It is with great sadness we share the loss of Cumberland University professor of 12 years Dr. Bobby Nichols. Dr. Nichols, 57, was with his parents in Georgia when he passed away from heart failure on Monday, June 13. 

Dean of the Labry School Dr. Chris Fuller said, “He contributed to the university in so many different ways and has been a great friend to me since we both came to CU in 2010.”

He obtained a B.S. with honors in physics from Davidson College, where he also played Div. I tennis, before he received an M.A. and Ph.D. in physics from Washington University in St. Louis. His graduate and post-graduate research career funded by NASA and DOE grants included appointments at Washington University, Purdue and Caltech, was multidisciplinary in fields of physics, geo- and cosmo-chemistry, astronomy and astrophysics, and focused on the use of state-of-the-art mass spectrometry to measure the isotopic compositions of many elements of cosmochemical significance. 

With over 20 peer-reviewed journal articles and 50 conference abstracts, Dr. Nichols was invited to international conferences throughout his career.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Nichols’ family as we share the grief of this profound loss,” said Cumberland University President Dr. Paul C. Stumb. “He was an accomplished scholar and a kind person whose influence on our Cumberland family will not be forgotten.” 

He is survived by his mother, Gayle, his father, Bob Sr., his brother, John and his nephews, Slayton and Sam. His family asks for donations to the Humane Society’s Mountain Shelter, P.O. Box 1252, Blairsville, GA 30512 in remembrance of him. No service is planned at this time.