Birth date: Nov 8, 1938 Death date: May 18, 2026
Christof Peter Nikel passed away, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, humility, and vision. Born on November 8, 1938, in Germany, Chris carried with him throughout his life a strong work ethic and an enduring appreciation for th Read Obituary
Memories
For several years, my brother Kristof (later Chris) visited our mother and me at Christmas — first in Ravensburg, then in Frankfurt, Oberursel, and for the last time in Königstein. I was eight years old. He took me on rides in a red-painted MG. There was a fierce argument between him and our mother. He left us.
After ten years, when I was 18, we saw each other again. I was living in a student dormitory in Frankfurt am Main. My boyfriend at the time played guitar in a band. On Fridays and Saturdays, I went with him to gigs in clubs out in the countryside. One Saturday morning, I went to my mailbox and found a business card from Chris, without any other message. Chris had to be nearby.
I went to the elevator to look for further signs of his presence. When the elevator stopped, a man stepped out. I asked him whether he was Chris Nikel. He was. If I remember correctly, Chris, Milena, and Tina were making a stopover on their way to the USA.
Another 10 years later, I was 28 and in New York with friends. From a post office, I called Chris in Tulsa. He immediately sent me a flight to Tulsa. Milena, Chris, and I spent several evenings together, in thick cigarette smoke, drinking bourbon with cola and ice. Chris’ appearance reminded me of our shared mother; I reminded him of her through my gestures.
Yet another 10 years later — I was now 38 — we met again in Berlin. We visited Altlandsberg, where he was born. We visited Gretel Schmidt on Luzerner Straße. He spent a few years there before coming to Dornbirn. There he grew up, there he became a man, there he discovered the fascination of the automobile, which interested him his whole life. Technology and craftsmanship always fascinated him. If it wasn't a car, then it was a roof; if not that, then a pool, then a tractor — there were always technical modifications, technical improvements in the garden, in and around the house, wherever — pursued with a curiosity, knowledge, experience, and all of it with great passion. He saw through screws, carburetors, engines, tires, bumpers, and everything that makes up a car. He was a tinkerer out of passion — almost greedily obsessed with analyzing causes and finding solutions.
I was born near Lake Constance. Chris — back then still called Kristof — lived on the other side of the lake. He often came over to my side of the lake, and we did things together. I can't remember any of it. I have a photo from that time. I was maybe four years old, Chris was probably 17 or 18. An attractive young man. Easygoing. That you, Milena, fell in love with him doesn't surprise me.
Chris now came to Berlin regularly, always with grandsons and granddaughters in tow. Everyone was to know where he came from — that is, where the roots of the Nikels and the Prochazkovas lie.
Joe, Moritz, and I now also flew to the USA regularly, and we were always welcomed and cared for warmly, generously, and as family. Yes, we can say: it was a second home! We celebrated his 80th birthday in Costa Rica, his 87th in Tulsa — by then with Moritz's family, Jenny and Levi — and we made plans to visit again this summer. In any case, we wanted to see him again by his 90th at the latest. We are so glad we had the chance to spend this time with Chris and you all as a family.
On Saturday, we will feel very close to all of you.
We will carry his legacy in our hearts.
We will remember everything with pride and joy.
And
We hope to stay in touch with one another!
Berlin, 5 June 2026
Katrin, Moritz, Jenny, Levi, and Joe
Sincere condolences to Chris’ family.
I bought a Grand Cherokee Hemi back in’08. Terrific dealer and experience.
Back in the early days of my track experience, there were two guys driving GTV6’s in Showroom Stock. After a day flagging, I was hanging around with Russ at the Hallett tech barn. One of those V-6 drivers was persuaded by Russ to let me do some laps, which we did. Could have been Chris, but I don’t recall. Like to think it was; he did give me a proper ‘sales pitch’ about that car. As we were completing a lap (this was after the last checker, mind you) a lineup of officials were blocking the track at the s/f line. Words were spoken, apologies made and accepted, but that was the end of my one lap GTV-6 ‘track test’. My feet haven’t hit the ground yet.
Respectfully,
David Small
ITB Alfetta
