SR1358 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1358 LRB098 22048 MST 60916 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Richard L. "Dick" Nelson of Princeton, who passed away on July 18, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Dick Nelson was born on March 30, 1935 in Princeton to Frances and Malcolm Nelson; he graduated from Princeton High School in 1953, and served in the United States Army as a radar operator in Virginia and Alaska from 1955 to 1957; he married Judith Ward on September 1, 1957; and

WHEREAS, Dick Nelson was the founder of Nelson Enterprises, which includes the Advanced Asphalt Company, TCI Manufacturing and Sales, Tri-Con Materials LLC, Pavement Maintenance Services Inc., D&J Leasing, and AAA Aviation LLC; he also founded Production Engineered Products, and became a nationally known leader in the aggregate industry; he produced the PEP Vari-Vibe Screen that changed the world and is still used internationally today; he also acquired Kory Industries with a group of other investors; and

WHEREAS, Dick Nelson was also a pioneer for environmental causes and promoted the recycling of asphalt and other "green" issues; during his entrepreneurial and tenured years, he merited worldwide patent recognition and employed several hundred people, and he always credited his success to the "team" who managed his companies; he celebrated his 50th business anniversary with an open house to recognize his team at which the Nelson family established an annual scholarship for a Princeton High School senior student planning to attend a vocational school; and

WHEREAS, Dick Nelson served as past-President of the Illinois Asphalt Paving Association and was recognized as a leader in various professional circles throughout the United States; he was past-President of the Princeton Park District, with an additional 20 years of service as a board member; he worked diligently for the development of Zearing Park and the Bureau County Metro Center, made volunteer and material contributions to the city of Princeton and Princeton High School, and was a past-grand marshal of the Princeton Homestead Festival Parade; he was the first fundraising chairman of the Bureau County United Way and volunteered his time with Cub Scouts and Princeton Little League; he also served on the board of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church; and

WHEREAS, Dick Nelson had a passion for flying and built his own helicopter; he also enjoyed photography, was an avid reader, and loved to travel; in 2011, he realized a lifelong dream and authored his autobiography, "Paving the Road to Success", about his journey through life and in management; and

WHEREAS, Dick Nelson was preceded in death by his parents, and by siblings, Marilyn Gonigam, Norma Nelick, and Ron Nelson; and

WHEREAS, Dick Nelson is survived by siblings, Wilbur (Virginia) Nelson and Bob Nelson; several nieces and nephews; his wife, Judith; their 3 children, Leanne (Dr. Jeff) Martin, Laurie Wallace, and Steve (Gina) Nelson; and 4 grandchildren, Nicole Martin, Kelsey Wallace, and Colin and Audrey Nelson; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Richard L. "Dick" Nelson, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Dick Nelson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.