Drawn to the fire service by his desire to help others, Norman "Rick" Nelson began his career with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department in 1984. By 2005, he had risen to the rank of captain, a testament to his nature as a hard worker and born leader. Rick loved the fire service, and over the course of his 27-year career would say that he "never worked a day in his life." In his free time, Rick loved athletics, games, parties, dancing, singing and laughing. He also completed the 1985 Ironman World Championship in Kona, HI. He is survived by his wife, Cherie, his two stepsons and his daughter. Rick died in 2014 after a three-year battle with kidney and colon cancer at the age of 61.