Robert P. Nelson, Jr.
February 28, 1954 ~ December 9, 2021
Robert P. Nelson Jr., M.D,.67, of Indianapolis, passed away on December 9, 2021 at Franciscan Health in Indianapolis. Robert was born on February 28, 1954 in Racine, Wisconsin to the late Robert P. and Hope Nelson. He grew up on the west side of Evansville, where he attended Reitz High School, playing varsity football and basketball. Bob was quarterback for the historic 1971 state-champion football team.
An accomplished and respected physician and Immunologist, Robert practiced at I.U. Health and Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. Additionally, he was a professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine, inspiring many current and future physicians to pursue immunology as a specialty. He began his career in immunology, in a fellowship at the University of South Florida, where he helped start one of the first AIDS clinics in South Florida. Dr. Nelson was engaged in allergy/immunology research throughout his career, authoring numerous publications and receiving a range of awards for both his research achievements and teaching excellence.
A multi-talented man, he enjoyed playing his guitar and piano as well as listening to all genres of music.
He is survived by his sister Karen Nelson Moser; brother-in-law Paul Moser; niece Madeleine G. Manka, M.D. and husband Lukas Manka; great niece Chloe Manka; cousins Scott (Lisa) Stewart, Sandy Stewart, Nancy Wyatt; second cousins Quinn Leibman, Hailey Stewart, Natalie Stewart; his dear friend Becky Armbruster and a host of friends and colleagues.
A Celebration of Robert’s life will be held on Saturday, January 15, 2022 from 2-3pm at St. Lucas United Church of Christ, 33 W. Virginia Street, Evansville, IN 47710. A gathering will follow at Sandbox Bar and Grill, 1550 Mesker Park Drive, Evansville, IN 47720 from 3:30pm-7:00pm. Cremations are entrusted to Daniel F. O’Riley Funeral Home, 6107 S. East Street, Indianapolis. Please visit www.orileyfuneralhome.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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Bob and I worked together. I’ll never forget how helpful he was and how much I learned from him. He was a wonderful brainiac!
So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. Much too soon. It is my honor to have had Bob as a teammate in high school. I remember him as a gifted athlete with an extraordinary mind. I once was ill and went to IUPUI hospital to get a diagnosis. Bob and I accidentally met in the hallway. Gave me his phone number in case I could use his help.
Bob and I did our internal medicine residency together at the University of South Florida, we had a great group. Keeping up with those Hoosiers was tough on this old Kentucky boy. Bob was a excellent physician and will be missed by his family, friends, and colleagues.
How great a shock to hear of Bob’s passing. I remember like it was yesterday when Bob was in my 8th grade math class at West Terrace School. He was one of my finest students with a twinkle in his eye for keeping teachers on their toes. He was the only straight A student I gave an N in effort because he did not bring his homework and book to class the first grading period. He asked me how did he get the N in effort with an A . I told him he did not have 100% on all quiz and tests and I expect him to have 100% on everything and bring his homework and book to class daily. Tell your parents that is why. Bob did just that the rest of the year. While many of his grade school teachers have sadly passed, I can tell you none of us were surprised by Bob’s success, you are in our prayers. Bob
I was a fraternity brother of Bob’s and was lucky to reconnect with him after he moved back to Indy. An extraordinary intellect which he put to great use and which was only rivaled by his kindness and subtle wit .
I am so saddened to hear of Bob’s passing. Whike we had not been in contact since college, I remember Bob as a great fraternity brother, tremendous athlete that QBd our intramural football team and a guy that was liked by everyone. Read his accomplishments in his obituary and was not surprised by all the excellent work he had done to help people. Knew he had gone to Med school but lost track after that. Rest in peace my S.A.E. brother Phi Alpha
I will miss Bobby a lot. A great man and physician and friend. He brought true compassion in caring for others. He had a true faith.
I worked with Bob for many years on BMT. He was a funny, caring, and intelligent physician. I will miss him dearly!!! He sense of humor was rather odd at times and he was very quirky. We all loved this about him. We all loved that he was the first to laugh at his jokes during rounds while the rest of us tried to figure out the punch line. He LOVED his patients and families and spend time with them explaining how they were doing. I wish I could have said goodbye in person when you left IU! You will be missed Bob!! RIP ❤️❤️
So sad to hear of Bob’s passing. As a fraternity brother of Bob’s at IU we spent many hours together on the fields, courts and track. But my fondest memories were with Bob around the piano in our great room. He was kind, funny, and had an easy smile/laugh. He will be missed. My condolences to his family.
What a delightful young man Bobby was at Reitz High School both in the classroom and on the court. That warm smile has prevailed. My condolences to Karen and his family. Linda Steurer Winchell, Faculty member
Bob Nelson was the QB on my all-time favorite Evansville Reitz Football team…1971 Indiana State Champions! My sympathies go out to Bob’s family and may God keep them in His tender care. Bruce Griffin F.J. Reitz Class of 1976 Mesa, AZ
Bob was one of the kindest people I ever had the privilege to work with. He treated both his patients and co-workers with respect and caring. Bob found humor in daily life happenings. He shared this humor through telling great stories that had everyone laughing even days afterward or in the re-telling. He would try to keep a straight face but then his shoulders would start moving and finally his deep laugh would burst forth. I miss that laugh.
Dr Nelso was a very valuable colleague for me and my patients in neurology. I only called on him when I was completly out of ideas (desparate) for further immunlogical treatment options. He always had suggestions and many of them worked. He was a uniquely gifted physician who was always availble to take my call or email. John Kincaid Neurology
Dr Nelson was a amazing doctor and he is a caring guy n funny guy to. He loves his patients all. Our daughter Wilma was year n half old when he Started to be her doctor. He is missed dearly ߘ¢ . One time he brings us some of his pet rabbits in a mini van. Wilma n Dr Nelson n Dr Heiny in this picture. Those doctors caring people. Our daughter Wilma is 24 year old. When Wilma gets sick all I had to do is email him or text him about her n he taking care of her . Anna Mae Wengerd from Middlebury Indiana.
This is Karen, Bob’s sister. I have heard all about how much he loved Wilma over these years. He told me once that he would sit her on his lap and talk to her as she was so small. Always looked forward to his time with Wilma. Once he took in two rabbits from a neighborhood child who came to his door with them, and ended up with 17. It was a rabbit carnival. Only organic carrots. All kinds of play for them in a big thing that took up half of his dining room. When we told him it was time to let the rabbits go, he took them to Wilma’s family farm. He told us when he took her on his lap the next time and asked her how they were she said they were sweeter than the wild ones haha. He loved telling that story.
Yes very much he cares about his patients all.
This is Karen Nelson Moser, Bob’s sister. I am prompted to write this in response to Anna Mae Wengerd’s tribute. I have heard all about how much he loved Wilma over these years. He told me once that he would sit her on his lap and talk to her as she was so small. Always looked forward to his time with Wilma. Once he took in two rabbits from a neighborhood child who came to his door with them, and ended up with 17. It was a rabbit carnival. Only organic carrots. All kinds of play for them in a big thing that took up half of his dining room. When we told him it was time to let the rabbits go, he took them to Wilma’s family farm. He told us when he took her on his lap the next time and asked her how they were she said they were sweeter than the wild ones haha. He loved telling that story. I hope someday I can meet Wilma.
Karen, you, Paul and your whole family are in our thoughts and prayers.
I want to share that a service is being held in Evansville, Indiana, on Saturday, January 15, 2 pm at St. Lucas Church, 33 W. Virginia St. to celebrate Robert’s life. An after gathering is planned at the Sandbox Bar & Grill, Mesker Park Dr.
As a new young teacher at Reitz High School, Bob and Tom Buck were my first favorite Algebra students! Wonderful article of remembrance in today’s paper (January 15) in Evansville.
Kenny Mesker I had chance to meet Bob back in high school, I was from at that other school on the westside. He was part of a Great bunch of guys along with Dave McDonald,Tom Buck and Larry Johnson. Then I got to know his dad Bob when I worked for Bucyrus Erie in the service department. What a nice family.
I attended West Terrace School and played the French Horn with him under the guidance of Mr. Bruck. I was an cheerleader there and he played basketball. I had the biggest crush on him. He graduated from Reitz in 1972 and I in 1973. He was an absolutely wonderful man.
This is very late but I just found out about Dr. Nelson’s passing. I was a 25 year post Bone Marrow Transplant Patient who was suffering from multi systems failure due to some immunology issues. What a better doctor to go at IU University Hospital than Bob Nelson. I am so grateful for the connection and comeback from a health standpoint. I’m so grateful for Dr. Nelson. Mike Cornman, Ellettsville, IN
Bob Nelson was one of the finest human beings I had the privilege to know.
We thank Bob for his contributions to stem cell transplant medicine. My wife Teri benefited from this life-saving treatment this year. I miss Bob.