Peru Peace Corps Medical Director Andy Nichols dies at 64
The Arizona Republic April 20, 2001 12:00:00
State Sen. Andy Nichols, a low-key, respected Tucson lawmaker best known as a
crusader for public health programs, died Thursday after collapsing at his desk.
He was 64.
Colleagues attending a legislative softball game Thursday evening were
devastated by the news.
"His life was about making sure people got the health care they needed," said
Sen. Ruth Solomon, D-Tucson, who had dinner with Nichols on Tuesday. "He lived
it and he breathed it."
Nichols was the primary advocate of Proposition 204, a ballot measure approved
by voters last year that calls for Arizona to boost health-care coverage for the
working poor by using millions of dollars in tobacco settlement money.
"The best legacy you can have is thousands of uninsured people will have medical
coverage," said Sen. Ed Cirillo, R-Sun City West.
Nichols also promoted child safety legislation, including bills to prohibit
children from riding unrestrained in the beds of pickup trucks, and championed
legislation that lowers blood-alcohol limits for driving under the influence of
intoxicants.
Nichols, a University of Arizona faculty member and administrator, had just
finished a telephone conversation in his third-floor office in the Senate
building when he put his head down on his desk and collapsed on the floor about
6 p.m., a witness said.
He was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, where he was
pronounced dead.
Gov. Jane Hull ordered flags be lowered today.
Spokeswoman Francie Noyes said Hull's office has worked closely with Nichols on
a number of issues and though they were often on opposite sides, Nichols'
dedication to his issues was unquestionable. "His commitment to his causes
was just really impressive," Noyes said.
Nichols was a physician in family and community medicine. He had been director
of the University of Arizona Rural Health Office since 1970 and served as
Medical Director for the Peace Corps in Peru. He also was active in U.S.-Mexican
border health organizations.
"Andy was one of our most illustrious members of the faculty," said Dr. Monte
DuVal, who worked with Nichols at the UA and was a friend for more than 30
years. "As a citizen there are few who were his equal, irrespective of whether
you agreed with his politics."
Nichols was elected to the House of Representatives as a Democrat in 1993 and
served through 2000. This was his first year in the Senate, where he was a
member of the Appropriations Committee and vice chairman of the Health and
Banking and Insurance committees.
Under state law, the Pima County Board of Supervisors will appoint a Democrat to
replace him within 10 days.
Surviving Nichols are his wife, Ann, and three children, Cathy, Michael and
Miles.
Teacher and Rural Health advocate http://wildcat.arizona.edu/papers/94/143/01_1_m.html
His legislative respects http://www.tucsonweekly.com/tw/2001-04-26/curr4.html
Bio and details http://www.azstarnet.com/~nichols/Centerbar.html
Other Heroes in Medicine