Richard H Nelson

Young at heart and pure of heart Richard H Nelson passed over on February 26th, 2025.

Richard was born in Milwaukee WI on February 6th, 1944, to Harvey and Edwina Nelson. He grew up on Pewaukee Lake where he developed a love of sailing and attended the University Lake school. As a young boy, Richard loved the lakes in Northern Wisconsin where his family enjoyed spending their summer vacations on Lake Waubee. Richard attended University of Michigan Ann Arbor and graduated with a degree in architecture. At the same time, he picked up a love for drumming and toured with a local band.

Richard had been a member of the Taos community since 1970 and spent most of those years living in Llano de San Juan creating an ideal life for his wife Donna and his four children in the mountains of Northern New Mexico. He loved pruning his apple orchard, pressing fresh cider, cultivating the land and renovating his 100-year-old adobe. He was a skilled craftsman and spent hours in his woodshop creating everything from wooden toys to windows, doors and furniture.

Richard was quick with wit, generous to those in need, a gentle soul, a lover of animals and was a devoted husband to his wife of 35 years and his children.

He is survived by his wife Donna Nelson, his daughters Johannah Franich, Melina Osornio Andrade, sons Amos Nelson, Magnus Nelson, grandson Greyson Andrade, sister Luanne Wright of Geneseo Illinois and Jeannie Nelson of Mexico City, Mexico, his beloved dog as well as many nieces and nephews.

Richard will be missed by many, and we will always carry him with us in our hearts.