Nathaniel Crow Fick Jr.

Nathaniel Crow Fick Jr. died peacefully on November 14 at the age of 76. Niel was born on October 9, 1947, in Columbus, Ohio, to Nathaniel Crow Fick and Margaret Fick. He was the fourth of six children, and the only son. Niel graduated from Saint Stanislaus School in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, an institution he credits with shaping his character, and where he remained involved throughout his life. After military service with the U.S. Army in Germany, Niel attended the University of Maryland and received his law degree from the University of Baltimore Law School. He met Jane Stimola, the love of his life, on a streetcar in New Orleans in January, 1973, near the corner of Saint Charles and Poydras streets. They were married in Wyckoff, New Jersey, on July 13, 1974. Their son, Nathaniel Charles, was born in 1977, followed by daughters Maureen Poydras in 1980 and Stephanie Noelle in 1981. Each of his children went on to marry spouses whom he considered his own children. Niel was the proud and loving grandfather of nine grandchildren living in Maryland, Colorado and Maine. Immediately after passing the Maryland Bar, Niel started a private legal practice in Towson, Maryland, where he specialized in personal injury and traumatic brain injury litigation. He and his daughter Maureen were law partners for eleven years. Over time, he built a large following of clients, fellow attorneys, and judges, all of whom admired his judgment and unerring moral compass. Niel was a lifelong sailor, and enjoyed nothing more than cruising the Chesapeake Bay with one of his children or grandchildren at the helm. For 30 years, he was also an avid general aviation pilot, flying his Cessna to meetings, college visits, and greasy-spoon restaurants at small airports up and down the East Coast. He loved teaching his grandchildren to play chess, bake bread, and treat all people with dignity and generosity. Niel was, in the eyes of his family and so many friends, “the kindest man we ever knew.”

Niel is survived by his loving wife Jane Fick; beloved children Nathaniel Fick and his wife Margaret Angell, Maureen May and her husband Jonathan, Stephanie Barnes and her husband Wade; dear siblings Marilou Moore, Barbara Fick, Susan Madagan and her husband Don, and the late Nancy Roberts and Peggy Edmonds; cherished grandchildren Ella, Kate, Carver, Cecilia, Edmund, Zachary, Van, Rye and Zoe also lovingly survived by many nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.

Niel’s life will be celebrated privately.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be directed in Niel’s memory to the Brain Injury Association 2200 Kernan Drive Baltimore, Maryland 21207 website www.biamd.org and/or University of Baltimore Law School, 1420 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201