Robert A. Nickey

With great sadness the IBEW announces the death November 11, 2002, of retired former Telephone Department Director Robert A. Nickey, age 84. Brother Nickey headed what was then the Telephone Department for 10 years, having been appointed to that post in 1973 by then-International President Charles H. Pillard.

Brother Nickey retired in March 1983 after 36 years of distinguished IBEW service. In 1971 he was appointed an International Representative assigned to the International Office, where his initial assignment covered the IBEW bargaining units at New England Telephone and Telegraph Company. With the industrys evolution since Brother Nickeys tenure, the IBEW departments purview has expanded and it is now the Telecommunications Department.

A steadfast trade unionist dedicated to serving IBEW members, Brother Nickey served as chairman of IBEW System Council T-4 and as chairman of the IBEW Illinois State Conference prior to joining the International Staff.

Brother Nickey began his IBEW career in 1947 with his initiation into then-Local 381 in Chicago. He later transferred his membership to then-Local 165, Chicago, and served that local as president/business manager for a decade beginning in 1960. In 1998 Local 165 amalgamated into newly chartered Local 21, Downers Grove, Illinois.

A veteran of World War II, Brother Nickey served in the U.S. Navy as a radio operator/technician. Born February 17, 1918, in Chicago, he resided in Bourbon, Indiana, and was a member of the American Legion and the Elks Club. His wife, Dorothy N. Nickey, is deceased.

The IBEW extends deepest condolences to Brother Nickeys family and many friends. 

Retired

International Representative Dan Bowers closed out his 32-year IBEW career with a retirement effective January 1, 2003. Brother Bowers is a member of the National Code Committee with extensive service to the Council on Industrial Relations (CIR).

He was born in Santa Maria, California, and made his home there at the time of his retirement. Brother Bowers served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and afterwards was initiated into IBEW Local 413, Santa Barbara, in 1960.

He began his union career two years later with service on the Examining Board. After six years on the Executive Board, he was elected Business Manager/Financial Secretary of Local 413 in 1978 and served until appointed International Representative in 1986. He was assigned to the Ninth District with service to IBEW members in both California and Nevada.

In addition to his work with the code committee and the CIR, Brother Bowers has served in a variety of other committees related to collective bargaining, including serving on the Santa Barbara Building Trades Council and the AFL-CIO Central Labor Council.

Brother Bowers is a pilot, an avid golfer and has six children and seven grandchildren. The IBEW expresses its gratitude to Brother Bowers for his faithful service to the union and extends best wishes for a long and healthy retirement.

William J. Brownie

Ninth District International Representative William J. Brownie completed a distinguished 35-year career of IBEW service with his retirement January 1, 2003.

Appointed to the Ninth District staff in 1987, Brother Brownie assisted local unions in all branches with such matters as contract negotiations, grievance handling and litigations.

Brother Brownie was initiated into Local 639, San Luis Obispo, California, in 1967 as a journeyman wireman and subsequently was elected to various local union offices. He served his local as business manager from 1981-87 after serving as vice president from 1975 to 1978, and president from 1978-81. Previously, he served on the Executive Board and the Examining Board for five years.

Brother Brownie served on the Santa Barbara-San Luis Obispo Building Trades Council, AFL-CIO; the IBEW-NECA Council on Industrial Relations; and the Tri-Counties Central Labor Council of Ventura, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria & San Luis Obispo, AFL-CIO. He was vice president of the IBEW Joint Executive Conference of Southern California, and he served as a delegate to the California State Association of Electrical Workers and the California State Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO.

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Brother Brownie is a charter member of his Moose and Elks lodges and served his community on a San Luis Obispo County sheriffs posse. In retirement, he and his wife, Mary, will reside in LaPine, Oregon, where they look forward to more time for horseback riding and "four-wheeling." Brother Brownie said his familys door is always open to IBEW brothers and sisters visiting in the area.

IBEW officers, members and staff congratulate Brother Brownie and wish him a long and happy retirement.