Firefighter III – Fire Station 114
Deceased:
July 7, 2022
Appointed:
02/10/1980
Pensioned:
02/13/2015 – FS 114
Details about the celebration of life
Donations:
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, PLEASE SEND DONATIONS TO:
Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund
PO BOX 41903
Los Angeles, CA 90041
FRANK DE LA ROSA says
I’m happy to say that I worked with Russell Nakamura for 15+ years at Rescue Maintenance Unit (RMU). Even though we were in different shifts, we worked a lot of SOD days together. Nak and I had a reputation of always of being at odds with one another. These antics would entertain the people at the Shops. We never once got mad at each other.. When I first got to RMU in the mid 80’s, it had a reputation of being the best SCBA repair shop in the country. This was due to a group of LAFD firefighters lead by Wally Berger. This reputation still continued when Wally retired. This was again due to a group of LAFD firefighters, but this time it was lead by Russell Nakamura. To the Nakamura family, I’m sorry for you loss. Wayne I’m going to miss your brother a lot.
Dave Wagner says
I met Russ in 1976, when I was working with his younger brother Wayne. My first impression was that Wayne was a mechanical wizard, but I soon learned that Russ was the real genius of the family. He had graduated UCLA with a biology degree – his dad wanted him to be a dentist – but Russ had other ideas. He went to work at an autobody shop in Reseda, and soon mastered the craft, along with automotive repair and welding. If he couldn’t find a part for something, he would just fabricate it himself.
In his spare time, Russ loved to make things fly. He had built paper airplanes with his older brother at UCLA, and they won the engineering dept’s paper airplane competition for years running. Then he turned to radio-controlled planes, building his own aircraft and traveling the country for pattern flying competitions. He was a fixture at the RC field in the Sepulveda Basin for the last 50 years.
Wayne joined the LAFD first, in 1977. I followed in 1978, while Russ moved to Northridge Rentals, fixing anything in the yard that came back crashed, smashed or mangled. We finally convinced him to join the fire service in 1980. His last rookie house was 77’s, where he developed a strong bond with Capt John Rust. I loved to make Russ tell and retell the story of how he and Rick Godinez had to tie two life lines together for a midnight rappel into a deep quarry in Pacoima.
Russ never liked change and would probably would have stayed at 77’s his entire career, but it became a paramedic engine and he transferred to 98’s. Bill Stires has told me many times how much he appreciated having Russ on his crew there, although others described him as a “diabolically clever practical joker.”
In 1993, Russ was with a strike team in the Santa Susana Pass. Engine 98 was overrun and all the crew suffered severe burns. Russ spent six weeks at the Sherman Oaks Burn Center with burns over 35% of his body and damage to his lungs.
Unable to return to full firefighting duty, Russ went to Rescue Maintenance. There he honed his skills on the industrial sewing machine, fashioning drop bags, equipment covers and anything else our A/O’s and Engineers desired. My backyard and garage are testaments to Russ’s sewing skills with numerous “Nakamura brand” covers on my equipment, furniture and BBQ. Around 2010, while testing a B/A that had failed at an incident, Russ uncovered a critical flaw in the high-pressure line that prompted a dept-wide recall of all breathing apparatus.
Russ was also a talented baker. His giant, savory meat pie with a flaky, freeform crust, dubbed “The Cloud,” was a firehouse favorite. Family gatherings became “Apple Pie Competitions” with no one ever able to make a pie as perfect and delicious as his.
It was 42 years ago that I married Stacy, the youngest of the Nakamura clan. That would have never happened without the tacit approval of Russ and his brothers. For that I am truly grateful. Russ’s influence on my life was huge, as it was on everyone that he touched. He was strong but humble, caring and compassionate for every living thing. His life was important to me, his family, and all of us. We love you Russ.
Mark Carcamo says
Russel Nakamura, master fabricator, never said no to anybody’s request, and all around good guy.. I got to know Russ through Mike Brehm when I promoted into 12’s. How lucky was I! He had a great attitude and a pretty sly sh%th eating grin when asked for an abnormal request. But a segment later the request would be built. I would have to force him to take the small tokens of appreciation I would bring him. A truly Class Act. The kind of Fireman who was proud of his work no matter what the job. You will be missed Russ. My condolences to the Nakamura family.
Al Barrios says
I was deeply saddened to hear of Russ’s passing. There is so much good to say about Russ’s life and his accomplishments. Frank and Dave found the words I wanted to say. But I will add that Russ was quite the character. His dry sense of humor and his wit is what I enjoyed the most. He will dearly be missed. My sincere condolences to the Nakamura’s and Wagner’s.
Chuck Garcia says
I was assigned to old FS 77 in 1988 John Rust, Dick Mendenhall, and Russell Nakamura. This was a En company that had been together for over 10 years. Nak was one of the best firemen I have ever worked with. But he was a better friend. He always had a project to do, mostly keep Mendenhall in check. We all had way to much fun at the station. Nak will be missed. My condolences to the family.
Al Barrios says
I was deeply saddened to hear of Russ’s passing. There is so much good to say about Russ’s life and his accomplishments. Frank and Dave found the words I wanted to say. But I will add that Russ was quite the character. His dry sense of humor and his wit is what I enjoyed the most. He will dearly be missed. My sincere condolences to the Nakamura’s and Wagner’s
David Burwell says
Russel Nakamura, was my classmate. I enjoyed every day I worked with him. we were both assigned to Rescue Maintenance, and he was a master fabricator, He could have been a Doctor, but he chose to be a firefighter
RIP
My friend
Neal Jones says
I am deeply saddened by the passing of Nak. We first met when I was in high school and working at a hobby shop in Granda Hills and I was always having to restock our supply of balsa wood due to a certain person who always had to have that right piece of wood for his r/c plane. We worked together at 98s and I was the pump engineer when the engine was overrun. The journey Nak had to make to get back to the job he loved is a credit to the great character and bravery of this man. His ability to fix anything continued to always dazzle everyone who knew him. He was a true example of a fireman’s fireman and I will always cherish working and knowing him.
Rick Erquiaga says
On reflection, I would have to call Russel & Wayne Nakamura The “Build Bros” rather than the “Bash Bros” although both often rose to the occasion of Fire Station Mischief with equal skill throughout their careers. As a firefighter at 102’s, I often worked at incidents or SOD days with Wayne at 89’s as an Engineer. I seemed that no matter where I worked in the city I always saw Russ at the shops in Rescue Maintenance with his quick wit and easy smile. My condolences to Dave and Stacy Wagner and Wayne and All the Nakamura Clan.
Jeff Easton says
I was fortunate to have worked with Russ at old 77’s in the mid 80’s. Russ was a great Fireman and Teacher. He was quiet guy with a sly sense of humor. Super talented … he replaced my front quarter panel, bumper, and painted my 1974 Datsun pickup in the side yard of 77’s. Always a worker, he set the standard. He endured a lot in life .. (especially after his burn injuries)., but he never complained. Always had a warm smile …… Thanks for the laughs and the friendship Russ …. You are surely missed by many .. Rest In Peace my friend. 🙏
Arturo Jacinto says
I met the Russel Nakamura in my short stent in Battalion 14. A former LAFD Captain and my former National Guard Commander, Bob Dove reached out to me asking if I knew any Fireman that did welding because he needed a hand railing for stairs out the back of his home. Bob and his wife were now in their 80’s and not as spry as he was during WWII fighting in Europe with Patton’s Army. I contacted Russell to see if he could make Bob a railing. A few weeks later, I asked Bob if Russ had installed the railing and did it satisfy his needs. Bob responded that Russ had completed the job, quickly and in an excellent manner,. The only problem was that he would not accept a dime for the project! Russell, what a guy!
I wanted to tell this short story today (08/27) at the Helicopter Unit but I got Covid.