Robert William Nelson, age 80, went to be with the Lord April 10, 2018. He was born Sept. 5, 1937 to William A. Nelson and Alma (Christensen) Nelson on the family farm off West Beach Road, where he was raised with his two brothers and a sister. He went to school in Coupeville and transferred to Oak Harbor for his high school years where he graduated.
He was never without work. Starting with weeding and picking strawberries; working in a cannery in Alaska; several summers, at the Texaco station in Oak Harbor; landscaping Capart housing and working for the City of Oak Harbor. He went to work for Lambert Vanderstoep who installed and maintained water systems. When Lambert retired, he turned part of his business over to Bob who then set up business as “Bob’s Pumps” which he ran with his wife for 30-plus years.
He is survived by his wife Carolee, sons Mike (Wanda), Ronnie (Gayle), and daughter Rae Lee; as well as well as seven grandchildren, his brothers, Eugene, Richard and sister Betty.
Thank you to Carla, the palliative care nurse, and the wonderful Hospice care team. They are truly a blessing.
Memorials may be made to fight the terrible illness that slowly took Bob’s life — “Progressive Supranuclear Palsy” online at PSP.org, or donate by mail to: Cure PSP, 1206 York Road, Suite L-4, Lutherville, MD 21093.
A graveside service will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 21 at Maple Leaf Cemetery, followed by a memorial service 2 p.m. at First Reformed Church, Oak Harbor with Pastor Matt Waite presiding. A reception will be held afterwards in Wezeman Hall.
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