Douglas Gene Nitsch
October 31, 1929 - April 16, 2026

Douglas Gene Nitsch, born October 31st, 1929, passed peacefully in his Sunny Brae home where he resided for 70 years on April 16th, 2026, with his family by his side. Doug was born in Nebraska, in the same farmhouse where his mother had been born, located between Rockville and Boelus, to Rudolph and Eunice Nitsch. He was raised with his sister, June, and brother, Gordon. Summers were often spent at his Grandma Young’s farm, a cherished gathering place where family and friends came together nearly every Sunday for large meals, games, and homemade ice cream. The farm, with its chickens, ducks, geese, and abundant garden, provided food that was generously shared, often sending visitors home with baskets of fruits and vegetables. At times, Doug, his sister June, and cousin Georgie stayed with their grandmother for short periods. Families would also gather at the Nitsch Family farm near Boelus, where Grandpa would cut hair and Grandma made the best cookies.

Doug attended a small country school with just thirteen students spanning grades one through eight, creating a close-knit, family-like environment. He, his sister June, and cousin Georgie walked a mile to school each day. In 1934, his parents decided to leave Nebraska, and after living in several towns, the family settled in Eureka in May 1937. Later that year, his sister June passed away. Doug and his brother Gordon attended Cutten School, then a two-room school of about forty students. His childhood in Eureka was filled with sports and outdoor activities, including touch football, softball, basketball, skating, fishing, riding bicycles, and playing in Sequoia Park. His lifelong love of music began in 1940 with private cornet lessons. He played in both band and orchestra throughout high school and college, performing at football and basketball games. Doug graduated from Eureka High School in 1946, where he was active in band and orchestra, Jr. Statesmen, YMCA, and served as a delegate to Boys State. He was president of the Honor Society, played basketball, and received the Chi Sigma Epsilon scholarship to Humboldt State University. During this time, he also performed with a Glen Miller dance band at Humboldt State in 1946-47 and with the Jack Weeks Orchestra in 1948.

During his college years, he served on Student Council, was active as an Intercollegiate Knight, participated in the Honor Society, served as president of the Student TeacherAssociation, and performed in both the college band and dance band. Doug graduated from Humboldt State University in 1950 and earned his master’s degree in 1956. Doug began his teaching career at Cutten Elementary School in the same classroom he was a 4th grade student in, but after a month, enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving from 1950 to 1953. During his service, he trained as an aviation cadet and eventual Staff Sergeant, stationed in Greenville, South Carolina.

He frequently attended movies at the base theater and wrote letters nearly every day to Doris and his family. Doug and Doris had been engaged since June 1951, however, cadets were not permitted to marry.

They were married on June 8, 1952, in Rockville, Nebraska, while he was on leave between Radar Navigation School and his return to Donaldson Air Force Base in Greenville.

With the end of the Korean War in 1953, Doug sought a return to teaching and contacted family in Arcata. He resumed his career in January 1954, teaching fourth grade at Sunset School. In 1955, he moved to the newly opened Sunny Brae School to teach sixth grade, and in 1956, he was appointed teaching principal at the new Manila School, where he also taught fourth grade. That same year, in order to meet district residency requirements, he purchased the Sunny Brae home where he would live for the next 70 years and became a devoted father to his two daughters, Barbara and Sue.

Doug continued his career as a 3rd grade teaching principal at Bloomfield School for one year, then returned to Sunny Brae Elementary as a fifth-grade teacher for five years. He went on to serve 23 years as principal of Sunset School, retiring in 1986 after 32½ years of service in the Arcata School District. Doug was deeply committed to education and took great pride in the lasting impact he had on his students and community. Our family often still gets stopped by former students to reminisce and tell us what an impression Doug made on their lives - and we love it!

Throughout his career, Doug was honored with an Honorary Life Membership in the PTA and was active in Phi Delta Kappa and the Elementary School Administration Association. He also served as President and Secretary of the Arcata Lions Club. Among Doug’s favorite memories was a six-week summer in Hawaii with Doris, Barbara, and Sue while he continued his education and attended the University of Hawaii. The stories from that time are often retold, and he always considered Hawaii his favorite place. That trip was just one of many, as Doug and Doris retired together in1986 and started traveling as soon as that same weekend they retired; they have visited all 50 states and 34 countries together.

In retirement, Doug remained committed to his community through volunteer work. He contributed his time to the Jazz Festival in Eureka, served at the Sunny Brae election precinct, and was active in various committees at Arcata United Methodist Church. He also volunteered with the Humboldt Historical Society, served as a docent in the Humboldt Room at the Humboldt County Library, and a proud member of the California Retired Teachers Association. Alongside fellow retired educators, he helped research and was co-editor of the six-volume book series, “History of Humboldt County Schools”. He enjoyed traveling, playing pinochle, listening to music, reading, square dancing, and was a devoted fan of San Francisco Giants and Humboldt Crabs baseball and Golden State Warriors and Lumberjacks basketball.

Doug is preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph and Eunice Nitsch, his siblings; June and Gordon Nitsch, and Gordon’s wife, Janet; and niece Janet Johnson. Doug is survived by his beloved wife, Doris, whom he credited for his long life; his daughters, Barbara Valdriz and Sue Bradbury; and his grandchildren and great grandchildren: William Valdriz and wife Misty, their children Cyrus and Catherine. Thomas Valdriz and wife Gina. Ronald Bradbury and wife Sydney, their children Landon and Evelyn. Sarah Gallian (Bradbury) and husband Trevor.

His brother in law Don Hansen; nephew Jerry Nitsch and wife Andrea, nephew Ron Nitsch, niece Kris Hansen-Kieffer and husband Scott, niece Pat Backer and husband Dusty, nephew Mike Hansen and wife Kris.

A private family service will be held at a later date. If inclined, donations in Doug’s memory may be made to the Humboldt Library Foundation to support the many branches of the Humboldt County Library system.