Reber George Nelson, age 97 of Fremont, passed away Saturday, July 17, 2010 at the Fountain View Retirement Village in Fremont. His brothers, Richard Nelson and Paul Nelson and his sister, Barbara Nelson Johnston preceded him in death. He is survived by a sister-in-law, Marian Nelson of Palm Desert, California; cousins, Marjorie Reber Salata and Nancy (Ted) Johnson both of Fremont; P. Michael (Linda) Reber of San Diego, California. His wife, Grace Magee King whom he married in 1955, passed away in 1963. In 1976, Reber, married Aileen Gilcrist Johnston who preceded him in death in 1993. Reber was born in Seattle, Washington, the son of George Nelson and Dorcas Reber Nelson and moved with his mother and three siblings to Fremont at the age of ten and later graduated from Michigan State College in 1935. Reber was among the first to volunteer for service in 1942 in the newly organized U.S. Navy Seabees (Construction Battalions) whose motto is We Build, We Fight. The Seabees built naval bases, docks, airstrips, etc, in war zones during World War II. Reber was serving with the SeaBee Company in Guadalcanal in September 1942 when the USS Little, a converted World War I destroyer, was sunk with its sister ship, the Gregory, in Iron Bottom Sound, (so named because of the number of ships sunk there in the early years of the war). The two ships were engaged in that battle off Guadalcanal with three modern Japanese destroyers. Rebers cousin, Harry Reber, was an ensign on the Little and was among the survivors, rescued and brought into Guadalcanal. Rebers letter home which arrived some weeks later was the first news the family received of Harrys survival in that battle. After the war, Reber earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and went to work for Gerber Products Company in Fremont. When asked about his work in later years, he always replied that he did research. There are countless family stories of his detailed and often lengthy conversations about his research into the many things that caught his leisure time interest. The Fish Carburetor, for instance, was an early gas-saving device of the late 1930s that did not live up to his expectations when he finally installed it in his car. He researched golf, discussing clubs, balls and other details of the game until he played his first round. Golf was not as easy as he had assumed and he soon put his new clubs in storage. He researched motorcycles and at length bought the perfect bike. His motorcycle was stored with his golf clubs when his first ride ended abruptly and dangerously in dense brush. These stories he told on himself. He enjoyed more success sculling on the Charles River in Boston, bicycling, canoeing and working out with various kinds of exercise equipment, activities he enjoyed for years. He was always as amused as his family by his failures as he was by his successes, never losing his optimism and sense of humor, continuing to research new interests even in old age. He was a life long student of Christian Science, a member of the Christian Science Church in Fremont where he served as Reader and in many other capacities. He moved with his wife, Aileen to Grand Rapids upon retirement from Gerber and continued his active membership in the First Christian Church of Grand Rapids. Private memorial services will be held at the family home following cremation. Friends may consider the Fremont Area Community Foundation for the Fremont Town and County Path Endowment for memorial contributions in memory of Reber. Arrangements by Crandell Funeral Home Fremont Chapel. Dear Marjorie and Family, I recently found out about Reber's passing. What a gem! He was so loved by me and many church members. The stories he would tell! From his youth being teased by his "Georgie Porgie" given name with all the "kissing the girls and making them cry," to the war stories he'd share with his Sunday School students (I was one of them) sharing God's protection, to the real life selfless service he gave. He even bailed me out of jail when my family was out of town! The fun of reminiscing! And then we both ended up in Grand Rapids. Aileen had been my Sunday School teacher in my late teens so I held both Reber and Aileen close to my heart. After Aileen's passing there came a time when Reber decided he shouldn't drive so church members would take turns picking him up for church and driving him to his ongoing Sunday brunch reservation at the Spinnaker Restaurant at the Airport Hilton. He loved to treat whomever drove him to brunch. We'd arrive at the Spinnaker, be ushered to his specially reserved table and then he'd head right off to the dessert table to find at least one dessert and one would include Boston Cream Pie. Once that/those were selected he'd head to the other main dishes! His server knew he liked to drink half milk and half cream and Reber was well loved at the restaurant and church. I brought him a Boston Cream Pie once when he moved back to Fremont! Please know how many lives he touched and he meant the world to me. I have been blessed by knowing him and having him as a Sunday School teacher and friend. Thank you for caring him for these past years. I appreciate this very much. Lovingly, Kim Dyer Posted 8/9/2010