Joseph Niski III 鈥�83

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Joseph Niski III 鈥�83

November 2, 2023, at home in Portland, surrounded by loved ones.

Born and raised in Nyack, New York, Joe came to Portland to attend Reed, where he majored in religion and philosophy. His thesis was titled “Look Before You Leap: Paradox and Christianity in Kierkegaard’s Concluding Unscientific Postscript,” which he wrote with advising from Prof. John Kenney [religion 1980-1995]. Joe valued his experience at Reed and made many long-term friends. After graduating in 1983, he worked in human services with disabled adults. Later he became a software engineer and worked for computer user services at Reed. Joe brought his quick mind and warm heart to every company he worked at. He enjoyed the intellectual challenges of programming, as well as collaboration, team building, personal connection, and mentoring his younger colleagues.

Joe loved hiking and backpacking in the Northwest wilderness. He was an avid bicycle commuter. He followed world events and politics and had a keen sense of social justice.

Joe met his first wife, Antoinette (Nan) Schmitz ’85, at Reed, and they were together for 16 years until her sudden death in August 1998. Surprised to find love again, Joe married Nanette Niski in 2001. Together they traveled to China, India, Mexico, and the UK. They shared a love of music, singing duets and performing in choral groups. Their home quickly became the heart of their community, with regular gatherings for meditation and music; it was filled with wonderful food, laughter, and joy.

Since first learning to play at age 11, Joe loved the guitar. He was a fan of every music genre, played bass and guitar, and sang and recorded with multiple bands. In the summer of 2014, Joe attended Mark Hanson’s “guitar camp.” It was a transformative experience, introducing him to a new community and purpose. Shortly after, he said goodbye to the tech world and started training as a music therapist at Marylhurst University. Joe was totally inspired by this new endeavor, taking classes and studying classical guitar for the next three years. But early symptoms of Alzheimer’s ultimately prevented him from finishing his degree.

In 1998, Joe began an in-depth study of Buddhist philosophy and a daily meditation practice. He was actively involved with Dharma Rain Zen Center, serving on the board. A friend there described him as “warm-hearted and kind, and the smartest person in the room.” His spiritual perspective and his meditation practice anchored him through his years of illness and inspired many people. He worked hard to function, to maintain equanimity, to be grateful and loving to all who cared for him. And he succeeded brilliantly in moving from a very active, intellectual life of “doing” to a quiet life of heart. Joe faced his disease with a mix of grief, frustration, and fear. Ultimately he met the challenge with grace and fortitude—and tremendous love. His spiritual name was Shisei, which means “arrive at truth.” This was his aspiration.

Joe leaves behind his wife, Nanette Niski; his mother, Gay Disco; two sisters, Jan Niski and Jill Niski; and half-brother, Mike Ninen.

Appeared in Reed magazine: Summer 2024