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Notable Citizens

Richard Moore, 1930 to 2025

Frances and Richard Moore were honored at our 2021 Holiday Luncheon

The Society lost a dear friend on September 1, 2025 when Richard Moore passed away at his historic home on South Nardo Avenue. He was 95. 

Frances and Richard moved to Solana Beach in 1964 from Kansas for a nuclear engineering position at General Atomics. They settled into their 1928 Spanish Colonial home when the neighborhood still featured avocado groves, flower farms and an orchid nursery. Their two children, Beth Ann and Richard, raised lambs and chickens. 

After several apartment complexes went up on the bluffs above Via de la Valle Avenue, the Moores were instrumental in convincing the County Board of Supervisors to
block further development of multi-family housing on then-rural Nardo Avenue by circulating a petition with neighbors. They later helped to promote the campaign for Solana Beach Citihood, which was successful in 1986.

Richard was born in 1930 on his family’s wheat farm in Pratt, Kansas. He and Fran met in the 1950s at the University of Kansas, where he studied nuclear physics and she earned a BA in American History. After completing his Masters, Richard earned a Diploma in Nuclear Engineering from the Oak Ridge School of Reactor Technology in 1952. He and Fran later returned to the University of Kansas, where Richard earned his Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics in 1963.

During the Korean War, Richard served in the Army, based with Fran at the large Utah weapons testing facility, Dugway Proving Ground. After completing his Ph.D., he was recruited to San Diego by General Atomics, where he worked for 21 years. The couple rented out their home for a move to Atlanta, where Richard partnered on a nuclear medicine startup. At Theragenics, Richard helped develop isotope treatments for liver,
pancreas and prostate cancer.

From there, the couple moved in 1990 to Washington, D. C., where Richard took a seven-year position with the Office of Nuclear Energy in the Department of Energy, lending his expertise in nuclear physics to advancements for the military and other industries.

Retiring home to Solana Beach, the Moores became very active with the SBC&HS. Richard served for many years as our Research Historian, ferreting out the true story of the “pillbox” — a World War II fire control structure — as well as writing a regular newsletter feature called “The Way it Was — I Think.” He helped organize and transcribe many “older timers” interviews with long-time residents of Solana Beach — a tradition Richard and Fran helped us continue in 2021 when they sat down with then-president Michele Stribling for a video interview. He also took a part in our Living History Program skit for third graders. He enjoyed dressing
the part and demonstrating basic farm tools at the Stevens House.

Richard delved into the ancient history of the area to develop a limited-edition book and slide show on “The 11,000 Year History of the Western San Dieguito River Valley.” Richard also was a key contributor of research for former SBC&HS President Jim Nelson’s two books about Solana Beach history. He wrote the story of Ed Fletcher’s sugar beet farm near what is now the Del Mar Fairgrounds. He also compiled “The Service Eternal,” a Remembrance of local servicemen killed in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, which was presented to the City
during dedication of the War Memorial in our Town Plaza.

Richard’s intellect was matched by his insatiable curiosity and his quick wit. He left a considerable “to do” list of historical research topics for our continued pursuit! 

Celine Olson, 1925 – 2021

Celine Olson became a member of the first City Council of Solana Beach and the City’s fifth Mayor, after leading a years-long campaign for incorporation.

Celine was born on September 26, 1925 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Edward F. Sweeney and Angele (Sauret) Sweeney. She graduated from John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls High School in 1943 and volunteered with the Navy League and sold war bonds in addition to working for AT&T as a draftsman. While doing her volunteer work in 1945 she met a dashing naval officer, Joseph C. Olson. They continued their relationship by exchanging numerous letters while he was at sea during the war and in May of 1946, they were married in the chapel at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego.

Celine was a Navy wife for the next 17 years and raised five children while moving around to Philadelphia, Boston, Michigan, Washington, Japan and San Diego. While living in San Diego she became active in local civic affairs and was instrumental in saving the quiet neighborhood of Mission Hills from over development. After a total of about 25 years in San Diego and the kids mostly moved out, Celine and Joe decided to make Solana Beach their home in 1975.

Celine soon became active in the community and helped to save the canyon side overlooking San Elijo Lagoon near her home from development.  Her participation and activities included four years with the San Dieguito Citizens Planning Group; eight years with the Solana Beach Town Council, two as President; the Solana Beach Women’s Civic Club, where she championed the effort to create the Solana Beach Friends of the Library, serving as President in 1984, and helping make the new library a reality; a North County Transit Board District Director working on establishment of the new train station and the Coaster service; the Shoreline Erosion Committee; and past President (1994-96) and member of the Solana Beach Civic and Historical Society for many years. She was a staunch life-long Republican and proud member of the Republican Women’s Association.

Her proudest achievement aside from her family was as a leader in the effort to incorporate Solana Beach starting in 1979 which became a reality on July 1, 1986, serving as Council Member for four years and Mayor in 1992. She truly loved Solana Beach, her home of 45 years.

She loved to travel with Joe, whether by train, ship or automobile taking several cruises and visiting places like China, Scandinavia, Europe, Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska and the Great Northwest. She also loved to dine out including at Fidel’s and Tony’s in Eden Garden.

Celine was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years Joe in 2009, son Richard Olson (wife Raquel) of San Diego in 2017, and daughter Dianne Ray (husband Randy) of Hauula, Hawaii in 2018.

She is survived by daughters Sue Wilson (husband Gordon) of Chatsworth, Georgia and Patti Olson of San Diego, and son Eric Olson (wife Jo) of Warrenton Oregon, seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Celine Olson died of natural causes at her new home near Warrenton, Oregon on July 19, 2021 at the age of 95.  She rests at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery with her loving husband.