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Dominica RPCV Rick Nikodym dies at 58
Dominica RPCV Rick Nikodym dies at 58
Church business manager Nikodym buried in S.D.
Jun 5, 2004
Omaha World-Herald
by Kevin Cole
Rick Nikodym had a talent for organization and a temperament for cooperation.
Whether serving in the Peace Corps, running the family business or bringing order to the bookkeeping system of a small inner-city church and school, his efforts usually added up to success.
Nikodym, 58, died last weekend in a motorcycle accident near Missouri Valley, Iowa. He was buried Wednesday in Gregory, S.D.
Nikodym was the business manager for Holy Name Catholic Church in Omaha.
"The man was able to deal with every person over the most difficult situations," said the Rev. James Keena of Holy Name. "He could do that in a funny way and make everyone at ease.
"His greatest quality was his incredible respect for the dignity of any person and every person."
After arriving at Holy Name in 2002, Nikodym untangled the finances of the school, church, alumni office and a variety of fund- raising enterprises.
"I was telling the people (in Gregory) that when Rick came to Holy Name, the financials were in a shambles," Keena said.
"Now they're impeccable. He worked an incredible number of hours, and he got every organization in great shape."
Nikodym began work at the parish shortly after a two-year stint in the Peace Corps. He and his wife, Kay, were stationed on the Caribbean island of Dominica from 1999 to 2001.
A 1964 graduate of Gregory High School, Nikodym earned a business administration degree from the University of South Dakota.
He paused in his studies to marry his high school sweetheart. They raised two children and were rewarded with three grandchildren.
In 1991, after his father's death, Nikodym purchased the Nikodym Oil Co. He and his wife ran the family business and started yet another, Nikodym Tax Service.
Survivors include daughter Lori Peters, son Jeff Nikodym and brothers Roger and Ronald.