Robert Andrew Nice

Robert Andrew Nice, 90, of Polson, died on Monday, May 10, 2010 at the St. Joseph Assisted Living Community of Polson with his son, Robert F., by his side. Born on April 13, 1920 at the family home in New York City, Robert was the first and only child to Frank and (Irena) Mae (Barney). He was grafted into the vine that is Christ in the Holy Baptism by water and word that same year. Bob attended school in the New York City School system, but moved around often with his mother and grandparents. His grandfather, Luther Barney, worked for the Secret Service. The family lived in Queens, NY, Clifton and Rutherford, NJ, and then returned to Long Island City where he attended both Jefferson and New Town High Schools, graduating in 1937. Bob was a typical boy active in all the usual sports. He was full of stories of childhood pranks and antics involving the New York City Irish police that collaborated with him in attaching smoke bombs to starters of vehicles, dropping water bombs on the cops from rooftops, propping up the back of their patrol cars with a milk crate under the axle and having them chase him on a motorcycle his mother never knew he had. He even played cards as a teenager with the local butcher, florist, and druggist in the back room of the drugstore in Long Island City. Following graduation, Bob went to work for Sak's Fifth Avenue where he met Vivian Grazian. He also worked for Western Union and finally took a job in the part department of American Airlines. Bob and Vivian were married on September 15, 1941. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Bob was determined to enter the military. After two failed attempts he, with the help of a recruiting physician and prevaricating, Bob was accepted by the Army Air Corps and left for duty on January 20, 1942. He spent time at Maxwell Field in Montgomery, AL as an aviation cadet: Sumter, SC for basic training: Douglas, GA for primary training: Valdosta, GA for advanced training: gunnery school in Florida and he then graduated on November 10, 1942 as a 2nd Lt. and a pilot. His first assignment was in Columbia, SC where his wife was allowed to join him as he trained in flying B-25's. In May of 1943, Bob was stationed with the 14th Air Force and Claire Chenneault's Flying Tigers at Kweilin, China where he flew 49 missions. He was subsequently transferred to Karachi, India (now Pakistan) where he had his first job as a flight instructor training new pilots in the China/Burma/India Theater. In 1944, Bob returned stateside to Shaw AFB in South Carolina. He then was honorable discharged from the USAF and began his career in civilian flight and was hired as a pilot for American Airlines. Bob later took a hiatus from the company and went to Reno, NV where he served as a deputy sheriff and worked at Sears-Roebuck Co. A year later, he returned to American Airlines as a flight engineer and then returned to the USAF. He was stationed in Walker AFB in New Mexico where he ran a flying school for ferrying different types of aircraft. While there, he wrote manuals on flight that were used in training. He was reunited with his wife, Vivian and daughter, Barbara. The family then made their home in New Mexico. Bob was transferred to the Randolph AFB in Texas. He was identified by the Air Force Strategic Air Command to take pare in the Tokyo airlift. He went back to flying B-57's and was stationed at Johnson AFB in Japan with the 9003 AC&W Group. There, he received a commendation from the JASDF General Minoru Genda (who planned the Pearl Harbor attack) for meritorious service, a distinction Bob cherished. His next assignment was at March AFB in California where he took on the new science of jet air refueling and piloted the refueling aircraft. While at March, Bob requested release as a SAC Tactical Commander and served the remainder of his assignments as the base procurement officer. Bob then separated from his first family and married Nancy K. (Hanson) Nice in Tucson, AZ on March 7, 1962. The two were transferred to Salina, KS and then to Zaragosa AFB in Spain where their daughter, Robin was born. The next move was on to London, England and then to Malmstrom AFB in Montana where their son, Robert F. was born. Following his retirement and honorary discharge, Col. Robert A. Nice moved his family to the rural Helena, MT area where he worked for the State in the Capitol Building. Subsequently, he obtained his real estate agent license and then his brokers license beginning yet another career. Bob confessed his Christian faith aloud by adult confirmation in May of 1975. He was an adventurer, enjoying sail boating and boating trips to the Pacific Northwest with friends. He and two friends also sailed his 24ft. sailboat from Florida to Cuba and back in 1979. In the 1970's the family invested in a cherry orchard on the East Shore of Flathead Lake, where the couple remained until 2000. He and Kay made their winter home in Tucson, AZ and Bob continued to fly ultralight sport planes. Bob was reintroduced to his daughter, Barbara, and developed a relationship with her family. In 2002, Kay died of cancer. Bob and Kay had been married for 40 years. After her death, Bob lived on his own in Bigfork, MT and Tucson, AZ before moving to the St. Joseph Assisted Living Community in Polson, MT in 2008. He is survived by two daughters, Barbara (Ed) Fudurich of Dana Point, CA and Robin (Tim) Bjella of Silver Bay, MN: his son, Robert F. (Darci) Nice of Polson, MT: and six grandchildren, Christopher, Kimberley, Marisa, Kaelyn, Brogan, and Ciri. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, May 13, 2010, 2:00 PM at Bethany Lutheran Church in Bigfork, MT. Military Honors will follow the services and will be conducted by the Malmstrom AFB Honor Guard. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfueralhome.com. Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson is honored to assist with arrangements. May God bless the memory of Robert A. (Bob) Nice in our midst.
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