Ryan William Nicklin of Greenville passed away on Monday, April 11 from a car accident in Warren County near Heart’s Content, PA. Ryan loved this area near the family camp named Nick’s Coop. He was scouting out good fishing holes to enjoy for a few days of fishing with his Air Force Academy friend when he passed.

Ryan was born to Darrell and Sue Anderson Nicklin on October 14, 1978, in Greenville. He was an excellent student and member of the National Honor Society. As a guard, he played a key role in the 1996 GHS football team that went to the PIAA State Final Four. In his senior year, he obtained the honor of Eagle Scout and graduated with honors from Greenville High School in 1997.

He was the first of two GHS students to attend the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. There he thrived and fell in love with the mountains becoming an excellent skier. He especially loved time spent in beautiful Telluride, Co. which he visited whenever possible for skiing, hiking and fishing. Ryan was a distinguished graduate and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 2001.

Ryan attended Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. After receiving his USAF Pilot wings his passion to fly the A 10 “Warthog” carried him to multiple combat deployments throughout the Pacific, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He flew over 50 combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and along the Korean peninsula’s demilitarized zone.

Throughout his Air Force career Ryan proudly flew with the 25th, 75th, and 354th Fighter Squadrons at Osan Air Base - Republic of Korea, Pope AFB NC, and Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ. Additionally he served alongside the United States Army as an Air Liaison Officer at Ft. Irwin, CA.

Wherever he served he gave it his all. Some of the many accommodations given him from his superior officers throughout his 13-year career were: “Dedicated professional. Superb Officer! Pinnacle of combat leadership! Skilled administrator. Leader among peers. Outstanding Aviator. Phenomenal combat performance. Gold plated officer and warrior. A driving force behind the unit’s success.” He proudly obtained the rank of Major.

While serving overseas, he remotely obtained his MBA from Boston University School of Management. In 2013, he left the Air Force to come back to his hometown working at Anderson Coach & Travel, the family business started by his grandparents Dot & O.D. Anderson. Here he served in many capacities. He also served on the newly formed Greenville Area School District Educational Foundation board.

Ryan is survived by his parents of Greenville; his sister Kristen Jennings; and her husband Charlie of Ellwood City, Pa. His brother Joshua Sanders of Greenville. His nephew Tyler Jennings and niece Elizabeth Jennings of Ellwood City. His much loved girlfriend, Michelle Yeager of Zelienople and his beloved poodle, Thomas.

Uncles Lyle Anderson (Susan) of Jamestown; Doug Anderson (Lori) of Mercer; Norman Nicklin (Chong) of Phoenix, Az.; David Jones of Canton, Ohio. Cousins: Dallas Anderson (Jennifer) of Boulder, Co.; Stuart Anderson (Meredith) of Fox Chapel, Pa. Brian Jones (Karen) of Southbury, Ct.; Scott Jones (Jackie) of Phoenix, Az; Derek Jones of Bullard, TX.; Craig Jones of Winchester, Ma.; Evan Anderson and Andrew Anderson both of Mercer; Brian Clark (Carrie) of Myakka City, Fl. And Cheryl Martin (Bruce) of Lexington, S.C; Aunts Karen Anderson Jones and Rowena Nicklin Lucas as well as grandparents, Dot and O.D. Anderson and Thelma and Harold Nicklin predeceased him as well as his beloved dogs Beau and Jackson.

His family thanks all family, friends and neighbors for support at this difficult time with special recognition to Ryan’s wonderful friends Charlie Mauze’ and John Isacco, Air Force Academy alumni.

The family respectfully requests no flowers but donations in his memory may be made to Strayhaven Animal Shelter, 94 Donation Rd., Greenville, PA 16125, Greenville Area School District Educational Foundation, 9 Donation Rd., Greenville, PA 16125 or to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516 Topeka, KS 66675. Arrangements have been entrusted to Loutzenhiser-Jordan Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 366-368 S. Main St., Greenville.