Nicholas Constantine Pappas

Sept. 2, 1928 – Dec. 6, 2020

Nick was the son of Constantinos (Gus) and Vasiliki Pappas, who immigrated to the United States from Greece in 1927. He was born at Stanford Hospital, Palo Alto, California in 1928. Nick’s parents cherished their newfound United States citizenship as they did their Greek heritage. They valued hard work and encouraged the pursuit of higher education for both their children, Nick, and Jeannette (Angelides). Nick graduated from Palo Alto High School and then attended Stanford University, graduating in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts, Biological Sciences. He started his graduate studies at Stanford in the School of Medical Microbiology. At that time, he received word that his cousin, Danny, had been captured by the North Koreans and was a P.O.W. Feeling a strong sense of duty to his family and country, Nick left graduate school and enlisted in the US Navy. He was assigned to the USS Calvert for almost four years. When asked about his experience, Nick recalled that “at night I would get into one of the lifeboats and circle the ship pushing mines, that had been laid by the North Koreans, away from the ship. I didn’t want anything to happen to the crew.” He exemplified courage, however he also maintained his sense of humor. He recalled “reprimanding” sailors for using the ships surveillance equipment to spy on hotel guests in an upscale Hong Kong hotel. They stopped doing so. While on leave in San Francisco, he was introduced to Helen Tannors. They corresponded often and she baked cookies which she sent to him overseas. Their first date was an Andrews Sisters concert held at the Mark Hopkins Hotel.

Wedding bells rang on October 11, 1953. Helen and Nick resided in San Carlos, California, while Nick resumed his graduate studies at Stanford. He continued his service by reinstating in the naval reserves for an additional four years. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, he was awarded the Korean Service Ribbon (one star); National Defense Service Medal; and the United Nations Service Medal. He graduated in 1958 with a Master’s in Arts, School of Medical Microbiology. Nick and Helen left the Bay Area in 1960 heading to Los Angeles where Nick took his first research position. Nick worked for the Carnation and Research company in Van Nuys and was one of their chief researchers and developers. Within a few months of their arrival in southern California, Helen gave birth to their daughter, Maria. He worked for Carnation from 1960 – 1972 and he played a major role in the development of Carnation’s successful product Slender.

After leaving Carnation, he took Helen and Maria for a three-month trip to Greece. Their journey included meeting extended family, making new friends, Greek dancing, enjoying local delicacies, visiting archeological sites, and taking the occasional afternoon swim in the Mediterranean. Upon returning from their family trip, Nick took up work with the State of California, Cal-OSHA. He was described by his colleagues as strong, knowledgeable, and always a pleasure to work with. One colleague shared a story – “Your dad got a lot of complicated investigations while at Cal-OSHA. We had many adventures, including one where an armed investigator from the District Attorney's office came with us. In the opening meeting, your dad sat eye to eye with a huge Doberman while I did the legal opening speech.” Nick spoke fondly of his time at Cal-OSHA and highly respected his colleagues, many of whom remained close friends after his retirement.

While employed by the State of California, he taught anatomy, physiology and biology part-time in the Los Angeles Community College District. He was dedicated to his students, mentoring, and guiding them with patience and care. He

left Cal-OSHA after many years to take a position at UCLA as their Safety Officer and liaison with Cal-OSHA. He worked multiple jobs for thirty-three years, up to his 80th birthday. During his marriage, he was a member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church where he volunteered his time during their famous Greek Festival, held every Memorial Day weekend. He lived in Valley Glen (Van Nuys), CA with his wife, Helen Tannors Pappas until her death in 2013. He enjoyed his garden, especially his pine trees and the art of Bonsai. You could almost always find him in his woodshop. He gave many of his woodworking projects away as gifts. If you could not find him in his woodshop, you would find him in his office reading scientific journals, Consumer Reports, Tom Clancy mystery novels, or engrossed in Sudoku puzzles. He remained in their Valley Glen home until 2014. At 86, he moved to La Jolla to live with his daughter, Maria, and son-in-law Thane.

Upon his arrival to La Jolla in 2014, Nick continued wood working. He enjoyed conversations with neighbors and friends, on topics such as science, politics, and research discoveries. It rivaled watching a Saints game with Thane or enjoying “a belt” of Lagavulin scotch. He had a special bond with Henry VIII, the family dog, which continued until Henry’s passing in 2019. Nick was a member of St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church and Sts. Helen and Constantine in Cardiff-by-the-sea, both in San Diego County.

Nick taught us to never take anything for granted, pursue higher education, always work, never lay idle, and be there for friends, family, and neighbors. He had a wonderful sense of humor enjoyed by all. Thank you, Nick, for your patience, your guidance, words of wisdom and for teaching us so much. Nick is survived by his daughter Maria, his son-in-law, Thane Bauz, seven nieces and nephews (and six spouses), nine grandnieces and grandnephews, and one great grandnephew. Nick, our dear Father, Uncle, Cousin, and Friend, you will be missed, and never forgotten.

Regrettably, there will be no funeral services or memorial luncheon at this time. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to your charity of choice or one of the following:

St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church

3655 Park Blvd.

San Diego, CA 92130

Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital

725 Welch Road

Palo Alto, CA 94304

Hellenic College Holy Cross

50 Goddard Avenue

Brookline, MA 02445

ATTN: Donation for Seminary

Humane Society

www.sdhumane.org

Kindly specify: Donation in memory of Nicholas Constantine and Helen Pappas