Belinda Niebuhr
Belinda Niebuhr’s job title may have been manager, but to her coworkers she was a mother.
“She wasn’t just a boss, she was a friend to all of us — a mother,” said coworker Kaitie Frank.
Niebuhr, manager at the Moscow Arby’s, was one of the victims who died in Saturday’s shooting, which left three dead and one injured. According to friends mourning her loss, the 47-year-old Sacramento native was best known for her big heart.
Carlene Carney, a friend and coworker of Niebuhr’s, said Niebuhr was always willing to drop everything for a friend in need, even going so far as helping out those she cared about with food, rent or gas expenses.
When Carney was diagnosed with a kidney disease a few years ago, she said Niebuhr stayed at Carney’s bedside during treatment and kept her company until her mother arrived.
“It made my mom’s day knowing somebody was with her daughter when she couldn’t be,” she said. “And she knew it wasn’t a stranger, it was somebody who I also thought of as a mother.”
Kayla Ware was a coworker of Niebuhr’s for two years and used to work closely with her while opening the store in the morning.
A few times a week, Ware said Niebuhr would bring her breakfast in the morning — whether it was requested or not.
Niebuhr, a mother of five and stepmother of two, moved to Moscow several years ago for a fresh start and to reunite with fiance Donald Fristoe, Carney said.
Niebuhr began working as a crewmember at Arby’s shortly after moving to Moscow, and Carney said it was Niebuhr’s tireless work ethic that led her to become manager last summer, right before her birthday.
“She said it was the best birthday gift Rob (her boss) could have given her,” Carney said.
Niebuhr is also remembered for building close relationships with customers.
“We weren’t custumers, we were family,” said Arby’s regular William Foster.
Although her five children stayed in Sacramento, Carney said Niebuhr was a proud mother who often returned to California to visit them. She said almost every story Niebuhr told at work was related to her family and she was never shy about sharing pictures of her kids.
Carney said Niebuhr and Fristoe were building a bright future in Moscow.
“She told me she came here with nothing but a bag of clothes, and she built that up into a beautiful life,” Carney said.
Ware said the couple was noticeably in love and anyone who knew them could tell they cared deeply for one another.
“They were just teenage lovebirds, it was really awesome to see,” Ware said.
Pat Rogers, vice president of operations of Happy Day Restaurants, said Niebuhr was a strong mentor to many young employees and was a positive influence in their lives.
Frank said Niebuhr gave opportunities to many young people looking for a fresh start.
“Some of these kids that she hired, she basically gave them second chances to restart their lives,” Frank said. “And I know they’re always going to be grateful to her.”
Niebuhr was a humble leader, who emphasized teamwork and never took personal credit for a job well done, Frank said.
Carney said Niebuhr looked out for her coworkers and created a strong community of trust and love in the workplace, which will continue to work as a positive force for many years to come.
“There was nothing too personal, you could literally tell her anything,” Carney said. “And she was the least judgmental person I know.”
Although she is gone, Carney said Niebuhr left a legacy of kindness and love with everyone she knew.
“She wanted to be everybody’s friend,” she said. “She felt like everybody needs a friend, and why couldn’t it be her?”
Niebuhr is survived by Fristoe, her five children, two stepchildren and two grandchildren.
Ryan Tarinelli can be reached at [email protected]