Richard A. Nelson was born in Goffstown, NH in 1930. He was a lifelong resident of Derry with his wife of seventy-one years, Virginia and their three Son’s, Steven, David and Robert Nelson and their wives, Debra, Elaine and Pamala. Richard was also survived by his sister, Dorothy Gunther and his brother Ernie Nelson, three grandchildren Jessica Berwick, Melanie Nelson and Alexander Nelson and one great grandchild Lillian Berwick.
Richard was a graduate of Pinkerton Academy class of 1948.
He joined the New Hampshire Army National Guard and started his own logging business in 1948. In 1952 Richard began a long career in the Transportation industry until his retirement from Holmes Transportation in 1984. Richard retired from the Army National Guard with the rank of Command Sargent Major of the 197th Field Artillery Brigade in 1978. He was called back to active duty in 1984 as the States Command Sargent Major for New Hampshire Army National Guard, he retired from this position in 1990. Richard was a 32° Master Mason of St. Marks Lodge #44 of Derry, NH, he was also a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Nashua, NH. A past president of the Derry Masonic Association, past Chairman of the Army National Guard Retirement Council and charter member and secretary of the NH National Guard Enlisted Association.
After the passing of Virgina in 2023, Richard resided at the Inn at Deerfield, a nonprofit home specializing in dementia care. A Graveside service with Military Honors will be held Tuesday August 13th at 10:00am in Forest Hill Cemetery, East Derry Road in Derry.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Inn at Deerfield, 34 Ridge Road, Deerfield, NH 03037 or the Derry Public Library, 64 E. Broadway, Derry, NH 03038. The Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry is assisting the family with arrangements.