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April 7, 1954-July 12, 2024

Rommel Jon Nickert, age 70 of Kalamazoo, passed away peacefully July 12, 2024 after a long and prosperous life that ended in a valiant battle with Dementia. His life began April 7, 1954 in Dowagiac, Michigan. Rom was the third of three children born to Herman Jay and Caryl Hazel Nickert.
Rom excelled in many endeavors across his 70 years. When he was only a teen, he built a dory boat in his high school shop class. Despite being a family of avid fishermen, the Nickerts had never owned their own fishing boat, until Rom built one. Rom was such a skilled craftsman, that the dory boat both saw the waters of Lake Michigan and became a staple in the family’s trips to the Florida Keys. These vacations were some of Rom’s fondest memories from his youth. As a teen, Rom was also an enthusiastic motorcyclist, facing fierce competition on the flat track, and collecting a handful of trophies along the way. This hobby translated into a lifelong love of NASCAR racing. He could often be found with his brother at local racetracks throughout southwest Michigan, and at times even NASCAR races as far as North Carolina. A road trip never deterred Rom from a race. He was deeply familiar with cross country travel thanks to his career as a semi-truck driver.
He was committed to fitness and prioritized his health, always exercising even while balancing
his work schedule and life on the road. He was a film enthusiast, or at least a Bohemian Rhapsody enthusiast, as he saw the film in theaters five times (a high, but unsurprising number considering Queen was his favorite band of all time). When he wasn’t watching Bohemian Rhapsody, Rom was religiously watching NCIS, a show he loved so infectiously he got those he shared a Netflix account with hooked on as well. He loved good food and was a gentle, kind man.
This led to him being a wonderful source of encouragement for his niece, who, while not much of a baker, was always welcome to bake for him. He ate every last crumb of banana bread that his niece abhorrently undercooked. Rom was a simple man in the most beautiful, commendable, and authentic way. He appreciated a trip to McDonalds or Subway as much as a coveted reservation at a 5-star restaurant. He was not a materialistic man but was thrilled by the deals he found on miscellaneous goods at Ollie’s. He looked forward to weekend outings with his brother and sister-in-law to watch the latest blockbuster topping the box office.
The visit that ended up being Rom’s last visit to his brother’s house was fittingly spent viewing slides of photos from his childhood on an ancient projector that almost overheated several times. Despite being in the late stages of his illness, he acted as the fact-checker that night. While his brother reminisced to the family about their childhood trips, Rom clarified who was in the photos. He confirmed the locations of campouts and the lake names. At times he even corrected his brother, entirely unprompted. Rom still remembered. He remembered his cherished childhood trips with fondness and fervor. He remembered what and who he loved. We hope that everyone remembers Rom the same way: for what and who he loved.
Rom will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by brother, Van (Lana) Nickert of Kalamazoo; sister, Cheri Johnson of Seattle, Washington; half-sister, Shirley Behrman of Gabbs, Nevada, and two nieces, Ally Nickert of Cleveland, Haley Nickert of Kalamazoo, four half nephews Jimmy, Ronny, Kim, and Mark, and a half niece Jody of Nevada. He was preceded in death by his parents Caryl and Herman J Nickert and many aunts and uncles.
The family will observe a private remembrance. The family would like to thank the staff at Vibrant Living that cared for Rom throughout his time with dementia.
The family prefers contributions in memory of Rommel may be made to National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and encourages loved ones to listen to a Queen song, or all of them, in his honor.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com