David N. Nickens

David N. Nickens, 83, of Murrysville, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at Forbes Hospital in Monroeville. A son of the late Nestor and Annie Nickens, David was born in New York City in 1942.  He was raised on the south Bronx where he graduated from Fordham University with a BS degree in Physics in 1963.  Upon graduation he went to work for the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania.  There he served as an engineer then engineering manager engaged in the design and development of nuclear reactors for U.S. Navy submarines and aircraft carriers.  He also served as a Westinghouse Minority Spokesperson appearing on television, radio, and newspapers in several cities to encourage young minority students to study and enter the technology professions.  In 1985, he earned an MBA degree, with honors, from the University of Pittsburgh.  He retired from the Bettis Laboratory in 2002 after holding various technical and administrative positions.

In addition to family and friends, he loved science, music, bowling, and dogs.  He is survived by his beloved wife, Eileen Nickens; his daughter, Gwyn Nickens DiMartino (Timothy); and granddaughter, Ava DiMartino. He is also survived by step grandchildren, Megan DiMartino, Lauren Reiber (Kim), Tyler DiMartino (Susannah); along with step great-grandchildren, Ben, Mia, Cora, Dawson, and Owen. 

If desired, memorial donations can be made to All But Furgotten, 70 Carpenter Lane, Irwin, PA, 15642 (www.allbutfurgotten.com), or plant a tree in memory of David N. Nickens.

Services for David will be private with his family.

For online condolences, please visit www.hartfuneralhomeinc.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of David N. Nickens, please visit our floral store.