Richard Blane Nelson

Richard B. Nelson, 63, left to join other loved ones who previously left this world, after a long, serious illness. His suffering on earth has ended. He died at his home in Vancouver, WA under the care of Kaiser hospice with close relatives at his side. Rick started his career in California as a sewer worker laborer. He went on to work for the Irvine Ranch Water District in Irvine, CA. Rick and his family moved to Vancouver, WA on April 1st, 1986. He worked for Gelco out of Salem, OR doing sewer contract work which sent him to many places including nine months in Hawaii. He next worked for the city of Tigard, OR as a sewer department Forman, then as a supervisor at the city of West Linn. Rick ended his career as Operations Manager at the Clark Regional Waste Water District. He loved his work, but poor health forced him to retire eight years ago. Rick loved the ocean and all other bodies of water. He would drive his truck on the beach in Long Beach, WA. He was a rabid armchair athlete, anything that was a sport! His favorite teams were the Dodgers and the Rams. You should have seen his mancave! He also loved his two dogs, Gilbert and Peanut, they went everywhere with him and are bereft about his departure. Rick had a very quick wit and was known for his play on words. Everyone and everything had a nickname. He was a mild mannered and easy-going man. Rick loved his family. He also had the great desire to be helpful to anyone who crossed his path. He mentored a young man from church, as well as taking in others who needed help over the years. Rick gave good advice to a myriad of young men and women coming under his purview. He was a good, loving, sensible, practical spiritual, and common-sensed man. Rick is survived by his wife, Cassandra; three children, Christyna Hengstler (John), Jessica Rhodes (Keegan) and James Nelson; many nieces, nephews, siblings, in-laws and friends. He had two sets of grandchildren, Emily (Beebles, as he affectionately called her) and Andrew Hengstler, as well as Annabelle and Wylder Rhodes. We all will miss him dearly. A Celebration of Life will be held at Evergreen Memorial Gardens on Wed., Sept. 26, 2018 at 3p.m. with a reception to follow. All are welcome.

Richard Blane Nelson

April 26, 1955 - September 20, 2018