Mr. Robert L. Nielson

Mr. Robert L. 'Bob' Nielson, 81, of Morganton, died Monday July 27, 2009 at Palliative Care Center and Hospice of Catawba Valley, after a period of declining health.
Mr. Nielson was born March 6, 1928 in Racine, Wisconsin to the late Adolph and Anna Simonsen Nielson.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a son, Grant David Nielson of San Francisco, Ca., Three sisters, Hazel Paddock, Alice Bayuk and husband August, Doris Kirk and husband Alvin, and two brothers, Russell and wife Fran and Clarence and wife Edie.
Bob's favorite activities were aviation and canoeing. He learned to fly and had his private pilot's license at the age of 16 and before he had his drivers license. He designed the mold and built a fiberglass outboard motor boat when he was 30 years old. Bob never met a stranger and was well liked by everyone he met. He loved people and especially enjoyed making people smile. Bob will be missed by his family and all that knew him.
Mr. Nielson began working for Western Publishing Co. in Racine, Wisconsin after he was discharged form the Air Force in 1948. In 1963, Bob moved his family to High Point, N.C. to work for Alderman Studios as manager of the printing dept.. He held this position for 12 years. He later managed the printing dept. at Norling Studios and later went on to work in sales for the George Banta Company.
After retiring from the printing industry in 1996, Bob and his wife Beverly moved to Dunnellon, Fla. In 2006, he and Beverly moved to Morganton, NC so they could be near the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, which he loved so much.
Surviving are his wife of 32 years, Beverly Brookbank Nielson of the home, two sons, Paul A. Nielson and wife Claudia of Winston-Salem, Steven R. Nielson of Raleigh, Daughter Terry L. Hawks and husband Mark of Martinsville, Va., two stepdaughters, Christy L. Moore of Greensboro, Angela L. Payne of Hamlet and three grandchildren, Allison, Lindsay and Neil.
A Service to celebrate the life of Robert L. 'Bob' Nielson will be held on Sunday, August 2, 2009 at 3:00 P.M. at the First Christian Church of Newton with Rev. Gary Patterson officiating.
Memorials may be made to Palliative Care Center and Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, NC 28658.
An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.heritagefuneralserivces.com.
Heritage Funeral Service and Crematory is assisting the Nielson family.