In Memoriam: Fred Nickless, A44, G49

December 14, 2006 -- Fred P. Nickless Jr., A44, G49, who loyally served Tufts as alumni secretary for 30 years, died on Dec. 2, 2006, in Boston. He was 84.

Nickless grew up in Billerica, Massachusetts, and entered Tufts with the Class of 1944. He joined the Navy during WW II, surviving an attack on the U.S.S. St. Lo, the first American ship sunk by a kamikaze. After the war, he resumed his studies at Tufts, graduating in 1948 with a degree in English and in 1949 with a master’s. He began his professional life teaching high school English in Barre, Vermont, and then in Manchester-by-the-Sea, where he also coached football.

From 1956 to 1986, he was alumni secretary (now called director) for the Tufts University Alumni Association (TUAA), succeeding Joe Morton, A11. He initially worked out of Ballou Hall, but after Clarence “Pop” Houston, A14, retired and left his home at 95 Talbot Avenue to Tufts for alumni purposes, Nickless moved to what would eventually be known as Alumni House.

In the early days, he was aided by one assistant and two women “in the basement” who maintained copious alumni records.

“We were lucky to have electric typewriters,” recalls Maurene Golden, J59, G61, a staff assistant from 1964 to 1967. “We did all the mailings for about 30 clubs and major alumni associations, plus Homecoming and reunions -- everything. When I look back at what we accomplished, it was remarkable.”

But Nickless also played an important historical role at Tufts, she added.

“He clearly recognized that the university was changing, and reached out to alumni beyond the bounds of New England, New York and New Jersey,” she said, “and Fred was instrumental in revising the bylaws to help bring Tufts to the next level. To enhance Tufts’ stature, you needed visionaries at the helm in terms of the presidency, but you also needed people like Fred who recognized the influence of a volunteer organization and its important service to the institution.”

His dedication and thoughtfulness left a lasting impression on many young alumni who chose to be active volunteers with the alumni association.  “When I was council chair, he got me through the job,” said Sondra Szymczak, J59. “He was an anchor for all of us, and he put the association before everything.”

“Fred was a true Tufts pioneer,” said TUAA president Sunny Breed, J66. “He established a foundation for all we do today. I remember him fondly, as my early Tufts volunteer work would have been impossible without him. When I moved to Alaska and received no mail from Tufts, not even requests for money, it was Fred who kept in touch with me and kept me in touch with Tufts.”

Linda Dixon, J63, said Nickless set her on a path to the position she holds today: secretary for the Tufts Board of Trustees. “Fred Nickless was my boss for two years when I was a student,” she recalled. “I worked 15 hours a week, typing hundreds of Fred's handwritten letters. He would write long and thoughtful responses to alumni inquiries, regardless of how big or small their concerns. Pretty soon, I knew all the leaders of the Alumni Council and felt like I was a member myself.  I credit dear Fred with getting me started on my lifelong avocation of alumni volunteer service.”

His peers likewise respected Nickless as a quintessential advocate for Tufts. Tufts historian Russell Miller dedicated Volume II of Light on the Hill to Nickless, and the alumni association honored his longtime service when they established the Fred P. Nickless, Jr., Scholarship Fund, awarded annually to an undergraduate or graduate student(s) in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences. He was also awarded two Distinguished Services Awards from the alumni association.

He was the husband of the late Barbara Johnson Nickless, and father of four: Steven Nickless of North Conway, NH; Margaret Nickless Troyli of Manchester-by-the-Sea; Joanne Powers of Hooksett, NH; and Susan Wardrup, J69, of Owings, MD. He is also survived by five grandchildren and three brothers. A granddaughter, Shannon Powers Beaumont, is a member of the Tufts Class of 2002.

A memorial service was held on Dec. 7 in the First Parish Church, Congregational, Manchester-by-the-Sea at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fred P. Nickless Jr. Scholarship Fund, C/O Alumni Relations, Tufts University, 95 Talbot Ave., Medford, MA 02155. Condolences may also be sent to Susan at nikiorsue@hotmail.com.