Robert Nicholson

Robert I. Nicholson, Jr. of Paola, Kansas passed away January 1, 2013. He was born in Paola, Kansas on August 14, 1947 to Robert and June Shinkle Nicholson (Powell). Bob, as he was known to everyone, graduated Paola High School of 1965. After attending Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, he graduated from the University of Kansas where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1972 he graduated from the University of Kansas School of Law, earning a Juris Doctorate. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta social fraternity and Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity. Bob"s Miami County legal career spanned forty years of professional service. He was admitted to practice in all Kansas courts, the United States District Court of Kansas and the United States Supreme Court. He was elected to serve as Miami County Attorney, was a solo practitioner and a partner in the local firm of Hartley, Nicholson & Hartley, P.A. for 25 years. In 2008, he formed Nicholson Law Firm and brought two new young lawyers, Jeff Dasenbrock and Geri Hartley, to Miami County to assure a legacy of quality legal services would continue to be available locally. In 2011, the firm became Nicholson, Dasenbrock & Hartley, LC. Bob was active in the American Bar Association, Kansas Bar Association, and a fellow of the Kansas Bar Foundation. He was president of the Miami County Bar Association for many years. Recognizing his legal expertise, the Kansas Supreme Court appointed him to the Kansas Judicial Council"s Advisory Committee for Guardianship and Conservatorship where he was instrumental in rewriting the Kansas statutes and codes governing guardian and conservatorships. Bob also served as a judge pro tem in the Miami County District Court as well as a municipal judge for the cities of Paola and Osawatomie. He was an active member of the Kansas Municipal Judges Association. As a fifth generation Miami Countian, Bob continued the family tradition of civic service. Bob was the linchpin in the Paola Soccer Club, Inc for many years serving on the Board of Directors and coaching. His distinguished community service includes serving as a trustee for the Louis and Dolpha Baehr Charitable Trust since the early 1980's and he helped create the Sunflower Centers of Kansas, Inc. He was a former director and president of the Paola Cultural Center, Paola Rotary Club, and Paola Chamber of Commerce. Bob was deeply involved in the life of his church. He taught Sunday school and was a lifelong member of the choir. He was an ordained elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Paola since 1972. He sat on the regional Presbytery Council and chaired the mission strategy and development committee. He is survived by his wife, Kathy; son, David, of Shawnee, Kansas; mother, June Nicholson Powell of Paola; brother, John (Nick) Nicholson and wife Patty of Overland Park. His step children, Tammy & Ben Kirk of Pittsburg, Texas and Todd and Sarah Golladay of Liberty, Missouri and four step grandchildren: Faith, Kolby, Caleb and Samuel who were the joy in his life. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert I. Nicholson Sr. and stepfather Alva Lee Powell. Memorials in lieu of flowers to the 1st Presbyterian Church or Miami County Cancer Foundation 1st Presbyterian Church Service: Saturday, January 05, 2013 at 10:00 AM Visitation: No Visitation