Robert Nelson Obituary

Can't believe you have been gone so long. I miss our projects, plus I could use your help on my own LOL. Hell I miss you. The Cubs look good this year. The Bears look good too, but believe it or not my Lions have a team. I didn't know (or remember) that this page was here. I will try and leave a note every now and then.
Miss you buddy,
Sean

Hey Ozzie! Can´t believe another year has passed. Not much has changed around here. Mom passed away on Valentines Day. She loved you bud!! I remember her asking me on more than one occasion if you had a home of your own to go to? my two oldest are getting straight A´s in college and my youngest, Anthony, is a Junior at Sandburg and is doing great.

Cleaned up you and your parents headstones the other day. I still miss you, pretty much like you just died yesterday. Give my mom a kiss for me bud! Love ya!!!

Boss Hog so much has happened the past few years. I miss how we could talk for hours, but mostly I miss our friendship I know that I will see you again someday.

Hey Ozzie! Can´t believe you´ve been gone 16 years. Took my son Frank on a college visit last weekend. My boys noticed the "Ozzie" special so I got the corned beef and Swiss on an onion bagel! My youngest Anthony was born right about the time you left us. I´be got 3 awesome kids. They´ve gotten to know you through all the stories I´ve told them. Still some that will have to wait a few years but we´ll get there:)
George joined you this year, how´s that going? That other jag also joined you this year and fyi, his life turned out as horrible as you would´ve wanted it (including prison) after what he did to you.

I stop by whenever I´m in the area, my cousin Larry is also at Holy Sepulchre. Couldn´t find either one of you guys in February with snow on the ground but I´ll stop by soon. Miss you and love you bud!!

Happy Birthday Bob. Thinking of you a bit more than usual today. Today was always our special day for celebrating. Miss you always. R.I. P. my friend

Ozzie, another year without you being here bud but you were certainly in my thoughts. Stopped by Holy Sepulcre over the weekend and had one for both of us, was a little wet:) Was that you? NYHB! NYH! Rest in Peace Ozzie, Rest in Peace!

Another year has come and gone, still miss you like crazy. RIP

Hey Ozzie, another year has passed and still miss you. Think about you all the time. Don't know if I told you but Mo has taught all my boys in Junior High:) Rest in peace bud! Love you.

Bob was the first person I met, holding a Reader, looking for an apartment, sitting at his bar...John Barleycorn. Over the years I became a regular, till I moved in 1995. I'll always remember the cold Dec Friday night, JB was packed to the gills and I had no hope of getting a beer. Like magic, the people in front of me parted and their was my bartender, standing on the bar, reaching thru the crowd handing me my regular beer. People in the place wanted to know who I was to get that treatment. That was Bob. I never knew his last name till I saw the obit today. He was a hell of a good guy and looked out for his people.

I miss you Boss Hog.

12 years have passed and it still seems like yesterday. Still think about you all the time and it's always with a smile...and a story:) You were certainly one of a kind. God bless you bud. Rest in Peace Ozzie!

Another year has passed but not much has changed, still think about you and miss you like crazy. RIP Bob

Another anniversary comes and goes and you're still in my thoughts everyday. Rest in peace Ozzie.

Bob, you come to my mind so often; and as the years pass I realise even more how much a lasting impact and impression you made upon me. Your smile (and your joking frown) is imprinted with joy upon my memory forever. Just as I know it is for hundreds of other lives that you touched. Love, Mel

Can't believe its been 9 years since you left us. I still think about and miss you all the time. Fly high my friend

Been 9 long years since you left us Ozzie. Not a day goes by that I don't think about you...still asking why sometimes:( Love you Buddy!!

Bucky and I were just talking about you...no worries, all good:):) We miss you buddy! Rest in peace with your mom and dad:)

Happy Birthday Bob. Love, Mel, Mo-G & Dianne

Happy Birthday Boss hog

Miss you

Fondly forever Mr. Nelson. Love, Mel

Eventhough we think of you all the time, tonight we are toasting our Jameson to you.

It was one year ago today that you left us. I've always believed that time heals all wounds but now I'm not so sure. I will always treasure the good times. You are missed my friend.

It is hard to believe that a year has passed since your death. I miss you and find myself a bit sad everytime I step into Mulligans and Home Depot. We will never know the answers because we did not know the questions.

It's been almost 1 year. We miss you every day.
Chris, Amy & Smarty

I have known Bob since bar tending with him back in the John Barleycorn days. Getting "Bobbed" meant that even when your shift was done we found ourselves drinking the never ending pint on the other side of the bar. Bob always had a way of making everyone's troubles go away and threw a new perspective and a smile into any situation. He well deserves to be leaning back, Jameson in hand laughing at all the things we worry too hard about. Bob Nelson will never be forgotten and I am sure that I am not alone when I say that he taught me a lot about life that I shall never forget; especially now. My eternal thanks Bob.

I will miss you every day for the rest of my life.

Bob-Thanks for the great time in the summer of 2006 at Mulligan's after the Cubs game. Although I'd only met you a couple of times through the "Fargo Gang", you treated us like we'd been friends for years. I hope the view of Wrigley is good from way up there...GO CUBS!

Bob
I cant believe that you arent here anymore. I am just devistated because your friendship meant so much to me . I hope your pain has been eased. I will think of you often especially when I have a JRS hot dog and a JRITO....I miss you Bobby!
Love Stacie

Bob,
I am so very saddened to hear of your passing. My heartfelt condolences to all of your family and friends (both old and new.)
It was a lifetime ago on the south side side...but I have fond memories of those crazy high school days and your visits to NIU. I will genuinely miss catching up with you throughout the years. ...rest peacefully, my friend.

Bob,
You were always very kind to my wife and I, and we will both miss you very much. I had some great times visiting with the Fargo crew, and when I moved to Chicago, it was comforting to know that I already had one friend here. I have a lot of fond memories of late nights spent with you at Mulligan's. You were a real friend and a great guy, and I will always remember you always.

Bob-
It is hard to imagine you are really gone, I have never known Mulligans without my favorite bartender and friend, Bob. I never shared with you how much I adored our friendship and admired your spirit. I can only pray you are looking down from heaven with a smile on your face and a shot of Jameson in your hand. You will be forever missed.

My condolences to the family and friends of Bob Nelson. It was with deep sadness I learned of his passing, and I wish all who loved him find peace and comfort through the celebration of his life. Bob will sorely be missed by the many whom had the opportunity to meet him, as will his candor, goodwill and friendship with which he offered with ease and good humor each and every time I had opportunity to see him.

Bob - Myself, Vickie. Junior, Kaia and the rest of our crew had many a crazy night at the bar that we referred to as "The Promised Land." Thank you for all of the great times, stories, & Clown Crawls. I know you will be missed by many!

I have many memories of my times with Bob, most clouded by shots of Jameson...... He will be missed. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

So many good memories. So many great times. Signed many a Jameson bottle with you. Sorry you left us so soon. You were a good person and a great friend. Kara and I will miss you.

Bob,

I'll miss you. I am just devastated by this. I guess you go away and can't really expect things to not change but I had always thought that I could go back to Mulligans and drink a beer and reminisce with you. It won't be the same without you.

Bob, you were a brother to Alex, and so you were a brother to me too. In fact, without Mulligans, we probably would not have met :)
Some funny things I remember about you: the mirror removal in the women's bathrooms during Retro, your congratulatory emails when my teams win, your scolding of me when I would leave a brick on the bar, just to name a few...
You are loved and missed by so many. May we take comfort in each other and in knowing that you can find the peace that eluded you in this life, and may you rest in a place where the Cubs and the Fighting Irish always win.
We love you, Liza and Alex

Dear Carrie,
We were very sorry to hear of Bob's passing. We pray that you will receive comfort and blessing from your many friends and family. Sincerely, Bill and Karen Palmore

I am sorry to hear of Bob's passing. I am glad to have known him. He was generous and helpful to me at a time when help was needed and appreciated.

Ozzie (Bob), our friendship was one I will never forget. Anything I ever needed, you were there for me. Memories of when you and I had to push Sweets up the hill at the Western Open, driving with Sweets to the ND-Michigan State game, seeing Ronnie Woo Woo Vickers at the ND game in a Cubs uniform, the trip to the ND-Michigan game that you and Alex sat at the Linebacker all day and you jumped on my car hood and many more memories. You were a friend who always listened to good and bad times in my life. You will be truly missed by everyone who had met you. Now that you are reunited with Sweets and Elaine and hopefully having a drink with Tom Brogan, I hope you are at peace. Thanks for being a part of my life and I loved you like a brother and you know that I already have 7 of them. Also say hi to Sweets for me. Caroline and I will raise a glass to you at our wedding on November 1. You will be dearly missed. Love, Brogie.

"So a girl walks into a bar...."

That's how it started, you know. This friendship of ours. Like one of your endless supply of perfectly-executed jokes. And twenty years later, when I look back on that silly college attitude of mine and those just-off-the-plane from L.A. Aqua-Net Valley Girl bangs, there are plenty of punchlines that would probably be just perfect right now. But you see, I can't think of them. Not without you. That's the way it's always worked- I say something, you retort, then my turn, then yours... the humor getting drier by the moment, wittier by the second (well in your case, anyway). That is the way it has worked for almost two decades.

But you're not here. At least not where I can see you. Or hear you. I only found that out a few hours ago, actually. Which is why I'm rambling a bit. I've been staring out a window for almost 3 hours trying to find a way to absorb it. And not doing a particularly fabulous job at it. I pulled out all the old pictures- of the Jeffs, the Fahs, Blackshire, Tommy.... and you. You, who have been so many things to me over the years. A good friend, from the start. A protector at times when I was a silly little girl. And something I won't be able to replace- the keeper of a big part of my history.

The night last year when you, Carrie and I sat in Mulligans talking about "those days" meant an enormous amount to me. It was the gift of feeling that I had roots at a time when I needed it most, as I think I tearfully mentioned then (in between raving about how much I love, love, love that girl of yours...). I know, we ALWAYS invariably talk about "those days." But the last time was... I still can't explain it. Twenty years later, you still remember the things I used to say, the expressions I used back then, the adventures I got into, my birthday.... things about myself I had absolutely NO recollection of until you said them. Every year or so when we tilt a few back, you slide a bit more of my past back across the bar to me than I knew I had. That's what you did for so many people. In a huge world, where it's so easy to get lost, you remembered. Just as you did the day of my wedding when you carried a Guinness all the way from the pub to the reception for my ol' Irish dad, who'd insisted you poured the best pint ever on his first visit to you. You made his day. You remembered. I said it then, I will say it forever- I am so grateful to you. And for you.

Now the word is you're gone. And I suppose I have to believe that. I Googled it just to be certain, finding this guest book in the process. You know, with that Google admission, if things were as I would give anything for them to be, this is the point where you would come striding down the length of the bar and put that big foot up on the side, rest your elbow on your knee, lean over and deliver an anecdote about blondes and Googling. Then you and your smirk would flip around and shoot down to the other side before I could think of a comeback. Then you'd be back again with the thunk-thunk-thunk of the glasses going down for the shots. The last toast we had was, fittingly, to you. Namely, your remarkable ability to have not spilled a drop of your beer as it rested on your chest while you slept on the couch of my honeymoon suite the entire night. Yep. Ten years later, you were still proud of that one. And I have to give it to ya, it was indeed a remarkable feat.

I don't know why this happened. But it is your life, not your death, that I will think of. The last time I saw you, you were a happy man. Very much so. And at peace. And a lucky man, with such an incredible woman who loved you. That is the snapshot of you that I am going to hold onto.

I've said for years I think Heaven is a giant sports bar where everyone who goes first watches the rest of us. A few bets are placed as well, I'm sure. Someone has to be having a few good laughs at all the craziness that goes on down here. So I know you're in good company and I'm sure you've found a screen that has all-Notre Dame, all the time. There must be quite a line waiting to buy you a drink- my Dad never welched on a round so he'll be right in there with them. As will yours. You won't be forgotten down here. You simply could never be replaced. But you will be missed. So much.

And God help ya when the rest of us finally get up there!
Chi sinn a dh' aithghearr thu. Slainte.

We know your up on top.See you when we get there

for sure you will run into all those nelsons say hi from all of us!

Bob, thank you for some of greatast times of my life. Everyone from Fargo will never forget the great times we had with you at mulligans. Bob, you are the coolest guy I have ever met in my life. It was an absolute privilage to have known you. You inspired us and we hope to make you proud in the future.
I Love You, Klaus

Bob, I can never thank you enough for your kindness and generosity.
When I was down and out on the curb a couple of times, your were there for me and I'm truely sorry. I hope you always find what you were looking for. We had so many great laughs and stupid stories together. You truly were my big brother and great friend. You'll be missed.
May peace be in your heart,
Cash

Dear family and friends of Bob,We are so sorry for your loss. We pray for your peace. With love and sympathy Jan and Syd Emelander, sister and brother in-law of Jim and Marilyn Vander Werf.

Boss Hog - It is hard to believe that our relationship started over ashtrays at Mulligans. My heart aches to think of you carrying such heavy burdens. It gave you great happiness to take care of others. But sadly you did not always take care of yourself. I will always treasure our friendship and how much the Nelson boys loved me. I could go on for quite sometime about all the happy memories, it is odd that many included encased meat being whipped at my head :-) I will miss you my friend and brother.

I've never known any parents who loved a child more than Uncle Bob and Aunt Elaine loved Bobby. He was their great joy and pride in life, and I know they have embraced his return to them now.

I'm saddened to lose my little cousin, but he'll always be remembered in my thoughts and prayers.

Though I only met Bob a few times, I was friends with the Kempa sisters. Carrie, my thoughts and prayers are with you and all of Bob's family.

When the warmth of the sun touches my face,
I see your smile and feel your embrace.
I hear the whisper of love in the wind
And I know that you are close to me again.
The rain speaks of tears and the thunder of pain,
But soon the sun comes the earth to reclaim.
As the days come and go and the world moves on,
I know you're still here, you'll never be gone.
On the night the Angel came and took your hand,
We cried as you left for an unknown land.
But Heaven rejoiced as you came into sight,
For your soul was a diamond, shining so bright!

Carrie, my heart weeps for you & the family for your loss, know he is at peace now. Love Kimmie & family

Bob my heart aches to think that you had so many people who loved you and yet you felt so alone. I just pray that you have found the peace that you were so desperately seeking. My happiest memories are of times shared with you. You will always be a part of my soul. I miss you my friend, my brother.

Your love for Mulligan's made us friends and your love for my sister made us family. I will miss your smart remarks and your big heart. You were part of our family and will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. We will hold you in our hearts until we meet again.

Bob will be missed. He was a man of generous spirit and friendship. May he find rest with our Lord. Peace. Pmc

We have known you from a little baby to a grown man with your many accomplishments in life. Rest in peace now in the company of your mom and dad.

Love
Uncle John & Aunt Rita


Uncle John & Aunt Rita

May you find the peace and comfort you were searching for.

Cousin
Carole Kassie Morrison

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rain fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.