Hendrix Niemann Memorial Website
Hendrix “Drix” Niemann passed away on March 27, 2025 due to complications from a medical procedure. He was surrounded by his loving family, the very people who were the center of his world.
Born on September 19, 1951 in New York City to Donald Edward Wesley Niemann and Cornelia Sadowsky Niemann, Drix spent his early years in Palm Beach, FL, where his father served as headmaster of Palm Beach Private School. His family later settled in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, where they were deeply involved in both academics and the arts. Immersed in this rich environment, Drix developed a lifelong love for learning and theater, performing in plays throughout his childhood.
Drix went on to attend The Choate School before continuing his education at Princeton University, Class of 1973, with a degree in Political Science. While at Princeton, he played rugby, performed with the Triangle Club, and was a member of the Quadrangle Eating Club. He married the love of his life, Judi Finegan, in 1975. They spent their first twelve years together in Princeton, New Jersey, where Drix founded and published New Jersey Monthly Magazine and later became the Executive Director of New Jersey Public Television.
In 1987, Drix and Judi settled in Annapolis, MD, when Drix became president of Potomac Television in Washington, DC. Together they built a vibrant home for their four children. A devoted father, Drix poured himself into his children’s education and pursuits, becoming a driving force in youth sports, academics, and the performing arts. He founded and led youth athletic leagues and a children’s musical theater company, inspiring young minds as a coach, director, and teacher. Whether on the field, the stage, or in the classroom, he created opportunities for children to learn, grow, and thrive.
Drix went on to become a trainer of wealth management advisors and real estate brokers. When the Niemann family moved to Wilmington, NC in 2004, Drix founded the first women’s lacrosse team in New Hanover County for his daughters, sparking a movement that spread throughout the state. He was instrumental in securing women’s lacrosse as a sanctioned high school sport in North Carolina. Beyond coaching and mentoring, he became a respected referee and later served as the NCHSAA Regional Supervisor for high school women’s lacrosse in the coastal NC region, where he recruited, trained, and scheduled officials from the Outer Banks to Sunset Beach. His passion and dedication to lacrosse fueled its growth and success in the region, expanding opportunities for young athletes and leaving a lasting legacy.
Drix’s mentorship included leading a small group at Port City Community Church, where he guided the same group of boys for six years, and mentoring college students at UNC Wilmington’s Cameron School of Business.
For nearly a decade, Drix was an active and devoted member of the F3 community, a brotherhood built on faith, fitness, and fellowship. He cherished the camaraderie, shared laughter, and the bonds forged through prayer and perseverance. With his signature warmth and wisdom, he took a special interest in supporting young fathers in the group, offering encouragement, perspective, and a listening ear.
His support for his children’s passions – whether on the field or the stage – was legendary. He and Judi became devoted patrons of Wilmington’s theater community after JJ began performing in fourth grade, and Drix’s infectious belly laugh could be distinctly heard from any audience. One of his greatest joys was traveling with Judi to celebrate their children’s successes, including watching JJ perform on stages nationwide. In the last year and a half of his life, he took multiple trips to New York City to see JJ star as Marty McFly in Back to the Future: The Musical on Broadway. Watching his son lead a Broadway show filled him with immense pride and created some of the family’s most meaningful final memories. Above all, Drix cherished his role as a father, going to great lengths to create special moments and celebrate life’s milestones. For him, nothing was ever too much trouble, and when it came to love and generosity, the more, the merrier.
Drix found joy in life’s simple pleasures – cooking, gardening, and engaging in lively conversation over a well-set table. A gentleman and a scholar, he was an avid reader – reading five newspapers a day – always staying informed, eager to debate, and ready to share a fascinating insight. But his greatest gift was his ability to bring people together. With an open-door policy and a heart as welcoming as his home, he created a space where friends became family and laughter was ever-present. He was a second father to many of his children’s friends, always offering hugs, wisdom, and a place to belong. Nothing made him happier than a house filled with the warmth of shared meals, meaningful conversations, and the joyful sounds of a life well lived.
Drix is survived by his wife of 50 years, Judi, his children Wesley, Eliza Dale, Cori, and JJ, and his siblings Nemo, Nela, and Liza.
It was in the early 90’s that the Bennett/ Niemann adventures began. We met through New Covenant Church in Arnold and our families (the Bennetts with 3 boys and one girl, and the Niemanns with 3 girls and a boy on the way) became fast friends. Our lives were centered around the church. Homeschooling was a growing movement, as the new Christian boomer era parents wanted to protect their children from making the same mistakes they made growing up. With a love of theater and the charisma and visionary desire to make homeschoolers experiences rich in the arts and fun, Drix started the Hosanna Players, a musical theater group just for homeschoolers. It was brilliant on so many levels, uniting the Christian homeschooling community across denominational backgrounds and homeschooling groups, a feat that hadn’t been done before and has never been replicated since! And in true Drix fashion, it was a grand production with full orchestra, lighting, sound and costuming in an Annapolis theater. Nothing was done halfway! Any home schoolers could try out and when all was said and done, everyone had a part no matter the talent. His enthusiasm was contagious, drawing many of the parents as volunteers. Tom was on the prayer team diligently praying for every aspect of the show; I was the photographer and party planner. For Leia, it was an opportunity to experience the joys of singing, dancing and performing, experiences that became foundational in her choice of college majors and life’s work. It was a highlight in our lives, solidifying all involved into a family, as only putting on a show can do.
I’ve known Drix for over 25 years. He always made me feel like family, and in a lot of ways, we were. I’ve been on the receiving end of joke telling, advice giving, and even a lecture every now and again. Conversations with Drix were the best because he always had probing questions and gave colorful insight. I know many can speak about his infectious and robust laughter, but I will emphasize that being in the same room with Drix while he is laughing, is an experience that couldn’t be missed.
After I heard of Drix’s passing, I had a dream that Judi and I were sitting in their kitchen sharing a bowl of cantaloupe and laughing at stories that we had over the years. It was a lovely dream and the gratitude that I have to be able to have spent time with the Niemann family over these years is immeasurable.
Love to the family, Drix was a great man <3
Drix was incredibly vital to the creation of NC high school lacrosse as we know it today.
As board president (2005), he established the North Carolina High School Women’s Lacrosse Association (NCHSWLA), which organized every NC high school girls team (both public and private) to hold state championship tournaments and select all-state teams The NCHSWLA was absorbed into the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) when both boys and girls lacrosse were sanctioned by the NCHSAA in 2010.
And then he helped maintain girls lacrosse by officiating as well as training and managing SE NC officials. New Hanover and Brunswick County public middle school teams are especially indebted to him.
Thank you, Drix!
Years ago, I had the honor and privilege of headlocking Drix into our men’s early morning workout group- F3. His F3 name nickname “Hahvahd” is a playful jab at the fact that he went to Princeton and the pronunciation, amongst a certain subset of affluent Northerners, of that other Ivy League school is Hahvahd. Hahvahd understood the mission of F3. He got himself fit, very fit. Fit enough to work out hard with men half his age while deepening his faith and developing a strong fellowship with all of us who loved him. A Drix tradition at our Wednesday workout was to bring a rugby ball to present for signature to the F3 man that had the privilege of being his workout buddy that day. None of us expected to be mourning his loss this year but that day came for him- the day he won’t be able to do F3 with us again. The men of F3 Cape Fear miss Drix deeply. He was an inspiration to us all with his work ethic, his joie de vivre, his erudition at our Bible studies, his sly humor and dry wit and his love for his family, his friends , his community and for God. Drix, we look forward to seeing you again someday.
As everyone knows Drix was the very proud father of four amazing children. When his oldest child Wesley was 19 years old, she came to my home to nanny my two children. She nannied for approximately 5 years ( as did Cori and even JJ helped on occasion). During this time we became part of the Niemann family as well . Drix welcomed not only my children, but my husband Steve as well. Throughout the years we’ve developed a special bond with the entire Niemann family. Drix’s infectious laughter, big hugs, and larger than life personality will be sorely missed. Our love and well wishes extend to the entire Niemann family.
Fifty (50) years as one of Drix’s sisters-in-law ~ sharing countless life events~ welcoming babies, celebrating holidays, special milestones and burying loved ones. Drix made sure Judi and his children never missed a family celebration. We were a good team in coordinating everything from flights to meal prep. Drix mastered the art of the handwritten “thank you” notes. They weren’t always timely but they were always heartfelt and beautifully crafted. I saved all of them. Thanks for the marinade recipes, Drix ~ you are loved and will be deeply missed.
Uncle Drix had a way of making everyone in his world feel welcomed and deeply loved. I’ll always remember him with a video camera in hand, capturing every family holiday and every play we cousins put on. He was so present, always engaged and joyful, especially when it came to his children and the extended family he cared for so deeply. He brought fun and an infectious booming laugh to every gathering. He is so very missed.
Having had first-hand experience with Drix’s enormous proclivity for life and living, like all of us, we are deeply saddened by his passing. For decades, I stood on his shoulders. I am forever grateful for a dear friend whose efforts, sacrifices, or wisdom provided a professional and moral compass for my life. Barb and I will miss him dearly, but will forever hold him close in our hearts and remember the profound impact he had on all of us.
Drix, Judy and the kids are a very welcome second family to me. That’s because they all made me feel that way and I always felt they took that lead from Drix. I was lucky enough to be the family’s go to for computer/networking issues for at least the last 20 years, and there were a few issues during that time, so I was blessed to watch those kids grow up and I count that as one of my most cherished life experiences. If I were to say a thing or two about Drix that I remember most, he was a strong believer in the appropriate decorum. He was a true gentleman 100% of the time, regardless of the circumstances. How he ordered tasks, the organizational paradigm he deployed to keep things tidy in his own mind fascinated me. I had hoped Drix might slow down a little in the coming years and maybe I could get a regular lunch booked with him, having hopes of taking in a just little bit of his world view and maybe even convincing him to change his mind on a thing or two. I can think of half a dozen conversations I’d love to have with him right now, but Drix had just one speed and sitting around talking, not getting anything done was not on the agenda. Drix was one of the most vibrant and energetic men I have ever known. He was taken from us much too soon and I will sorely miss him.
Drix was a faithful husband, father, friend and believer. His legacy will live on in his children and all those he loved, encouraged and befriended. May the Lord comfort you and pour out His love and grace over you as you walk through this terrible loss.
An in-law, a friend, a brother I never had. I love this man for the wisdom he shared with me, the help he so kindly gave without hesitation, his love of family. A life truly well lived here; an eternal life with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Well done Drix, welcome home.
We are so saddened by the loss of our dear friend who shared a difficult time in our lives when our two families were coming to faith in Christ. And we all came out on top with Jesus. We love you Judi.
When the kids were little, Drix loved to make pancakes on Saturday morning. About once a month or so, he’d call to ask if I had any Bisquick he could borrow (we were next door neighbors). I made pancakes from scratch, so I’d have to say “no.” But the requests continued over the years. So I bought Bisquick just to have on loan for Drix!! I learned to use the ingredient in different things (though never pancakes ha). Decades later, I still have a box on the top shelf of my kitchen cabinet. When I use it to make something, I can’t help but smile and think about Drix wanting to borrow some!
One of the more precious memories I have is the spiritual relationship we had with Drix and Judi, that grew exponentially over the years, and continues to this day. While they attended Antioch Church, some questions arose about the Trinity aspect of God. Drix asked Paul and I over to discuss our views on what the Bible said. We went over with an armful of books, thoughtfully prepared scripture references, etc. I loved this kind of discussion. I was all ready to plow into the conversation when Drix, with his deep loud voice said: “Guys, all I want to know is the Truth!!!”
And that was Drix. He just wanted to know the Truth. It’s with tears I acknowledge this truth; Drix is with the Truth….the person who with whom he committed his life and his way of living.