Ernest "Ernie" Nieschmidt

Ernest Berthold Nieschmidt, 78, passed away at home Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Ernie was born in Lincoln, Neb., on Aug. 19, 1933. Ernie lived all over the country from Lincoln, to Billings and Bozeman, Mont., and on to Albuquerque, N.M., all while on travel with his father’s work. Science ran in his blood, as it did his father’s. Ernie served his country during the Korean War in the U.S. Navy, stationed in Adak, Alaska, and Memphis, Tenn. He met and married Christina Sierpina on Dec. 18, 1954, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Upon his marriage and discharge from the service, he pursued his higher education at San Diego State University and Kansas State University, majoring in phyics. The family settled in Idaho Falls, Idaho, in 1966, where Ernie worked for the INEL until 1995, when he retired. After his retirement from INEL, he was a physics professor in the Engineering Department at Idaho State University. Until recently, he mentored many Doctor of Philosophy physics candidates. Ernie did have a seven year leave of absence to pursue further nuclear research at Princeton University. Ernie, being a big history buff, took full advantage of the myriad of historical sites and battlefields that the East Coast has to offer. Ernie was called back to the INEL, as it was still then called, and remained there while the family children dispersed to many regions of the country. Ernie took his private time to commune with nature. He took great solace in the Idaho outdoors over the years. He was involved in everything from cross-country skiing, trail trips, following ancient American Indian communities and remains, bird-watching, back-country backpacking, even writing out details of the old communities and trail maps to aid others in finding them. Ernie shared his love of history and astronomy with his grandchildren. Ernie leaves behind his wife, Christina; four children, Christina (Mark) Todd, Ernest C. (Sherri), Michael (Shari), and Julie (Mark) Miller. As well, he leaves his adored grandchildren; Inga Lil, Hallie, Joshua, Jake, Jaqueline, Brynne, Antonia (True) and Stanton; and two great-grandchildren, Alex and Audrey. A small service is planned for 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, on the corner of Ninth Street and Lee Avenue. Donations may be sent to the ISU Foundation Meadows Memorial Endowment for Physics Scholarships.