Early Sunday morning, April 3, 2022, Robert Koren Nelson left this earth and is once again dancing with the love of his life, Jeanne. Robert and Jeanne met at Life Guard camp in Iowa; they both told the same 'love at first sight' story! Marriage in 1953 was followed by the birth of their 5 children and a life of adventure. Robert grew up in Decorah, Iowa and attended school from kindergarten through college (Luther College, class of '53) there. Decorah and his friends from those years always held a special place in his heart. He was especially happy that many of those friends, along with relatives were able to gather in August 2021 to celebrate his 90th birthday. Music was a large part of his life and from an early age, Robert could be found at the piano 'banging on the keys' with his signature boogie-woogie sound. His first music job was in Deep River, Iowa teaching all grades, K - 12! Next came teaching high school chorus in Red Oak, Iowa where the choirs performed beautiful concerts and musicals such as Bye Bye Birdie and The Mikado. His love of music, sense of adventure and education at Luther College came together when a classmate recommended Robert for the director of the Girls Glee Club at Kamehameha Schools in Honolulu, Hawaii. He took the job 'for a year' and stayed a lifetime, raising his 5 children with Jeanne. Together they enjoyed Island life and many travels through-out the world. After retiring from Kamehameha Schools, he took up woodworking, filling his home with beautiful furniture and creating gifts for his children and grandchildren that will be treasured forever. His greatest gift was the love and devotion he showered on his wife and family. We will forever miss his hugs and 'Dad talks'; however, we rejoice that he is once again with Mom, as he was happiest when they were together. Robert was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jeanne Frances. He is survived by his brother John (Arleen) Nelson, his 5 children, Shelaine (Richard) Monkiewicz, Kirsten (Ricardo) Anderson, Terri (Paul) Clark, Michael (Kendra) Nelson and Robert Nelson, Jr; his 10 grandchildren, Ikaika (Pierina) Anderson, Sasha (Nico) Perez-Garreaud, Lauren Monkiewicz, Lindsey Monkiewicz, Jenna Nelson, Jordan Nelson, Rylee Clark, Kara Clark, Olin Nelson and Dominic Nelson and 5 great-grandchildren Kekoa Anderson, Keone Anderson, Nova Perez-Garreaud, Dallas Derring, Layanna Hicks and a multitude of nieces and nephews. Robert's easy smile, twinkling blue eyes and joy of living will be greatly missed by all who loved him. All are welcome at his Memorial Service at The Church of the Holy Nativity, 5286 Kalaniana'ole Hwy in Honolulu, Hawaii on May 15, 2022 at 2:00pm. Arrangements Provided By:
H.M. Patterson and Son Canton Hill
