Loving husband, father, brother and friend to many, died peacefully at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4th after a long and courageous battle with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Born in Casper, Wyoming, but a true product of the Northwest, Rob attended the University of Washington and after graduating met his lovely wife, Jane and became the father of two amazing children, Nathan and Natalie. After starting their family in Tennessee they settled in Gig Harbor, Washington and have become part of a remarkable area where they participated in many facets of church, school and community. Rob was an employee at Boeing in Tennessee and here in the Seattle area. Rob also is loved adoringly by his parents, Robert and Sue Nelson and his sisters, Laura and Debbie and their families, as well as a large extended family from many Northwest states. It can be said that Rob was always putting the happiness of others first. He was adored by both family and community alike, he was humble, but outgoing. He was bigger than life, but never on a pedestal. He was courageous, but never with complaint. He was loving and kind to all, but always with family first. He was a husband, father, brother and friend to many, and his memory will always live in the hearts of those who knew him, and they will all be better, kinder and proud for knowing him. Rob graduated from St. Philomena's 8th grade in 1977.