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Robert Howard Nelson, "Bob" to his friends, "Robert" to his family, "Dad" to his children, "Papa" to his grandchildren, and Dr. Nelson to his patients and colleagues passed away on June 6, 2026, at the age of 79, from complications of pancreatic cancer. He was born the second child of Howard and Opal Nelson. As a small child, Bob knew that medicine would be his passion.
Bob lettered in both football and track at Pryor High School, where he graduated in 1965 as an excellent student and champion hurdler. He enrolled at Oklahoma State University, a Cowboy to his core, where he pledged Sigma Alpha Epsilon and became a member of numerous student leadership organizations. On a blind date, he met Beth, and they married on April 5, 1969, in Bennett Chapel on the OSU campus — a union that would last more than 57 years.
He earned his medical degree from OU in 1973 (but never cheered for the Sooners). Robert then headed west to U.C. Davis, for his ENT residency.
Bob settled his family, now including son Scott and daughter Holly, in Tulsa, joining Eastern Oklahoma Ear, Nose, and Throat in 1979, where he would practice for nearly four decades before retiring in 2016. From his first day to his last, he wore a tie beneath his white coat, "out of respect for my patients." He loved his partners, his team, and his patients.
Bob raised his family at Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian, in Tulsa, "the Kirk.” He taught Sunday School, participated in church ski trips, enjoyed the same small group for years, and gave himself to the congregation as both deacon and elder, and participated in numerous short-term-mission trips with teams from the Kirk. He enjoyed Bible Study Fellowship, and especially benefitted from the fellowship. Bob was a lifelong learner.
Bob's Oklahoma State loyalty was absolute. He held OSU football season tickets for decades, and in later years could be found at basketball games, wrestling matches, and softball games. He bled orange. In retirement he enjoyed researching his ancestry, travel, time spent with grandchildren, and caring for the best lawn on the block with his dog beside him.
After retirement, Robert and Beth relocated to Dallas, then to Stillwater, where he spent his final years close to family. In the place he stated towards the end, “Stillwater has always been HOME.”
He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Opal Nelson.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth "Beth" Clift Nelson, of Stillwater; his sister, Beverly Nelson Caldwell, of Pryor; his son, Scott Nelson, and wife Kim, of Dallas; his daughter, Holly Nelson Eaton, and husband Geoff, of Stillwater; his grandchildren Campbell, Hattie, and Rory of Stillwater, and Will, Abby, Alexa, and Carson of Dallas; and his beloved dog Clementine.
Μemorial service will be held at Kirk of the Hills on Saturday June 13, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials can be made to Literacy in Evangelism 1800 South Jackson Tulsa, OK 74107 or Kirk Short Term Missions 4102 E. 61st Tulsa, OK 74136
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