Ed C. Nikkel, 94, of Lovettsville, Virginia, passed away peacefully in his sleep at 12:00 AM, May 1, 2012, in Leesburg. Ed was born on February 13, 1918, in Littlefield, Texas, to Abram & Lena Nikkel and was the youngest of 10 children. The family lived in Littlefield until he was about five years old before moving to a farm near Hooker, Oklahoma. He graduated from Adams Consolidated School (high school) Adams, Oklahoma, and then received a B.S. degree from Southwestern State School of Technology at Weatherford, Oklahoma, in 1941, majoring in commerce and minoring in industrial arts.

Ed met his first wife, Kathryn Olene Clark, while in college. After graduating, Ed and Kathryn married and moved to Wichita, Kansas, where Ed began a 42 year career at Beech Aircraft Corporation. Beginning as a production scheduler, Ed quickly moved into management and ended his career in January 1983 as Beechcraft's Vice President of Aerospace Programs, responsible for all government business, and President of BASE, with responsibility for all of Beechcraft's international operations. In the later years of his career, Ed would frequently travel to Washington, D.C., lobbying for military contracts with politicians and Pentagon officials with the result that numerous influential generals, admirals, congressmen and senators would call Ed Nikkel their friend, while he continued to consider himself a humble businessman. Ed was actively involved in first Baptist Church and then Metropolitan Baptist Church in Wichita. He served as a deacon and usher there for many years. Ed & Kathryn Clark Nikkel had three children: Wayne born in 1945, Daphna in 1948, and Lena in 1953. He drew up the plans for their first house on Richmond Drive, which the builder then used to construct the rest of the neighborhood. Ed's first wife of 28 years passed away in October of 1972.

A few years later, Ed met Kathryn Zimmerman at Metropolitan Baptist Church, where they fell in love and were married in December of 1975. Ed continued consulting for Beechcraft for a few years after his retirement, but also devoted himself foremost to his family and then to personal interests. Although he was retired, he continued to be very busy. He and Kathryn moved near Blacksburg, Virginia, in the mid 1980s, once again living on ranch land and building a new home. After developing the land for housing, they moved to Northern Virginia, developing a smaller track of land and building yet another new home. He enjoyed stock trading, farming, gardening, woodworking, hunting, fishing and sports. At 93, Ed was still actively maintaining his land and home. His family could always count on his wisdom, optimism, faithfulness, gentleness, and unending love for them. He leaves behind a legacy that will live on for generations.

Ed is preceded in death by his father, mother, four brothers, five sisters, daughter Daphna, first wife Kathryn Clark Nikkel, and son Wayne. Surviving family members include his loving wife Kathryn, his daughter Lena and her husband David Terry of Ashburn, Virginia; step-daughter Natalie Johnson and Jerry Romine of Purcellville, Virginia; step son Daniel Zimmerman and his wife Noelle of Seattle, Washington; and daughter-in-law Jeannette Nikkel of Wichita, Kansas. Ed and Kathryn have 10 grandchildren: Jennifer Nikkel Schulte, Charles Terry, Jonathan Terry, Joshua Terry, Crystal Johnson, Bryan Johnson, Zachary Johnson, Amelia Zimmerman, Cole Zimmerman and Jack Zimmerman; and Ed has one great grandson, Mason Wayne Schulte. His nephews and nieces also have remained close to him.

Celebration of Ed's life will be on Saturday, May 5, 2012, at 11 AM at Christian Fellowship Church, 21673 Beaumeade Circle Ashburn, VA 20147. Viewing is at 10 AM. Burial is at Union Cemetery, 323 N. King Street, Leesburg, VA 20176, following the service.

In lieu of flowers, Ed's family requests memorials be given in his name to Tabor College, 400 South Jefferson, Hillsboro, Kansas 67063, www.tabor.edu; or the American Lung Association National Headquarters, 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 800, Washington, D.C. 20004.