Brand Lee Niemann

Dr. Brand Lee Niemann, a talented scientist, gifted musician, and devoted husband, father and grandfather, passed away unexpectedly at Fair Oaks Hospital on Jan. 26, 2016. He was 74. Born in Omaha, NE, on June 6, 1941 to Harold and Helen Niemann, he was blessed with a large and loving family who were the most important part of his life. For 34 years, he was the beloved husband to his sweet eternal companion, Shirley Edwards Niemann. In addition to his wife, Brand is survived by his children and their spouses: Brand Keola (Katherine), Kaimi (Mary), Sterling’s widow, Tiffany (David Wyer), Tirza (Shad Lofgreen), Spencer (Leanne), Susan (Ryan Knapp), Elaine (Craig Jackson), and 22 grandchildren. Brother, Dr. Gary Niemann, and sister, Sherry (Marc Faulkner). Preceded in death by his parents; his dear first wife of 19 years and caring mother of his 7 children, Tirza Moani Johansen, who died in 1981; and his loving son, Sterling, who died at the age of 32 in 2004. Brand graduated from South High School in Denver, Colorado in 1959. In high school, he was given the honor of being the youngest timpanist invited to play for the Denver Businessman’s Symphony. He went on to play with the Utah Symphony in college. He also supported his children’s musical interests by taking them to lessons and performing in a fife and drum corps while in their youth. His passion for music, notably the many percussion instruments he excelled in playing, continued throughout his 25 years with the Mormon Choir of Washington, DC. This discipline of music was a grounding influence that helped him not only mentor and teach others, but brought him countless hours of joy throughout his life. He received his master’s and PhD in meteorology from the University of Utah. Brand found his love of meteorology through participating in the Boy Scouts of America starting at an early age with his father as a leader, and carried on that legacy through earning the distinguished Eagle Scout rank. This rank was also achieved by his 4 sons and 3 grandsons. The scout motto to “Be Prepared” paved the way for his life as he devoted his time to serving God, his family, friends, and colleagues. Brand was a pioneer in the field of data science nationally and internationally. He retired after 30 years of federal service as Senior Enterprise Architect and Data Scientist with the US EPA in 2010. After his retirement from federal government service, he founded the Federal Big Data Working Group to continue what he considered to be both challenging work and fulfilling work; and work that could bring together a community of data scientists with a common interest. Many will remember him for these efforts and for the very practical ways he suggested working with data and large data sets. He shared his life's work and passion with all through semanticommunity.info, the Semantic Interoperability Community of Practice (SICoP), Federal Computer Week, and AOL Government. He served faithfully in many church callings and received immense joy from serving others. He often shared his testimony of the tender mercies and love of our Heavenly Father, bearing witness of his personal salvation through our Savior Jesus Christ. He will be deeply missed by his family and loved ones, friends, and all who knew him. The viewing will be held from 10:00-11:30 a.m., with the funeral to follow at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 6 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 4911 Ox Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030. Interment will be at Fairfax Memorial Park. Funeral arrangements are by Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center St., Manassas, VA 20110. Please view and sign the family guestbook at http://www.piercefh.com.

Brand Lee Niemann

June 6, 1941 - January 26, 2016