To view Nicholas's service please follow the link below.

Nicholas Drummond Memorial

Dr. Nicholas Drummond, 43 passed away on December 12, 2023.

Nicholas was born in Hawaii into a military family, spending his early life moving from one military installation to another for his first 17 years of life, transitioning every 2-3 years to a new post with new schools and friends.  This lifestyle instilled in him a sense of adventure and adaptability with the ability to form strong connections and friendships with those he encountered throughout his life.  Nick also strongly held a sense of duty and the love of our country.

When Nick was searching for a college to attend, he was captured by Florida State University. Here he made life-long friends through his fraternity Theta Chi and his classes and developed a keen passion for Philosophy and the realm of Political Science. One of his mentors at FSU advised Nick to continue his education and obtain a Master's Degree. Upon completion of the Master's program, he elected to take a year sabbatical. He earned a Commercial Driver's License, spending most of that year driving a Semi-Tractor trailer around the United States, amazed by the beauty of our country and its people. He then felt called to pursue a PhD in Political Science with his family's support.

Following the completion of his PhD he continued his passion for educating young adults at the college level teaching political science at the University of Missouri and then Sweet Briar College in Virginia.  He then was offered a teaching position at Black Hills State University and fell in love with the beauty of South Dakota, the kindness of its people, and the University.  He was warmly welcomed in the communities of Belle Fourche, Spearfish and Deadwood. Nick immensely felt connected to the Staff, Faculty, and students of BHSU, bringing his enthusiasm for political science to the students through his lectures and always was available to his students when they needed him.

Nick's life was rich and full, his character marked by his love for learning and teaching, his devotion to his students, and his commitment to his family and friends.  He was a handyman and for the past several years he had been restoring his historic home in Deadwood.  He was an avid reader, always enjoying learning.  He loved being an uncle, spending as much time as possible with his nieces and nephew over the past 20 years, guiding them in their pursuits.  He was a devoted son who would drop everything to care for his parents.  He was a loyal friend who would always help his friends in need. He was a great storyteller and had the natural ability to make others laugh.  More than anything, Nick desired to have a large family and God sent Erika Laine into his life. She brought him immense joy and love.  Becoming a father to Olivia was the happiest moment of his life.  Nick had a great love of God and Jesus Christ, trusting God would lead him in this life and the next.

As he departs us, Nick leaves behind his loving wife Erika Laine and their young daughter Olivia Lynn. He will also be deeply missed by his mother and father Suzy and Ray, sister Jaime and her three children Michael, Ashley and Catherine as well as his many Uncles, Aunts and Cousins all of whom he loved dearly.  He has made such a positive, instrumental impact of the lives of his family, friends, colleagues, and students.

A Memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on January 27, 2024, at the Jacket Legacy Room located on the campus of Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD.