Donald Nichols of Madison, Wisconsin, husband of 11 years to Jane Bartels, died on February 15 of complications from Cirrhosis of the liver caused by Hepatitis C. Mr. Nichols had lived an interesting and full life. He was born in Madison, Connecticut, in 1940, then a small rural town, son of Edward C. and Ruth N. Nichols. He grew up on a farm, a past he credited with his moral values and common sense, and he attended the local public school where he was a scholar, athlete, and musician.

In high school, Mr. Nichols played the trumpet and earned the solo trumpet chair in the Connecticut All State Band. He entered Yale at 17 and continued to play the trumpet, becoming the top undergraduate trumpet player in the band. He also sang as a soloist in the high school chorus and had recently re-kindled his interest in singing, joining the Madison (WI) Symphony Chorus.

Mr. Nichols had an avid, lifelong interest in athletics and team sports. In high school, he earned varsity letters in soccer, basketball, and baseball. He captained teams in several sports at many levels throughout his life, finally retiring at age 42 from one of Madison (WI) United's competitive soccer teams.

He also played in Wisconsin's top amateur soccer league in the late ‘60s and ‘70s, a league then dominated by ethnic teams from Milwaukee, comprised of first generation immigrants from Europe. Through this, he was introduced to the cultures of several nations, often by post-game meals and receptions held at the teams’ clubhouses and churches. Their contrasting views of teamwork, fairness, and discipline were an education for a man in his 20s. He played on a Ukrainian team while in graduate school; with two English teams while in England in the fall of 1971; with a Chilean team while in Washington from 1975 to 1976; and played on multi-ethnic teams both while in graduate school at Yale and in Wisconsin.

After retiring from competitive soccer, he turned to the outdoors. He bought a large plot of land, mostly ridges and timber, just west of Madison, Wisconsin, where he built a small house, and he spent his weekends in this semi-isolated retreat. He enjoyed most outdoor activities, especially hunting and hiking. He liked to track animals and took comfort in just sitting in the woods. He developed an interest in forestry, especially in walnut trees. He enjoyed machinery, saying it took him back to the farm. He had a tractor he used for mowing trails and for taking care of the long gravel driveway, and he had a snowplow on an old army truck to keep the cabin available throughout the winter. He also took up woodworking, making things from his own timber, always wishing he had more time to make things and build his skills.

Mr. Nichols had a varied and rewarding professional career. He graduated from Yale in 1962 with honors in economics and stayed at Yale for his PhD, written under Nobel Laureate James Tobin. In 1966, he joined the nationally ranked Economics Department of the University of Wisconsin. He took several leaves of absence, but remained a member of the Department for 40 years. From 1970 to 1971, he was a visiting professor at Yale. In the fall of 1971, he visited the London School of Economics. From 1975 to 1976, he went to Washington as senior economist of the Budget Committee of the United States Senate. From 1977 to 1979, he served as deputy assistant secretary in the Department of Labor. Back in Wisconsin, he was economic advisor to the governor from 1983 to 1986. He subsequently served governors of both parties on commissions and advisor committees.

Mr. Nichols remained active in his profession after retirement, serving until his death on the Academic Advisory Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and as chairman of the board of the Thompson Plumb Funds. He was widely called upon for advice and to speak at public functions. He loved economics as a discipline and economic policy as a practice. While in Washington, he developed the skill of economic forecasting, something he practiced in many venues.

Mr. Nichols began his career as an economic theorist, but was drawn to practical problems of economic policy. While at the University of Wisconsin, he served for several terms as chair of the Economics Department. He was chair of the University Committee and chair of PROFS, representing the faculty to state government. In 2001, he was appointed director of the La Follette School of Public Affairs, a position he held until this retirement in 2006. He was a fellow in the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters and was a popular teacher, earning several teaching awards. He also published numerous professional articles and books.

Mr. Nichols was happiest in nature in all seasons, and in contemplating difficult economic policy problems. Most of all, he loved to laugh with his wife.

Besides his wife, Mr. Nichols is survived by his son Charles of Madison, Wisconsin; his daughter Elizabeth of St. Paul, Minnesota; his granddaughter Clare of St. Paul, Minnesota; two brothers, Kenneth and Paul, both of Middletown; and his sister Marcia Stone of Madison, Connecticut. He was predeceased by two wives, each dying of cancer. He was married to Linda Powley for 20 years and to Barbara Jakubowski for 17 years.

His funeral service was held on Feb. 23 at the First Congregational Church of Madison, followed by burial in West Cemetery. The Swan Funeral Home of Madison was in charge of arrangements. For online tributes and condolences, please visits www.swanfuneralhomemadison.com.