Tributes

Richard (Dick) David Nelson passed away peacefully with his family at his side on November 14, 2013 at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, OR. He was 84. Dick was born on March 10, 1929 in Albert Lea, Minnesota to Mary Collins and was soon adopted by Guy A. and Lola M. (Lester) Nelson also of Albert Lea. Dick moved with his family to Bend, Oregon in 1945 and graduated from Bend High School in 1948. He married Carolyn Louise Blakely on August 31, 1956 at The First Presbyterian Church in Bend, Oregon. Dick joined the US Navy on August 31, 1950 spending most of his time in The Philippines and Kwajalein (Marshall Islands). At the end of his service, he returned home to Bend, OR on June 3, 1954, and again began working at The Pilot Butte Inn as he had done during high school. In 1955, Dick began work for Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Company, which became U.S. West after the breakup with AT&T in 1984. He remained with U.S. West for 34 years until his retirement in 1990. Upon retirement, Dick & Carolyn spent a lot of time traveling to visit family, friends and places they had never been. During this time, while visiting Minnesota, Dick found a family he never knew he had. Being adopted, he grew up as an only child, only to find out later in life that he had 5 half-siblings. Once discovered, the siblings welcomed Dick with open arms and wished they had known years earlier they had an older half-brother. Dick was active in the Telephone Pioneers, Deschutes Pioneer Association, and Eagle Watch at Cove Palisades State Park. His daily routine included coffee with the guys downtown. He also never missed attending his grandchildrens sporting or school events. Dick is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carolyn, His children, Al (Beckey) Nelson and Debbie (Robert) Anderson; Grandchildren; Travis Nelson, Ryan Nelson, Mackenzie Anderson and Carson Anderson all of Bend. Also surviving are siblings; Mary Gress of California; Dorothy Harguth, Pat Madden, Pete Madden and Bonnie Andersen all of Minnesota. He was proceeded in death by his parents. Memorial Contributions in Dicks memory may be made to Deschutes Pioneers Association Scholarship Fund, c/o Linda Bach, 19697 Manzanita Lane, Bend, OR 97702. Funeral Home: Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home New 105 NW Irving Ave Bend, OR US 97701

Tributes

Richard (Dick) David Nelson

March 10, 1929 - November 14, 2013