Stanley Joe Nicholson

1942-2025

Stanley Joe Nicholson passed away unexpectedly on December 14th, 2025. He was born in September 1942, near Joplin, Missouri. In 1950, three years after his brother Michael’s birth, the family moved to California, settling in the bedroom community of Castro Valley. It was clear early on that Stan had a great love for cars, a fondness for cats, and an ear for music. Stan excelled academically throughout his school years and graduated in 1960. He enrolled at San José State College and later earned a BA in education.

Stan married his first wife, Peggy (nee Erspamer), in 1965, and they welcomed their only child, Mark, in the spring of 1967. Soon after, he was accepted into Stanford’s doctoral program and earned his PhD in Educational Psychology. In 1971, while working on his PhD, Stan landed a job at UCSB in the Instructional Development department, where he would spend his 35-year career. In the next decade, Stan and Peggy divorced, and he married his second wife, Sally (nee Hughes). After several years together, they also separated. In the late 1980s, Stan became a grandfather and enjoyed frequent trips to visit his two granddaughters.

He married his third wife, Cathy (nee Scholl), in 1991, gaining a stepdaughter, Erin. Stan and Cathy enjoyed 20 years together, including traveling across the US in an RV after Stan’s retirement in 2005. Stan had a string of tragedies hit, including his son, Mark, passing away in 2006; losing his vision in 2011; his wife, Cathy, passing in 2012; and his first wife, Peggy, passing in 2015.

Despite his daily struggles, Stan cherished time spent with friends—Saturday dinners with Bob and Lois, Fridays at Harry’s with Bart, evenings with Phila, and plenty of long phone conversations. He made a point of staying connected and found joy in keeping up his many relationships. Stan was a kind, thoughtful man who always made time to listen. He may not have had the answers, but he was always willing to help you search for them. Stan will be remembered for his intellect, resilience, warmth, and for his genuine love for friends and family.

He is survived by his brother, Michael Nicholson (Donna Pierino), his stepdaughter, Erin Scholl, his granddaughters, Ashley and Alissa Nicholson, his two beloved cats, as well as many cousins and close friends. In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Braille Institute.