Fred Charles Nelsen

He was born to Frank E. Nelsen and Catherine Peterson Nelsen on October 24, 1939 in Los Angeles, CA, his parents had preceded him in death. He attended 95th Street Elementary School in Los Angeles, CA, Bret Harte Junior High School for 3 years and Washington High School for 3 years. Fred went onto Cal Poly Polytechnic University in Pomona, and graduated, majoring in Animal Husbandry. Fred joined the Upland Volunteer Fire Department in October 1966 and continued to run his own business, the Fred Nelsen Chevron, located at Alta Avenue and Foothill Boulevard in Upland. He was selected to fill the position of fireman, April 1, 1969 with the Upland Fire Department. In 1972 he sold his station and was promoted to Fire Captain, April 1, 1974, with the Upland Fire Department. On May 16, 1976, he was appointed Battalion Chief with the City of Ontario Fire Department and later being promoted to Division Chief. He was named Deputy Chief in 1993 and promoted as the Fire Chief in 1995. In his administration, he hired 70 fire fighters and watched the growth in the department from five stations to eight. He also worked as a Preparedness Manager and became a Bomb Technician as a member of the Bomb Squad in 1980. In working with his Fire Prevention staff members, Deputy Fire Marshall Floyd Clark, Fire Safety Specialist Doris Berry, and his wife Rita, they were instrumental in obtaining grants and donations for the purchase of The Learn Not to Burn Fire Safety Trailer to be used in fire prevention education programs in The City of Ontario. During his fire service career Fred served in the leadership of the Upland Fireman's Association and as the Ontario Fire Chief fostered a cooperative labor management working relationship with the Ontario Professional Firefighters Local 1430. Fred's involvement in the community began when he became a charter member of the Upland Foothill Kiwanis Club, October 20, 1965, and later became its president. On March 10, 1989 he joined the Ontario Noon Kiwanis Club since he was now employed by the Ontario Fire Department. He went on to become the Lt. Governor for Division 15, where he attained the status of Super Distinguished Lt. Governor 1991 - 1992. He later, served on the Kiwanis Cal-Nev-Ha Foundation Board. He served on the board for 3 years 2005 - 2008. The latest honor was Fred and Rita being asked to serve on Governor Tom Millham's Cal-Nev-Ha cabinet, for the year 2010 - 2011. Fred was instrumental in the selection process for securing the Kiwanis Cal-Nev-Ha Foundation Building located in Rancho Cucamonga. Fred and Rita were the co-chairmen of the Ontario Noon Kiwanis Clubs, Placemat ads for the famous Pancake Breakfast which they were pleased in raising over $5,000 for several years. Fred is best known for being the best pancake flipper at that pancake breakfast event. Fred was recently appointed as a Commissioner to the Ontario Planning Commission by the City of Ontario Mayor Paul Leon on March 3, 2009, and he was just elected as chairman of the Commission in July 2010. Fred's knowledge of the history of Upland and Ontario; was an invaluable asset to his community involvement and his career over the last 36 years. Fred joined the Ontario Public Employee's Credit Union in 1983. He started out as a board member then became the Chairman of the Board serving the majority of his 27 years as Chairman. He is survived by his lovely wife Rita Nelsen and his former wife Darleen Loralee Nelsen. His father's sister Marie Collins; his three sons Frederic and his wife Kelly Nelsen, Michael and his wife Debbie Nelsen, Martin Nelsen, and daughter Laura and her husband Gary Moreno. Rita's children; Michelle Ramirez, Scott Ramirez and Priscilla and her husband Ronnie Lujan. He was blessed with twelve grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He lived an incredible life, full of experiences and joy. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the, Ontario Noon Kiwanis Club, c/o Fred C. Nelsen Fire Explorer Scholarship Fund, 333 E. 6th St., Ontario, CA 91764, attn: Jim Kinley, make checks payable to Ontario Noon Kiwanis Club.