Robert Bates Nicholas, 79, of Vero Beach, Fla., and Edgartown died peacefully on Feb. 13 with family by his side after a long illness.

He was born on April 24, 1929 in West Sayville, Long Island, N.Y., the only child of Myra Jean (Bates) and Robert Cornforth Nicholas.

After graduating from Denison University in 1950, he enlisted in the US Army as Second Lieutenant and served as Chief Purchasing Officer at Camp Rucker, Ala. He then went on to receive his MBA from Columbia University School of Business.

Robert built a very successful career in the insurance industry and retired from Aetna Life & Casualty as Senior Vice President of Corporate Planning and Development in 1988. His career spanned executive positions with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Mobil Oil and Atlantic Richfield.

He was actively involved in his profession and community, serving on the boards of MBIA Inc., Hartford Graduate Center, Hartford Dispensary and Hartford Stage Company in Connecticut. He was a member of the Denison University board of trustees serving as vice-chairman of the finance and audit committee and chairman of the annual fund campaign. He was also a member of the US Chamber of Commerce Council on trends and perspectives.

Bob was affectionately known to his friends and family as both Nick and The Eagle. He loved to play tennis, sail his sunfish, play jazz on the piano, and lovingly tease his children, grandchildren and wife. His dry wit, wise words and twinkle in his eye will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife Sally of 53 years, his son John and his wife Susan of Summit, N.J.; his son Paul and his wife Laura and their two sons Robert and Paul Jr. of Berwyn, Pa. and his daughter Sally (Nicholas) Prendergast and her husband Bob and their two daughters, Sophie and Olivia of Encinitas, Calif.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21 at Faith Community Church in Edgartown at 11 a.m.

Donations in his memory may be made to Windemere Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, P.O. Box 1747, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.