Kenneth R. Nelson

PITTSFORD - Kenneth R. Nelson, 81, of Pittsford, N.Y., passed away, on September 17, 2016.
Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service, followed by a reception, at 3:00 p.m. on October 9, at The Clubhouse at Durand Eastman Park Golf Course, 1200 Kings Highway North in Rochester.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heritage Christian Services www.heritagechristianservices.org.
Born in Bristol, Conn., to Harold and Bernice Nelson. Ken attended the University of Connecticut and graduated with honors and distinction, Phi Beta Kappa, in 1956. He received his master's from Georgetown University, Thesis Defense passed with distinction in 1962. He completed his Ph.D. at the University of Virginia, in 1966. His career as a professor of History spanned 45 years, at the University of North Carolina, Eisenhower College and RIT. Ken also served in the U.S. Army. He was a special agent with the Counterintelligence Corps and was honorably discharged, with the rank of Sergeant. An avid reader and seasoned traveler, Ken appreciated both the sights and sounds of the city and the beauty and wonder of nature. His greatest love was his family. He will be missed by all.
He is survived by his wife, Jackie; his son, Timothy (Tara) Nelson and their children Elizabeth and Avery; his daughters Pamela Nelson and Sheryl (Laurence) Hamilton and their children Chelsea, Lindsey and Ethan. He is also survived by his stepdaughters Kim (Scott) Kummer and their children Clayton, Nathan and Aaron; Amy Berg and her children Aiden and Kaelan; Wendy (Brian) Emerling and their children Samantha and Brianna.
Ken was predeceased by his wife, Gloria Nelson.