Nels Richard Nelson

N. Richard Nelson of Delta departed this earth on December 7, 2020 at 7:06am in Grand Junction, Colorado, at the age of 82, after a brief illness. The knowledge and expertise he so readily shared with others will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife Lucy Warner, his son Richard E. (Michele) Nelson and daughter Leslie Shultis, both of Albuquerque, NM, 2 grandchildren, Michael Shultis and Jacqueline Nelson and 1 great-grandchild, Francis McDonald.

Born in Chicago, he graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in chemistry, married and had his two children, who have fond memories of his interest in earth sciences, fossil hunting with him all over in planned excursions. They also recall his early interest in astrology and his love of classical music. He later relocated to Manhattan where he worked with Hexcel and started his own trading company, Montreux, expressing his innate entrepreneurship. He moved in 1981 to the Florida Keys and started the first Bed and Breakfast - Journey’s End - in Key West where he met his current wife, Lucy. As a resident of Florida he founded his first natural food company called ‘Grandma’s Bakery’ then returned to his chemical training with water treatment, servicing boilers and air conditioning in the sub-tropical heat. He later founded his own water treatment business with Jeff Loving, Trident Services. Upon retirement in 2010, they sold the company and Richard and Lucy moved to Delta Colorado to be closer to both his children and her sisters.

In Delta he found his true calling as an amateur apothecary, starting with selling a few herbs and creams under the name Salamandre Apothecary with Jane Evert of Cedaredge, which led to his current company, Nelson’s Botanicals LLC.

Richard was also a Medical Astrologer and Health Coach for many decades, and was an expert in Elections, picking the best time and day for medical operations as well as for selling houses and starting businesses. He provided useful information to many clients throughout the US and elsewhere. Most recently he had been focused on healing with alternative medicines at reasonable prices giving free information to any who asked as well as selling products. His passing will be felt by many on the Western Slope, throughout the country and in Canada. His wife, and his assistant, Birdy Herman-Anderson, intend to keep the business running as long as customers still request his products.

Due to COVID19 no memorial has been planned.