Steven Nelson

Steven Robert Nelson

Steven Robert Nelson was born on December 13, 1941 in Atlantic, Iowa and passed away in San Diego, California on March 14, 2013 after a long and valiant battle with declining health problems.
Steven was the proud son of Ralph and Mildred Parkinson Nelson. For many decades Ralph owned and operated Nelson Automotive Service on Chestnut Street while Mildred was an adoring mother and avid golfer.  Both his parents preceded him in death.
Early on, Steven showed evidence of his intellectual prowess, receiving various scholastic awards and in 1960 graduated from Atlantic High School. Steven did his undergraduate studies at Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. Subsequently, he went on to obtain a PhD in Economics from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. Upon completion of his academic studies, Steve was recruited by the U.S. Federal Government to come to Washington, DC and worked as an economist in the Division of Competition Analysis for the Bureau of Economics at the Federal Trade Commission. He worked there for over a four decades and received numerous commendations for his outstanding work in anti-trust investigations while serving diligently  on behalf of the government as an expert witness in various cases that the U.S. government brought to trial. Steven's areas of expertise were domestic and international auto parts and the mergers of businesses relating to both the computer and food industries.
An avid do-it-yourselfer, Steve enjoyed his home, doing many home improvements himself while also giving back to his community. He served as treasurer of the John Calvin Presbyterian Church in Fairfax, Virginia for many years and as secretary of the D.C. Gertrude Stein Democratic Club.
Computers, classical music, opera, foreign travel, art, photography, fine dining, enjoyment of fine wines and high performance vehicles were all passions of his—as were his reading of non-fiction, especially books on the second World War and  biographies of famous political and military men in history. His collection of non-fiction books, that he read from cover to cover, filled bookcases in two rooms. For many years he had annual subscriptions to the opera which he attended at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
After retirement, Steve started to wind down from the rigorous demands of federal government service and enjoyed his three Australian terriers, Princess, Barak and Gali who brought great joy to him on the multiple, long daily walks he took with them throughout his neighborhood in Mclean, Virginia.
In 2011, Steven retired to Baja California, Mexico where until his recent illness, he enjoyed sunbathing by the pool; playing with his dogs and enjoying long siestas.
Many people will remember Steve for the outstanding person he was, whether as a youth in Atlantic mowing neighbors' lawns; or as the kind, accomplished person he became. His departure will be mourned by many including by his companion and life partner Jeffrey Karlin.


There will be a prayer service held Tuesday March 19, 2013 at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic. Ian Barrs will officiate. Afterward, a committal service will take place at the Atlantic Cemetery in Atlantic, Iowa.
Roland Funeral Service of Atlantic, Iowa is caring for Steven's arrangements. Condolences may be left his guest book at www.rolandfuneralservice.com

IN REMEMBRANCE OF
Steven Robert Nelson
Born ~ December 13, 1941

ENTERED INTO REST
Thursday March 14, 2013
at the age of
71 years, 3 months, 1day

FUNERAL SERVICE
Tuesday March 19, 2013
One O’ clock PM
At Roland Funeral Home
Atlantic, Iowa

OFFICIATING
Ian Barrs

COMMITTAL
Atlantic Cemetery ~ Atlantic, Iowa