Robert Leroy Nelson

On December 24, 2018, Robert Leroy Nelson, 85 years old, from Grand Forks ND, passed on peacefully to his heavenly home.  He passed due to complications from pneumonia. He was surrounded by his loving family at Altru Hospital.

He was born June 6, 1933 in Sioux City, IA to Miles and Helen (Robinson) Nelson. He grew up near Grand Rapids, MN and graduated from Grand Rapids High School in 1951. He married the love of his life, Suzanne (Larson) Nelson on September 3^rd, 1955, and they enjoyed 63 years of loving marriage.

He joined the US Air Force in 1955. He rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel and was an accomplished veteran pilot with thousands of hours of flight on various missions. He received many high awards, such as the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Medal, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, the B-52 2000 Hour Club, and many more. During active duty he flew many fighter planes, such as B-52, B-25, B-26, B-29, B-47, B-57 Canberra, Super Cub T-6, and others. Through his career in the Air Force, Air Force Reserves, Civil Air Patrol and air traffic control, he was stationed in several locations across the globe but enjoyed his time spent in Alaska the most. He was active in the VFW East Grand Forks throughout his retirement.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and the outdoors. He also enjoyed woodworking and painting, and was an avid coin collector.

He was preceded in death by his father Miles Nelson and mother Helen (Robinson) Nelson. He is survived by: brothers and sisters Bonnie (Bill) McClean of Buellton, CA, Beverly Teppen of Las Vegas, NV, Ruby Braford of Brooklyn Park, MN, and Dick (Marilyn) Nelson of St. Francis, MN; sons Brad Nelson of Juneau, AK and Tim (Melanie) Nelson of Harvey, ND; grandsons Adam Nelson of Juneau, AK, Jesse Nelson of Seattle, WA, Tony (Jessica) Nelson of Cottage Grove, MN, and Jeremy Nelson of Harvey, ND; 7 great-grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Memorial Service: 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at Amundson Funeral Home 2975 S. 42nd St. Grand Forks, ND, with visitation one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.