Pat Nieder

Robert P. Nieder, 64, died Nov. 26, 2015, at Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus. He was ill for several weeks, but died five days after a cancer diagnosis.



Born in Bucyrus on St. Patrick’s Day March 17, 1951, he was known all his life as Pat, from his middle name, Patrick.



Pat was a well-known area musician commonly referred to by his nickname, Niederman. When Pat was in high school, a fellow musician tagged him with the Niederman nickname, simply because it rhymed with Spiderman, and it stuck.



He is survived by his wife, Rhonda Rarick, whom Pat married May 11, 1991, and daughter, Lauren Nieder, born in July the following year. Pat and Rhonda were a couple for 34 years, following a ten year courtship prior to marriage. Also surviving are his sister, Cathy Garner, brother-in-law Michael Rarick, and father-in-law Ronald Rarick, all of Bucyrus; niece and nephews are Carla Pensioner, Delaware, Christopher and Andrew Rarick of Galion, Ed and Wes Muchow, and Stephen Downing, along with great nieces and nephews.



Pat was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Juanita (Karr) Nieder, eldest sister, Diane Williams, and mother-in-law Marlene Rarick.



A 1969 graduate of Bucyrus High School, Pat was also a veteran of the US Navy. He traveled the world serving four years on the naval carrier, USS Nimitz. Pat was stationed in Norfolk, Va. and the European base, Naples, Italy. He served active duty on the Nimitz during the Iranian hostage crisis during President Jimmy Carter’s administration and during that time, the Nimitz earned the naval record for a carrier out to sea for the longest period. That record was not broken until more recent history. Pat met President Carter when he visited the ship following the crisis. He returned to Bucyrus following his release from the Navy.



Pat worked for Whirlpool in Marion for several years before becoming disabled due to complications from liver disease. He battled liver disease for 19 years but his unexpected death was from cancer in other areas. Pat began having pain the beginning of November and had only been hospitalized a week at the time of his death. Until then, he had been enjoying life as usual.



Prior to the Whirlpool employment, Pat worked at Blackhawk in Upper Sandusky until the plant closed and moved out of state. He spent many years working at Checkmate Boats and later Baja Boats in Bucyrus.



But Pat’s notoriety comes from his musical career spanning over 48 years. Pat was a self-taught bass guitarist who began playing during the height of Beatlemania in the 1960s.



Before he had a driver’s license, Pat coaxed his elder sister Cathy to take him to a Beatles concert in Cleveland. As they were in the parking lot while leaving the concert, Pat and Cathy saw the Beatles limousine pull up with the Fab Four inside.



Pat played with many bands over the years and was honored by his induction into the Mansfield Ohio Music Hall of Fame last year.



He began playing rock and roll in high school with the Flower Conspiracy band. Pat was just 16 years old when Flower Conspiracy performed at the first Bratwurst Festival. After many years of playing in bands during the festival, Pat came full circle in August when he played with Sinister Midget in what has become his last Bratwurst Festival stage performance.



Pat joined Sinister Midget when he returned home from the Navy, having played in previous bands with core members Gary Miller and Kevin Williamson. That was the band Pat was most noted for being the bass guitarist, and the lead vocalist on his signature song, “One Way Out” by the Allman Brothers.



He was a loving husband and father, known for his sweet disposition, easy-going nature and sense of humor. Pat maintained his sense of humor even in adversity on the day he was informed of his cancer diagnosis.



Pat was an avid sports fan, loyal to the Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians and the Ohio University Bobcats, having both his wife and daughter as OU alumni. He loved to golf and had a collection of baseball caps sporting logos from his favorite teams.



Known as one of the nicest guys you would ever meet, Pat’s greatest gift was his musical talent he shared with so many over the years, right up to the end. Pat will be greatly missed by his family, friends, band mates and fans. Niederman touched many lives sharing what he loved, and did best, playing music.



Calling hours will be held at Wise Funeral Home, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus, Thursday, December 3 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., where funeral services will be held at 10:30 Friday with Pastor Bernie France officiating. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery where full military rites will be provided by the Am. Legion Post 181 and US Navy Honor Guards.



Memorial donations can be given to the American Cancer Society through the funeral home.