Scott Harry Nichols, son of Donald and Anita Nichols, was born on September 30, 1955, in Ames. He graduated from Ames High School in 1973, where he pole vaulted and ran cross country. He graduated with a business degree from Mankato State University in 1977, where he also pole vaulted. On May 2, 1981, he married his sweetheart, Denise Ann Henderson from Randall. Most of his life, he was a loan officer and rare coin dealer (numinmatist). He ownd Chester's Coins on Main Street in Ames for the last 12 years, which remains open under the management of his son, Kirk.

Scott died of melanoma cancer on the evening of Thursday, May 12, 2016, at 60 years of age. He passed peacefully in his home under hospice care.

Scott was an officer and member of the Ames Coin Club for 20 years, past president and member of the Iowa Numismatic Association, and a member of the American Numismatic Association for 25 years. Additionally, he was the bourse chairman of the Annual Ames Coin Club Show in Nevada during that time.

Scott was always busy with hobbies and interests. He enjoyed running, coin collecting, waterskiing, fishing, coaching cross country at Ames High, sailing, beekeeping, and bicycling. In 2008, he biked 2,609 miles from Iowa to California in six weeks. He also loved the Iowa State Cyclones, the outdoors, national parks, and spending time with his family and friends.

Scott is survived by his wife, Denise; his son, Kirk, of Ames; his son, Lincoln, of Charlottesville, VA; his son Levi (Emily), of Ankeny; his mother, Anita, of Ames; his sister, Gail, of Oakridge, TN; his brother, Steven, of Des Moines; his brother, Daniel (Carla), of Cary, NC; his brother, Jeffrey (Heather), of Santa Ynez, CA; and his brother, Mathew (Marta), of Solvang, CA.

He was preceded in death by his father, Donald, of Ames.