Obituary of Harlon E. Nichols

"Hod" Nichols, 90, a resident at The Village at Penn State, passed away Tuesday, March 16, 2021, from natural causes.

Born in a small farming community in upstate New York, to Harold E. and Mae (Onsrud) Nichols on October 10, 1930, Hod was the youngest of five children. He spent his formative years in Clinton, NY, where he was very athletically inclined, playing basketball, ice hockey, football, track, and baseball. Upon graduating from Clinton HS, Hod played semi-pro baseball for two years, and, to pay for college expenses, worked as a "gandy-dancer" for the railroad and loaded trucks for Roberts Wholesale Hardware and West End Brewery.

While attending college, Hod married the love of his life, Diana Gouse, in 1953. In 1954, he graduated with high honors from Utica College of Syracuse University with a Business Degree in Economics and was hired by IBM in administration. Later that year, he was drafted into the Korean conflict and spent "eight glorious weeks" in basic training at Fort Dix, NJ, before being stationed at the Presidio in San Francisco, CA. He and Diana lived just a block away from the base where Hod assumed his duties in the Machine Records Unit (IBM) and played baseball for the 6th Army champion Presidio baseball team.

Upon his discharge, Hod and Diana returned to upstate New York where Hod rejoined IBM in Marketing and Sales, embarking on a career that spanned 38 years. Hod was very proud to have been involved in the computerization of American business, from the early 80-column cards to "interplanetary space computing," as he described the rapid technological leaps of the second half of the twentieth century. His career entailed ten family moves, with homes in NY, NC, CT, MD, ME, and PA. Hod's last career move, in 1981, was to State College, where he served as IBM Location Manager for Williamsport and State College. Upon retiring in 1991, he and Diana chose to remain in the college town they had grown to love. For twenty years, they wintered in Hernando, FL, as active members of the Citrus Hills golf community. Following Diana's death in 2011, Hod became a resident at The Village at Penn State.

A lifetime golfer, Hod enjoyed playing at Centre Hills Country Club (except for the 13th hole), and thrived competing in club tournaments. At family get-togethers, he relished heading a table with siblings, children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews—everybody abuzz with news, anecdotes, outrageous recollections, and hearty laughs. He loved tackling home and yard chores with music filling the air, was a voracious reader, and enjoyed working on his PC until the end. Hod was also an avid fan of Penn State Athletics, following the football team, as well as men's and women's basketball and volleyball. Those who knew Hod will always remember his never-failing quick wit and sense of humor, as well as his humility.

Predeceased by his wife, Diana, he is survived by his daughter Laura N. Shaknis (Craig) of Naples, ME, and his son Harlon P. Nichols (Elisabeth) of State College, as well as his grandchildren, Jessica S. Cardosi (James) of Cumberland Foreside, ME, Christopher C. Shaknis (Ashley) of Villanova, PA, Mae P. Nichols of State College, and four great-grandchildren. Also surviving is one sister, Barbara Kehoe of West Winfield, NY, and several nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank The Village at Penn State for its incredibly gracious, cheerful, and competent care. Most recently, the Personal Care and Atrium groups have provided a very comfortable, compassionate situation, and "McCormick," in particular, was a great favorite.

A memorial celebration will be held at a later date for Hod's immediate family. In lieu of flowers, online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College.