Obituaries

Robert Parrish Nelson, 79

December 15, 2017

Robert Parrish Nelson, 79, of Mechanicsburg passed away peacefully Friday morning, December 15 from complications from Parkinson’s disease. Born in Binghamton, NY, he was the son of the late Kenneth and Bertha (Neild) Nelson. Bob is survived by his children Jennifer of Lititz, PA, Pamela of Short Hills, NJ, Rebecca of New York, NY, and Michael of Jersey City, NJ; and ten grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister Judi.
Bob graduated from Oklahoma State University and started his career with Texas Instruments. He spent 30 years with IBM before starting his own company, Professional Resource Group (PRG) in Mechanicsburg. He retired in 2006 with the sale of his business and enjoyed travel, golfing and family.
Bob was an avid golfer and member of the Country Club of Harrisburg, where he enjoyed many years of comradery with members, friends and family alike. He enjoyed bowling, a sport he toured with in his high school and early college years and stayed with through his life. Aside from spending time with his children and grandchildren, Bob also had a passion for cars – from racing them to building them. He proudly won Senior Division at the AACA Eastern Fall Meet in Hershey in 2016 for his 1971 Dodge Challenger – an undertaking he relished from start to finish with a team he respected and enjoyed.
Please join Bob’s family for a Celebration of Life service to be held on Friday, December 22, 2017 at 11:30 AM at the Country Club of Harrisburg, 401 Fishing Creek Valley Road, Harrisburg, PA 17112, where the family will begin receiving guests at 11:00 AM. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you kindly make a donation to the Parkinson’s Foundation at www.parkinson.org in Bob’s name.

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Condolences to the Family

December 20, 2017

I was fortunate to have been Bob’s friend who worked around him and with him for about 20 years at IBM and for him for several more years at The Professional Resource Group, the company he started after he retired from IBM.  He was always a gentleman and his quiet demeanor made it a pleasure to be around him. Despite his quiet exterior he was fiercely competitive.  This showed through in his bowling and when he was a nationally ranked drag racer being sponsored by Chrysler in the highly comtetitive Super Stock class in the early 60s where he said “I never met a Hemi I couldn’t beat”.  He was also a competitive golfer and I’m sure he had mixed emotions when his son Mike, who in his teens, could out drive him.
Bob loved cars from before he was a successful drag racer through 2016 when his rather rare 1971 Dodge Challenger, that he had carefully restored, was finally awarded senior status by the Antique Auto Club of America at the Hershey car show.  Bob and I were together at Hershey for many years so I know a senior award is quite an accomplistment.
In business he always tried to do things a little bit better each day.  This was really apparent when he successfully built his own company, The Professional Resource Group.  Throughout his business career his customers respected him for his open honesty and straightforward way of conducting business.
He was very proud of his children and grandchildren about whom we frequently talked.  He was very happy that his children grew up to be good people and that his grandchildren were on the same path.
My wife and I are saddened by his passing but are happy we had a chance to have known and enjoyed him for such a long time. 
I am certain Bob is now challenging St. Peter to either a $2 Nassau or a trip down the drag strip for pink slips or at least the lowest elapsed time.
As you used to say “You did good” 
Rest in peace.
Your friend,
Harry Baker
 
 
 

Visitation
Friday, December 22, 2017
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Country Club of Harrisburg
401 Fishing Creek Valley Road
Harrisburg, PA
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Services
Friday, December 22, 2017
11:30 AM
Country Club of Harrisburg
401 Fishing Creek Valley Road
Harrisburg, PA
Map and Directions

Get Maps and Directions >
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