Robert L. (Bob) Nelson, 84, a Port Orchard resident and member of the St. Nicholas Parish since 1983, died peacefully at his home on June 17, 2021. Bob was surrounded by his loving family at his passing.
Bob was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. His father worked with Burlington Northern Railroad and his mother was a Crew Chief for the B17 “The Flying Fortress” repairs during WWII. Bob attended Natrona County High School and Casper College. After graduation, he married Sue Havill and they immediately started their family. Bob and Sue were married 61 years with a deep commitment to one another and their family. Together they made visiting family in Wyoming a priority during their time living in the Pacific Northwest.
Bob worked as an electrical construction consultant and his work took him through Wyoming, Colorado, Texas and Washington for such projects as the Minuteman Missile in Colorado, a cement plant construction in West Seattle and employment with the DW Close Company in Seattle. He began his own consulting business, Electrical Construction Consultants which later led to work with the Boeing company.
In the early 60’s, Bob and Sue settled in Des Moines, WA, and became a part of the St. Philomena Parish and school. Bob (who never played organized sports), became a soccer coach and later ran for a seat on the Des Moines City Council, serving from 1976 to 1983.
Just prior to retirement, Bob and Sue moved to the Key Peninsula and built their post-retirement home as a respite for themselves and for their children and grandchildren to enjoy. Retirement years saw Bob busy building a bridge, a gazebo, a garden shed, a potato gun, a tree fort and creating a recreational fun zone for his family. He kept everyone moving in go-karts, mowers and cars. He enjoyed watching his six grandchildren grow with birthday celebrations and holidays and he was a regular at sporting events and concerts. His family appreciated his sense of humor and support that never wavered before his passing.
Bob is survived by his wife, Sue, daughters and their husbands Deb (James) and Laurie (Joe) and their children, Sam, Grace, Hailey and Charlie. Bob and Sue’s son, Rob, predeceased Bob and is survived by his wife Jane and their children Nathan and Natalie. He is also survived by his sister Sally and brother Byron.
Bob will be remembered for his dry sense of humor, sensibility and care in difficult times, great love of family and fishing on the Middle Fork of the Powder River.
Funeral services will be private with his ashes laid to rest in Gig Harbor, WA and spread in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Robert L. Nelson, please visit our floral store.