Robert "Bob" Dean Nelson

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of our Dad, Robert “Bob” Nelson’s passing on Friday, May 2, 2025.

Robert “Bob” Dean Nelson was born on April 7, 1943, in Klamath Falls, Oregon, to Alvin and Amelia (Kostal) Nelson. His parents had moved to Klamath Falls from Rapid City, South Dakota, the previous year, drawn by the promise of work in the lumber mill industry.

Bob grew up in Klamath Falls, going to Mills Elementary School, Altamont Middle School, and graduating from Klamath Union High School in 1961. In January of 1964, he married Susan Ginder, who was also from Klamath Falls. During their 20 years of marriage, they built a family with their three children: Paula, Troy, and Tammy.

If you knew Bob, you knew his love for cars, especially the classics. As a teenager, he was gifted a 1952 Dodge from his Uncle Clyde. His passion led him to a career in used car sales, starting at Thomas Dodge shortly after high school as a parts manager. He continued in that role at Wil-Win Dodge and later at Surroz Motors, where he eventually became a part owner. In 1976, Bob began his own business with the opening of Town and Country Motors, a used car lot specializing in the late models and timeless classics he loved. He ran Town and Country Motors until he retired in 2016.

Bob was an active member of the Corvette Connection and enjoyed their summer road trips. He was also a familiar face at the Klamath Kruise for many years, proudly showing his favorite classic cars and even brought home a few awards. Beyond his interest in cars, Bob truly enjoyed bringing people together. Bob loved to entertain, and friends and family have fond memories of gathering at his home.

From a young age, Bob had a green thumb, inspired by his parents' vegetable garden and his mother Amelia’s peonies and roses. This early interest grew into his own love for his flower gardens, which he created and tended over the years. His dedication resulted in a pretty collection of peonies, along with magnolias, dogwoods, rhododendrons, and hydrangeas. He also appreciated tropical plants and orchids.

Bob enjoyed seeing new places and took many cruises with friends and family, with Hawaii being a place he particularly liked to visit. Back home, he valued the simple times of weekend family potlucks at Moore Park and Wiard Park. The holidays, especially Christmas, were special to him as opportunities to gather and celebrate with his family and friends.

Bob is lovingly remembered by his children: Paula (Jeff) Daniels; Troy Nelson; and Tammy Remstedt; his grandchildren: Laura Benson, Lauren (Jesse) Hickey; Emily (Zack) Cox; Chad Remstedt and Lexi Remstedt; his great-grandchildren: Peyton Hickey, Cody Cox, Tilly Cox, and Cleo Hickey; his sister, Beverly Baker; and his brother, Dennis Nelson along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law, Jim Baker, niece Cindy (Baker) Cochran, son-in-law Guy Remstedt, his sister-in-law Beverly Nelson, and nephew Doug Nelson.

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at New Horizon Christian Fellowship in Klamath Falls on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 1:00 PM. Arrangements are with Davenport’s and Eternal Hills.

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