by his wife, Joan, three children, Peter (Laurel Penny) Nicholson, Pamela (Michael) Benton, Karen (Steven) Miner, seven grandchildren, Bradley (Melissa Alessi) Nicholson, Kristina (Steven) Dousharm, Philip Nicholson, Ryan (Kelly Schultz) Benton, Meredith Nicholson, Megan (Ernest) Puig, Ben Miner, and four great grandchildren. Bob is also survived by his brother, Blake E. Nicholson, Jr. He was predeceased by his wife, Barbara Frye Nicholson, in 1956. Family and friends are invited to attend Bob’s Celebration of Life Funeral Service on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 11:00 a.m., at Covenant United Methodist Church, W. Orange and Mulberry St, Lancaster. A viewing will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will be at Boehm’s United Methodist Church Cemetery in Willow Street. Memorial contributions may be made to: Benevolent Care Fund, Mennonite Home Communities, 2001 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601.