Van Nichols

Van passed peacefully at home on December 2, 2018. He and his wife Julia shared many wonderful years together along with Charly the corgi. Van was born to Ruth and Harold Nichols in California. His father was a YMCA Secretary/Executive Director. He spent most of his growing up years in Houston, graduating from Lamar High School.

Van attended the University of Oklahoma, a family tradition, obtaining a Bachelors degree in Liberal Arts. He would later receive a Masters, with high honors, in Community Development, from the University of Louisville.

Following in his father's footsteps, Van served the YMCA for 41 years. Associations included Dallas, Texas; Louisville, Kentucky; Wilmington, Delaware; YMCA of the USA East Field; and Denver, Colorado. He retired from the YMCA of Metropolitan Denver in March 1998. Over the years Van served on a number of boards and committees, providing vision and leadership.

Van also served a brief stent in the US Army as a Cryptography Instructor which included a stint in the White House basement during the Eisenhower administration.

An avid hiker, Van was most proud of climbing to the top of Longs Peak, an infamous 14,000 foot mountain, 9 times. His daughter Karen and YMCA staff have many tales regarding those rocky travels. Van loved the Rocky Mountains in all seasons. Prior to knee surgeries he enjoyed skiing down double black diamond slopes.

Van is survived by his wife Julia, daughter Karen, grandsons Ellis and Cole, brothers Gary (Sue Ann), Neil, and Craig (Marsha), nieces Erin and Alexa and nephew Garrett.

A scholarship fund has been established to support youth programs at the YMCA of Metropolitan Denver.

A celebration of Van's life will be held on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at 4:00 in the afternoon at Baldoria on the Water, 146 Van Gordon Street, Lakewood, CO 80228.