Frederik W. Chel

Frederik W. Chel November 30, 1929 - October 5, 2010 The quintessential embodiment of the American dream, Frederik Chel arrived in the United States following the German occupation of the Netherlands in WWII. While attending Pepperdine College on a Rotary scholarship in 1952, he met and married his wife Elizabeth. Upon graduation from Pepperdine, Fred entered UCLA School of Law where he graduated top of his class and Editor of the prestigious UCLA Law Review. With Fred now in private practice, Fred and Elizabeth became proud parents, raising 2 children, Fred and Lisette. In 1974, with son Fred freshly graduated and daughter Lisette still attending high school, Fred was elected and served 2 consecutive terms as the California State Assemblyman from the (then) 58th Assembly District of Long Beach, Lakewood, Hawaiian Gardens and Signal Hill. Retiring from the Assembly in 1978, Fred entered the business world as President of Long Beach based SnugTop, a renowned manufacturer of fiberglass camper shells. Upon retirement, Fred continued in public service as an alternate judge in Long Beach, and also served as a volunteer hearing officer for the City of Laguna Beach. Fred is survived by his wife of 58 years, Elizabeth; son, Fred with wife, Jennifer and grandchildren, Tanner and Allegra; and daughter, Lisette with husband, Curtis and granddaughter, Marlise. Fred's memorial is open to all who wish to attend and is at 11:30 am, Saturday, October 16, 2010 at Tantalum Restaurant, 6272 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach, CA. 90803. In preference to flowers or gifts, the family prefers donations in Fred's name to the following charities: Alzheimer's Association, American Cancer Society, Common Cause, GreenPeace, Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. j