John Nicols
Professor Emeritus
Classics
Email: nic@uoregon.edu
Research Interests: John Nicols, Professor Emeritus of History and Classics at the University of Oregon, cherished husband, brother, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on January 8, at the age of 81.
John was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts to Alfred Nicols and Irma Nicols (Sibbel). The family soon moved to Southern California, where John spent his childhood and high school years. As a true child of SoCal, he had stories of working on his surfing technique and, during his senior year, on a true overall tan. In high school, he was a champion debater and often recalled fondly his triumphs in various highschool drama productions. He later used these skills to great effect in the classroom. Some of his fondest childhood memories, however, were skiing with his father in the Sierra Nevada. After college he spent a winter in Davos as a ski bum during the afternoon while earning his keep in the morning and spending nights sleeping above the stables to save money. Later he shared his love of skiing with his family, although none of them were able to match his perfectly parallel form.
John spent his undergraduate years in Berkeley at the University of California. It is hard to believe that the later scholar spent a year on social probation together with other students on his dormitory floor because he was a devoted prankster. But he also showed a more serious side. He became part of the free speech movement and spoke out against the war in Vietnam. He would continue this fierce support of free speech throughout his life. In time, he discovered his passion for Ancient History while exploring the far reaches of the historical Roman Empire, traveling in Syria and Turkey and sleeping under the stars amidst the ruins of Palmyra. He went on to earn a Ph.D. in History from UCLA. His final year as a doctoral student was spent in Germany at the Albert-Ludwigs University in Freiburg where he stayed on as an Assistant Professor.
John’s time in Germany, especially Freiburg, was important to him professionally and personally. The academic community had a profound impact on him and it is where he met his wife, Marianne. His children were fortunate to have spent significant time traveling with him throughout Germany and Europe and benefited from his perfect sense of direction, something Marianne certainly will miss.
After a brief sojourn teaching at Stanford University, he joined the University of Oregon’s History Department in 1980 and taught there for over 30 years. Throughout his tenure he was well-known for his engaging lectures and seminars, his offbeat sense of humor, and dedication to student development. Aside from the required courses in ancient history, John developed much loved courses like “The City”, or “Science and Culture”, informed by his wide and deep reading. During those years he became a fan of sweater vests in extra long; he never tired of reminding those in his family of his long upper body.
John’s scholarly work focused on the Roman Empire, and in his later years, on civic patronage, culminating in the publication of a book called “Civic Patronage in the Roman Empire”. His research was supported by prestigious fellowships and grants, including multiple awards by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. John received the University of Oregon’s Wayne T. Westling Award In recognition of his exceptional service to the university. His leadership was also instrumental in helping rescue the Classics Department. He served as its chair for a number of crucial years.
Among family and friends, John was known for his unbridled love of life, licorice and ice cream, his story-telling, his fondness for puns, and his dedication to sports on TV, especially Oregon football. He often would pre-record games to avoid watching unfavorable outcomes. At his home he would take particular pride in tending to plants both indoors and out, growing flowers, trees and shrubs, always looking forward to their blooming in the spring and to harvesting lemons. He also was a great facilitator of personal connections. To that end he maintained a wide correspondence to keep friends, colleagues, and family members in touch and updated via email. Through email he also chronicled his family history, sharing memories and photos in countless emails that his family will treasure.
Toward the end of his life, he and his wife resettled in Chicago to be closer to family. His four granddaughters were a true joy in his life. He could read to them for hours - and make sure their glasses were clean -, or would eagerly practise his German in facetime sessions with his granddaughters calling from Germany.
He is survived by his wife of more than 45 years, Marianne, his sisters, Jane and Ann, his children Antonia, Samuel, Julia, and Christopher, and four granddaughters.
John’s contributions to his professional field will endure. He leaves lasting memories to his family and he will be deeply missed.