Richard "Dick" Nelson

February 23, 1932 - December 21, 2019

Richard (Dick) Thurlow Nelson, 87, passed away Saturday, December 21, 2019, at his home in Fort Myers, FL. Dick was born February 23, 1932 to Reuben and Gertrude (Mason) Nelson in Waupaca, Wisconsin. He graduated from Waupaca High School. Dick graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1955, and became a naval aviator and aircraft carrier pilot. He served on active duty until 1959. Dick was an executive manager for a regional grocery chain in Mobile, Alabama. He was a member of the Mobile U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Mystics of Time Mardi Gras organization. Dick moved full time into politics in 1971. He managed the campaign of former Postmaster General Winton M. “Red” Blount of Alabama for the U.S. Senate. The same year, he managed the congressional campaign of Lawrence A. Bafalis, 10th District of Florida. He was Congressman Bafalis’ Administrative Assistant for from 1972 to 1982 working on Capitol Hill and living in Northern Virginia. Dick spent another 14 years working for the federal government in Washington, D.C. He retired from the Dept. of Energy in 1996 with more than 28 years combined military and civilian service. In their early retirement years, Dick and wife Helen cruised inland and coastal waterways east of the Mississippi River aboard their motor yacht. They were often accompanied by Helen’s sister, Betty Carol Childress, and other family and friends. Dick became a Master Mason in 2007 and was a member of the Tropical Lodge, Florida Free and Accepted Masons. Dick was an Araba Shriner and the 2015 Araba Shrine Potentate. Dick was preceded in death by parents Reuben & Gertrude and brother Robert Edward. He was survived by his wife Helen (Sissy) Nelson, sons Richard Jr. (Tracy), Robert (Kathryn), Wayne (Kimberly); stepchildren Ken Moberly, Mari Lee Stephens, Joseph Stone, Elizabeth Mahoney, and Ann Bostic; grandchildren and great grandchildren. A graveside service will be conducted November 9, 2020, at 1 p.m. at Lakeside Memorial Park, Waupaca, WI. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children.