David Allen Nichols was born February 4, 1939 and passed away November 3, 2022.  The younger son of Art and Merle (Allen) Nichols, he grew up in Floral, Kansas, 13 miles north of Winfield. After graduating from Winfield High School, he attended Southwestern College and there he discovered an exciting new world of ideas and academics.  He graduated with a BA in music education, married, and moved to South Dakota to launch his career and family.

Dave earned his master's in music from Northwestern University in 1964 and became a high school and college orchestra instructor, but then, while witnessing the tumultuous events of the 1960s, he became curious about the origins and context of what was happening around him. He had the opportunity to hear Martin Luther King, Jr. speak three times and this had a life-changing impact on him. Dave decided to become a student once again, this time studying history. He went on to earn his PhD from William and Mary in 1975, after obtaining a second master's degree in history.

Upon marrying the love of his life, Grace (Unger) Anthis in 1978, he returned to Winfield to teach at Southwestern College.  During his 25 years at Southwestern, Dave taught economics, chaired the academic business program, supervised the fundraising office during a major capital campaign, and spearheaded a rigorous reworking of the college's accreditation evaluation as one of many accomplishments during his 11 years as academic dean.

He retired from the college in 2003 and went on to become a renowned expert on the presidency of Dwight Eisenhower. Dave's books include A Matter of Justice: Eisenhower and the Beginning of the Civil Rights Revolution ; Eisenhower 1956: The President's Year of Crisis ; and Ike and McCarthy: Dwight Eisenhower's Secret Campaign against Joseph McCarthy .

From farm kid, violinist, and music educator, to civil rights activist, professor, academic dean, and Eisenhower scholar, Dave was truly a renaissance man. He inspired many with the guiding principle he applied to his own life:  "I can learn what I need to learn in order to do what I need to do."

Summarizing his accomplishments however doesn't tell the full story about Dave.  Once people got acquainted with him, they would discover his humble nature.  How he was always interested in learning and learning about others.  Dave was valued by many for his mentorship, his encouragement, and his care.  He built deep, enduring friendships that brought him tremendous joy.

Dave was a long-term member of Grace United Methodist Church.  He took seriously the church's message to love your neighbor.  He also served as lay pastor at Prairie View United Methodist church for 11 years – a role that was a meaningful part of his spiritual journey.

Grace and Dave's marriage was truly a partnership. Dave credited so much of his success to Grace's support and she loved being a part. Above all, Dave cherished the blended family we built and we will all miss him.

Dave is survived by his wife, Grace; sons, Preston Nichols and John Nichols (Kelly); daughters, Lonnie Boyd (Tim), Bonnie Shaw (Dean), Lora McDougall (David); grandchildren: Joey Lee Jr., Lance McDougall, Thomas Shaw (Holly), Nathaniel Lee, Luke McDougall, William Nichols, Spenser Nichols, Denzel Ackerman; great grandchildren: Kiara Lee, Bayden Lee, Alessandro Shaw, Zack Peters; brother-in-law, Gary Unger (Cyndee); and several nieces and nephews.

In honor of the college Dave loved so much, memorial donations may be made to the Southwestern College Builder Fund.

Memorial services will be Saturday, November 12 at 2 PM at Grace United Methodist Church. Reception following.

The service will be livestreamed and may be viewed at the following link:

Grace United Methodist Church - Winfield - YouTube