Robert Bruce Nicholson, known to most as Bruce, passed away on May 13 at the age of 73. Bruce was born in Seattle on May 29, 1941, to Charles Lewis Nicholson and Dorothy Louise Price-Nicholson. Bruce grew up in Renton where he loved to farm and raise cows.
In 1966, he met Sharon Ervin at Central Washington University and the two were married on Aug. 21, 1966.
He graduated from Central Washington University in 1966 with a Bachelor in Science, and he then went on to teach in Renton. After teaching two years at Nelson Junior High in Renton, he returned to Central Washington University and received a Master of Education degree.
In 1970, Bruce and Sharon Nicholson moved to Oak Harbor where Bruce started teaching at Oak Harbor Elementary. They had three children together.
Bruce raised chickens and rabbits and joined 4H, and he and his family went to numerous fairs to show their livestock. Bruce loved raising animals and gardening. In the summers when he was not teaching, he drove the strawberry bus where many kids experienced their first job.
He was well known in the community as a teacher, soccer coach and for being Santa. For years, he went to all the elementary schools dressed as Santa Claus, handing out oranges to all the children and keeping the magic of Christmas alive while listening to each and every one one of their Christmas wishes.
After 33 years as a teacher, Bruce retired in 2004. Bruce and his wife Sharon remained in Oak Harbor until 2013, when they moved to Spokane to be closer to some of their family.
Bruce’s health declined in the recent years, but he still always had a smile on his face and was happy to be around family and friends as much as possible.
Bruce is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sharon; his three children, Ben, Brett and Katie; and his grandchildren, Kris, Victoria, Ricky, Scarlett and Hannah.
A celebration of Bruce’s life will be held at 1p.m., June 20, at the Wallin Funeral Home in Oak Harbor.
Anyone wishing to donate is encouraged to donate to the Puget Sound Kidney Center in Oak Harbor in Bruce Nicholson’s name.
Arrangements were entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home. To share memories or condolences, please visit Bruce’s Book of Memories page on the funeral home website at
www.wallinfuneralhome.com
