Dick Nelson, 80, passed away on Jan. 26 in Ocala, Florida, after a long battle with cancer. In 1987, he accepted an opportunity with Marion County, Florida, as the 9-1-1 Director, implementing the County’s Enhanced 9-1-1 System. He served until his retirement in 2007. He served as Chairman of the Florida Statewide 9-1-1 Coordinator Group and on the Board of Officers for the Florida Chapter of APCO, including as President from 2000-2001.

His many other contributions to APCO included serving as editor of the Florida Chapter newsletter for several years. Nelson served as chair of the chapter’s 9-1-1 technology subcommittee and was known as the “go-to person for technology.” In addition to giving numerous presentations at Florida APCO conferences, he was the chapter liaison to the Florida Chapter of NENA. Nelson was known for his professionalism, smile, and level-headedness.

Nelson was born on March 27, 1940, in Charleston, West Virginia. After graduating from high school in Toledo, Ohio, he studied at the University of Toledo before joining the Army Security Agency. He worked for the U.S. Defense Department until he was recruited by defense contractor Sanders Associates. In 1975, he signed on with the Navy Department at Pinecastle Electronic Warfare Range in Florida.

See Nelson’s full obituary here.

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