Douglass R. Nicklas; Psychologist and Engineer

Ventura resident Douglass R. Nicklas, a 30-year Ventura County resident, died at his home Tuesday following a lengthy illness. He was 75.

Nicklas was born July 20, 1923, in Baltimore. From 1942 to 1945, he served during World War II as a fighter pilot in the 366th Fighter Group and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, his family said. He retired a lieutenant colonel.

In 1951, during the Korean War, Nicklas served in the Air National Guard’s Strategic Air Command bases in several U.S. cities, according to his family.

Nicklas attended the University of Maryland and the University of Illinois. He earned master’s degrees in both behavioral psychology and aeronautical engineering.

In 1968, Nicklas moved from Maryland to Sepulveda--which is now North Hills--in the San Fernando Valley, where he worked as a psychologist for a private company. A year later he moved to Thousand Oaks, and in late 1969 he relocated to Ventura, his family said.

Throughout his career, Nicklas worked as an engineer and a psychologist in the human factors industry, a precursor to ergonomics--the study of the problems of people in adjusting to their environment.

He served as a president of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, based in Santa Monica. He belonged to the American Psychological Assn., the Air Force Assn. and was a 22-year member of the Ventura Yacht Club.

“He was a boater for years and years. That was one of his loves,” said Nicklas’ wife of 13 years, Diane.

In addition to his wife, Nicklas is survived by a son, Mark Nicklas of Ventura; a daughter, Heather Johnson of Galena, Alaska; stepchildren Patrick Bonar of Glendora, Jackie Baker of Ventura and Dana Bonar of Columbus, Ind.; two brothers, Gilbert Nicklas of Apex, N.C., and Tom Nicklas of Belle Mead, N.J.; a sister, Betty Pearce of Rockville, Md.; and seven grandchildren.

There will be a memorial service at 11 a.m. Sept. 12 at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home in Ventura. The family intends to bury Nicklas at sea.

Memorial contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Assn., Ventura County Chapter, in Los Angeles.

Ventura County obituaries are published free of charge as a public service to readers. Obituaries are based on information provided by mortuaries.