Submitted by: John C. Monk

Michael S. Nyikos

Sept. 8, 1933 - Feb. 10, 2010
SOUTH BEND - Michael S. "Mike" Nyikos, 76, was born September 8, 1933, in South Bend, Indiana, the son of Michael P. Nyikos and Elizabeth Bukovits. He attended grade school in South Bend and went on to attend high school in Niles, Michigan. Mike met Doris Hollister in 1950 while working at Memorial Hospital in South Bend. He fell head over heels for her, and they married on August 16, 1952, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in South Bend. Michele was born in December 1953, and in 1955 Mike and Doris moved to Las Vegas, New Mexico, where he attended New Mexico Highlands University. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree Cum Laude in 1957, in a mere two years and nine months. Mike returned to the Midwest and began his Master's Degree from the University of Michigan. Upon completion of his degree, he began teaching and coaching in the South Bend school system. Chris, Steve and Maureen were born in 1959, 1960 and 1962 respectively. With his family complete and his career well on the way, Mike moved the family west to Colorado. His first Colorado tour was at Fort Lewis College, in the beautiful town of Durango. Mike worked as an instructor and assistant professor and also as Director of Public Relations and Information. After a few years at Fort Lewis, he was encouraged to go back to his beloved University of Michigan and earn his Ph.D. During his time at the U of M, he also worked at Tri-State College in Angola, Indiana, where he was an assistant professor and assistant to the president. He finished his Ph.D. and once again heard the call of the West! In 1970 Mike moved his family back to Durango and the western culture he so loved. ]Mike continued his career at Fort Lewis College, moving into the administration area as Dean of Students. His love of the West and its people inspired him to become actively involved in the Colorado Mounted Rangers. He could often be found assisting as a volunteer at the LaPlata County Fair and Spanish Trails Fiesta, as well as working with the Rangers to rescue stranded hikers or hunters. Mike kept his Catholic faith alive with his active membership at St. Columba's Church. The time he spent in Durango and the many people he met encouraged a passion for both community and political service throughout the state of Colorado. In 1979 Mike moved his family across the Great Divide to Golden and the Colorado School of Mines. During his time at Mines, he continued his career in administration as the Dean of Student Affairs and then the Vice President of Student Affairs and External Relations. He loved working with the students at Mines as well as meeting and working with the many people in higher education. Mike always felt privileged to be a part of the Mines community and was deeply honored to later be appointed to the Board of Trustees, which was the highlight of his professional career. With an eye on retirement, Mike and Doris moved to Grand Junction in 1989. He worked at Mesa State College for three more years, until his "official" retirement in 1993. He fed his passion for higher education and politics by serving on the President's Advisory Committee for Mesa Sate, as the chairman of the Seventh Colorado Senatorial District, on the Colorado School of Mines Foundation Board of Directors, and as the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Colorado School of Mines. In addition, Mike contributed to the fabric of Grand Junction while serving on various Chamber of Commerce committees as well as the PBS Advisory Committee. He truly enjoyed his time as a member of the National Junior College World Series (JUCO) Tournament Committee. He was a consummate educator who was always learning and always willing to share his knowledge with others. Throughout the years, Mike was passionate about his career, but he had no greater love than for his wife, Doris, and his family. He was an active and encouraging father. He shared his knowledge of Hungarian food and culture, and adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a joyful man, always with a quick smile, joke and hug. He cherished his married life of 57 years with Doris. Mike passed away peacefully on February 10, 2010, in St. Mary's Hospital with his family by his side. He is survived by his wife, Doris; his children, Michele Mason (Allen) of Olympia, Washington, Chris Nyikos (Melinda Merrian) of Paonia, Colorado, Steve Nyikos of Arvada, Colorado, and Maureen Keeney (Bill) of Lafayette, Colorado. He is also survived by a stepbrother, Jim Groves of South Bend, Indiana, and a stepsister, Judy Laster of Virginia Beach, Virginia. He has six grandchildren, Robert, Kristen, Erin, Sara, Andy and Liam, and two great-grandchildren, Mason and Carmen. A Rosary will be e recited on Friday, February 26, 2010, at 7 p.m. in the chapel at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary, Grand Junction, Colorado. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Saturday, February 27, 2010, at 9 a.m. in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 330 White Avenue, Grand Junction, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Colorado School of Mines Foundation, to the Colorado School of Mines Alumni Association, or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado.

Published in South Bend Tribune on February 25, 2010