Dick Nicholls is being remembered as an accomplished cyclist, pilot, friend and just a genuine community guy with a zest for life.
Nicholls died last Tuesday in a collision with a vehicle near the Boundary Bay Airport. The collision is still being investigated by Delta Police to determine what exactly happened.
Nicholls was a founding member of the South Delta Riders cycling club.
He brought passion and fun to everything he was involved in, and never missed an opportunity to get involved according to friend Bill Yearwood.
“I invited Dick to join me in the cockpit of several helicopter flights we took to bicycle races. On some of those flights I was able to let him fly the helicopter, and even after more than 30 years after hanging up his wings, he lit up with delight and questions like a person starting a new career,” said Yearwood. “Dick loved people, particularly women and persons who shared creditable new information. He was a sponge for knowledge and was very excited by new technology.”
Yearwood said they bought similar new cars in 2015 and marvelled at how smart the cars were.
“It is also ironic that he and I discussed the developments in medical science and that they are on the verge of halting the aging process,” added Yearwood. “Dick had a target of 125. He and some of our colleagues have found that cycling/physical exercise is the fountain of youth, but we know that a component of life’s risk is the probability of an accident. As young as Dick was in his 80s, an accident put a sad end to a beautiful life.”
Besides riding, Nicholls had a passion for cycling safety.
“Dick was a big supporter of cycling safety work HUB is doing in Delta, and as an experienced rider, he gave us a lot of good suggestions on items to work on and tons of encouragement,” said fellow rider and HUB member Neil Pope. “Due to this tragedy, all of us in Delta HUB will be even more passionate about doing everything we can as we work with the City of Delta to help create the safest possible cycling conditions. We are making progress, but there is a lot more work to do.”
Nicholls was also actively involved for many years in the 1970s with Delta’s volunteer fire department.
“I wasn't in the Delta Riding Club with Dick, but in the 70's I served with him in the Delta volunteer fire department for several years. I can tell you he was one of the good guys,” said Wayne Kinna. “He'll be sadly missed.”
Last Thursday more than 40 cyclists representing the South Delta Riders and Boundary Bay Cycling Club joined together for a ride to honour Nicholls.
The cyclists met at the airport and rode slowly to 36th and 72nd – the scene of the accident, where they observed a moment of reflection and then rode slowly to Petra’s for a social gathering.
A memorial at the accident scene continued to grow during the weekend with flowers, cards of condolence and memories placed to remember Nicholls.
“Our sincere condolences go to Dick's family, friends and to our fellow cyclists here in Delta, the South Delta Riders,” said a statement from the Boundary Bay Cycling Club. “You'll be sorely missed Dick. Your spirit lives on and we'll remember you with great fondness, respect and admiration.”
