Eric Herald Nicolitz

Eric H Nicolitz, June 24, 1951- April 22, 2026

Eric migrated from Indonesia to America 69 years ago and grew up in Las Cruces, NM with his brothers, sisters, mom and dad. He was in the United States Air Force from 1977 to 1991 when he retired from Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM.

TSGT Eric served in the Vietnam war and Desert Storm and earned many medals and honors during this time. During this journey, he became part of a brotherhood that is unmatched and he was proud to be a US Veteran. Once he retired, he pursued his education. Eric went on to get his Masters in Public Health, earned a Teaching degree and eventually his doctorate in Education.

During his time teaching and substituting, Eric (Mr. Nick) quickly became the teacher everyone knew and loved. He was stern but lenient at the same time. Each student he had formed a bond with him, it was like they were his extended children. From joking around to field trips, Eric was the go to for all the fun.

Eric lead a simple life and loved the small luxuries in life. He enjoyed the time spent with his grandkids so much that he updated his friends on them as well. From baseball to football, basketball and dance, Eric was attending all of the extracurricular things his grandkids were involved in. If it wasn't a sport, it was trips to Walmart buying the kids whatever they wanted. Eric was an educator and that didn't stop when he retired from teaching, he made sure his grandkids kept their grades up and always pushed them to do better. He would stop at nothing to make sure the people around him were taken care of, he would give you the shirt off his back if he knew you needed it more.

From Son and Brother to Dad and Opa, Eric touched the lives of many in one way or another. We are deeply saddened by this loss but knowing how many people knew him and cared for him gives us peace. Eric was a great guy and his memories will be cherished forever.

Eric is proceeded in death by his mom and dad, Augustine and Alexander Nicolitz; his brothers, Roland and Nick Nicolitz and sister, Winny Davis.

Eric is survived by his daughters, Alex Hawley and Amanda (Vincent) Nicolitz- Barron; Sister, Wanda (Bill) Mattiace; Brothers, Ernst (Liz) Nicolitz and Marcel (Sheila) Nicolitz; grandsons Vicente and Santino Barron and granddaughters Cienna Barron and Lauren McCleskey; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and friends he has accumulated through life.

Full military services will be carried out in honor of Eric Nicolitz in Santa Fe, NM on Tuesday May 19th at 2pm at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.Eric's arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Los Lunas Chapel, where an online guest register is available at www.noblin.com

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