Frederick "Rick" Ernest Nickel Jr., age 70, of Cincinnati, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 4, 2023. Rick was born on February 21, 1953, in Flint, Michigan, to Frederick Sr. and Marion Nickel (nee Harding). He grew up outside of Cleveland and attended Brecksville High School. After high school, Rick attended the United States Air Force Academy and went on to serve our country as a military pilot for 20 years, flying the C-141 and retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel and expert marksman. Rick worked for Delta Airlines until retirement in 2018 as a Captain on the Boeing 777. Many may not know that he also earned an MBA which is perhaps why he was such an excellent "advisor" to us all!

On January 17, 1976, Rick married his high school sweetheart, Sue. Rick and Sue were blessed with three daughters, Allison, Lauren, and Mallory. Rick was an exceptionally dedicated father, spending many years at every kind of sporting event and earning the nickname "Stat Man" for carrying his love of numbers and analytics into track times and baskets made.

Rick traveled the world during his Air Force and Delta careers and made it a priority to share the experience of travel with his family. Traveling has always been a cornerstone of the family bond, teaching us to be worldly and grateful, but also bonding time that knitted us together tightly in ways we didn't realize until later in life. Some particularly special trips together were the BVI, skiing annually in UT, and (many!) river cruises with Sue. Rick was a renaissance man, universally liked, all around exceptional person.

Given all he accomplished and how adored he was, his humility is a quality that stands out. He had a love for music, port wine, hot fries, Twizzlers, routine, exercise, technology, yard work, his dog, platform tennis, and loving and serving his family in a million different ways. He was a teacher to many and a pragmatic debater.

Rick will be dearly missed by his loving wife of 47 years, Sue; daughters, Allison (Brennan) Hill, Lauren (Sean) Gruber, and Mallory (Marc) Bain; grandchildren, Grant (8), Leo (6), Macy (3), Beau (4), Carter (2), Sullivan (4 months), Weston (5), and Max (3); sister, Caro (Dave) Pinto, as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

In addition to his parents, Rick was preceded in death by his sister, Chris. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rick's honor to the ALS Association or to a charity of your choice. An open house celebration of life will be held on August 19th from 3:00-5:00pm at Coldstream Country Club, 400 Asbury Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45255.

Spring Grove Funeral Home, Cincinnati, Ohio  |  August 2023

Born on Aug. 17, 1953, in Biloxi, Mississippi, to his beloved mother, Mary Emily Buttrey
Stinson, and father, Kelly David Stinson Sr. (retired, USAF), Kelly David “Dave” Stinson
Jr. lived a storybook life. When he was in third grade, his parents relocated to Meridian,
Mississippi, where he was so bored in school that he read every book in the library. After reading every book, he found the two most interesting — one about being a fighter pilot, and the other a handbook on getting into the U.S. Air Force Academy. From that point on, his heart was set on Colorado Springs and USAFA.

At the age of 17, he was accepted into and attended the Air Force Academy, one of his
most proud accomplishments. While at USAFA, he met Sandra Leah Manthey, whom he proposed to. They were married shortly after his graduation in 1975.

Dave graduated with a bachelor’s degree in international affairs and attained the title of captain while in service. After his commitment period, he relocated to Huntsville, Alabama, where he completed his MBA at the University of Alabama-Huntsville in 1983. He then proceeded to delve into the world of computer and nuclear engineering, where he found his passion for nuclear engineering and its promise of low-pollution, high-reliability energy.

His extremely successful career began with the formation of Digital Engineering Inc. in 1983, where he was president, CEO and founder. After growing this company along with his network, he sold the company. After a transition period with the purchasing company, he began working for TVA in 1993, where he served successfully in multiple executive capacities on and off for the next 20 years. He served initially as the project manager of Browns Ferry Unit 3, where he brought this nuclear reactor back online “on time and under budget,” as he always said. He then went on to hold a position as vice president of engineering and nuclear projects in Chattanooga, Tennessee, before leaving TVA for a time and becoming president of Intergraph PPM (Process, Power, & Marine) from 1995 until December 2001.

In 2001, he pursued his passion for flying by starting Huntsville Flight Center, a flight school and charter business that he ran with his wife and son, also a pilot, until he sold the business in 2007. Concurrently, he began working as president and COO for Shaw AREVA Mox Services LLC, in 2006, where he was tasked with the design, procurement,
construction, startup, and operation of a mixed oxide fuel fabrication facility at the Savannah River Site. He returned to TVA in 2011 as a vice president, first for Watts Bar Unit 2, then for Bellefonte Nuclear Project. Leaving TVA for the final time, he became executive vice president-nuclear at URS for the next year until his retirement in December 2014.

After his retirement, he began remodeling multiple houses and trying his hand as a homesteader. This became his new passion, and something he did nearly until his last day. He was equally as successful with these endeavors as he was in his earlier careers, turning his hard work and dedication into profits to use on his next purchase.

Dave was the greatest dad anyone could ask for, an amazing husband who always cherished his wife, a steadfast son and brother (Donald Jay), a friend to many, the best boss ever for most, the guy who could always accomplish any task or job no matter how daunting (on time and under budget!), the one with the funny stories and a joke for all, and above all else, a man after God’s own heart. He had a loyal group of coworkers who seemed to always follow him to the next big job, where he led them to turn around faltering companies or projects. He mentored many young men who, to this day, have wonderful things to say about the work and life lessons he taught them. His close friends say that they always learned something from him every time they were around him. His wife turned to him for love and support; and his children turned to him for guidance, advice, motivation and inspiration.

On Jan. 27, 2025, Dave Stinson passed away peacefully, surrounded by Sandy, his wife of 49 years, and four successful children: daughters Shannon, Samantha and Kelsey; and son Kelly David “Trey.” During his brief illness, Dave was also enveloped in prayers along with the virtual love and support of numerous extended family and friends. (Shannon Stinson Stewart, daughter)

 

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It is with profound sadness that we announce the Aug. 4, 2023, passing of Frederick “Nick” Nickel, after a courageous battle with ALS. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and friend. After graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Nick was stationed at Reese Air Force Base, Texas, for pilot training, then to Altas AFB, Oklahoma, for C-141 training. After, he was assigned to McGuire AFB, New Jersey. He continued in the Air Force Reserve at McGuire AFB until retirement. Nick was a pilot for People Express Airlines and then went on to fly for Delta Air Lines until retirement in 2018. He is survived by his wife, Sue; and three daughters, Allison (Brennan), Lauren (Sean) and Mallory (Marc); and eight grandchildren, whom he adored. (Sue Nickel, Wife)

Here's a Toast  |  2026