In Memory

Alan R Nelson

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Alan R. Nelson, 74, of Rockford, was promoted to Glory on Monday, July 22, 2019. Born April 24, 1945 in Rockford, the son of Roland T. and Catherine M. (Gustafson) Nelson. Graduate of East High School, Class of 1963 and University of Illinois where he received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees. Alan married Shirley A. Baker on October 10, 1970. He worked as a mechanical engineer at Hamilton Sundstrand for 39 ½ years. Alan was a lifelong member of The Salvation Army Rockford Temple Corps where he was a Sunday School Teacher, Corps Treasurer, and a member of the Temple Corps Band for almost 60 years playing the cornet. He also played a number of years with the Chicago Staff Band. Alan had a great love for the Lord and his family and loved to travel in conjunction with his career and his service to the Lord.

Survived by his wife, Shirley; children, Kimberly (Justin) Suydam and Daniel (Sarah) Nelson; grandchildren, Ethan, Jacob, and Grace Suydam and Hannah and Nolan Nelson; and numerous cousins here and in Sweden. Predeceased by his parents. The family would like to give special thanks to all the doctors, nurses, PCTs and housekeeping staff, particularly the 7th Floor, at SwedishAmerican Hospital who blessed Alan’s life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Salvation Army Rockford Temple Corps.



 
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07/28/19 06:46 PM #1    

Nestor White

I was only in the Lincoln JH band in 7th grade and then elected "Advanced Science" in 8th after Sputnik was launched.  Alan was, hands down, the best cornet player in the band and maybe the best musician overall.  He was smart, friendly and I remember him fondly all of the way through East.  I was with him his first 2 years at the U of I where I attended before going on to Annapolis for 4 years.  If I recall correctly, he was in ROTC at East and ROTC was mandatory at the U of I for the first 2 years.  He was definitely not a jock and ROTC was a good fit for him (it was ROTC or PE at East and I recall being the only one in ROTC that had varsity letters in sports).  It's always sad to see another friend leave us behind.


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