Richard Fridtjof (Fritz) Nelson (also known at Dick), was born December 11, 1929 in Brooklyn, NY. He was the youngest of 3 siblings born from the union of Fritz and Sigrid Nelson. They moved to Grand Marais, MN, where Richard grew up and took odd jobs including working at a lumber mill.
As a youngster, he served in the Salvation Army with his family, where both parents were Colonels. Later he joined the Marines in the 1950s. Then he worked in the theaters in Chicago as an assistant manager, and then finally, worked in the Chicago Sun Times as a truck driver until his retirement in 1995.
While working at the theater, he met and married Victoria Dela Pena (alias Claudia Tucker), and from this union, 3 children were born. They later divorced.
Richard love to travel to Santa Domingo where he learn Spanish and meet his second wife, Esperanza, whom he later divorced.
He died peacefully at the age of 85 on June 29, 2015.
He is survived by his children Darlene Victoria Nelson-Watkins, Linda Cynthia Spears (Duane) and David Brian Nelson (Lidia); a grandson, Jason Richard Watkins (Sara), step granddaughter, Dafne, step grandson, Joel, and 2 great grandchildren, Duane Jason , and Mia Stevie, an older brother ,Roald “Buddy” Nelson (Joyce), and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, sister Evangeline Wannebox Blix, and former wife Victoria (Claudia Tucker) Bell.

Memorial Contributions and Condolences can be sent to Darlene Nelson-Watkins,
1750 North Marywood Ave, # 103, Aurora, IL 60505