Marine biologist, research scientist, and Woods Hole Fisheries Aquarium Curator Frederick Eugene Nichyparowich died at Falmouth Hospital on July 3, 2024, surrounded by his four daughters. The cause was congestive heart failure. He was one month shy of his 98th birthday.
He was a longtime resident of Falmouth who once sought refuge in Provincetown in a storm during a research voyage. He later inspired his daughter Sadie in her veterinary practice in Provincetown.
The son of Russian immigrants Anton Nichyparowich and Dorothy Gravely, Fred was born on Aug. 3, 1926 in Irvington, N.J., where he and his sister Nina grew up. He graduated from Central High School in Newark in 1944 and enlisted in the Navy, serving until 1946 as an aviation ordnance man and receiving the American Area Victory Medal.
He planned to be an architect and studied at Rutgers University before transferring to Virginia Tech, where he earned a degree in marine biology in 1953. He went on to Florida State University for his master’s in marine zoology with research focused on oyster predation.
At Florida State he met and married Joan Meador. They had three children, divorcing after many years of marriage.
In 1956, Fred came to Cape Cod for a job as a fishery biologist at the Woods Hole Fisheries Aquarium. He researched the use of otter trawls and the growth of scallops. He was put in charge of the Age and Growth Unit, where he standardized research methodologies and validation processes. He became curator of the aquarium, established in 1875 and the oldest public aquarium in the U.S., in 1978, a position he held until his retirement.
Fred exposed generations of kids to sea life through “touch tanks” where brave children could consider touching a spider crab. He did research on the Albatross IV, going to sea for weeks at a time as chief scientist.
Fred was an excellent violinist. He played in the Cape Cod Symphony, where he met Sara Hutchings, also a violinist. With Sara, Fred had a fourth daughter, Sadie. He was also a member of the Schlumbagel Quartet and hosted chamber music sessions most Friday nights in his living room.
Fred’s most impressive hobby was building string instruments. He was undaunted in his quest to replicate the elusive Stradivarius varnish, spending time with his neighbor Roelof Weertman, a well-known instrument maker.
Fred built many instruments entirely by hand, purchasing only the bridge, tuning pegs, strings, chinrest, and fingerboard. He made meticulous notes while he investigated everything he could about varnish. He conducted constant experiments on windowsills and the other horizontal surfaces of his house.
He was also an avid golfer and tennis player and worked to master the art of sourdough baking. He loved fresh sourdough bread as much as he loved ice cream.
He loved dogs more than anything; he had beagles for years, among them Buddy, MP, Chi Chi, and Tripp. His daughters like to think they will be eagerly awaiting him.
Fred is survived by his wife, Sara, of Orleans; daughters, Risa Tinti of Mashpee, Nina Shepherd of East Falmouth, Lilo Miller of Falmouth, and Sadie Hutchings of North Truro; by his sister, Nina Nichy of Bellows Falls, Vt.; by his grandchildren, Arielle Phillibotte, Novina York, Juniper and Henry Waldo, all of Cape Cod; by his great-grandchildren, Alexander, Alexandra, and Isabella; and by many nieces.
He was predeceased by his granddaughter Malika Shepherd.
At Fred’s request there will be no service.
Fred would be annoyed that his family wrote this obituary, but he was the best of dads to them and is sorely missed. They suggest a donation in his honor to your favorite dog rescue or nature preserve, or just sharing some ice cream with someone you love.
