Respected historian and educator at SEMO passes away

Dr. Frank Nickell, a respected historian, broadcaster and educator, passed away on the morning of Feb. 9.

Nickell spent more than 40 years as a professor of history at Southeast Missouri State University before he retired in 2013. His dedication to the history of Missouri went beyond the classroom, as he reached a wider audience through his work with KRCU Public Radio.

Beginning back in 2006, Nickell hosted the broadcast “Almost Yesterday,” which became an award-winning program that brought the history of the Southeast Missouri region to life for listeners.

The show received a first-place award in the “Special Programs” category at the 2009 Missouri Broadcaster Association Awards in Kansas City.

Colleagues and friends said Nickell was a generous mentor who knew so much about the history of Missouri.

In addition to his broadcasting career and his teaching, Nickell was also actively involved with the Kellerman Foundation beginning in 2014 and recently attended board meetings at Cape Girardeau's City Hall.

KRCU Public Radio encourages those people who knew Dr. Nickell to share tributes or memories on their Facebook page.

A memorial service for Nickell is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 21, at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.