More detail on this person: Nelson, Ronald
Kenneth Passed away Saturday, September 26,
2014, at the age of 67. (note: newspaper
obituary had date wrong) Loving husband of
Barbara (nee Bagemihl), loving father of David
(Lilly Duermeier) Nelson and Angela (Brandon)
Dequardo. Proud grandfather of Peter Kenneth
Dequardo. Further survived by brother Keith
(Valeria), their children Nubia, Alex and Nicolas,
and many other cousins, nieces, nephews, and
friends. Preceded in death by his parents Edwin
Arthur Nelson and Bette Jane Yakel and his
brothers Gareth and Neil. Decorated Vietnam
helicopter pilot, commercial photographer for over
35 years, and member of the Milwaukee wood
turning community, Ron was a man of many talents
with a love of learning and teaching. He
courageously battled leukemia in 2009 and was
surrounded by his loving family at his time of
passing. Friends and family are invited to attend
a memorial gathering at Ron and Barb's condo
(6128 W. Woodview Ct., Greenfield) on Saturday,
October 4. Memories to be shared at 4 PM followed
by informal dinner. Memorials to Wisconsin
American Legion Foundation. Serving the Family
WITKOWIAK (414) 645-2467 This information was last updated 02/02/2015
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Date posted on this site:
04/13/2025
Copyright © 1998 - 2025 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
Published in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Oct. 1,
2014
Several years before he died, Ron was awarded
100% Service Connected Disability. He actually
survived the leukemia and after being in remission
for 5 years his oncologist declared him cured. He
died from congestive heart failure further
complicated by kidney failure. About seven years
before he died, he started receiving group
treatment for PTSD at the local VA hospital. The
life changing help this group gave Ron cannot be
understated and Ron's wife Barbara (who married
him at Fort Rucker while Ron was in flight school)
encourages anyone with PTSD to seek out help as
Ron ultimately did.
Ron's time in service forged lifelong
relationships and countless deep and special
memories. Ron named his son David Leonard
Nelson after his Army friends: CWO David W.
Timm (KIA 4/5/1968), CW2 David R. Olson, CW2
Leonard L. Robbins.
From: Barbara J. Nelson (Ron's wife)