Robert Scofield Nelson

Robert Scofield Nelson, 85 January 16, 1929 – October 11, 2014 Robert "Bob" Nelson was born in Oak Park, Illinois to Paul S. Nelson and Mabel Poyer. He graduated from Lyons Township High School in LaGrange, Illinois in 1947, and from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business. In the fall of 1951, he joined the service and became an airman in the United States Air Force, stationed in Marysville, California. On August 9, 1952, he married his high school sweetheart Barbara Anne Betz and they lived together in Marysville. Their son Jonathan Paul was born on October 29, 1953. After four years in the Air Force, Bob accepted a job with Ford Motor Company, and they moved to an apartment in Royal Oak, Michigan. Their daughter Laura Lee was born October 7, 1957, and they soon moved to their first home in Clawson, Michigan, ultimately moving back to Royal Oak, Michigan at 2917 Guilford Drive in 1965, where he and Barb lived until his death. Bob stayed with Ford Motor Co. his entire working career, ultimately becoming marketing manager for the Electronics Division. After setting up successful programs that turned around the number of cars equipped with factory radios, he was sent to Europe to share his expertise, living in Brentwood, England for three years before retiring in 1993. As a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak, Bob served as a Trustee, Elder and a Deacon, and was always in the background helping wherever needed. After his good friend Francis Luttrell passed, Bob was instrumental in starting the Luttrell Fine Arts music series hosted at the church each year. In addition to volunteering his time at Church, Bob also joined Barb as a volunteer at the Detroit Institute of Arts. He and Barb would drive down together, Barb as a docent, and Bob in Gallery Service. With a passion for jazz and big-band music, Bob was an accomplished trumpet player and was even a member of Bob Dondero's "Skyliners" big-band orchestra for several years. He passed this love of music on to both of his children, and even his grandchildren. Neighbors always loved it when the clock struck twelve on New Years Eve, as Bob would play "Auld Lang Syne" out the front door in the middle of the crisp January night, one time even complaining when the ritual was forgotten. Bob enjoyed his family immensely, spending as much free time as possible with them. As an outdoorsman, there were many camping trips to lakes and cottages up north, where hiking, fishing, sailing and outdoor cooking were the norm. In 1984, he and Barb purchased their dream cottage up on Hubbard Lake, Michigan, where they lived during the summers, entertaining family and friends with open arms. Four generations of Nelsons have enjoyed trips around the lake in and behind Bob's Thompson speedboat. Bob was the happiest when grandchildren Kristen, Robert and David were visiting, all of whom practically grew up on the lake. In addition to spending outdoor time with his family, Bob and several friends from First Presbyterian Church started the Once In A While Camp Club OIACC, a group that shared a love for the outdoors and camping. While they do not camp anymore, they still meet regularly. Bob owned a 1930 Ford Model A similar to the one he owned in high school. Every single day up at the lake during the summer, with a wide and proud smile on his face, he would ride down the gravel road into town to the general store and buy the daily newspapers and needed groceries. Along with his son-in-law West, grandsons Robert and David, and several good friends, he also enjoyed attending the Antique Automobile Club of America's annual show in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Bob loved vintage airplanes. For several years, he made the yearly trek to Oshkosh, Wisconsin with several close friends to attend the huge show put on by the Experimental Aircraft Association. Later, he checked off another item on his bucket list and learned to fly. Traveling around the world was something that Bob and Barb loved as well, visiting many European countries and the Far East, sometimes by themselves but many times with close friends and family. Bob is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barb; two children, Jonathan Lynn of Brighton, Michigan and Laura West of Centerville, Ohio; three granddaughters, Dorothy Harrison Gabe of Fowlerville, Michigan, Hilary Rios Santiago of Carmel, Indiana, and Kristen Perry Todd of Brighton, Michigan; two grandsons, Robert and David Peterson of Centerville, Ohio, and two great-grandchildren, Charlotte Marie Perry and Santiago Rios IV. Visitation Thursday 2-8 p.m. at the Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 705 W. 11 Mile Rd. 4 blocks E. of Woodward, Royal Oak. Funeral Friday, in-state 10 a.m. until time of funeral, 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 529 Hendrie Blvd., Royal Oak, MI 48067. Burial will follow at Oakview Cemetery, Royal Oak. Memorial contributions to the First Presbyterian Church are appreciated. Share your memories at www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com.

Robert Scofield Nelson

January 16, 1929 - October 11, 2014