Robert Dale Nelson, 77, of Remington, died at 4:40 a.m. (CDT) Saturday, December 11, 2010 at Jasper County Hospital AlternaCare in Rensselaer. He was born May 31, 1933 in Wheatfield to the late H. Dewey and Naomi Pampel Nelson. He graduated from Remington High School in 1951 and Purdue University in 1963, with a bachelors degree in physical education and a masters degree in education. He served in the Army at the end of the Korean War, with the 11th Airborne. He was a radio operator with the 76th tank battalion, stationed at Ft. Campbell, KY. His marriage was to Mary Lou Eastburn on June 14, 1953 at Remington United Methodist Church, she survives. He taught 6th grade at Wolcott, Round Grove, Gilboa, Remington and Tri County, and then taught 5th grade in Remington. He retired after teaching 29 years. He also coached 6th grade boys basketball, 8th grade girls basketball, freshman basketball, softball and track. Mr. Nelson was a member of Remington United Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday school and sang in the choir for several years. After retiring, he took flying lessons and received his permanent pilot license. He played, tuned, and restored pianos, and worked on a 1930 roadster piece by piece for many years until it was finished. He enjoyed woodworking, making tables, bookcases and cabinets, golfing with friends and family, and working on crossword puzzles. Surviving with his wife are two children, Roger D. Nelson (wife: Sandra) of Kokomo and Robin D. Stelzer (husband: John) of Reynoldsburg, OH, and a sister, Dorothy Scott of Lafayette. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Chad, Mindy, Jacob, Jonathan, Jenny, Ryan and Kristen, and five great-grandchildren, Cierra, Colin, Mason, Claire and Emma. He is preceded in death by a sister, Marjorie Dalrymple and a brother, Russell D. Nelson. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. (EST) Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at Remington United Methodist Church. Funeral service 11 a.m. (EST) Wednesday, December 15, 2010 also at Remington United Methodist Church with Pastor Mary van Wijk officiating. Interment will follow at Remington Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Remington United Methodist Church or Jasper County Home Health and Hospice. Stitz-Clapper Funeral Home of Remington in charge of arrangements.