2 Oct 1978: Robert A. Nichols III, 59, 810 Walnut St., died of multiple injuries on Saturday, Sept. 30th in Montgomery County. Lebanon is shocked at the loss of a man so well-known, well-liked and respected in the community. He was known personally as a refined, courteous and, above all, kind man, who was unstintingly devoted to helping in any way he could. He began his career in education in September of 1941 when he began teaching science at Harding Junior High School. He taught there until October of 1952, when he was appointed the first and only business manager of the Lebanon School District, which he held under the revised title of assistant to the superintendent in charge of business affairs, until his death. He was a 1937 graduate of Lebanon Catholic High School, and a 1941 graduate of Lebanon Valley College with a B.S. in science. In 1945 he was awarded the M.S. in education from the University of Pennsylvania, and did further work toward his doctorate there. Since being appointed business manager of the school district, he also served as secretary of the Lebanon School Board. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church where he was a special minister of holy communion, allowed to assist in giving communion during mass and to church members at home. He was chairman of the building committee of the church from Feb. 1971 to Aug. 1974, during the time the old St. Mary's was closed and demolished, the new church built, and the basement of St. Mary's School refurbished after the Agnes flood. He was a leader in the fund-raising effort for the new church. He was a former president and current vice-president of the Holy Name Society, and an usher. He had been a member of the Lebanon Rotary Club since 1972, and a former secretary of the club. He was vice-president of the club at the time of his death, and would have assumed the presidency in 1980. He was a former president of the Lebanon Valley College Alumni Association, class agent at the college and a member of the Century Club. He was vice-president of the Lebanon County Workshop, a member of the board of directors of the Harris Savings and Loan Association, and a member of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association. Born in Philadelphia, he was a son of the late Robert A. Nichols, Jr. and Retta K. Gillin Nichols. He is survived by his sister Joan, a retired English teacher and head of the English department at Lebanon High for 36 years; a brother, the Rev. Joseph E. Nichols, pastor of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Dayville, Conn., and St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Rogers, Conn.; sisters Valerie M., a former teacher at Lebanon Catholic High School, and Frances V., a first grade teacher at Southwest Elementary School, both at home; and seven cousins. (Special thanks to Cedric Kurtz's article in the Lebanon Daily News)