Philip Michael Nicklas 
April 30, 1946 - Aug. 30, 2024

Philip Nicklas was born in San Francisco, California on April 30, 1946. When he was one year old his parents (Joan and Henry Nicklas) moved to Eureka, where he lived the rest of his life.

He graduated from Eureka High School in 1964. He attended Humboldt State University and graduated in 1968. He then went to Hastings Law School. He was obliged to take a few years off to join Uncle Sam during the Vietnam War and when he returned, he graduated with his law degree in 1974. He worked as a personal injury lawyer in Eureka for more than 25 years.

Phil met his wife, Sharyn Nicklas, in 1976 when he picked her up hitchhiking in his Porsche and then again when they serendipitously ran into each other at the bicentennial 4th of July celebration in Old Town, Eureka. They married in 1978, on his birthday and had four beautiful daughters, Gwendolyn Rose Kuntz (married to Matt), Rachael Elaine Bird (married to Jeff), Alexandra Joan Nicklas and Crystal Brooke Tracy (married to Trevor). Phil often quipped that “I always wanted four girls!” They have been collecting grandchildren ever since and are now up to six. Phil was able to meet his newest grandson (born April 2024) Laurence, who shares his middle name “Michael,” just a couple weeks before he passed.

Phil enjoyed backpacking with his family and friends in his favorite places, the Trinity Alps and the Lost Coast. He even took on the challenging John Muir Trail and hiked to the top of Mount Whitney. When he wasn’t backpacking, you could find him playing golf with his buddies, watching British mystery shows with his wife and spending every Friday in his brother John’s backyard where they welcomed their buddies to a smoke and some musical accompaniment in the redwoods - a tradition they called “Reggae Jam-down”. They continued the tradition even as Phil’s health declined over the last few years and up until his final weeks, he had many family and friend visitors that joined each week. Philip passed away on August 30, 2024, at his home with his wife after family and loved ones visited him to say goodbye.

At the time of his death Phil and Shari had been married for 46 years.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Joan, in-laws George and Elaine and his brothers Dale and Paul. He is survived by his wife, Shari and their daughters and their families: Gwen, Matt, Damian, Kylee (Kuntz), Rachael, Jeff, Augustus, True, Sky (Bird), Ali (Nicklas), Crystal, Trevor and Laurence (Tracy). He is also survived by his brother John and children, Thea, Hillary, Signe and Alida and their families, sister-in-law, Cindy and her children, Phillip, John and David and their families, and sister, Margot and her children Erica and David and their families.

I would like to thank the VA of Eureka, Hospice of Humboldt and the Agape caregivers for all their help with Phil in these last few years. I couldn’t have done it without you.

There will be a memorial held in his honor at his brother John’s home on September 27. If you are a family friend and would like to attend, please reach out to Shari or another member of the family for details.

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