Robert Nicely Obituary

Dr. Robert F. Nicely Jr., of Boalsburg, passed away peacefully on Sept. 6, 2025, at home holding hands with the love of his life. Bob was born on Jan. 10, 1940, in Greensburg. He was the son of the late Dr. Robert F. Nicely and Jean Isabelle (Baird) Nicely. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Donna Comnale Nicely (they met on a blind date 65 years ago); his children, Lisa Nicely and Scott (Julie) Nicely; his grandchildren, Army Sergeant Major Curt A. Armstrong, Rene Nicely, Taylor Trump, Jeremy Trump, and Dylan Nicely; his great-grandsons, Jace and Benson Trump; his sisters, Martha (Dale) Shields and Elaine (Ronald) Zuzack; his sister-in-law, Anita J. (Jim) Popella; and three nieces, Darci (Josh) Marcum, Mindy (Kip) Lang, and Jennifer Zuzack. Bob received his B.S. from The Pennsylvania State University, his M.Ed. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and his Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. He retired as Professor Emeritus of Education and Associate Dean Emeritus from the Pennsylvania State University. During his career he was president of three Pennsylvania educational organizations the Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and the Pennsylvania Educational Research Association. He was also president of the Penn State chapter of Phi Delta Kappa. Bob received 28 awards and honors for his research, publications, and leadership, including having received Penn State's Howard B. Palmer Faculty Mentoring Award for mentoring junior faculty and the Penn State Vice President's Award for "the highest standard of quality, leadership, and vision in Continuing and Distance Education." Bob was a man of many interests and talents. He loved landscaping, working in his flower gardens, reading, building, and traveling. He loved his family and would help whenever he was needed. He designed and built stone walls, a tri-level deck, a pergola, and a garden cottage in the back of the first home he and Donna built in 1979 in State College. He also designed and built decks for his children at their homes. His favorite travels were to Italy; Martha's Vineyard, MA; Emerald Isle, NC; and Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key on the Gulf Coast of Florida. The family wishes to thank Bob's many caregivers from Adult Transitional Care and the nurses and aides from UPMC Family Home Hospice. Family and friends will be received from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 820 Westerly Parkway, State College, PA. Funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. with Father George Jakopac officiating. Bob will be laid to rest in the Boalsburg Cemetery. If you wish to honor Bob's memory, please consider a contribution to the Robert F. Nicely & Donna C. Nicely Doctoral Student Research Endowment in Educational Leadership, College of Education, The Pennsylvania State University. Arrangements are under the care of KOCH FUNERAL HOME. online remembrances may be shared at www.kochfuneralhome.com.