Robert Neil Nelson, age 79, a life-long resident of Mountain Home, Arkansas, passed away Friday, February 4, 2022. He was born December 31, 1942, to George Neil and Euna Mae (Langston) Nelson. Robert was a 1960 graduate of Mountain Home High School and attended Arkansas Tech University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education in 1964. He later completed his Master’s Degree +15 in Education at the University of Arkansas, class of 1969.
Robert married the love of his life, Margaret Ann Joyce, on January 26, 1964, and recently celebrated 58 years of marriage together. They have two daughters, Laura Ann Penny (David) and Marcy Lea McCroskey (David), all of Springdale, Arkansas.
Robert taught Beginner and Junior High Bands in Searcy, AR, from 1964 to 1967. He then returned to the Mountain Home area as Director of Bands from 1967-2002. During his 35 years of teaching, he had many honors and accomplishments, including President of Arkansas Bandmasters Association (84-85), ABA Bandmaster of the Year (1994), Honorary Member of Arkansas Band and Orchestra Association, and three times voted Mountain Home High School Teacher of the Year.
In retirement, Robert served eight years on the Mountain Home School Board, serving one year as President. He was an MH Education Foundation Hall of Honors recipient (2010), Arkansas School Board Association Pinnacle Award Recipient (2013), and Classic Arkansas Band Director Award Recipient (2017). In 2014, Robert was honored by having the Robert N. Nelson High School Band Hall named in his honor to recognize his 43 years of music education and service to the Mountain Home School District.
Robert was a member of First Baptist Church of Mountain Home, where he sang in the choir and was a member of the Spokesman Quartet. He enjoyed golfing and traveling in the RV, but his most recent enjoyment was found in photography. Robert found great fulfillment in sharing his love and appreciation for music with his thousands of students. The most important thing he provided this community is the character he built into his students. Robert didn’t just teach music; he taught pride, perseverance, hard work, teamwork, commitment, integrity, and excellence. He had a profound influence on the development of the character of his students.
Robert is survived by his wife, Ann, of the home; daughters Laura (David) and Marcy (David), all of Springdale, AR; 6 grandchildren; Megan (Luke) Brown of Centerton, AR, Mallory (Jordan) Hodges of Frontenac, Kansas; Audrey (Thomas) Hamer of Springdale, AR; Mac, Maddie, and Josie McCroskey, as well as eight great-grandchildren. His brothers, Larry Gene (Brenda) Nelson of Rogers, AR, and Thomas Lee (Sandi) Nelson of Takoma, WA, survive. Robert is preceded in death by his parents and infant daughter, Susan Lynn Nelson.
Memorials may be made to MHHS Bomber Band Boosters, Mountain Home Education Foundation, First Baptist Church of Mountain Home, or Hospice of the Ozarks.
A visitation will be from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. with family receiving from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 9th at First Baptist Church in Mountain Home, AR. The Funeral will be Thursday, February 10th, at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church with burial following at Baxter Memorial Gardens.
Arrangements are under the care of Roller Funeral Home.
Click here to visit the Roller Funeral Home website and sign the guest book.
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