The second man to serve as city manager after Norco incorporated has died. Nicholas Frank Poppelreiter Jr., 77, lived in Norco for 18 years and most recently was a resident of Colfax, daughter Marie Hyatt said.

Mr. Poppelreiter was Norco’s top city administrator from 1966 to 1969, and his family lived in the same Pedley Avenue home from about 1966 to 1984. He helped the city get its first library and worked on plans and funding for Interstate 15.

While in Norco, Mr. Poppelreiter also was a charter member of the city’s Kiwanis club. But he may be best remembered for appearing at the Norco Valley Fair in a cowboy hat like the character Hoss wore on the TV show “Bonanza.”

Hyatt said Mr. Poppelreiter also served as an assistant administrator for Riverside County and worked as a planner for Azusa and assistant city manager for Commerce. His career also encompassed 39 years of military service in the California National Guard, Air Force and U.S. Army Reserve.

Mr. Poppelreiter died March 13 and will be buried in the Sacramento Valley VA National Cemetery in Dixon.

—Alicia Robinson
arobinson@PE.com

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