Roger Nelson Obituary

Roger Dale Nelson died on September 21, 2018, at Anderson Hospital at the age of 76. Roger was born on September 2, 1942.  He was the son of Dale G. Nelson and Myrtle C. Nelson of Mound, Minnesota.  He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Martha Hallar Nelson, his son Barry Roger Nelson(Kristi) and two granddaughters, Helen Elizabeth Nelson and Reagan Renee Nelson of Florissant, MO;  two brothers, Deane D. Nelson(Lois) of Alexandria, MN and Bruce D. Nelson(Judy) of Spring Hill, KS; brother-in-law James William Hallar(Susie) and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his son Mark R. Nelson.

Roger was a lifelong educator beginning as a teacher in the Raytown Missouri School District followed by a position as assistant principal in the Ferguson-Florissant School District, high school principal in the Fort Zumwalt School District, and superintendent in the Ottawa Kansas School District.  He served as a professor in the Department of Educational Administration at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.  Roger had a B.S. and M.S. degree in Education from the University of Central Missouri and a Doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of Missouri at Columbia.

Roger was very proud of his children and grandchildren and followed all of their activities closely.  In his retirement, he enjoyed working in his yard, growing tomatoes, hunting, and target shooting.  Roger loved riding around on his power chair with his beloved dog, Ruger, greeting neighbors along the way. He was an ardent Cardinals fan, Missouri Tigers fan, as well as a Rams fan before they left St. Louis.  He was an accomplished tennis player who played at the college level at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota and at the University of Central Missouri.  He continued playing as long as his health permitted with his lifelong friend and doubles partner, Fred Shaffstall, of Des Peres, MO in tournaments in the St. Louis area.

A private service for family and close friends will be held on October 5, 2018, to celebrate his life.  Instead of flowers, donations can be made to the Mark Nelson YMCA Summer Camp Fund.

Mark Nelson YMCA Summer Camp Fund

c/o YMCA

1200 Esic Dr.

Edwardsville, Illinois 62025

Updated: 9/25/18 10:09:00 AM