Richard A. (Dick) Nelson, M.D., passed away Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017, at his home on Amelia Island. After a long and enjoyable, very full life, he just wore out.
Dr. Nelson was born in Titusville, Pa., in 1918. He received his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. Following graduation from medical school, he served in the Navy for five years, spending two of those years as a flight surgeon in the South and Central Pacific during World War II. Upon leaving the Navy, Dr. Nelson joined the Medical Department of the Prudential Insurance Company of America, where he spent his entire career, reaching the level of senior vice president and chief medical director. Dr. Nelson’s specialty training was in the field of internal medicine and cardiology. He was very active in the medical community and was a past president of the Northeast Florida Heart Association and the Association of Life Insurance Medical Directors. He served on the editorial board of the Annals of Life Insurance Medicine, the executive committee of the International Congress of Life Insurance Medicine and has been a consultant to the Department of Health and Human Resources. Dr. Nelson was a member of the Duval County Medical Society, the Florida Medical Association and the American Medical Association.
Dick is survived by his wife and best friend of 74 years, Lucille Nelson; his daughter, Shirley Owens and her husband, Ken, of Fernandina Beach; his son, David A. Nelson, M.D., and his wife, Mickie, of Santa Rosa, Calif.; two grandchildren, Scott Owens and his wife, Mary, of Austin, Texas, and Kelly Owens Berg and her husband, Scot, of New York City; and five great-grandchildren, Thomas, Bobby and Freddy Berg, and Lucy and Joan Owens.
Retiring in 1983, Lou and Dick moved to Amelia Island, where they enjoyed traveling, golf, tennis and bridge. They also enjoyed almost-daily bike rides around Amelia Island Plantation well into their 90s. Dick’s wisdom, kindness, caring and great sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him.
A family memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 4114 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors