Robert Eugene Nickerson was a quiet man who served his country and his community and was best known for his excellent demeanor and steady professional work ethic. A Denver native, Bob was the second youngest of six children and was placed in foster homes starting at age 11 because of his father's failing health.
His mother had passed away three years earlier. One of Bob's foster families was with the Biffle's. Mr. Biffle was a fireman. Bob would visit the fire station and decided early on he would one day be a firefighter. After graduating from Manual High School, Bob decided to serve his country and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He rose to the rank of Sergeant and was a Military Policeman.
After his service to his country, Bob decided to pursue his career aspiration of becoming a firefighter and became a Denver firefighter. He was the first African-American to integrate the department and serve at all-white stations throughout the city. He culminated his 25-year career at the Stapleton Airport.
When interviewed by the Rocky Mountain News in 2003, he had only one lament: "Every other race in the world had made it to the big chief's job in the fire department, but not the blacks." It was another 12 years before another African-American was hired as a firefighter and three decades before Rod Juniel, an African-American, would become chief.
Chief Juniel credited Bob with being a trailblazer and helping to pave his path. Bob, being the humble quiet man that he was, did not want to take credit for Chief Juniel's success. Bob was there to do the best job he could.
Bob passed away on August 16, 2016 after a long bout with cancer and Alzheimer's Disease. He is survived by his wife, Anne, of nearly 63 years and three children and their spouses.
Bob enjoyed swimming, tennis, and skiing.
copy of obituary was taken from by: Robin Blair-Torres posted on 5 Sep 2019 ~ 202739772
His mother had passed away three years earlier. One of Bob's foster families was with the Biffle's. Mr. Biffle was a fireman. Bob would visit the fire station and decided early on he would one day be a firefighter. After graduating from Manual High School, Bob decided to serve his country and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He rose to the rank of Sergeant and was a Military Policeman.
After his service to his country, Bob decided to pursue his career aspiration of becoming a firefighter and became a Denver firefighter. He was the first African-American to integrate the department and serve at all-white stations throughout the city. He culminated his 25-year career at the Stapleton Airport.
When interviewed by the Rocky Mountain News in 2003, he had only one lament: "Every other race in the world had made it to the big chief's job in the fire department, but not the blacks." It was another 12 years before another African-American was hired as a firefighter and three decades before Rod Juniel, an African-American, would become chief.
Chief Juniel credited Bob with being a trailblazer and helping to pave his path. Bob, being the humble quiet man that he was, did not want to take credit for Chief Juniel's success. Bob was there to do the best job he could.
Bob passed away on August 16, 2016 after a long bout with cancer and Alzheimer's Disease. He is survived by his wife, Anne, of nearly 63 years and three children and their spouses.
Bob enjoyed swimming, tennis, and skiing.
copy of obituary was taken from by: Robin Blair-Torres posted on 5 Sep 2019 ~ 202739772
Robert Eugene Nickerson was a quiet man who served his country and his community and was best known for his excellent demeanor and steady professional work ethic. A Denver native, Bob was the second youngest of six children and was placed in foster homes starting at age 11 because of his father's failing health.
His mother had passed away three years earlier. One of Bob's foster families was with the Biffle's. Mr. Biffle was a fireman. Bob would visit the fire station and decided early on he would one day be a firefighter. After graduating from Manual High School, Bob decided to serve his country and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He rose to the rank of Sergeant and was a Military Policeman.
After his service to his country, Bob decided to pursue his career aspiration of becoming a firefighter and became a Denver firefighter. He was the first African-American to integrate the department and serve at all-white stations throughout the city. He culminated his 25-year career at the Stapleton Airport.
When interviewed by the Rocky Mountain News in 2003, he had only one lament: "Every other race in the world had made it to the big chief's job in the fire department, but not the blacks." It was another 12 years before another African-American was hired as a firefighter and three decades before Rod Juniel, an African-American, would become chief.
Chief Juniel credited Bob with being a trailblazer and helping to pave his path. Bob, being the humble quiet man that he was, did not want to take credit for Chief Juniel's success. Bob was there to do the best job he could.
Bob passed away on August 16, 2016 after a long bout with cancer and Alzheimer's Disease. He is survived by his wife, Anne, of nearly 63 years and three children and their spouses.
Bob enjoyed swimming, tennis, and skiing.
copy of obituary was taken from by: Robin Blair-Torres posted on 5 Sep 2019 ~ 202739772
His mother had passed away three years earlier. One of Bob's foster families was with the Biffle's. Mr. Biffle was a fireman. Bob would visit the fire station and decided early on he would one day be a firefighter. After graduating from Manual High School, Bob decided to serve his country and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He rose to the rank of Sergeant and was a Military Policeman.
After his service to his country, Bob decided to pursue his career aspiration of becoming a firefighter and became a Denver firefighter. He was the first African-American to integrate the department and serve at all-white stations throughout the city. He culminated his 25-year career at the Stapleton Airport.
When interviewed by the Rocky Mountain News in 2003, he had only one lament: "Every other race in the world had made it to the big chief's job in the fire department, but not the blacks." It was another 12 years before another African-American was hired as a firefighter and three decades before Rod Juniel, an African-American, would become chief.
Chief Juniel credited Bob with being a trailblazer and helping to pave his path. Bob, being the humble quiet man that he was, did not want to take credit for Chief Juniel's success. Bob was there to do the best job he could.
Bob passed away on August 16, 2016 after a long bout with cancer and Alzheimer's Disease. He is survived by his wife, Anne, of nearly 63 years and three children and their spouses.
Bob enjoyed swimming, tennis, and skiing.
copy of obituary was taken from by: Robin Blair-Torres posted on 5 Sep 2019 ~ 202739772
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