Andy Nieto left us on June 29, 2022 at the age of 33, while doing something that he really enjoyed, scuba diving. Andy grew up in Hollywood, Florida and attended the University of Miami where he earned a bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering. He then attended Florida International University, where he met the love of his life, Richa Agrawal. After graduating with his master’s degree, Andy went to UC Davis, where he fell in love with California. At UC Davis, he would earn his Doctorate’s degree in Material Science and became a Professor at the Navy Postgraduate School. An explorer at heart, Andy loved traveling and all things outdoors - hiking, snowboarding, scuba diving, kayaking, spending time at the beach and deeply cared about the environment and nature. He was also an avid chess player, starting to come up the ranks and loved playing chess tournaments in the Bay Area.

Andy will be especially remembered by his wife Richa Agrawal, his parents Janeth and Hernando Nieto and his brother Hernando Nieto Jr. and sister-in-law Lindsey Nieto, as a loving husband, son and brother, always with a sense of humor and devotion to his family. Andy will be deeply missed, but his memory and his legacy will live on.

In lieu of flowers, the family has set up a conservation fund with Point Reyes National Seashore, a special place for Andy and one of his favorites to take the family hiking. We kindly request that memorial gifts be made to Point Reyes National Seashore Association (PRNSA). All donations should include the note: “In Memory of Andy Nieto”.

Andy truly loved life and lived it fully with purpose. In fact, he dedicated one of his Thesis to life, stating “I dedicate this Thesis to life itself – for all the joys, adventures, wonders, and mysteries it provides, which have made life so enjoyable and worth living to the fullest.”