In Memory Of
Richard E. Nelson
1951
2016
Richard E. Nelson
May 4, 1951 — September 1, 2016
Richard E. Nelson passed away at 06:02 am on Sept 1st, 2016 in Kansas City, Mo.
Richard (Rick) was born May 4th, 1951 in Lake Forest Illinois to Mark E. Nelson and Nancy A. Nelson. He has 3 siblings, Mark (Skooks) Nelson, David Nelson, and Debbie Curtis. Rick grew up in Lake Forest where he attended catholic grade school and then graduated from Lake Forest High School in 1969. He graduated college with a B.S. in biology in 1973 from Bradley University located in Peoria, Il. While in Peoria he met Rita Rose Roth who had two children, Mark and Katie, from a previous marriage. Rick and Rita married in 1974, had a child together, Joshua, in 1975 and moved to Island Lake, Il. In 1978 Rick and family moved to Wheaton, Il where he began work for RJN Environmental Group. In 1979 Rick received his Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology. In 1985 Rick and family relocated to Overland Park, KS to help launch the RJN Kansas City office which also afforded him the opportunity to earn his Professional Engineering license (P.E.).That same year the 1985 Chicago Bears, the greatest football team God ever assembled, won Super Bowl XX lifting Rick's spirits to unmatched heights.
In 1986 Rick left RJN and began work at George Butler and Associates where he continued to excel in his field and earn respect amongst his colleagues. From 1992-2005 Rick was Director of Infrastructure Planning at Black and Veatch. From March 2005 to 2016 Rick was with CH2M Hill (now CH2M) becoming a Global Conveyance and Infrastructure team leader and eventually a Vice President.
In 1987 Rick and Rita divorced but worked well together co-parenting their three children. In 1990 Rick purchased a home in Prairie Village, KS where he continued to reside and make improvements to for the next 26 years. In 1999 Ricks oldest son Mark was tragically murdered forever changing Rick and his family. The following years were difficult and filled with legal proceedings surrounding the death of his son however, his grandchildren helped with the healing process.
In 2011 Rick purchased 80 acres in Warsaw, Missouri, near Truman Lake, which became his playground. He eventually purchased a boat and built a cabin, fulfilling a life long dream which was initiated through conversations (and many beers) with his own father. In 2012 Rick met Kathy Dewoody who shared his love for the outdoors and they spent many weekends in Warsaw fixing up the property and building the cabin. They married in 2014 and resided in Prairie Village, KS.
In 2011 Rick was diagnosed with throat cancer which he beat, approaching the disease as more of an inconvenience than an illness. In 2015 the cancer returned and unfortunately, about a year later, took him away from his loved ones. Rick is survived by his wife Kathy, daughter Katie, son Josh and five grandchildren, Audrey Caroline, Mark Joshua, Henry Joseph, Jackson Riley, and Sloan Hanson.
The following are comments Dad left behind, items he thought we may not know but would find interesting. These are his words:
-Favorite color - sky blue
-Favorite season - winter
-Favorite bird - cardinal (hard to do for a Cubs fan)
-Favorite team - They all broke my heart except the '85 Bears and Jordan's Bulls. The rest of them can kiss my butt.
-Most important accomplishment - Getting my P.E.
-Most satisfying moment - Climbing Mt. Rainier closely followed by Mt. Kilimanjaro...both with my kids
-Most disturbing event - Mark's murder, of course
-Most joy - My grandchildren and my wife, Kathy.
- I love you all and please party on my behalf.
Rick was a son, a brother, a father, a husband, a teacher, a coach, an athlete, a mentor, and a friend. He will be missed dearly and profoundly by his family and friends.
Services will be held on September 9th, 2016, 10:00 a.m. at St. Ann's Catholic Church located at 7231 Mission Rd, Prairie Village KS, 66208. Immediately following the mass, the family will have a gathering with food and drink at Rick's house located at 3924 W. 73rd St. Prairie Village, KS 66208, to celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, the family suggestions donations to the American Cancer Society.
To leave a message of condolence for Rick's family, visit the guestbook below.
Richard (Rick) was born May 4th, 1951 in Lake Forest Illinois to Mark E. Nelson and Nancy A. Nelson. He has 3 siblings, Mark (Skooks) Nelson, David Nelson, and Debbie Curtis. Rick grew up in Lake Forest where he attended catholic grade school and then graduated from Lake Forest High School in 1969. He graduated college with a B.S. in biology in 1973 from Bradley University located in Peoria, Il. While in Peoria he met Rita Rose Roth who had two children, Mark and Katie, from a previous marriage. Rick and Rita married in 1974, had a child together, Joshua, in 1975 and moved to Island Lake, Il. In 1978 Rick and family moved to Wheaton, Il where he began work for RJN Environmental Group. In 1979 Rick received his Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology. In 1985 Rick and family relocated to Overland Park, KS to help launch the RJN Kansas City office which also afforded him the opportunity to earn his Professional Engineering license (P.E.).That same year the 1985 Chicago Bears, the greatest football team God ever assembled, won Super Bowl XX lifting Rick's spirits to unmatched heights.
In 1986 Rick left RJN and began work at George Butler and Associates where he continued to excel in his field and earn respect amongst his colleagues. From 1992-2005 Rick was Director of Infrastructure Planning at Black and Veatch. From March 2005 to 2016 Rick was with CH2M Hill (now CH2M) becoming a Global Conveyance and Infrastructure team leader and eventually a Vice President.
In 1987 Rick and Rita divorced but worked well together co-parenting their three children. In 1990 Rick purchased a home in Prairie Village, KS where he continued to reside and make improvements to for the next 26 years. In 1999 Ricks oldest son Mark was tragically murdered forever changing Rick and his family. The following years were difficult and filled with legal proceedings surrounding the death of his son however, his grandchildren helped with the healing process.
In 2011 Rick purchased 80 acres in Warsaw, Missouri, near Truman Lake, which became his playground. He eventually purchased a boat and built a cabin, fulfilling a life long dream which was initiated through conversations (and many beers) with his own father. In 2012 Rick met Kathy Dewoody who shared his love for the outdoors and they spent many weekends in Warsaw fixing up the property and building the cabin. They married in 2014 and resided in Prairie Village, KS.
In 2011 Rick was diagnosed with throat cancer which he beat, approaching the disease as more of an inconvenience than an illness. In 2015 the cancer returned and unfortunately, about a year later, took him away from his loved ones. Rick is survived by his wife Kathy, daughter Katie, son Josh and five grandchildren, Audrey Caroline, Mark Joshua, Henry Joseph, Jackson Riley, and Sloan Hanson.
The following are comments Dad left behind, items he thought we may not know but would find interesting. These are his words:
-Favorite color - sky blue
-Favorite season - winter
-Favorite bird - cardinal (hard to do for a Cubs fan)
-Favorite team - They all broke my heart except the '85 Bears and Jordan's Bulls. The rest of them can kiss my butt.
-Most important accomplishment - Getting my P.E.
-Most satisfying moment - Climbing Mt. Rainier closely followed by Mt. Kilimanjaro...both with my kids
-Most disturbing event - Mark's murder, of course
-Most joy - My grandchildren and my wife, Kathy.
- I love you all and please party on my behalf.
Rick was a son, a brother, a father, a husband, a teacher, a coach, an athlete, a mentor, and a friend. He will be missed dearly and profoundly by his family and friends.
Services will be held on September 9th, 2016, 10:00 a.m. at St. Ann's Catholic Church located at 7231 Mission Rd, Prairie Village KS, 66208. Immediately following the mass, the family will have a gathering with food and drink at Rick's house located at 3924 W. 73rd St. Prairie Village, KS 66208, to celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, the family suggestions donations to the American Cancer Society.
To leave a message of condolence for Rick's family, visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard E. Nelson, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Memorial Service
Friday, September 9, 2016
Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)
St. Ann's
Guestbook
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