Foster NIchols III

Hampton - Foster Nichols III, a devoted husband and father, decorated Navy veteran, accomplished aerospace engineer, gifted athlete, and consummate gentleman, died on August 18, 2026, in Hampton, NH, of natural causes. He was 99 years old. Born on March 5, 1927, and raised in Yonkers, New York, Foster was one of four children, with two older sisters, Margaret Nevil and Louise Starzenski, and a younger brother, Allen Nichols, all of whom predeceased him. He was the third in a family line of six to bear the name Foster Nichols. Foster’s family roots trace back to Connecticut in the 1600s, with later generations settling in New York. His great-grandfather, George Sylvester Nichols of Athens, New York, rose through the ranks during the Civil War and was commissioned as a brevet brigadier general. At his death in 1916, at age 96, George was reportedly the oldest surviving commanding officer of the Civil War. In his youth, Foster earned the rank of Eagle Scout before entering Yale University at the age of 16. His college studies were interrupted by service in the United States Navy from 1945 to 1946. He returned to Yale and graduated in 1948 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, later pursuing graduate studies in the same field. In 1952, during the Korean War era, he was recalled to active duty for two years, serving aboard the USS Pittsburgh (CA-72) during Sixth Fleet operations in the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean and earning a commission as a lieutenant and communications officer. Following his military service, Foster built a distinguished 35-year career with Sperry Rand, which later became part of Unisys. As an aerospace engineer, he contributed to the guidance and navigation system for the Lunar Excursion Module (LEM) that carried astronauts to the moon as part of the Apollo program. He also helped develop innovative technologies that anticipated modern unmanned aerial systems. Foster was married for 49 years to Gayle Lewis Butcher Nichols, who died in 2004. Together they raised three children in Glen Head and Brookville on Long Island, New York. Their family grew to include seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. In retirement, the couple settled in Port Charlotte, Florida, where they made their home for the last decade of Gayle’s life. Foster remained in the Port Charlotte and Venice area, and in his later years shared a loving twelve-year relationship with June LaPelle of Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. In 2024, he moved to Hampton, New Hampshire, to be closer to family. An avid sportsman and loyal fan of the New York Yankees, Giants, Rangers, and Islanders, Foster held season tickets for both the Rangers and Islanders. He hiked Adirondack high peaks, skated at Beaver Dam Pond and the Beaver Dam Winter Sports Club, coached youth hockey, and faithfully supported his children’s teams. Golf remained a lifelong passion. He won a club championship in Yonkers in his late twenties, and was senior club champion at Nassau Country Club for five consecutive years, from ages 66-70. He recorded three holes-in-one and shot his age multiple times. His rounds took him from Cooperstown, Lake Placid, and Pebble Beach to the links of Scotland and Ireland. Foster loved travel, continuing his adventures well into his nineties and journeying to Antarctica at age 92. He gave generously to his community, including service on the vestry of Trinity Church in Roslyn, NY, and on the board of Nassau Country Club in Glen Cove, NY. For all his achievements, Foster will be remembered most for his modesty, kindness, and quiet strength. Gentle, thoughtful, generous, soft-spoken, and humble, he led by example and offered encouragement without seeking recognition. As a son, brother, husband, father, coach, grandfather, and great-grandfather (known lovingly to his great-grandchildren as “Doodad”), he showed those around him what it meant to live fully and with purpose. Foster is survived by his three children and their spouses, Foster Nichols IV and Elizabeth Isham Nichols of Stonington, CT, Nancy Nichols Dougherty and Donald Vincent Dougherty of Portsmouth, NH, and William Allen Nichols and Christine Wolfe Nichols of Greenwich, CT. His seven grandchildren and their spouses include Foster Nichols V (Ted) & Jenny Wolahan, Donald Nichols Dougherty (Nick) & Kaylee Dougherty, Elizabeth Nichols Willson (Libby) & John Brooks Willson (Jack), Andrew William Dougherty (Andy), Ryan Michael Dougherty & Alex Johnson, Olivia Wolfe Nichols, and Mary Tebetts Nichols. His five great-grandchildren are Piper, Wade, Foster Nichols VI (Violet), Brooks, and Mari. A private burial will be held for the family. A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, September 26th at 4:00pm at the Round Hill Club in Greenwich, Connecticut. Friends of Foster and family are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to First Tee by clicking here or the charity of your choice.

Foster NIchols III

March 5, 1927 - August 18, 2026