Professor J.A. Nicholls has been associated with The University of Michigan, in one capacity or another, for thirty-seven years. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Wayne State in 1950, he attended The University of Michigan and received a Master of Science degree in 1951 and a PhD in 1960. During his graduate work, he was an instructor and Research Engineer in the Department of Aeronautical Engineering. Immediately after receiving the PhD degree, he joined the faculty as an Associate Professor, and four years later became a Full Professor. In 1966, he became the Head of the Gas Dynamics Laboratories, a position he held with great distinction until 1985
Art has had a most varied and productive career. He was a multi-engine pilot in the Navy, during World War II, and saw combat duty in the North Pacific. He went from flying aircraft to the study of aeronautics in academic work, doing research on wind tunnels, aircraft icing, air cycle refrigeration, shock waves, detonation waves, arc heaters, rocket motor exhaust plumes and combustion instability, engine emissions, combustors, and lately, detonation of sprays and dusts. He was the first ever to achieve a standing detonation wave and justly received much acclaim for this feat. This was the beginning of many years of research in detonations, explosions, and combustion instability, and Art gained an international reputation in this area of work. In recognition of his many contributions through his work, Professor Nicholls had been invited to serve on government committees, editorial boards, and as a consultant to industry and the government. Indeed, he served on a Committee on Studies on Hazardous Substances for the National Research Council. In the course of his research career, Art had published over one hundred papers and has directed many PhD candidates who are now carrying on this commitment to original research work.
Professor Nicholls served for many years on the Office of Energy Research Advisory Committee for the University. He was elected to the Executive Committee of the College of Engineering and served on the advisory committee for the Department of Aerospace Engineering.
In 1980, in recognition of his many outstanding contributions to the College of Engineering in teaching, research, and service, Professor Nicholls was given the Stephen S. Attwood Award by the College of Engineering, its highest award. In 1983, he was elected a Fellow by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics; he also served technical committees for this organization. He is a member of two honorary societies, Sigma Xi and Phi Kappa Phi. As a member of the Combustion Institute, Art proposed that the 20th International Symposium on Combustion be held in Ann Arbor in 1984; his proposal was accepted and he served as chairman of the local arrangements committee for this meeting, which attracted over 1100 participants and was a great success.
It is easy to chronical the career of an outstanding person numerically – to count the papers, the PhD students, the committees, and the contracts. What is not shown on the records is the influence one has upon one’s colleagues and students (including several NASA Astronauts). This is unfortunate because it is in this regard that Art excelled. Throughout the years, he has given unstintingly of himself. As the head of the Gas Dynamics Laboratories, he was always willing to help colleagues, especially junior faculty members, with scientific, administrative, or financial problems, always willing to share contractual resources and contacts. Through the difficult 70’s, it was he more than anyone who held things together, and helped supply the Department with much needed graduate students. He has been a quiet, strong, supportive, creative person with whom it has been a great joy to be associated.
On the personal side, Art cherished his time with family and friends. Among his many interests were running, tennis, international travel, UM Football and dining at Knight’s Steakhouse. Those he leaves behind remember him with great love and respect, a role model who led by example with the highest integrity.
Art was born February 12, 1921 in Detroit, Michigan to Arthur and Amy (Mayberry) Nicholls. He is survived by his sons, Lawrence (Anna) and Jeffery (Natsuko) Nicholls; siblings Ralph (Arlene) Nicholls and Edna Baker; eight grandchildren, Casey (Michelle) Thebolt, Clover Thebolt, Matille Thebolt, Gabe Thebolt, George Thebolt, Megan (Greg) DeGrand Lauren (Grant) Toth and Kate (Mike Synowicki) Nicholls and eight great-grandchildren, Asher DeGrand, Bennett DeGrand, Gavin DeGrand, Ellery Toth, Emma Toth, Luke Thebolt, Gerard Thebolt and Philomena Thebolt. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois (Lemley) Nicholls; daughter Suzanne Thebolt, and brothers Cliff and Robert Nicholls.
Friends may visit on Sunday, October 14 from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. and on Monday, October 15 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. at Muehlig Funeral Chapel 403 South Fourth Avenue, Ann Arbor. Please share a memory of Art with his family at his online guest book.
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