Obituary of Roger E. Nelson

Roger E., Nelson, aged 72, of Palo Alto, died on August 11, 2011 after a 6 month bout with mesothelioma. For the past six years, he and his wife Rosalie lived at Vi of Palo Alto (Formerly Classic Residence), where he actively took leadership in the Current Events group held each Monday. Roger was born in St Cloud MN on December 10, 1938, son of Walter and Alice Nelson. He grew up in Minnesota farm country west of Minneapolis, and after graduating from Annandale High School, entered the University of Minnesota-Mpls on a Navy ROTC scholarship. Upon graduation, he married Rosalie Davis, of Blanchardville Wisconsin. They moved first to Long Beach, then to Japan. He served three years on active duty with the USS Mansfield, DD 728. He continued in the Reserves for some additional eighteen years and retired as Commander, USNR. After return from Japan Roger worked a short time in the Insurance business, before returning to school at UC Berkeley, where he majored in Landscape Architecture. He was employed by the BLM �" Department of Interior, in Denver and Washington D. C. for five years as a land use planner. His significant career years were with Utah International, later BHP Minerals, in San Francisco, where he traveled to most continents of the world. His role included management of Environment, Health, Safety, and Medical Programs. His final position with BHP was Vice-President, External Affairs, where he worked extensively with national and international policy-making organizations, particularly in Washington D. C., New York, Brussels, London, and other locations. Upon retirement in 1999, Roger was an active participant in the events of the Hoover Institution, founding officer with The Orangutan Conservancy, and an active member of Newark Community Church, where he held a variety of offices. Other organizations which captured his interest and time included Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center, Pacific Research Center , and the Commonwealth Club of California. Roger is survived by his wife, Rosalie. who continues to live at Vi of Palo Alto, his siblings, Linnea (Maris) Grovender of Minneapolis, Ray Nelson of Minneapolis, and Willard Nelson of Denver, as well as many nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. He loved them all. In lieu of flowers, donations many be made to CaringBridge.org, Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center, or Newark Community Church, Newark, CA. A special memorial service for residents of Vi at Palo Alto will be held on Thursday evening August 18. Memorial services will be held at Newark Community Church, 37590 Sycamore Street, Newark CA on Saturday August 20 at 11 a.m. A final memorial service will be held at Annandale Evangelical Free Church in Annandale, MN on August 27 at 11 a.m. The family thanks all their friends for support expressed in so many unique ways, and expresses gratitude to Pathways Hospice for their assistance in making this transition easier.




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