Robert Eric Nelson

Ricky first met his roommate of 40 years in the basement of Olympic Heights Elementary in the University District, age 10, John his brother from another mother, age 5.

Ricky attended Pacific School in Seattle until he was 21.

During these years, his mother Pat Anderson and John’s mother Elsie, led monthly meetings at the Deafness Center to advocate for their sons and others with disabilities, ultimately founding members of the NW Center for the Deaf.

In 1983 Elsie and Pat opened the NW Group home for the Deaf, first in the nation of its kind, Ricky 23 and John 18.

Said group home closed down in the year 2000, the gentlemen then together joining a VOA residential deaf program and have been together, living as family since that time.

Professionally, Ricky and John did landscaping together when they were very young men, while the latter gentleman went on to do that for a living with King County parks, Ricky transitioned to employment through At Work, every evidence suggesting he was fulfilled with for many years.

He transitioned to employment with Buffalo Industries, a job he clearly enjoyed. While he had to take some time off during Covid, even during his cancer treatment Ricky was excited with an opportunity to return for another year of work in 2022/2023

He has had a job most of his adult life, never afraid of hard work/always eager to hop on an Access bus and take his shift seriously. He had high expectations for his home and routine etc., every effort made to celebrate said lifestyle.

Over the years, he loved to travel and collect souvenirs, from numerous road trips to national parks and camping trips, to cruises and multiple Disneyland adventures. Ricky enjoyed good coffee and beautiful women, also the wonders of nature, whether giant ferns in the woods or mighty tigers at the zoo or vibrant horses running in their pasture. In recent years, he became an artist and created new works on a daily basis, also genuinely fascinated by new construction/architecture, especially on drives through downtown Seattle and so many other changing neighborhoods, over the past decade.

Ricky was a capable cook and loved to celebrate every holiday with fanfare!!

Enjoying a small team of deaf/sign capable longtime caregivers, Ricky benefited from stability, so many devoted to his quality of life and maintaining an environment where he could have power and choice, many with him until the end, surrounding him with love and ensuring his dignity.

A visitation for Robert will be held Sunday, June 23, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Evergreen Washelli Funeral, 11111 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133, followed by a funeral service from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.