Robert "Bob" Nelson

Robert D. "Bob" Nelson, 82, formerly of Coal Valley, Illinois, passed away Sunday, October 18, 2015, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Bob was born June 1, 1933 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; the youngest son of Melvin and Meta (Fredricksen) Nelson. He graduated from Rock Island High School and attended Cornell College; he was a wrestler in high school and in college. Bob married Marsha Reed on July 6, 1959 at Memorial Christian Church in Rock Island, and they were married for more than 50 years; she predeceased him December 10, 2010.
Bob was a Corpsman, who became a Plank Holder on the USS Lexington and served aboard the USS Princeton, for the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. He earned National Defense and Good Conduct awards, and he enthusiastically recalled serving exactly "four years, two months, and 14 days."
He was employed by Bituminous Insurance Corporation for 45 years, and retired as vice president in 1998.
Bob enjoyed golf, and was a volunteer at the John Deere Classic for more than 20 years. He enjoyed family travels, and many trips with Marsha to Europe. He was most proud that all three of his children graduated from college. He was also a huge fan of the Chicago Bears.
Survivors include his children: James (Shellie) Nelson, Coal Valley, Ill., Barbara (Chuck) Lyon, Kansas City, Mo., and Drake A. (Heather) Nelson, Phoenix, Ariz.; grandchildren: Drake R. Nelson and Taylor Nelson, Caine 'C.J.' Klingerman and Destiny Nelson, and Shelby Nelson; great-grandson Caine Jr.; and treasured lifelong friends.
He was predeceased by his parents, brother Doug Nelson, and wife Marsha.
Funeral services are at 10 a.m. Monday, October 26, 2015, at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, 201 E. 4th Ave. Milan. Burial is at National Cemetery, Arsenal Island, with Military Honors by Moline American Legion Post 246. Visitation is 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2153 in Moline.