Carl John (Jack) Nyman

Carl John (Jack) Nyman, PhD., passed away October 19. 2026 at the age of 101. He died peacefully, surrounded by family and friends.

Jack was born October 21,1924 in Algiers, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans, Louisiana to Carl John Nyman Sr. and Dorothy (Kraft) Nyman. He was the first of two children with his sister Dorothy (1927).

He graduated with a BS (1944) and a MS (1945) from Tulane University.  He received his PhD (1948) from the University of Illinois.  He started his teaching career as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Washington State University in Pullman (1948).  He became a Professor in 1961, then in 1968 assumed the role as Dean of the Graduate School and later added the role of Vice Provost for Research.  He retired from WSU in 1989.  In addition to the administration activities, he co-authored four general chemistry and qualitative analysis books

He married Betty Spiegelberg, whom he loved dearly, on July 15, 1950. They were married 63 years before Betty passed away in September 2013. In later years, he spent time with a very special person in his life, Elaine Dimmel.

Jack enjoyed traveling and visiting countries around the world throughout his life.  He spent extensive time in London England on Sabbatical at the Imperial College, Zurich Switzerland, Indonesia, Cornell University and Tulane University. 

He and Betty spent twenty lovely winter seasons in Rancho Mirage, California. He purchased a property at Priest Lake through the President of WSU in 1950 and built a cabin with the help of other WSU faculty members. This became a wonderful summer home for him and Betty as well as his family and friends.

He is survived by his children, Gail Nyman-York (David York), John Nyman (Mary Freese Nyman) and Nancy Nyman. Five grandchildren Lindsey Nyman, Stephanie Baker (Shane), Rusanne Modeland (Jason) Trisha Stone (Brayden) and Mackenzie Wheeler (Camila) Six great grandchildren, Elli Baker, Rilynn Baker, Andrew Modeland, Tarec Stone, Colson Stone, and Nathaniel Wheeler.  He is also survived by his half-brother Tom Nyman, many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his wife Betty and his sister Dorothy LaBorde.  The family would like to express our deep appreciation for all the care given to him by Rockwood at Whitworth and Hospice Staff during his final days.

In Jack’s honor, memorial contributions may be made to the Selkirk Conservation Alliance.

Website: https://scawild.org/donate

Mailing address: PO Box 1809, Priest River, ID 83856

Phone: 208.448.1110

Email: sca@scawild.org