Features | Jul. 2023
REMEMBERING JOHN D. NICHOLS JR.
By Dustin O’Regan
The late John D. Nichols Jr. and his wife, Alexandra Curran Nichols.
A long-time supporter of civic and cultural institutions and former CEO of Illinois Tool Works and The Marmon Group, John D. Nichols Jr., passed away quietly with his wife and two children by his side on June 14.
Born in Shanghai, China on September 20, 1930, John’s mother took him and his sister to the United States when he was just an infant. His father, who was the Director of the International Red Cross for China, India, and Burma, feared the Japanese were soon going to invade China and wanted his family to be safe. John grew up in New Jersey and Westport, Connecticut before attending Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Connecticut. John then attended Harvard University where he was captain of the Harvard Varsity Football Team and earned a B.A. degree in 1953. In 1955, John received an MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School.
Following Harvard Business School, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army Finance Corps from 1955 to 1958. He then took the position of Director of Financial Controls for International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation. John also held several finance and operating positions with Ford Motor Company, including Program Manager for the construction and operation of NASA’s Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, Texas.
John married Alexandra Curran Nichols on December 4, 1971, in New York City. The couple made their home in Newport Beach, California. From 1969 to 1979, John served as Executive Vice President and COO at Aerojet-General Corporation, a subsidiary of General Tire and Rubber Company. In 1979, Silas Cathcart, President and CEO of Illinois Tool Works, recruited John to come to Chicago to serve first as Executive Vice President and then as President and CEO of Illinois Tool Works.
He moved to Chicago in 1980, and his family followed in 1981. It was a huge move that included John’s mother, mother-in-law, wife, two children, and two cats. After months of looking, John and his family settled in Winnetka in the home they have lived in for 42 years.
During his time at Illinois Tool Works, John was invited to join the corporate Board of Directors of Philip Morris International; Hyatt Hotels; Household International Inc., where he was the lead director; Morris Companies Inc.; Rockwell International; Stone Container IU; BorgWarner; Kraft Incorporated; TransUnion; Illinois Tool Works Inc.; and Ravenswood Winery, which he founded.
He was very active in civic organizations, including the Commercial Club of Chicago; the Civic Committee; the Economic Club of Chicago; and the Illinois Business Roundtable.
In addition, John had many board affiliations. He was a Director and Past Chairman, Junior Achievement of Chicago (he was elected to the Junior Achievement of Chicago Hall of Fame); Chairman and Founder, North Lawndale Charter School; Trustee, University of Chicago, 1986- 1994; Trustee, Argonne National Laboratory, 1987-1994; and Chairman of the Board, Teach For America, 2000-2005.
John served his alma maters as a Trustee, Loomis Chaffee School 1985-1997, Harvard University Board of Overseers, 1994-2000, as a member of the Harvard Committee on University Resources and the Harvard Visiting Committee on Athletics, and Harvard Graduate School of Education. He left a legacy of philanthropy at both Loomis and Harvard that will serve students far into the future.
Deeply committed to the cultural arts in Chicago, John was a Director, the Museum of Science and Industry; past Vice Chairman, Chicago Community Trust; Chairman and Life Trustee, The Art Institute of Chicago; Trustee and then Life Trustee, Chicago Symphony Orchestra; and Director, Lyric Opera of Chicago. His philanthropic projects can be found throughout Chicago from The Nichols Center at UCAN in Chicago’s Lawndale neighborhood to The Nichols Bridgeway linking The Art Institute of Chicago with Millennium Park.
James Rondeau, President and Eloise W. Martin Director of the Art Institute of Chicago remarks, “John’s dedication to the Art Institute of Chicago as a trustee and board chair was remarkable, as was his commitment to the whole of Chicago. The Nichols Bridgeway welcomes millions of visitors every year, and is a true manifestation of the connections he built across the city through his civic and business leadership. His impact will benefit many generations to come.”
John will always be remembered for his wit, great sense of humor, kindness, integrity, and exceptional intelligence. He was also an outstanding athlete, who became a talented tennis player and a very good skier. After teaching his wife to play tennis and ski, they enjoyed these sports together for many years. John approached these activities as he approached everything in life—with passion and competitiveness. For example, he never shied from tackling the most difficult ski runs whether that was a good idea or not.
John was a Renaissance man who loved art and was an avid collector of the Han Dynasty tomb figures and the exceptional prints of Edgar Chahine, an Armenian artist who lived in Paris at the end of the 19th century.
He was devoted and loving to Alexandra to whom he was married for 53 years, his daughter, Kendra Nichols Wallace, and his son, John Doane Nichols III. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Brenna Kathleen Nichols, son-in-law Thys Wallace, and his grandchildren Mandarin Brooke Wallace, Stella Marine Wallace, Denym Thys Wallace, John Doane Nichols IV, and Bauer Michael Nichols.
In lieu of flowers, should you wish to make a contribution in John’s memory, please consider UCAN in North Lawndale or The Art Institute of Chicago. A family memorial service will be private.
