Robert Clifford Nicander

Robert Clifford Nicander, age 94, passed away peacefully at his home in Shannondell of Valley Forge in Audubon, PA on April 20, 2022. 

His enthusiastic optimism for life sprang from his childhood experiences during the Depression, his military service, his family, and his faith. 

Bob was predeceased by his loving wife Betty Wise Nicander and his son, Robert C. Nicander, Jr. He Is survived by his daughters Carolyn Nicander (Stephen) Mohr of Kennett Square, PA and Diane (Roy) Williamson of Sarasota, FL, his daughter-in-law, Lynne Nicander of Bryn Mawr, PA, and his granddaughters, Arielle, Catherine, and Jessica Mohr; Brooke and Natalie Nicander. 

Bob was born at home in Douglaston, NY on August  6, 1927. He left high school early to join the U.S. Army Air Corps (later known as the U.S. Air Force), serving in their Intelligence Division during World War II. 

In 1949, he obtained a mechanical engineering degree from Yale University and in 1953 earned a law degree from Columbia University. After law school, Bob joined the New York intellectual property law firm of Watson, Leavenworth, Keelton, and Taggart, where he became a partner in 1960. In 1963, he joined Sinclair Oil Company as Patent Counsel. When Sinclair merged with Atlantic Richfield Company in 1969, he moved his family to Berwyn, PA where he lived for 50 years while working primarily on mergers and acquisitions in the legal department of ARCO. Bob also was CEO of Oxirane Chemie Nederland, a European chemical company. 

After retirement from ARCO as Senior Legal Counsel in 1985, Bob helped form MACH I, Inc, a military aerospace chemical company, in King of Prusssia, PA, where he was Vice-President and a Director until his full retirement in 2020 at age 92. 

For many years, Bob also served as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association. 

Bob was an early member of Waynesborough Country Club, where he loved to swim regularly. His discipline and demeanor inspired the Club’s swim team to award him an honorary team membership.  

For over 50 years Bob was a faithful member of Wayne Presbyterian Church, serving as Deacon, Trustee and Steward. His charitable and civic work also included serving as Chairman of the Board of the Main Line Branch of the American Red Cross and as a member of the Tredyffrin Township Planning Commission. Bob was also an active participant in the Yale Club of Philadelphia, the Columbia Club of Philadelphia, the Wayne Reading Club, and the Wednesday ROMEO Breakfast Club. 

Bob will be dearly missed by his many friends and family.

 In accordance with his wishes, services will be private.

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