I met Nick in the mid-90s when he came out to California, to pick up a Bad Cats pin for Tim Arnold. I met Jerry Aragon at the same time, and we'd hang out together at various pinball events. For a while I was helping him convert an Earthshaker game into a custom Beavis and Butthead pin, I'm not sure if it ever made it to a show. Once I bought an Addams Family from a mutual friend, and Nick saw the DMD was rolling a bit. He pulled out his toolbox and fixed it on the spot. I later picked up a Cirqus Voltaire from him and Scott Pritchard, and it's still a perfectly running machine.
That Bat Cats game is still at the Pinball Hall of Fame. I headed out that way mid-October with the Museum of Pinball Tech Crew to help fix up some games. I called Nick to try and visit, but unfortunately it was about the time he was dealing with his medical issues. I never got to see him, but had hoped to see him again on one of my future visits. The last time we texted, he seemed to be putting up a good fight. I was devastated to hear the news.
Quoted from Screwloose:If memory serves me correctly his partner's name was Scott? Great guys both of them & they really helped us out. I will never forget them nor their efforts. It's sad to hear of his passing. As well as being a really nice guy he was extremely talented & I'm sure you guys are going to miss him.
Scott was a great guy, too. Nick's current partner was Erick, who I have yet to meet, but I understand he was by Nick's side every day.