Four years later from Dave’s passing, I will always remember how gracious and considerate he was towards me as an employee of Newport Beach under his guidance as Director of General Services Department. I will be eternally grateful for his presence in my life and the encounters we had together will never leave me. Thank you Lord for the life of Mr. David Niederhaus and the privilege of being under his leadership. 🙏 Amen.

I was reading about the most recent 2024 fires that again swept through Holy Jim and so thought to try and locate a few of the pics we took that day and share.   

Looking forward to seeing you in Paradise, Marine!  
Semper Fidelis!   Pat Remolacio

I seem to recall there was some significance to the placement of the stones in the fireplace and walls, but alas I dont' recall that story today.   Also recall that Sharon was making decorations out of wine corks so I think we came by for a subsequent visit to bring back a BIG bag of corks we got from Bill Bettis at Nieuport 17 Restaurant.

After our hike, we again saw Dave at his cabin in Holy Jim, I think he was feeing the little trout in the adjacent pond.   He invited Emily and me into their home where we met his wife Sharon and their pups.

We first met Dave on 11/12/2011.  My fiancé, Emily, and I parked at the Holy Jim trailhead and met Dave who happened to be tending to things at  the firehouse.  Being a former Marine, I took note of the patch on his vest and so we were  blessed to hear some very interesting and indeed amazing stories!   We talked for some time, got a tour of the firehouse and pointers on safe hiking up to the falls!

Sincere condolences to Sharon, Lance, Kristin and family during this difficult time.  What an incredible man, husband, father and Bumpa.  I am grateful for his service to our country.  Sending lots of love and prayers for peace.

Karen Kubani

My husband Jim and I met the Niederhaus family when they purchased a cabin in Trabuco-Holy Jim Canyon.  Dave and Jim became fast friends ; it was a friendship that lasted in tact until my husband's death in 2012, and beyond.  Dave was a proud marine and could seem tough or a little brusque sometimes,  but he was an incredibly kind and generous friend to us and to the Canyon as a whole.  Yes, we were canyon neighbors in Holy Jim,  fellow members of the Cabin Owners' Association, and Dave and Jim were fire department cohorts.  Beyond that, when Jim faced cancer, Dave's friendship never flagged, even deepened,  and both he and Sharon were loyal and ever helpful friends  - - -" above and beyond the call of duty" up to Jim's death and beyond.  That was the way Dave lived his whole life - - - above the call of duty.   Graciously he spoke at Jim's memorial service and later helped me and the rest of Jim's family spread his ashes.   It is hard to describe the qualities of  character that made Dave so special.  He was essentially a man of action and he is best described by the things that he did.   I am just one of many, many people who can attest to that.   It is with a sorrowful sense of loss that I say,  "We will not see his like again."

Dear Niederhaus Family,
I hope my words honor and pay tribute to this great American, hero, leader and family man.  I had the opportunity to work with and for this gentleman as my Director of  the General Services Department of Newport Beach starting December 1993 until his departure.  From the beginning of meeting him until now, I've always found it difficult to call this mld mannered gentleman Dave as he always insisted.  Because of my immense respect for this man, I could only refer to him as Mr. Niederhaus or Sir.  I became aware of his military experience that he shared with me privately as I listened with sadness and grief for Mr. Niederhaus. I watched as he made difficult and unpopular decisions as Director of the General Services Department attempting to provide a more accountable agency for the citizens of Newport Beach.  I watched and heard him express immense pleasure and love of his family whenever the opportunity arose.  Finally, I became well aware of Mr. Niederhaus's leadership when he informed me he would support me totally during a difficult time of my life even though he had been retired for many years and he reached out to me. 
Dear family of Mr. Niederhaus,  when I heard of my boss's passing, I was compelled to pray to God thanking Him for the opportunity, privilege and blessing of working for this unique man. The true heros of this nation are not celebrities, sports figures or politicians but rather the quiet and unassuming among us that faced difficulties beyond our imagination for our nation and families. Lt. Colonel David Edward Niederhaus was such a man.
' Sir ' I will be eternally grateful for the privilege of knowing you and you willing to share your experiences with me.  Of you supporting me throughout my career and giving me an opportunity to work with you.  Sir, may the Lord grant you eternal peace, joy and beauty within His glorious light. 

Condolence to Sharon and her family, and to all who knew Dave. Also to all who befitted from Dave's service (pretty much every American.)

Despite his accomplishments and successes, Dave had an endearing humility. He was more interested in learning what others were up to than talking about himself. He sat quietly and happily on the dirt as we shot the breeze over a beer, polite and humble as one could imagine.

Later he asked me to help him bust loose a frozen lug nut on his old pickup. After much pounding and struggling, I was a hare's breadth from tossing in the towel, but, even with our rudimentary tools, Dave insisted we were almost there. I kept at what seemed like futility, and you can guess that Dave kept us on task and we got the nut off. His cool persistence struck me and stuck with me, and it was emlematic of his attitude overall.

Other fond memories in the Canyon with remain dear to both my wife and me. Peace to all.



Dave was our friend. We met him immediately after we purchased our cabin in Holy Jim Canyon. He stopped by frequently to lend a hand, usually without our asking for help. He always seemed to know when we needed help understanding how to operate an off-the-grid cabin in the National Forest. Once, he had the Holy Jim Volunteer Fire Department in our kitchen flipping our non-functional propane refrigerator upside down and back several times. We were astonished, but learned that this was a common way to get the thing back to working. They weren’t successful that day, but it was an impressive effort nonetheless.  He freely taught the skills needed to get a job done, and he usually had a story to tell as well. Dave was tireless as our Fire Chief and President of the Cabin Owners Association. We saw him as a leader and as an administrator in both roles. He didn’t fool around! Once, he told a trail-race participant that she should turn back and go to our cabin if she was too tired to continue running all night. The Gambles would leave a lantern in the window for her. “Well, of course,” we agreed, once again astonished. He was that way. A hard worker, an organizer, a person who would aid anyone, and he was cool. Who else do you know who has a skunk-skin hat? We miss you Dave. 

Sharon Lee and family   Just had to tell you what a memorable time  you shared with your pictures of your loving family….David is very proud of all of you. With this tribute.Love Nancy

David was special and loved very much .I am so sorry Sharon Lee, Kristen and Lance and families  for your loss .Sending my prayers and love. Nancy Stoll

OBITUARY

David Edward Niederhaus

March 25, 1941 – October 15, 2021

Pacific View Mortuary & Memorial Park

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