Richard H. Niemann, Sr., 91, died on September 25, 2022, in his home. He will be remembered, first and foremost, as a loving and dedicated husband, father, and son. His legacy includes his reputation as a hard-charging, successful entrepreneur, engaged in the formation and operation of Niemann Foods, Inc. and many other businesses, as well as that of a life-long, devout Catholic.

Richard Henry Niemann, Sr. was born on February 18, 1931, to Ferdinand and Antoinette (Heckenkamp) Niemann. He graduated from Notre Dame High School and from Quincy College, now Quincy University, with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. While at Quincy College, he played baseball for four years.

On Oct. 6, 1951, he married Constance M. Volm, which was the result of his “love-at-first-sight” while they were attending Notre Dame High School. He joined the high school band solely for the opportunity to meet Connie. Rich and Connie had eight children, Linda M. Ebbing, Constance A. Wheeler, Richard H. Niemann, Jr., Daniel M. Niemann, Ted M. Niemann, Christopher J. Niemann, Margaret M. “Peggy” Guse, and Amy E. O’Keefe. All survive with the exception of Constance A. Wheeler.

He experienced the loss of his wonderful and dedicated mother, Antoinette, “Nette,” when he was 13 years-old, relying on his dad, Ferd Niemann, Sr., and his sisters, Mary Shankland and Catherine Johnson, to fill that void. While growing up, he was also close to his brother, Ferd Niemann, Jr.

Rich was introduced to the family retail and wholesale grocery store businesses at an early age. As a grade schooler, Rich would often accompany his dad on visits to Niemann Brothers (and later Food Center) grocery stores. He first began to work at Niemann Brothers Wholesale Grocers at age 12.

During his Quincy College years, Connie and he began to raise their family while Rich played college baseball, worked at Niemann Brothers Wholesale Grocers on North 3rd St., in Quincy, and was engaged with his dad and brother in developing and operating Niemann Pony Farm, a Shetland pony business. After graduation, he managed Niemann Brothers Wholesale Grocers until 1969, at which time his dad passed and Rich became president of Niemann Foods, Inc., known at that time as Quincy Foods, Inc.

Rich acquired from his father an interest in other family businesses, including the Mississippi Grill restaurant and Sinclair gas station, both located in West Quincy, MO, and the Colonial Inn in East Hannibal, IL.

In 1969, after the death of his father, Rich and his brother, Ferd, purchased the balance of the Niemann Foods’ stock from other extended family members and sold their interests in the restaurant and gas station. This opened the door to enable Rich to expand Niemann Foods (known as Quincy Foods at that time). He focused his attention on the Niemann Foods grocery stores and ceased the grocery warehouse operation, having the self-confidence and determination to convert this grocery business into a profitable, retail grocery business and planning to expand the number of locations throughout the Midwest.

This goal was accomplished over more than 50 years under his involvement as president in 1969, chairman and CEO in 1994, later as chairman, and, most recently, as chairman emeritus of Niemann Foods, most of which was in conjunction with the substantial efforts of his sons, Rich Niemann, Jr., as president, CEO. and, later, chairman, and Chris Niemann, as executive vice-president and CFO. Today, Niemann Foods, Inc. operates 130 retail stores in 5 states, including Harvest Market, County Market, Save-A-Lot, Price Cutter and ValuCheck grocery stores, as well as Haymaker convenience stores, Pet Supplies Plus stores, Ace Hardware stores, Perk Coffee Company, and Little Caesars pizza restaurants.

Throughout his retail store business career years and while rearing a family, Rich was involved in a myriad of volunteer and professional organizations and charitable activities. He served as vice chairman of Food Marketing Institute, on its board of directors, as well as chairman of FMI FoodPAC, chairman of the Illinois Food Retailers Association, and on the board of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. He served as finance chairman and on the board of trustees of Quincy University, as well as on the boards of Culver- Stockton College and Western Illinois University Foundation. He also served as the grand knight of the Knights of Columbus, Fourth Degree, and served as president of the Quincy School Board, Quincy Public Schools. In addition, he served many years on State Street Bank’s board of directors and on the Quincy Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Moreover, he served as chairman of St. Mary Hospital’s board of trustees and as president of the St. Mary Hospital Foundation. He was a founding member of the Great River Economic Development Foundation and a founding member of the Quincy Business and Technology Center. In addition, he served as president of the Rotary Club of Quincy and has been a long-standing member. In 2006, Rich, along with his sons, Rich Niemann, Jr. and Chris Niemann, established the Niemann Foods Foundation, benefitting children and their families throughout all the markets served by Niemann Foods’ retail stores.

He was recognized as the “Illinois Retail Merchants Association Retailer of the Year” and the Illinois Food Retailers Associations’ “Food Industry Leader of the Year.” He also received the National Grocers Association’s “Spirit of America Award” and Food Marketing Institute’s “Sidney R. Rabb Industry and Community Service Award.” In addition, he was inducted into the Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame and received its “Parker S. Gates Industry Leader Award.” He also received Quincy University’s “Alumnus of the Year Award” and an honorary doctorate degree from Quincy University. Connie and he have received the “Quincy Notre Dame Band Award”, the Quincy Catholic Elementary Schools Foundation’s “Friend of Catholic Education Award,” and the “Catholic Charities Distinguished Service Award.” In memory of their late daughter, they established the “Connie Niemann Wheeler Scholarship Fund” at Quincy Notre Dame.

Rich has also been involved in many charitable fundraising campaigns, including Connie and he as co-chairpersons of the Salvation Army Annual Fund Campaign and as co-chairpersons of the United Way Annual Fund Drive. In addition, they have chaired the Annual Sammy Fund Campaign.

Always mindful of giving-back to the community, Rich and Connie, in conjunction with the Niemann Foods Foundation, partnered with Quincy University to establish the Connie Niemann Center for Music in 2013, a testament to his love for Connie and their love for music.

First and foremost, Rich was a great husband, father, and son. His main family emphasis, on a daily basis, was Connie’s and their children’s (and later their extended family’s) health, welfare, happiness, and success, which was the subject of many before-meal prayers. He enjoyed countless family dinners, which produced many thought-provoking family discussions, as well as lots of laughter. Despite that fact that he worked to achieve success in Niemann Foods and his other retail businesses seven-days-a–week, he found time to take the family on summer Florida beach vacations and winter Colorado ski trips. He enjoyed many family birthday and holiday celebrations, as he loved spending time with his family.

Rich enjoyed world travel with grocer trade organization members, as well as with his daughter and son-in-law, Peg and Randy Guse. In his later years, you could find him teaching his grandchildren how to ride a pony, celebrating their birthdays, and having a treat with them after a swim in the family pool.

His legacy includes the example he set in showing love and respect for Connie which, along with his strong Catholic faith, were the foundation for an exemplary 70+ years marriage. In that same vein, he stressed the importance of family and showed that love and respect in relation to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. As a businessman, he will be remembered for his mental toughness regarding his willingness to take calculated business risks, willingness to employ his strong work ethic in accomplishing the goals associated with such risks and endless curiosity. He will also be remembered for his integrity and living life to its fullest, not taking anything for granted.

Rich is survived by his wife, Connie, children, Linda (Steve) Ebbing, Rich (Susie) Niemann, Jr., Dan (Angie) Niemann, Ted (Suzanne) Niemann, Chris (Tammy) Niemann, Peggy (Randy) Guse, Amy (Patrick) O’Keefe, and son-in-law, Paul (JoJene) Wheeler II, as well as grandchildren, Dr. Jonathan (Dr. Devon) Ebbing, Abigail (Matthew) Klarner, Matthew (Erin) Ebbing, Jessica (Brett) Gerig, Paul (Dana)Wheeler, III, Audrey (Andy) Hermsmeier, Rich (Heather) Niemann, III, Brad (Jenna) Niemann, Andrea (Brian) Doellman, Doug (Erin) Niemann, Lisa (Adam) Hemmen, Ashley (Robbie) Mayfield, Mark (Lauren) Niemann, Scott (Amanda) Niemann, Genevieve (Max) Miller, Celeste (Joseph Gobble) Niemann, Angelica Niemann, Elizabeth (Chris) Dreste, Dr. Adam (Cathy) Niemann, Eric Niemann, Caroline Niemann, Lindsay Cardosi, Christopher Cardosi, and Alex Cardosi, and 39 great-grandchildren.

Predeceasing Rich are his daughter, Connie Niemann Wheeler, his parents, Ferd Niemann, Sr. and Antoinette (Heckenkamp) Niemann, and his siblings, Catherine Johnson, Mary Shankland, and Ferd Niemann, Jr.

The Niemann family would like to thank the physicians, medical staffs and all caregivers who rendered medical treatment and care during Rich’s illness.

There will be a Catholic funeral Mass at the Church of St. Peter, 2600 Maine Street, Quincy, Illinois at 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 6, 2022, followed by private graveside services at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of visitation, a celebration of Rich’s life will be held at the Connie Niemann Center for Music at 1909 N. 18th Street, Quincy University, Quincy, Illinois on October 6, 2022, from noon to 3:00 PM. Family and friends are invited to attend.

Memorial contributions may be made to:
Quincy University, Quincy Notre Dame, or to the Church of St. Peter.

Contact Duker & Haugh Funeral Homes (217-222-1011 or haugh@dukerandhaugh.com) for additional information.