NIEDERT, Richard H. 1930-2008
NIEDERT, MAYER, SIEMANN, ELLIOTT, MAUER, HIGGINS, CARR, HUMMEL, CONDON, SHANE, JOHNSON, ODONNELL, BLUME
Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 1/26/2012 at 14:40:15
[Waterloo Courier, Sunday, September 21, 2008]
Richard H. Niedert died peacefully on Sept. 9, 2008, surrounded by all five of his children, just two days shy of his 78th birthday. Dick was born in Waterloo on Sept. 11, 1930, to John and Bertha Niedert. The seventh of nine children in a strong and close-knit family, he had a typically hardscrabble Depression-era childhood. By the time he was 12 years old, he was doing a man's job - toting heavy ice blocks - alongside his father, a foreman at Crystal Ice and Fuel.
After graduating from East High, Dick worked briefly at Rath Packing Co. and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. On Feb. 2, 1952, he married Gladys Mayer in Riceville. They had been married 52 years when the love of his life died in 2004, a loss from which he never fully recovered.
After being discharged from the Army, Dick attended Iowa State Teachers College, Cedar Falls, and within a few years earned both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees there. The first member of his family to graduate from college, he became a lifelong proponent of higher education. He taught chemistry, biology and physics at Coon Rapids High, Dysart High and Edison Jr. High. A natural teacher, throughout the rest of his own life, Dick often heard from former students whose lives he had impacted significantly.
He somewhat reluctantly left teaching in 1961 to take a management position at John Deere Waterloo Tractor Works where he worked until retiring in 1987. At Deere, Dick eventually became the Safety Director. A gifted writer, his monthly "Safety Slants" articles were enjoyed by readers throughout the plant. He served on the Iowa Safety Council and for a time, as president. He also served for many years on the Columbus High School Board including a stint as its president. A devout Catholic convert, he was active in the Knights of Columbus. Ever a patriot, Dick also was an active member of the Disabled American Veterans.
In retirement, Dick and Gladys spent much of their time crisscrossing the United States, visiting their children and grandchildren.
He is survived by their five children and their spouses: Nona and Chris Siemann of Thousand Oaks, Calif., Mike and Kristine Niedert of West Des Moines, Paula and Chris Elliott of Old Lyme, Conn., Gail and Andy Mauer of Cedar Falls and Ellen and Steve Higgins of Montclair, N.J.; his younger brother and sister, Russell Niedert of Houston, and Marlys Carr of Caro, Mich. He is also survived by a brother-in law, Bill Mayer and sisters-in-law, Doris Niedert, Marvel Mayer, Kathleen Hummel, Ruth Condon and Mary Shane; countless nieces and nephews and cousins, and so many dear and true friends. Dick and Gladys took great delight and pride in their 14 grandchildren: Dyllan Walter, Carson and Cecily Siemann, Tony and Nick Niedert, Abby and Bridey Elliott, Paul, Jack, and Christian Mauer; and Anna, John, Will, and Elliot Higgins. On Sept. 7, 2008, Dick and Gladys became great-grandparents for the first time with the birth of Grace Gladys Walter
Dick was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Dominick "Nick" Niedert; three brothers, Cy, Lloyd and Glenn; and three sisters, Harriett Johnson, Fern O'Donnell and Lucille Blume.
A complex personality of great intellect, Dick worked tirelessly all his life to provide his family with security and every kind of guidance, love and support necessary. He was a "man's man," who despite his education and accomplishments never completely lost the spirit of a street fighter from the east side of Waterloo. His family will never stop missing him and thanking God for who he was and all that he gave them, but are grateful that he is free of the physical constraints he suffered during the past few years and that he is finally with God and reunited with so many people he loved so much.
His body was cremated. A funeral mass will be celebrated in late December at Blessed Sacrament Church followed by (in accordance with his wishes) a party. Memorials may be directed to Blessed Sacrament Church or School.
Black Hawk Obituaries maintained by Karen De Groote.
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