Reuben Richard Nelson died peacefully in his sleep at home on May 15,  2025.  He was born December 30, 1951, at St Mary’s Hospital in DeKalb to Edward and Gloria (Williams) Nelson. He was an avid fly and reel fisherman, a hunter and a crack shot with a rifle. He earned money as a young man trapping with his father. It was not unusual to walk on to the front porch of 202 Sycamore Rd and find beaver, muskrat, and the occasional mink. He graduated from DeKalb High School in 1969 and NIU in 1973 with a degree in Education.

He taught for 2 years in the ROVA School District then decided his true love was the fire service. He was one of the first paramedics in the State of Illinois and took to medical rescue like a duck to water.

In 1979 he was hired by the DeKalb Fire Department and served in many positions, but ended his vocation as Assistant Chief, a position he was very proud of. He taught firefighting and CPR for much of his career and kept acquiring certifications at the National Fire Academy in Maryland, an experience he relished and talked about often. He was dedicated to his profession and lived the service.

He married Mary Rita Nelson on August 4, 1973 at St Mary’s Church. They have two children, Edwin and Erica. They divorced in 1987, but fate was not done with them yet. On August 4, 2023, 50 years to the day of their first wedding, they re-married at Kishwaukee Country Club with his brother Ray as an Officiant, surrounded by their friends and family.

Reuben truly was one of a kind. He knew everything about firefighting, cooking, WW II, movies and gardening and was a student of all things politics. He was hard-working, driven and handy with a tool or anything that he could fix or futz with. He had just purchased the 2 things he wanted most in the world, a hot tub and a red Mini Cooper convertible.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Rita, his children Edwin (Natalie) and Erica (Casey deceased) Wise, stepsons Brian and Josh Balli, grandchildren William Kane, Henry Nelson, Ettienne Balli  and “Han” Wise, Brother Ray (Robin), cousin G Eric (Kathy) Nelson, in-laws, Mike, Jim and John Friestad and Dr. Janet Thurston.

Memorial visitation will be held Wednesday, May 21, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a firefighter walk through at 5:30 p.m. followed by a family remembrance at Anderson Funeral Home in DeKalb.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Kishwaukee YMCA in his name.

For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.