Harold Neslen

Funeral Recording

Harold S. “Sam” Neslen
(1921–2020)

Sam Neslen passed away on Jan. 3, 2020, at his home in Taylorsville, UT. He was born in Kansas, Oct. 19, 1921, to Uel & Hazel Neslen and was raised with three brothers Ed, Fran, and Bill. He loves all sports and played football in high school and boxing in college.

Sam valued education and worked full-time and part-time jobs to put himself through school at the University of Utah. In 1942 he graduated with an Industrial Management Degree. Figuring he better join the army before the draft, he attended Harvard University because they had a good navy program and received a certificate in Statistic Control. While attending the U of U, Sam and his friend Frank joined Frank's neighbor at the front of a long line. Lucky for Sam, this neighbor had a friend with her named Maxine Fishburn. Maxine told Sam she loved him right there on the spot. It was love at first sight for her. Sam got her number anyway, they started dating, and then he fell for her too. They married on Feb. 19, 1943, and started their life's journey together.  Shortly after they married, Sam enlisted to serve as an Army Officer in WWII. He was stationed in St. Joseph, MO. After the war, Sam and Maxine settled in Bountiful, UT. They had four wonderful children whom he adored; Nancy Yates (Mike), Pat Bloomquist (Gary), Cheryl Lloyd (Ben Lucero), and Richard Neslen (Linda).

Sam and Maxine were members of a WWII Veterans Group of 16 couples that would get together to eat and dance. They loved to dance and would go every chance they could. In 1976 Sam became chairman of the AICHE International convention with over 30,000 chemical engineers attending. He later had a successful career in the trucking industry selling asphalt. Sam had a brilliant mind. He would think of various ways to do things better, such as improve air quality, cut down traffic, create better roads, live a healthier life, etc. He often wrote letters to Presidents, Governors, Members of Congress, and others, with ideas for change to help make this world a better place for all of us. On Apr. 23, 2003, Maxine passed away.

About 20 years ago, Sam, he was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and started losing the use of his hands. He came across a book Arthritis and Common Sense and followed the diet recommended, which included drinking whole milk. He cured himself and became a staunch believer of the benefits of whole milk. At the age of 86, Sam married LaReta Gillman, who was widowed and part of his WWII Veterans Group. They shared an incredible eight years together. She passed away on Dec. 1, 2015. Sam was a fantastic caretaker to both Maxine and LaReta during his time with them.

Sam is a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  On May 1, 2016 he went to the Bountiful Temple and was sealed to Maxine for Time and all Eternity.  This past November 2019, Sam (98) went on a cruise of a lifetime with his kids and their spouses, to the Panama Canal.  He treasured that time with them.  He loved his family dearly and always used the words beautiful and wonderful together when talking about them.  He leaves behind four children and their spouses, 13 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.  Preceded in death by grandson’s Chad yates, Justin Yates and great-granddaughter Ashley Yates Brusnahan.

Funeral services will be held Friday, Jan. 10, at noon, at the Paradise Ward, 1555 W Lovely Road, Taylorsville, UT, where a visitation will precede services from 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.