Alan William Nelson

Alan William Nelson, 70, beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away peacefully at his home in Hayden Lake, ID on December 24, 2009 after a courageous battle with melanoma. He was born September 25, 1939 in California to Albert and Helen Nelson. Alan graduated from Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Upon graduation, he moved to Seattle and began his long career with The Boeing Company. In 1962 he met and married Roberta (Bobbi) Margaret Rowe. They had four children, Kelly, Mike, Ryan and Molly. Following his passion for airplanes, Dad spent 38 years working for Boeing. He began in engineering, moved to marketing, and finally to his favorite job, airplane sales. As a salesman, he traveled extensively around the world, using his incredible personality to adapt to any cultural setting. Although his job held great excitement and satisfaction, nothing was more important to Dad than spending time with his kids and grandkids. We were all so fortunate to have been blessed with his loving, caring, and generous spirit.Alan was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 42 years, Bobbi. Following his wife’s death, Alan was blessed with a new love and a guardian angel when he met and married Patty Strait Williams in 2008. Though their marriage was cut too short by cancer, their time was filled with love, laughter, and happiness.Alan is survived by his wife, Patty, of Hayden Lake, his mother-in-law, Dorothy Rowe of Hamilton, MT, his sister, Beverly Anderson and children, Kelly (Jon) Adams of Renton, WA, Mike (Nicki) Nelson of Seattle, WA, Ryan (Alison) Nelson of Dallas, TX, and Molly (Greg) Gannon of Corvallis, MT. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren: Max, Joe, Jack, Juniper, Maile, Sara, Luke and Kate. His extended family also survives, the Smileys, Russells, Straits, Bradshaws, Lawrences and their children, whom Alan loved very much. There are so many things about Alan that will be missed, his sense of humor, his caring, his generosity, and especially his big smile. We take great comfort in knowing that we will join him again in heaven. May peace be with you Dad!There will be a funeral mass on Saturday, January 16 at 10:30 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bellevue, WA. Condolences may be left at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N Government Way, Hayden Lake, ID 83835.