LEWISTOWN — The Mifflin County community grieves the loss of Fred Nickel, a beloved educator, school board member, and firefighter who passed away Saturday at the age of 68.

Nickel’s impact on education and community service in Mifflin County spanned decades, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of students, colleagues, and community members alike..

After a 34-year career as a master toolmaker at New Holland in Belleville, he embarked on a second career as an instructor at the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology.

Mark Baker, president of the Mifflin County School Board and longtime colleague of Nickel, spoke about Nickel’s transformative impact on the Academy’s Precision Machine program.

“When Fred started teaching, they were looking to close the program,” Baker said. “He turned it around to the point where there were so many kids interested, there was no need to close it.”

Baker described Nickel as a “natural” teacher who connected deeply with his students. “He had a way about him with those students. They knew he truly cared about them,” Baker said.

Under Nickel’s guidance, the precision machine program developed into one of Pennsylvania’s best-equipped facilities. He secured state-of-the-art CNC equipment and modernized the curriculum to prepare students for emerging technologies in the machining field.

Nickel’s commitment to education extended beyond the classroom. At age 54, he pursued 60 college credits to achieve his permanent teaching certification, balancing coursework with full-time teaching and family responsibilities.

“Many Saturdays and Sundays were spent doing coursework,” Baker recalled. “You have to give a lot of credit to his wife, too. It was a lot of time they weren’t able to spend together.”

After retiring from teaching in 2018, Nickel continued his service to education by running for and winning a seat on the Mifflin County School District’s Board of Directors. He also served as board president and vice president of the Academy’s Operating Committee.

Superintendent Vance Varner praised Nickel’s dedication to the school district. “Mr. Nickel was a strong advocate for the Mifflin County School District and the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology,” Varner said. “He will be greatly missed.”

Baker emphasized Nickel’s integrity and commitment to serving the community’s best interests. “Fred Nickel did not have a personal agenda when it came to the school board,” Baker said. “His priorities were doing what was best for students and what was best for taxpayers.”

As school board president, Nickel fostered an environment of open dialogue and mutual respect among board members. “He made sure everybody was able to voice their opinion,” Baker said. “He may not always agree, but he always respected everyone’s right to their opinion.”

Nickel’s service to the community extended far beyond education. He devoted over 50 years to the Burnham Fire Company, joining in 1973 and serving in various leadership roles, including company president.

“He was very active in the Burnham Fire Company,” Baker said. “Whether he was fighting fires, helping with bingo, or going out and getting contributions for the penny bazaar – he was an all-around community-minded individual.”

Nickel’s impact on the community was evident in his ability to bring people together for common causes. Baker recalled collaborating with Nickel on various projects, including the construction of a gazebo in Burnham.

“He and his students, along with mine, worked on it together,” Baker said. “He was always willing to give back.”

Baker’s relationship with Nickel grew from colleagues to close friends over nearly two decades. “In 16 or 17 short years, we were like brothers,” Baker reflected, his voice thick with emotion. “I didn’t know him all my life, but the friendship we developed was truly real.”

Baker emphasized the depth of their connection, recalling instances when Nickel would drop everything to help, regardless of the time or circumstances.

“He’s the type of guy that, no matter what time, day or night, if you called him, he’d have said, ‘Yeah, I’ll be there.'” This level of dedication and loyalty, Baker noted, exemplified Nickel’s approach to all his relationships and responsibilities in the community.

Friends and colleagues remembered Nickel for his unwavering commitment to helping others. “If somebody needed something, it didn’t matter what time or what it was for – he would be there,” Baker said.

This selflessness persisted even as Nickel faced his own health challenges. Diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer in November, Nickel remained focused on others.

“He told me he wasn’t afraid to die,” Baker shared. “His biggest concern was for the people who were going to be left behind, his family.”

Nickel’s legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched as an educator, mentor, and community leader. Baker expressed hope Nickel’s students would carry forward the qualities and characteristics of their instructor.

“He was an outstanding individual,” Baker said. “It’s hard to find people like that the way the world is going today.”

As the Mifflin County community mourns the loss of Nickel, his impact on education, public service, and community spirit will continue to inspire future generations.

“It will be tough to go on without him at the school board meetings,” Baker reflected. “But he would want us to go on for the students and the people of Mifflin County.”

Nickel is survived by his wife of 45 years, Beverly, two daughters, two grandsons, two great-grandchildren, and two sisters. His family remembers him as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who enjoyed outdoor activities, hunting and spending time with loved ones.