Allan Willis Nicholson JD ’60 passed away on January 28, 2020 in the loving care of his family. He was born in Plainfield, New Jersey to Ben and Ann Nicholson. Allan spent most of his childhood in the Daytona Beach/Holly Hill area of Florida. The Korean War found Allan in the Navy and stationed at Moffett Field In Mountain View, California. This is where he met the love of his life, Lillian (June) Silvera. This was the start of a sixty-two year marriage that ended with June’s passing in February of 2013.

After the Navy, Allan attended San Jose State in preparation for Santa Clara University Law School. He excelled in law school, studied for and passed, the California State Bar Exam on his first try. In order to support his growing family and pay for school, Allan worked with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol. His first position after leaving law school was with the San Diego County’s District Attorney’s office. Eventually the family would relocate north to settle in Gilroy, California to be closer to aging family members. Allan then took a position as District Attorney for the United States federal government in Micronesia and the Northern Mariana Islands. Allan’s last forty-four years of employment were as an Administrative Law Judge for the State of California. He retired at sixty-five years of age but then continued to work hearing cases until shortly after June’s death and his 82nd birthday.

Travel was very important to Allan. He loved nothing more than to hop on a flight or get into a car and head out for an adventure. He was an avid sports fan, cheering on many of the Bay Area teams, especially the San Francisco 49’ers. It was his fondest hope to see the 49’ers in this year’s Super Bowl. However, golf was his number one love. His goal of playing a round in every state in the union fell short by only two states.

Allan was predeceased by his loving wife Lillian (June) Nicholson. He tirelessly cared for her during many years of debilitating illness. He is survived by his sons Bruce (Patty) Nicholson ’75, Ben (Scott) Nicholson, Brian (Marguerite) Nicholson and his daughter Alicia (Anoj) Raj ’92. In addition he is survived by his 11 grandchildren and eight-and-one half great-grandchildren, including Andrea R. McCandless ’07 and Katherine A. Leardini ’10. He was raised as an only child; however, he ended his life with dedicated descendants surrounding him with love, support, and hope.