Recently, the industry lost a great contractor and an even better man.
Richard Nickel, President of Carolina Bridge in Orangeburg, SC, lost his life on March 23, 2020 in a fatal accident. En route to check on a job site in North Carolina, Richard’s private plane went down off the coast of Emerald Isle. Not long after the crash, members of the Coast Guard called off the search.
For years, Richard has been a valuable member of the SC Bridge Committee, the SC Design Build Committee, and the CAGC/SCDOT Joint Committee. At the time of his death, he was serving out the final year of his two-year stent as Chairman of the CAGC Highway Division/Chair of the CAGC/SCDOT Joint Committee. When our members become committee chairs it gives staff a chance to work closely with them and learn more about them as contractors, but also as individuals. The Richard Leslie Clark knew before he became a committee chair was kind, quiet, and always spoke his mind. After working closely with Richard, talking weekly for the last two years, Leslie said, “those qualities never changed.” “You always knew where Richard stood on an issue and he was always willing to step up to help our staff, our members and our industry”. It didn’t Leslie long to learn what Richard was passionate about, his kids, Arleigh and George, his Carolina Bridge family, and building bridges.
Marty McKee, King Asphalt, former CAGC Board and SC Highway Division Chair had this to say about Richard. “Our CAGC Family has lost a great servant-leader. Let us all remember that life is very precious and despite everything else we have going on we always need to appreciate and love others. Richard's family and friends need our prayers and I know each of you will be praying for their peace and comfort.”
So many of our members have reached out to see how they can help. At the request of Richard’s family, Carolinas AGC is establishing the Richard Nickel Scholarship Fund. We know that our CAGC members will help make this scholarship a reality. Donations will be 100% deductible with the money going directly to the Richard Nickel Scholarship Fund. Donations can be made on-line or checks can be made out to Carolinas AGC Foundation with the funds designated to the Richard Nickel Scholarship Fund. Checks are the be mailed to Carolinas AGC, 4824 Parkway Plaza Blvd., Suite 115, Charlotte, NC 28217.
Please continue to keep Richard’s family, friends, and employees in your thoughts and prayers in the weeks and months to come.
The full obituary can be read here: https://www.dukesharleyfuneralhome.com/obituary/richard-moncrief-nickel
Make a donation to the Richard Nickel Memorial Scholarship: https://carolinasagc.givingfuel.com/richard-nickel-scholarship-fund