Retired Naval Captain Robert G. Niederstadt of Severna Park MD died Thursday Feb. 17, 2011, after a battle with cancer.

He was born Feb. 14, 1940 in Saginaw Michigan, son of the late Charles and Louise Niederstadt. He graduated from Saginaw High School in 1958 and went on to graduate from University of Michigan in 1962. After graduating, he was commissioned ensign, USN and assigned to the U.S.S. intrepid, homeported in Norfolk, VA. During the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, Capt. Niederstadt augmented the operations planning staff at Cinclant/Cinclantflt headquarters. After completing naval flight training at Pensacola, FL and Corpus Christi, TX, he was assigned to patrol squadron twenty-six at Brunswick, Maine, in 1964, where he served as an instructor pilot in P2 and P3A aircraft, special weapons officer, with deployments to Keflavik, Iceland, and Argentia, Newfoundland. From Brunswick, ME, he was then assigned to patrol squadron thirty-one, at Moffett field, CA, in November 1967. While there, he serves as a flight and control school instructor in P3A/B/C aircraft and assistant operations officer. He transferred to patrol squadron forty-seven in March 1971 and served as a maintenance officer with deployments to Adak, Alaska, the Philippines and Guam as a detachment officer-in-charge. Following his tours at Moffett Field, he attended the Naval War College and graduated in July 1974. He was then assigned to the U.S. Naval Academy where he served as classroom instructor and Executive Assistant to the Director, Division of English and History. In July 1977, Capt. Niederstadt was assigned to the Philippines as officer-in-charge of ASW operations center, and Patrol Wing One detachment, Cubi Point. In 1980, Captain Niederstadt became the Executive Officer of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Three, (TACOMAPAC) in Againa, Guam, Flying EC-C130 aircraft, and, in the following year became squadron's Commanding Officer. Capt. Niederstadt was then assigned to the Chief of Naval Operations, Director, Navy Space, command and control (OP-094). In July 1985, Capt. Niederstadt assumed the duties of the Assistant Deputy Director for Operations, Operations Team Four, Joint Chief of Staff, J-3, a position he has held until his retirement.

During the years of service Capt. Niederstadt was awarded Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation (2), National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, RVN Service Medal (2), Overseas Deployment Ribbon and RVN Cross Unit Citation.


His surviving wife of 48 years Shirley A. (Milne) Niederstadt and there 3 children Cindy and Chris Miller, Heidi Niederstadt, Karl and Olga Niederstadt along with 8 grandchildren Justin, Joel, Troy Miller, Tabitha Mooney, Candice Marsiglia, Madalyn Kingman, Tyler, Paige Niederstadt; along with 4 great-grandchildren Jesse, Kevin, Vincent, Richard; his surviving sister Sally Hammond and brother-in-law Donal Hammond and sister-in-law Marje Niederstadt. Robert was predeceased by his brothers Alec Niederstadt, Charles Niederstadt and sister Joice Gwizdala.


Family and friends may visit on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at Barranco & Sons, P.A. Severna Park Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 11:30 am. Interment will follow at MD Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville, MD. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to American Legion Post 175 at 832 Manhattan Beach Road, Severna Park, MD 21146.