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OBITUARY

Kenneth Ma

Dick Yukio Nerio, a former co-owner of the closed Meadowlark Airport,

died of heart complications last week during a fishing trip in San Diego.

Nerio was 64.

“A piece of Huntington Beach’s history has passed,” said Barry

Williams, a local businessman and longtime friend.

Huntington Beach Councilwoman Shirley Dettloff, another longtime

friend, said she was shocked to learn of Nerio’s sudden death.

“He did a lot for the community,” she said. “He was a warm and

generous person.”

Many remember Nerio best from his involvement with Meadowlark Airport,

the last privately run airfield in Los Angeles and Orange counties, known

for its nostalgic charm. It closed in 1989, and the site was turned into

residential and commercial development.

For 44 years, the 65-acre airport offered such services as flying

lessons to aviation enthusiasts, plane parking and fuel.

Huntington Beach Councilman Ralph Bauer, another longtime friend, said

the airport added another dimension to the city, with planes taking off

over the Bolsa Chica. There were crashes every so often, he said.

Nerio was active in Surf City’s sister cities program with Anjo,

Japan, and Waitakere, New Zealand. He sat on the program’s board of

directors with his wife, Kazuyo Margaret.

Nerio is survived by his wife, three children -- Michael Nerio,

Charleen Meisenheimer and Elaine Nerio -- and two grandchildren.A funeral

service is planned for 11 a.m. today at Westminster Memorial Park’s Main

Chapel, 14801 Beach Blvd. For information, call Fukui Mortuary Directors,

(213) 626-0441

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