Robert Hill Nichols Sr

Robert Hill Nichols Sr, age 86, died December 20, 2024 at his home

in Young Harris, GA. He was born January 2, 1938 in Northamption,

MA to Wayland Hill (Nick) Nichols and Doris Hill Nichols.

Bob spent his boyhood in Vermont and moved to Atlanta at age 12.

He earned degrees from Georgia Tech, The Wharton School and

The University of Georgia.

He was an All-American tennis player at Georgia Tech and inducted

into the Georgia Tech Athletic Hall of Fame, the State of Georgia

Tennis Hall of Fame and the Young Harris Athletic Hall of Fame.

His teaching career spanned 42 years where he taught math and

coached tennis at The Westminster Schools in Atlanta (65-68),

Gainesville College (70-73) and Young Harris College (73-09).

Bob and his wife, Gayle operated a summer tennis camp on the Young

Harris College campus for 14 years. In later years, he taught math

in the summer and created the Prep-Step program for local highschool

students to earn college credit.

In retirement he propogated thousands of Day Lillies, Azaleas and

Rhododendrons and shared them with friends in the community. He loved

his old mountain home and property and of course doted on his English

Bulldogs and Basset Hounds.

He is predeceased by his sons, Robert H. Nichols Jr. and John W. Nichols.

He is survived by his wife, Gayle; grandsons, Slayton and Sam and their

mother, Miriam.

In remembrance of Bob, donations may be made to the Humane Society's

Mountain Shelter, P.O. Box 1252, Blairsville, GA 30512 or to the Bob &

Gayle Nichols Scholarship at Young Harris College, Office of Advancement,

P.O. Box 275, Young Harris, GA 30582.

No service is planned. A private memorial will be scheduled at a later date.