Richard O. Nelson

Richard O. Nelson, 101, of Berlin, died peacefully at home on Sunday, March 23, 2008. He was the husband of Elizabeth Deming Nelson. Born in Gothenburg, Sweden, he was the son of the late Axel and Josefina Person Nelson. He was a Berlin resident over 50 years and was a member of the Berlin Congregational Church. Richard was the Chief of Physical Therapy at New Britain General Hospital for forty-two years. After leaving New Britain General Hospital, he continued to practice physical therapy through the Berlin VNA until retiring at the age of 92. Richard loved the New Britain YMCA and enjoyed the health club and the pool there for over 75 years. He was a great believer in exercise and swam a mile four times a week until he was 96 years old. In addition to his wife Elizabeth, he is survived by a son, Richard D. Nelson and his wife Linda of Southington; a daughter, Betsy Nelson Snyder and her husband Stanley of Oregon; a brother, Carl Gustav Nilsson of Sweden; three grandchildren, Todd Nelson, Eric Nelson and Brian Nelson; and two great-grandchildren, Samantha Nelson and Justin Nelson. A memorial service will be held Thursday at 11:00 am at Berlin Congregational Church, 878 Worthington Ridge, Berlin. A private family graveside service will be held at Maple Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the YMCA, 50 High St., New Britain, CT 06051. Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home, New Britain, is in charge of arrangements.