Ralph John Niemeyer

After a life well-lived, Ralph John Niemeyer, 83, of Bowling Green, MO sadly left our world on March 25th, 2025, at the Harry S. Truman VA Medical Center in Columbia, MO surrounded by family. Ralph was born November 5th, 1941 to Harry and Viola (Geujen) Niemeyer at Pike County Memorial Hospital. A Bowling Green native, Ralph was a 1959 graduate from Bowling Green High School, where he excelled in basketball and track, and attended Missouri Valley College where he played basketball before joining the United States Navy in 1960. During his time in the Navy, he was stationed on the USS NORFOLK DL-1, the ship that served as the flagship commander of the South Atlantic forces. Ralph traveled to numerous different countries and ports throughout the Caribbean including Trinidad, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, and Cuba, as well as through Central and South America including Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, and the Straights of Magellan. He often reflected on his trips through the Panama Canal and what an amazing experience that was. He was also fortunate to have served on the same ship as his brother, Leroy, his childhood friend, Jack Haley, from Bowling Green, and Heisman trophy winner, Joe Bellino. In true Navy tradition, it was during this time that this sailor became a “Trusty Shellback” into the court of Neptune. After his time in the Navy, Ralph worked in St. Louis for McDonnell Douglas at St. Louis Lambert Field. After time in St. Louis, he returned to Bowling Green and began working for Bob Meyer, a local contractor. It was back home where he began dating his high school classmate, Mary Mark “Markie” Deters. On June 27th, 1964, Ralph and Markie married at St. Clement Catholic Church and they moved back to St. Louis where Markie was working as a registered nurse. A year later, they returned home to Bowling Green to begin their long and loving life together. Ralph worked for another contractor, C.T. Wendel, and Markie at Pike County Memorial Hospital. In July 1966, Ralph began employment with Missouri Edison Company, which would set the course of a long and successful career in the power and utility business. Initially a lineman, he learned the trade of providing electrical service rain or shine, wind, ice, etc. to the local area. He continued to grow in positions and responsibilities as Missouri Edison became part of Union Electric (UE) and ultimately Ameren corporation, a Fortune 500 company. After a nearly 35-year career, he retired from his position as the operations and construction supervisor for a very large service area and a leader of many employees. As a young boy, Ralph spent much time on the farm of his aunt and uncle and it was there where he initially fell in love with the farming lifestyle and continued that love through the mentoring of his father-in-law, Clem V. Deters, Sr. and his brother-in-law, Clem V. Deters, Jr. During his teen years, he helped and worked at this parents’ business, the well-known Niemeyer Brothers. In high school he assisted Dr. H.E. Wheatley, DVM, and further honed his farming skills as he was excellent at working with livestock. As he never lost the “farming bug”, he bought his own farm in 1972 and managed to balance this endeavor with his full-time job. Over the years, the farming operation grew until he and Markie moved to their current location where they were able to build their dream home on a setting that was very near and dear to them. Ralph was never one to be idle and was always active. He was involved with many organizations including the St. Clement Knights of Columbus, the Jaycees, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks (B.P.O.E), where he served as the Exalted Ruler. He was also active with the Bowling Green Bobcat Boosters, serving as the president for many years during the 1980s. After retirement, he was an active leader of Quail Unlimited and other conservation and hunting advocacy organizations. Ralph loved the outdoors, especially spending time raising and training English Pointer and English Setter bird hunting dogs, culminating in 2024 when Ralph raised the National Bird Hunters Association (NBHA) state champion in the puppy division. Ralph also loved quail hunting with his friends, as well as fishing and spending time on the water in search of that next big crappie. Ralph and Markie celebrated over 60 years of marriage. To this union, Ralph was the proud father of three children, Susan Ausfahl (Chuck), Mike Niemeyer (Amie), and Randall Niemeyer. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers, Leroy and Larry, his in-laws, Clem and Catherine Deters, and three brothers-in-law, Clem V. Deters, Jr., 2nd Lt. David S. Deters, and Gary Caplinger. He is survived by his wife and his three children, 6 grandchildren (Kerstie, Hayden, Madison, Mackenzie, Lexie, and Anna) and 4 great grandchildren (Hudson, Stella, Evie, and Hattie), and many other family members. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, April 1st at 10:30 am at St. Clement Catholic Church. Burial will be in the St. Clement Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, April 1st from 9:00 am 10:30 am at the church. Serving as pallbearers will be Jack Glover, Ed “Arch” Jennings, Argil Ellison, Dr. Bill Wright, Chuck Ausfahl, Bruce Storts, Greg Renner. Honorary pallbearers will be Bonham Bibb, John Boise, Bob Niemeyer, Paul Niemeyer, Bob Wilson, Wayne Nierman, Lynn Cherry, and Jim Smith. Memorials may be made to the family for dissemination to causes close to Ralph’s heart.

Ralph John Niemeyer

November 5, 1941 - March 25, 2025