Dr. Ralph Nelson age 81, formerly of Urbana, IL, died Sat. Feb 7th at his home in Ames, IA. A Memorial Service will be 1:00 PM Saturday, April 18th 2009 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Urbana, IL with a gathering of friends and family until 4:00 PM at the church.
He was born June 19, 1927 in Minneapolis, MN, the son of Alfred and Lydia (Johnson) Nelson. Ralph married Rosemary Pokela August 7, 1954 in Stambaugh, MI.
Dr. Nelson is survived by his wife, Rosemary of Ames, IA, children Edward Nelson of Seattle, Washington, Audrey (Robert) Bryan of Hartington, NE, Elizabeth (Brian) Kerr of Ames, IA, Andrew Nelson Portland, of OR, and Evan (Maggie) Nelson of Lacrosse, WI; six granddaughters; sisters Margaret McCarty of St. Paul, MN, and Marilyn Holland of Minneapolis, MN.
Dr. Nelson was preceded in death by his parents and one granddaughter Lydia Rose Bryan.
Dr. Nelson's passion was for research and education. His research on bears brought him international acclaim. He was educated at the University of Minnesota and did his PhD and medical training at the Mayo Clinic, where he also served on staff. Dr. Nelson was the director of research at Carle Hospital, head of Medicine at the University of Illinois, and a consultant in the department of nutrition at the VA hospital in Danville.
Memorials may be sent to Carle Foundation, Urbana, IL.
Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care is assisting the family.