Richard Knowlton Nelson

On Easter morning, April 4, 2010, Richard Knowlton Nelson passed away peacefully in the presence and arms of his loving wife and family. Although 89 years old, his departure was untimely, as he was young at heart, still going to the office seven days a week. His loss is immeasurable to family and friends and the annual Sugar House Park Easter Egg Roll, a family tradition, will miss a "regular," while forevermore reminding us of the sweetness of his memory.

Richard was born January 23, 1921 in Salt Lake City, Utah, the son of Carl William and Inez Knowlton Nelson.

He was outstanding in all he pursued: an Eagle Scout who traveled cross country to attend the 1935 Scout Jamboree; a West High scholar, football player and ROTC member; an Army officer in Germany during WWII; President of Sigma Pi at the U of U where he graduated in accounting; a well-known and highly respected CPA and financial planner; a life-long member and past president of the Murray Rotary Club; a life-long democrat and past president of the Salt Lake First Unitarian Church Board of Directors; and a family man whose example taught honesty, tolerance, that "school never ends", "to always be worth more than you get paid", and to find a way to laugh and lighten the most difficult of circumstances. He was impossible not to like; he had no enemies.

In marrying Noreen Hooton on November 16, 1973, a magical, loving partnership was born which successfully made two families into one, no easy feat. The love shared between all six surviving children is the highest compliment anyone could pay to Richard and his dear wife, Noreen.

Richard and Noreen loved to dance; they enjoyed plays, musicals and movies; and traveling, especially to San Diego. He loved to sing, has always been active, enjoyed golf, tennis, skiing, a good card game, and wearing his bow-ties. But above all, Richard loved spending time with family. He was "PaPa" and he was the best!

He is survived by his wife, Noreen, six children: Mark Nelson (Joan), Janet Sullivan-Schiller (David), Scott Nelson (Linda), Jackie Grobstein, Tamyra Ostrander (Taylor), Kerri Bishop (Jon), 14 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren who all love him dearly.

Funeral services will be held on Monday April 12, 2010 11:00am at the Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East, where friends may visit with the family on Sunday evening from 6:00pm to 8:00pm and also on Monday morning from 9:45am to 10:45am prior to services. Interment: Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. Online tributes may be sent to the family at: www.holbrookmortuary.com