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Ronald (Ron) Kent Nelson

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Portland State University

Ronald (Ron) Nelson Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Sep. 15 to Sep. 16, 2023.

Marina, CA - Ron Nelson passed away unexpectedly at his home in Marina, California in August 2023 at the age of 66.

Ron was born and raised in Salem, Oregon, the third child of Joseph and Alberta Nelson. He attended North Salem High School and earned his Bachelor's degree at Western Oregon University, and his Master's in German at Portland State University.

Ron started his teaching career in Salem, before accepting the position of Instructor of German at the prestigious Defense Language Institute, Foreign Language Center in Monterey, California in October 1983. After the Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Ron moved to the Faculty Development Division where he was a Faculty Development Specialist. He was later promoted to Assistant Dean in the UEL School (Undergraduate School of European and Latin American Languages), where he received many accolades for his contributions to the Department of Defense and in the service of his country, including the Commander's Award for Civilian Service. Ron remained at DLI for 32 years, until his retirement in October 2015.

Ron was an excellent professor and was beloved by students and colleagues alike. He was a consummate professional and a great team player. He was known for his delightful sense of humor - especially his Midwestern "Sven and Ole" jokes.

Ron enjoyed travel, making numerous trips to Germany over the years, and after retirement, he traveled with friends to Hawaii. He also made annual trips to Oregon to visit family and friends. Ron remained active in his last years, attending "Stammtisch" meetings with former German Department colleagues, United Nations group work, attending Retiree meetings, Happy Hours, and just reading at his home in Marina, CA.

Ron is survived by his two sisters, Karen Keller and Laurie Frey. He was a fantastic uncle to his nephew and five nieces. Ron was pre-deceased by his parents, Joseph and Alberta Nelson, and his younger brother, Tom Nelson.

A gathering of friends, family and colleagues was held in Monterey, CA where Ron was remembered for his kindness, intellect and sense of humor. We will miss you Ron!

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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Recent Activity

January 23, 2026

Sue Combs posted to the memorial.

November 25, 2023

Michael Nordsten posted to the memorial.

October 16, 2023

Linda Sanchez posted to the memorial.

4 Entries

Sue Combs

January 23, 2026

Dear Karen & Laurie,
I hope this message finds its way to you somehow. My condolences on Ron´s passing, as well as Tom´s, which I just learned of reading Ron´s obituary. In preparation for my 50th reunion, a request went out for the names of classmates who are deceased. At that time, Ron was mentioned. Even though I left high school and our neighborhood with little in the way of "look back", I was hit hard by the news. I have thought much about both of you, with regret at having lost touch and having no way to reach out. A Google search just now yielded his obituary, as well as your dad´s. I learned so much about both their lives and work, and especially regarding your dad, was struck by how little I knew about him when as a kid, he was simply nice Mr. Nelson.
I am doing well, living in Crooked River Ranch north of Redmond, and traveling often to visit my sons, one in San Diego and one in Denver.
I hope your lives are full of richness and joy.
With my very best,
Sue Combs
541-604-0280
[email protected]

Michael Nordsten

November 25, 2023

I was so sad to hear this news. I first met Ron in 1978 when I was studying German at what was then Oregon College of Education in Monmouth, Oregon. He was a great guy and always had a joke about something. He was on my Oregon Summer Study Abroad group in 1980 in St. Johann/Tirol, Munich, and Kassel. We had great fun and learned a lot during that summer. As I remember, he remained behind in Germany at the end of the semester and worked in a bar. In 1983, when I was teaching German in Ridgecrest, CA, and Ron was teaching at the Monterey Defense Language Institute, we spent Thanksgiving weekend in San Francisco, attending the national AATG Conference. We found a great German restaurant one night and enjoyed visiting with the owner after he found out we both spoke German. Ron, ich danke dir für deine Freundschaft. Wir sehen uns ganz bestimmmt irgendwann in der Zukunft wieder. Michael Nordsten

Linda Sanchez

October 16, 2023

This is Linda Sanchez! I just to do his hair. I didn't know what happened until I was surging for him he didn't show up for his appointment! I was calling him, no answer. I knew no answer something wrapped to him! I will be missing him so much he was my friend! So sad but I know his not suffering anymore