Robt. Bruce Nicholson passed away on May 13, 2015 at the age of 73. Bruce was born in Seattle, WA on May 29th, 1941 to Charles Lewis Nicholson and Dorothy Louise Price-Nicholson. Bruce was the third of three children. At the age of 5, he often followed his sister, Joyce, to school. Brother Dave was mortified by Bruce's continual visits at school. By the fourth grade his early education paid off, he was one of the final four in the City of Seattle's Spelling Bee. He was soon deeply involved in in 4-H. He scored big in Grand Champion Ribbons and Trophy categories at numerous state fairs. He had raised various breeds of chickens and rabbits before his interests grew larger to Polled Herefords.
>
For a short while he attended the University of Washington while exercising an interest in billiards. He transferred to a college in Yakima and planned to become a veterinarian. Each weekend he traveled back to Renton, WA to get his laundry done and help his mother with his small herd of registered Herefords. Bruce enjoyed playing basketball so much with the neighborhood kids after they got out of school that he reconsidered his vocation. After rolling his car off of Snoquamie Pass, he transferred to Central. He did his own laundry and began his courses for a degree in Education. In April prior to his graduation, he met Sharon Ervin and the two were married on August 21, 1966. Sharon accepted a job at Boeing as a Cost Accountant. After teaching two years at Nelson Junior High in Renton, they returned to Central as Head Residents of the Student Village Co-Ed dorm with 360 students. Bruce received the degree of Master of Education and Sharon received her teaching credentials. In 1970 Bruce and Sharon Nicholson moved to Oak Harbor where Bruce started teaching at Oak Harbor Elementary until he was transferred to Broadview, Oak Harbor Middle School and finally the new North Whidbey. Bruce was extremely active as a Vice-president and Head Bargainer for the Oak Harbor Education Association. Bruce was a strong vocal advocate for the sixth-grade Camp Moran Outdoor Education curriculum for numerous years.
>
> In the summers when he was not teaching, he drove the strawberry and cucumber buses where many kids experienced their first job. Bruce was well known in the community as a teacher, soccer coach, and being the Kiwanis Santa. He and his elves handed out oranges to the children and kept the magic of the season alive while listening to their Christmas wishes. Many of his sixth-grade students were surprised to learn he was the orange totting Santa of their early years. Close friends were well aware of Bruce's passion for collecting diecast cars, stamps, sports cards and coins. Bruce was a 4-H leader and, in accordance with his passion, he and the family worked hard in the garden by spreading chicken rich shavings. All three children and Bruce washed their chickens in warm water, Ivory soap, then towel dried. Some were fluffed up with Sharon's hair dryer. One particular Wyndotte pullet won 1st place show champion at five state fairs. Bruce was proud, of course, but the highlight of his wins was an article titled "Nicholsons Have Best Cock in Show" from their win at the Puyallup Fair. Bruce especially enjoyed working with Reuble’s Shire Draft horses in Coupeville.

After 33 years as a teacher, Bruce was forced to retire when his beard no longer needed to be painted white. He had broken his leg and arm in a fall while in San Antonio. Bruce's health continued to decline when diabetes required dialysis three times a week. However, he always had a smile for his grandchildren, colleagues, and a variety of collector friends around the state.
>
> Bruce and Sharon remained in Oak Harbor until 2013, when they moved to Spokane, Washington to be closer to family. Bruce is survived by his wife Sharon of 48+ years; his son Ben Nicholson, wife Jen and their children, Victoria and Kris, his son Brett Nicholson, wife Hillary and their daughter Scarlett, his daughter Katie and Rick Parisien and their son Richard Bruce, and their adopted granddaughter Hannah Adams. Also included is sister Joyce's family: Cindy, Michael, and Russell Foster, one aunt and Richard Price.
>
> The Celebration of Bruce’s Life will be held at the Wallin Funeral home in Oak Harbor, WA on June 20th at 1 pm. In the true fashion of Bruce's casual nature, any attire dressier than coveralls just might be too fancy for Bruce's taste. As such, this IS intended to be a CELEBRATION OF HIS LIFE. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Robt. Bruce Nicholson’s name to the non-profit Puget Sound Kidney Center located in Oak Harbor. For which his family would be truly grateful.

Celebration of Life was entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home. Please visit Bruce’s Book of Memories page on the funeral home website at www.wallinfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robt. "Bruce" Nicholson, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.