George Nible

George passed away peacefully on April 1st, 2017 in Palm Desert, California. He was born March 1st 1923 on a small farm in Issaquah, Washington to Floyd and Lucy Nible. George loved his family, he leaves behind his devoted wife Dialina, son Michael Dean Nible, three Granddaughters and six Great Grandchildren. George had a great impact on his family and friends and will remain in all our hearts.

George was raised in Des Moines, Washington and was a graduate of Highline High School in Burien Washington. Following graduation George joined the U S Navy in 1942 and served as an aviation mechanic in the Pacific Theatre. After returning from the War, George joined the Boeing Company as a flight line mechanic. Soon George’s problem solving abilities, drive and motivating personality were noticed and he became a member of management. George became an outstanding leader and after a long series of successful assignments, George was tasked with the project of a lifetime, responsibility for the new 747. George lead a team of thousands that assembled, flight tested, certified and delivered the very first 747. George was made the Boeing Company’s first manufacturing Vice President and stayed on to build the next 50 747 aircraft. When he retired in 1988 he was the Senior VP of the Customer Services Organization, the organization he and his team created and built into the industry leader it remains today. George was indeed dedicated to the Boeing Company. It was said of him many times over the years that if you cut George he would bleed Boeing blue.

Over his many years with the Boeing Commercial Airplane Company, George became known by airlines worldwide as a friend. He has been described as a “guys guy”. Known as one of the true “characters” of the Boeing Company, one of his favorite sayings was that folks should “work hard and then play hard”. That approach would surely raise corporate eyebrows today as it sometimes did back then. George treated everyone he worked with throughout the world with the same respect, whether they be line mechanic, clerk or airline president. He knew how to listen and learn. When he started traveling to China in the early 1980s he immediately became a trusted friend and soon built up lasting friendships with those he dealt with in the airline industry and government. He directly influenced the sale of large numbers of aircraft to China. At the age of 90 he was honored with a special invitation to return to China given by those same individuals he helped those many years ago. By all accounts it was a fine reunion.

Funeral Services will be held at 11am April 10, 2017 at St. Jude Catholic Church, 10526 166th Ave N. E. Redmond, Washington. Memorial tributes may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

6 Responses to “George Nible”

  • Ted Bell says:

    A celebration of George Nible life is being felt today. Those that worked for him always felt he treated you like family. He was an example of what Boeing stood for smart, hard working and loyal.
    He has a wife that stood by his side and was an example for all to follow.
    George will always be remembered with warm spot in our heart. Boeing was a better place because of him.

    Thanks George for being you

    Ted Bell

  • Gregg Reynolds says:

    I had the pleasure of working with George during the early days of Minuteman system field installation. He was a truly dynamic leader who found solutions to vexing problems, seemingly with ease. On top of that he was a good guy and fun to be around.

    My condolences to the Nible family,

    Gregg Reynolds

  • Jeff Boullioun says:

    How can you forget George Nible ? I can’t. He worked for my dad Tex on so many projects . From Minuteman thru Commercial, George was always involved in the important areas of a project. George was a part of our family on so many occasions. There was only one George Nible and I’m glad I got to know him
    Jeff Boullioun

  • Tom Lane says:

    As a field service manager, I considered my self lucky to be part of George Nible’s Customer Service organization. On several occasions I watched him work his magic with customers, and his visits to my bases were truly inspirational and some of the best memories of my 30 years with Boeing.

  • Daryl Wall says:

    Truly an interesting and great Boeing guy. Worked extremely well with all levels of Boeing people as well as the airline customers. If you had a airline customer problem, nobody in Boeing could be more helpful in solving it to the customers satisfaction then George!

  • Mel Sharp says:

    The world is a lot better place because of George. The Boeing Company and the pacific northwest will be forever indebted.

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