Chuck E. Nielson

Charles E. Nielson “Chuck” 08/17/39 - 03/25/03 Fayette, UT/West Hills, CA - Charles “Chuck” Earl Nielson, age 63, of West Hills, California, passed away March 25, 2003 at his vacation home in Fayette, Utah. He was born August 17, 1939 in Ephraim, Utah, the fifth of six children born to Stanley Reed and Millie Edna Munk Nielson. He married Connie Jane Christensen, January 30, 1959 in Fayette. Their marriage was solemnized for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles LDS Temple, September 10, 1965. After graduating from Manti High School in 1957, Chuck attended Snow College and then Utah State University for his undergraduate studies and then went on to Brigham Young University, where he received his Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1963. He served his country in the U.S. Army reserve as a cook, during his college years. Upon receiving his Masters Degree, he moved with his wife and two small children to Canoga Park, CA and began a career as an engineer for Rocketdyne, then a divison of North American Rockwell and now a part of Boeing. During his more than 30 years at Rocketdyne, he worked on the designs of the rocket engines used in the Apollo and Space Shuttle programs. He also used his knowledge of turbo-machinery to design jet drive propulsion units for large ships. This work took him all over the United States and foreign countries, where his designs were put into practical applications. After retiring, he continued to work as an outside contractor for Rocketdyne and used his years of knowledge on several new projects. Chuck was very active in the LDS Church, serving in many positions, including Bishop, High Counselor and Counselor in the presidency of the Los Angels, California Canoga Park Stake. Some of the other positions he held were: Cub Master, Elders Quorum President, Scout Committee Chairman and Home Teacher. He was also active in the community doing work on the local Interfaith Council. In his retirement, Chuck had begun to enjoy traveling and photographing many of the historic points of interest in the country. He especially loved to go out dancing with the love of his life, Connie. He loved the outdoors and participated in hunting, fishing and camping with his family. He was adored by his family, loved by his friends and neighbors and will be greatly missed by all that knew him. He is survived by his wife, Connie of West Hills, CA; two children: Debby (Ken) Chase of Newhall, CA, Eric (Patricia) Nielson of West Hills, CA; four grandchildren: Larissa Chase, Janessa Chase, Michelle Nielson and Michael Nielson; brother and sister: Nedra Bell (Mark, deceased) of Provo, Rue (Mary) Nielson of Pleasant Grove; sisters-in-law: Edith Nielson and Nevada Nielson, both of Ephraim, Bobby Sue Nielson of Bakersfield, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers: Stanley Reed Nielson Jr., Bennett Lynn Nielson and Kenneth “Buzzard” Nielson. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 29, 2003 at 11:00 A.M. in the Fayette LDS Ward Chapel, 99 South 100 East in Fayette, where friends may call for viewing Friday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. and Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 prior to the services. Burial will be in the Fayette Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield, Salina and Gunnison, Utah.