WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Bruce Mason Nichols, age 79, of Three Rivers passed away Sunday, November 7, 2021 in his home surrounded by family. He was born May 4, 1942 in Lakewood, Ohio.
Bruce graduated from Grandville High School in 1960 and then moved on to complete his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a minor in Biology and Education at Ferris State College. In addition, he also completed course work at Grand Rapids Junior College, Grand Valley State, Central Michigan University, and Western Michigan University.
In 1963, Bruce began his career in the Chemistry Department at Blodgett Memorial Hospital (Spectrum Health). He next taught Chemistry at Grand Rapids South and Union high schools, worked as a chemist at Wolverine World Wide and lab manager at both Bad Axe and Three Rivers Hospitals. He ended his career at the Van Buren Intermediate School District, teaching laboratory skills to students entering the medical field.
His accomplishments included many publications in national and international journals. He continued his work lecturing on hemoglobinopathies, presenting at various medical conferences and colleges throughout the east and Midwest. Bruce’s biggest accomplishment came in 1970 when he was part of the Sickle Cell Anemia Research Group that not only discovered the treatment for the disease, but a screening method to prevent the crises and the progress of the disease.
Bruce enjoyed life and had many hobbies: fishing, hunting, traveling, his MG car club, and model railroading, to name a few. He never let his health issues hold him back from adventure or living life to the fullest. He was an avid community member participating on various boards and organizations that included the Red Cross, Lions Club, Eye Bank Program & Sight Conservation, Youth Exchange Program, the Michigan Chapter of NAMGAR (MG car club), and NMRA Association (model railroad club).
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents Mason Paris and Pauline Rose (Osgood) Nichols; sister, Judy (Bob) Scranton. Remaining to cherish his memory are brother, John (Marilyn) Nichols; daughters Amy Nichols (Geoff Zehnder) of Anderson, South Carolina; Shelley Nichols (Peter Berntsen) of Malmo, Sweden; Randi (David) McGee of Constantine; and Robin Nichols of Port Austin, Michigan. His greatest joy was being a grandfather to Carter, Cohen, and Cooper McGee of Constantine.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at Hohner Funeral Home, 1004 Arnold St., Three Rivers, MI 49093 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to service beginning at 10:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow at the Three Rivers Church of the Nazarene, 1221 Coon Hollow Rd., Three Rivers, MI. Officiating the service will be Pastor Rich Saunders.
Donations in Bruce’s memory may be directed to Three Rivers Health Hospice, 711 S. Health Pkwy, Three Rivers, MI 49093. Envelopes are available at Hohner Funeral Home.
