Nikolaus Ehren Treffert

Nikolaus Ehren Treffert of Midland, Texas, died on September 10, 2025, at the age of 53, but his larger-than-life persona and trademark stubbornness will not be forgotten. Following his wishes, there will not be a service, but well-wishers are encouraged to write a note of farewell on a Bud Light beer can and drink it in his honor.

Nik was born on June 15, 1972, in Escondido California to Carolyn and Jeffery Treffert. Nik was world-renowned for his lack of patience, not holding back his opinion and a knack for telling it like it is. He always told you the truth even if it wasn’t what you wanted to hear. With that said he was genuine to a fault. His extensive vocabulary was more than highly proficient at knowing more curse words than most people learned in a lifetime.

After graduating high school Nik dabbled in this and that until finding his true passion – computers. Nik was ahead of his time, believing back in the 80’s that technology was one day going to rule the world. He began his career in IT at Arizona Department of Corrections in the early 90’s. He spent more than 31 years in the IT profession, ending his career with EOG Resources as Sr. Information Systems Operations Specialist. (None of us really knew what the title actually meant but he reassured us it was NOT helpdesk.)

He was a rare combination of someone who had a love of life and a firm understanding of what was important – the simplicity of living a life with those you love. His pool parties were legendary. It didn’t matter who you were you could count on three things: good food, good drinks, and getting thrown in the pool. Although, he would trade it all for a night in front of the fire with his family.

He packed so much life into his fifty-three years. He traveled, rode motorcycles, rocked out at concerts, chased his dreams (and girls), worked in a profession he loved, fell in love, had a beautiful family and still put one foot in front of the other battling what he knew from the start was an incurable cancer. He did so with grace, dignity, integrity and courage. He battled cancer to the very end; cancer did not beat Nik. Nik faced cancer head on, unafraid and relentless.

We ask that you remember him not for the way his life ended, but for the way it was lived, and for the profound impact it had on the lives of those who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Nik will be deeply missed by his devoted wife of 19 years, Heather. He is survived by his loving children, Erich, Emily, Leyna, and Adrienne, as well as his adoring grandchildren, Cullen, Iris, and Rin. Nik is also survived by his parents, Jeffery and Carolyn, and his sister, Katrina.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Carl McCain Memorial Foundation, https://carlmccain.org/donate/ .

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