Kenneth Melvin Nieman

Kenneth Nieman, 90, a respected automobile dealer, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on October 20, 2026.

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Ken would go on to build a long and accomplished career in the automotive industry.

Ken served honorably in the United States Army, and it was at a military base in California that he met Barbara, the woman who would become his wife and lifelong companion. They married in Reno, Nevada, in 1957, beginning a remarkable 69-year marriage. Together, they built a life and raised their family, living in Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek, California, before moving to Bellevue, Washington then San Diego.

Ken owned Good Chevrolet in Renton, Washington, before purchasing City Chevrolet in San Diego in 1985. The dealership became a true family business, with both of his sons, Michael and John, working alongside him. In the late 1990s, John assumed the role of dealer, while Ken continued to be involved with the business until his retirement in 2016.

Known for his unwavering integrity and strong principles, Ken believed in helping others succeed. Throughout his career, he mentored and supported others in pursuing their dreams of owning their own automobile dealerships. His influence extended well beyond the businesses he owned and the people he employed.

Outside of work, Ken embraced life with curiosity and enthusiasm. He loved fishing and cooking, was an avid practitioner of yoga, and maintained a lifelong passion for personal growth and self-improvement. He and Barbara especially enjoyed their regular trips to Las Vegas and time spent at their second home in the beautiful San Juan Islands.

Above all, Ken loved his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Barbara; his children, Michael (Suzanne), Julie (Mike), Nancy (Robert), and John (Taara); his grandchildren, Cybele, Zoe, Brannen, Ryan, Alex, and Aidan; and his great-grandchildren, Ife, Anani, and Guaica.

Ken will be remembered for his integrity, his generosity in helping others succeed, his dedication to personal growth, and the love he shared with his family. His legacy lives on through the many lives he touched and the generations of family he leaves behind.