Dr. Richard Bruce (Rick) Nelson, 71, of Hilton Head Island, SC, died on August 30, 2024 after a battle with cancer.

Rick was born in Columbia, SC, a son of the late George C., Jr., and Gloria Palladini Nelson.

Rick grew up in Newberry, SC, where he attended Newberry High School. He was an Eagle Scout with Troop 1. He received the Bachelors of Music and Masters of Music degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and his PhD degree was from the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester. He also attended the Conservatoire Americain in Fountainebleau, France, where he studied with Nadia Boulanger. Rick served on the faculties of Mercer University and the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he taught music theory.

He also served as Organist and Choirmaster at Messiah Lutheran Church (Greece, NY), Redeemer Lutheran and Christ Church (Macon, GA), and St. Paul's Episcopal (Cleveland Heights, OH). His favorite music was organ, classical and choral. Besides his family and teaching his students, Rick's favorite past time was being out on the water in a boat.

Rick is survived by his companion, Paula Richardson Goss; sister, Susan Nelson Bowers; and brother, Michael Lawrence (Larry) Nelson (B. J.); cousins, nieces and nephews.

Rick was predeceased by his wife of 37 years, Dr. Beth Johanna Pearce Nelson and his parents George C., Jr., and Gloria Palladini Nelson.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday 2:00 PM September 21, 2024, at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 1100 Sumter St, Columbia, SC 29201 with burial to follow in church cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday September 20, 2024 from 6 to 7 PM at Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry.

For those unable to attend the funeral service, it will be available by live stream by clicking here: https://www.trinitysc.org/live. The Rick Nelson Funeral stream will be available on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Nelson Family Choristership at the St. Thomas Choir School (Attn: Bruce Smith), 202 West 58th Street, NYC, NY 10019. (http://www.saintthomaschurch.org/choir-school).

Whitaker Funeral Home of Newberry, SC is honored to assist the Nelson Family.