L. Dow Nichol III

L. Dow Nichol, III, (Dow), 90, passed away on November 5, 2021 in Winfield, Illinois. He was born September 7, 1931, in Chicago to Elsie Elizabeth (Littlejohn) and L. Dow. Nichol, Jr. and was a lifelong resident of Glen Ellyn. 

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Diana Ruth (Rea) Nichol; three daughters, Lisa Hatfield (Mark), Jennifer Sue Horsey (the late Ken), and Elena Nichol; two grand-daughters, Emma Hatfield and Leah Horsey; and his sister Elizabeth M. Nichol. Dow was proud of Ken’s children Bryan (Jen), Matthew (Devon), Kristin Schaefer (John) and their 6 children, Diana’s brother J.B and nephew, Ryan. He is remembered by cousins from North Dakota and Missouri.

He graduated from Glenbard (now West) High School in 1949 and University of Illinois with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He served in the Navy Civil Engineers Corps. In Washington DC, he worked as a consulting engineer and earned a Bachelor of Law degree from George Washington University. He worked on a paper mill construction project in Hadera, Israel. He then had a 32 year career with Harza Engineering Company, where he specialized in planning, preliminary design, and evaluation of hydroelectric projects. He worked in some 16 countries. He served as Chief of Party on residential assignments in Bucaramanga, Colombia (1973-5) and a USAID project in Kathmandu, Nepal (1998-2000).

He loved downhill skiing, canoeing, camping, and singing.  He taught confirmation and children’s Sunday school in the Methodist Church.  He enjoyed researching genealogy and served as Editor for the Leftwich Historical Association newsletter. He was proud to be connected with the Sons of the American Revolution and has traced ancestors back to the Normans in the 1066 Battle of Hastings. 

He was a strong, quiet, consistent example of integrity and faith. He will be greatly missed. His life reflected the way of Christ, and he now dwells in the presence of God.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to:

First United Methodist Church visit www.geumc.org and select ‘Donate Now"

424 Forest Avenue, Glen Ellyn IL 60137

Enter your gift in the “Other” line and note the following:

“LDN: Permanent Endowment Fund”, (which Dow helped establish. It funds many types of projects including the food pantry garden Elena Nichol helps coordinate). 

Or 

“LDN: Bethesda Baptist Church, Kathmandu Nepal” (The pastor is like family to the Nichols and we are supportive of his efforts to serve his community.)

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of L. Dow Nichol III, please visit our floral store.