I'm absolutely saddened to learn of the passing of my good friend, mentor and brother Bob Nelson. Bob and I go back to the early 70s when I was just starting my involvements in community volunteerism. Throughout the years our paths crossed constantly most recently when I joined Bob and other professionals advocating for employment programs in both Washington DC and Sacramento. I was extremely fortunate to learn from Bob to learn how kindness can be an effective tool. Over the last five years Bob and I would meet and enjoy a good lunch at the Black Angus in Lakewood and discuss the changing dynamics of our World. I'm going to miss those lunch dates and his beautiful smile and warm hug. May God bless this beautiful Man, I miss you already Bob Adios amigo. 

What a good, decent and interesting person my brother Bob was. He loved people and made many wonderful memories with them throughout his life. I already miss his long phone calls which kept us so connected.  May God bless his family.

Many may remember, Bob loved TRAINS! He memorized timetables as a little boy, always visited train stations in any city he was and took trips by train whenever he could. In his last years when he couldn't sleep, he took his trips by watching YOUTUBE offerings! May Heaven have trains, dear Bob.

I've shared the DAILY WORD meditation for December 26th, the day he passed.   So on-target for the person Bob Nelson was all his life-a truly good man of faith, love and service. Included is a photo of him in his Peace Corps Volunteer assignment in the mtns of the Philippines, some 60 yrs ago.  Just the beginning!

Bob was fun to be around and to talk with. I hadn't seen him or spoken with him in 8 years. But when we did reunite a couple years ago over a Zoom call, it was as though no time passed. He was as jovial as ever.  I knew him through his work life, his community leadership on the Anaheim Workforce Board.  I admired the way he balanced resolve, passion and strength with compassion, patience, and empathy.  He brought all those attributes to bear in his deliberation and decision making. We should all be so lucky as to have leaders like him in our community. 

I wish I could let people know how amazing this man was. He truly taught me what it meant to be a Christian husband and human being. He lived every single day for other people. I guess it’s one of the reasons that I decided to follow in his footsteps, and make sure that what I do makes a difference. He is truly my hero. I cannot begin to tell you how much I will miss him. What a blessing that I got him 10 more years after mom died. We had so much fun together. We went on crazy journeys we ate together. He was at my house for every holiday. God I was lucky.  I miss you every day papa. Thank you for how much you loved on me and even more on Eli.

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Robert Coe Nelson

November 25, 1935 – December 26, 2022

Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary

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