BOMBER MEMORIAL

ROBERT ROY "BOB" NIELSEN ~ Class of 1958
October 16, 1940 - July 15, 2011





Bob went to be with the Lord on July 15, 2011, after a short battle with cancer. He was born on October 16, 1940, in Tacoma, WA, to Irwin and Joan (Lynn) Nielsen. He was raised in Richland, graduated from Columbia High School in 1958, attended Columbia Basin College, then served in the US Air Force for four years.

After discharge, he married Darlene Bailey on March 16, 1965. They lived in Richland, where Bob worked for the Battelle Research Labs in meteorology. In 1967, Bob enrolled at Washington State University in Pullman where he graduated with honors with a B.S. in chemical engineering.

After graduation, Bob was employed by a division of Dow Chemical and moved his family to Longview, WA. After three months, he was made area manager in Mount Vernon, WA. After eight years, he was transferred to Casper, WY, where he enjoyed an avid interest in hunting and the out-of-doors, while becoming regional sales engineer for Meylan Enterprises until 2008. He and his wife lived in Casper for 31 years, while raising two sons, Rick and Doug there. After retirement, Bob and his wife moved to Winlock, WA (small town in SW Washington), buying acreage and building a new house and shop. Bob loved to study bible versions and theology, and vehemently defended the authenticity of the king james version.

He was predeceased by his brother, Ken ('68), who died in 1974.

He is survived by his wife, Darlene; sons Rick (Christina) and Douglas (Kathryn); two grandchildren, Brittany and John; mother, Joan Nielsen; brothers, Ronald ('56) (Kathryn), and James (66) (Carol); brother-in-law, Richard Bailey (wife Lavonne); sister-in-law, Essie Petty (husband John); and several nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

Viewing was held Wednesday at Newell Hoerling's Mortuary, Centralia. Services wwew held at Faith Baptist Church, Centralia with interment to follow at Grand Mound Cemetery, Rochester, WA.

Published in The Chronicle - serving greater Lewis County Washington since 1889 Chronline on July 19, 2011