Richard E. Niemi

Richard E. Niemi NEWPORT — Richard Eino Niemi, of Newport, New Hampshire, died Jan. 13, 2022, at Sullivan County Health Care, after a period of declining health. He was 92. Born to the late Eero and Lillian Niemi on Black Tuesday, Oct. 29, 1929, Richard’s family briefly returned to their homeland of Finland in 1930 before settling permanently in New Hampshire. Richard was raised, along with his older brother, Eero, in Guild. He graduated from Towle High School with the class of 1947. He was a basketball and baseball star, and his pitching won numerous accolades in the local paper. Richard met his wife, Mary Rochford Niemi, in high school. Together, they had two children, Michael and Beth Niemi, who now live in Merrimack, New Hampshire, and Andover, Massachusetts, respectively. Richard and Mary would have celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary in April of 2022. A machine tool inspector, Richard worked at Federal Machine, Micro Precision and lastly, Sturm Ruger & Co., before retiring in 1994. For Richard, nothing was worth doing without doing it right. He approached his work and hobbies with precision, intent and resolute dignity. When he was young, he built a Finnish-style cabin, together with his father and grandfather, up on Ledge Pond. The rustic structure would become a family gathering site and place of quiet contemplation among the calling loons for generations. Richard was also an expert downhill skier. He and his brother were founding members of the Mount Sunapee Ski Club, where he skied for almost 70 years. He honed a graceful slaloming technique unmatched on the mountain. In retirement, Richard was also able to pursue his other hobbies, which he practiced with considerable craft. He was an avid golfer, hunter, and fisherman, which he looked forward to doing everyday with numerous friends in the Newport community. Richard held an immense amount of pride for his three grandchildren, Hannah Niemi, Rachel Niemi and Karl Daum. With great care, love and patience, he taught them how to ride bikes, ski, fish and golf in the ways he had spent so long working to perfect himself. Richard’s family will always cherish his work ethic, self-determination and crabby charm. He is survived by his wife, Mary; his son, Michael and his son’s wife, Susan Niemi; his daughter, Beth, and her husband, Eric Daum; and his three grandchildren, Hannah, Rachel and Karl. He was predeceased by his brother in 2016. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire. Services will be private.