Richard Allen Nelson

Retired San Quentin State Prison Associate Warden Richard A. “Dick” Nelson passed away January 26, 2021, in Sacramento, California, from complications of pneumonia. He was surrounded by his devoted family and his beloved canine companion, Scooter. He was 83.

Born to Hector and Margaret Nelson in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, in October 1937, Dick grew up in nearby Foxhome, a small farming community.

Dick graduated from Breckenridge High School and St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN.

He then joined the Army and served with the 1st Division at Fort Riley, KS. He was very proud of his military service and serving the country.

Upon discharge from the Army, Dick embarked on a career as a Corrections professional for nearly forty years, Dick was the embodiment of firm, fair, and consistent leadership, principles he gathered while training under respected officers and administrators. Early in his career he chose one core belief on which to model his method of working alongside some of the most violent felons in the state: “If you see something, do something.”

That one directive would serve him well through some of the most unusual and dangerous situations as he and his fellow officers worked to maintain the peace inside historic and globally recognized correctional institutions, including Folsom State Prison and San Quentin State Prison. As a self-described “history nut,” Dick truly enjoyed learning all he could about these iconic facilities, including how they were built using natural elements found on the property, to the state's subsequent need for enhanced law and order as California's Gold Rush saw an influx of people searching for sudden wealth.

But many in the profession will remember Dick as a hero for his actions on Aug. 21, 1971. While painting his dining room on a quiet afternoon off work, Dick heard gun shots coming from the prison. With no thought to his own safety, he sprang into action and assisted in stopping a violent riot and coup attempt inside the institution's most dangerous cell block. His efforts that day saved lives and helped bring about major safety changes and procedures within the nation’s and the state's Department of Corrections.

Already a published author, Dick wrote a memoir about his experiences in Corrections, including a minute-by-minute passage about that fateful day in 1971. Into Harm's Way was published in October 2019. His first book, Waiting For George: Letters From The Shipyard, about his father's letters home during World War II, was published in 2012.

Dick Nelson was the founder and curator of The San Quentin Museum. Thus combining two of his passions, history and corrections.

Over the years, Dick received over 70 very prestigious commendations and accolades for his exemplary service and dedication to public safety, and often consulted with legislators and other officials in matters of officer safety, training, crisis intervention, and conflict resolution. He was awarded a Commendation from the California State Legislature Assembly in 1998.

As a Corrections expert, Dick served as an advisor to some of Hollywood's elite film makers and actors of the time, who were using Folsom and San Quentin as subjects in their productions. Films such as Convicts Four, Letters From A Killer, and The Domino Principle, starring Gene Hackman and directed by Stanley Kramer, were produced with the help of Dick's keen insight.

Dick was preceded in death by his beloved wife of fifty-three years, Shirley, who passed away in September 2014. He is survived by his sister, Mary Stackpool of Glenwood MN and his four children, Kim (Bob) Bunce of Olema, CA, Jill Nelson of Del Mar, CA, Debbie (Bill) Tachis of Rocklin, CA, and Jeff Nelson of Sacramento, CA. He is survived by eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Memorial will be held at 10 AM on August 16th at Mt. Vernon Memorial Park in the Chapel of the Valley @ 8201 Greenback Ln, Fair Oaks, CA 95628

Immediately following, a Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 16, 2021, at the Folsom Community Center @ 52 Natoma St., Folsom, CA 95630.

In lieu of flowers, please donate on Dick's behalf to:

Correctional Peace Officers Foundation, P.O. Box 348390, Sacramento, CA 95834 (CPOF.org) or

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital @ www stjude.org or

Big House Museum, 705 East Natoma Street, Suite 2-141, Folsom, CA 95630.