Richard Stephen Neiman

On the evening of October 16, 2022, Richard Stephen Neiman passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family members. He listened to The Beatles and was graciously cared for by the supportive staff at Empath Suncoast Hospice Care Center. Richard, known by his friends as “Rich” or “Richie,” was a beloved son, husband, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend to countless individuals. He was known for his humor, generosity, and business acumen. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Nancy Rugg Neiman, and his parents, Anna and Rubin Neiman. Left to cherish the memories of his life are his brother Gabriel Neiman, his children, Linda (Evin) Netzer of Lutz, FL and Adrian (Gregory) Arkin of Miami Beach, FL, and his grandchildren, Isaac (Erica) Netzer of Brooklyn, NY, Deanna Netzer of Lake Mary, FL, and Joseph Arkin of Miami Beach, FL, who affectionately knew him as "Gramps.”

Born in Bronx, NY and growing up in a tenement on Mace Avenue rich with Yiddish culture, his family surely thought he’d be a cantor. While Richard had a rich singing voice, he had a knack for avoiding services and Hebrew school. Clearly, the Clergy was not his calling! After graduating from Christopher Columbus High School, he earned a Bachelor of Science in History and a master’s degree at SUNY New Paltz. This is where he met his wife Nancy Rugg in a play they both were acting in. At a young 19 years of age - they married in 1965. Richard began teaching and coaching basketball at a local high school in New Paltz. Daughters Linda and Adrian came soon after and they established a family home and base camp in Kingston, New York. Many of their similar-aged cousins began to visit, and long periods of hanging out began- there was always someone around! Together, Richard and Nancy strived to create a place where everyone could feel at home.

This was where Richard’s business career began to take off. Working for the Burroughs Corporation selling business machines, Richard found success with an early company that was providing mainframe computers for business customers. The lessons Richard learned from his early career would continue to propel him to success throughout his life.

After a stint as a branch manager in Syracuse, NY, where they had legendary Halloween parties and more cousins and friends hang out, they made the big move to Coral Springs, Florida. Snowstorms in May were exchanged for weekends at the beach sailing a Hobie Cat with Tequila Sunrise sails.

In 1983, Rich founded CADD Centers of Florida, Inc., which offered products and services supporting the architecture, engineering, and construction industries as well as the government agencies that build and maintain the infrastructure of our communities. Richard became a titan of the Autodesk reseller channel, making deep impressions on colleagues and employees alike. He maintained an unusual level of generosity in his business life, touching all who encountered him in that realm. He fiercely advocated for the people and policies that would enable everyone’s success. Richard successfully ran the business for over 30 years, gleefully selling it to a competitor and retiring. Rich and Nancy’s years in Florida watching their girls grow up, get married and have children were fun and fulfilling. They couldn’t get enough of the grandchildren!

Richard and Nancy continued to enjoy traveling around the world. Some of their favorite destinations were South America, China, Israel, and Egypt. In these later years they also created a cherished summer home in Loch Sheldrake, NY, becoming a member of the Loch Sheldrake Beach and Tennis Club. Many relatives, friends and neighbors stopped in for visits. In more recent years, Rich focused on spending time with his family, enjoying delicious food, and watching historical documentaries. After Nancy’s untimely passing in 2021, Richard came to Tampa to live out his final days at Weinberg Village.

We will be gathering to share some of our favorite memories, our stories, to laugh, to cry and to remember Richard, who will be greatly missed on Monday, October 24, 2022. Services begin at 2:45 pm at Star of David Memorial Gardens: 7701 Bailey Rd, North Lauderdale FL, 33068. A reception will be held following the services.

You can attend the funeral virtually by clicking on the link below. If you are joining from your phone, download the Zoom phone app prior to clicking the link below.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86146927915?pwd=V1hVT3B4UzgwUWM5UFE3NTVhbVFnZz09

Condolences to the family.