Roland F. Nicklas
June 25, 1922 — September 3, 2010
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Roland F. Nicklas
WWII interrupted any civilian career plans.Roland was off to Europe, his brother the Pacific, both in the U.S. Army.Roland served with the 4th Infantry Division, 12th Infantry Regiment.He fought in the battle of Hurtgen Forest, the longest battle in U.S. history and one of the bloodiest.While ultimately a U.S. victory, the nearly five month battle cost 33,000 U.S. casualties and 28,000 German casualties.He served as a rifleman, communications chief and first sergeant, refusing the opportunity of receiving a commission in order to remain with his unit.For his service in the war, Roland received the Combat Infantryman's Badge and three bronze stars.Upon discharge from active duty, he joined the U.S. Army Reserve where he served twenty years, retiring as a chief warrant officer 3.
With the end of WWII, Roland began the search for civilian employment.Civil engineering jobs were scarce and he became discouraged.An advisor at Tufts encouraged him to look at the power company.This was not his idea of civil engineering!Somewhat reluctantly, he took the job.Initially, in a training program that introduced him to all aspects of the business and many of it's employees, he ended up in the transmission department.Forty-one years later, in 1987, retiring as a senior engineer at New England Electric System, he could look back at a career that had produced numerous challenges and countless friends.Miles of transmission lines were his visible accomplishments.
When he was not busy at work or around the house, he enjoyed a variety of activities with his wife and son.He enjoyed reading, gardening, hiking, fishing and target shooting.He also had a great interest in photography.Roland was a member of the National 4th Infantry Division Association, Reserve Officers Association, National Association of Uniformed Services, National Rifle Association and Gun Owner's Action League.He served as a Cub Master and Boy Scout Committeeman.
Raised in the Belleville Congregational Church in Newburyport, Roland was married in and joined the First United Methodist Church in Melrose, and most recently attended a number of General Association of Regular Baptist Churches with his son.He welcomed the opportunity to worship and praise the Lord.He loved the traditional hymns!
He is predeceased by his wife, Constance (Warren) Nicklas and a sister, Shirley Nicklas.
He leaves a son, Warren F. Nicklas of Melrose; a twin brother, Donald L. Nicklas and his wife, Joy, of Danvers; his grandson, David A. Nicklas of ME and nephews, David L. Nicklas and Donald A. Nicklas both of Danvers.
Funeral Service at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main Street, Melrose on Friday, September 10 at 10 AM.Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend.Visiting hours on Thursday from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. Interment with military honors presented by the U.S. Army at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. Memorials in his name may be made Boston Minuteman Council - Boy Scouts of America, 411 Unquity Rd., Milton, MA 02186 or to a charity of your choice.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Roland F. Nicklas, please visit our flower store.
Past Services
Visitation
Thursday, September 9, 2010
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Robinson Funeral Home
Funeral Service
Friday, September 10, 2010
Starts at 10:00 am
Robinson Funeral Home
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