Service Details
A celebration of Al’s life will be held Saturday, March 22nd. Friends and family are welcome to visit there from 11:00 – 12:30 at Roma Lodge, 7130 Spring Street, Racine, WI 53406.
Memorial Suggestions
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Camp Anokijig. Al’s father was able to spend a Summer week there as a child. Al enjoyed many Labor Day weekends there with his family and friends and now a fourth generation, his grandchildren are learning what a special place it is.
Allen David Nelson was born in Racine, Wisconsin on the “Ides of March” in 1948, to Charles and Aileen (nee: Kohtanen) Nelson. Al attended Fratt Elementary, McKinley Middle School, Washington Park High School and made a brief “visit” to UW-Stout. He married Angela Ricchio August 23rd, 1969. The couple welcomed a son, Scott, in 1970 and another, Christopher, in 1983. Al enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve and served for 6 years, completing basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey and Summer Training Camps at Fort Leonardwood, MO.
Al worked in construction with his friend, the late John E. Nielsen in Master Masonry. Al went on to become an EMT, working for his brother Raymond Nelson and the late Patrick Erickson at Erickson Ambulance. When they retired, he stepped in as the owner and continued to work as an EMT. This was the work Al was meant to do. He was a compassionate health care provider and excelled at patient care. His experience and calm demeanor helped his patients and co-workers by easing the stress involved with transport by ambulance. He was able to advance the certification of Erickson’s to A-EMT status, enabling IV solutions to be administered in their squads. As the times changed and technology evolved, Al was also among the first to add hardware and software for mobile patient charting to the fleet. A “Pal” to all, the friendships Al formed with staff at Hospitals and Skilled Nursing Facilities, as well as his fellow employees, were treasured and life long.
Al’s interests were many. Some favorites were participating in and watching sports: football, basketball, volleyball and softball. He loved doing anything outdoors, including fishing, hunting, camping and biking. He enjoyed sharing coaching duties for his sons’ soccer, baseball, and basketball teams. He practiced patience, was a natural leader and committed to learning and improving his own skills as a coach to help his players grow in their abilities and in their love for team sports.
He retired and sold Erickson Ambulance 10 years ago. Although he faced many health challenges, he did so with tremendous courage, and he remained engaged in the life he loved. Shortly after he retired, Al welcomed his first of three grandchildren, who all call him “Papa” and will forever adore him. Spending time with family and friends, cooking, listening to music, attending Scott’s softball games, Chris and daughter-in-law Claire’s volleyball games, as well as his grandchildren’s soccer, teeball games and music performances all gave him great joy!
Al passed away on February 28th, 2025 after a brave battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Angie, son Scott and Mary (nee: Amundsen) Nelson of Racine and her daughter Brittney Murphy of Racine; son Christopher and Claire (nee: Carbonneau) and their children: Celia, Reece and Kai Nelson of Whitefish Bay; brother Raymond and Jean (nee: Rubeck) Nelson of Racine; sister-in-law Betty (: Beck) and Clay Baker of Racine, sister-in-law Judy Calder (nee: Ricchio) of Oklahoma City, OK, with Gary Calder of Oklahoma City, OK, Patricia Ricchio and Jerry Triden of Birchwood, WI, and many cherished nieces, nephews and cousins. The friendships he made throughout his life were precious to Al – we won’t mention them all here, but you know who you are and what you meant to him.
He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Aileen (nee: Kohtanen) Nelson, niece Tori Mitchell, brothers William and Glenn and sister Kathy Nelson, In-laws: Attilio and Josephine (nee: Zakas) Ricchio, and great friend Michael Iselin.
A celebration of Al’s life will be held Saturday, March 22nd. Friends and family are welcome to visit there from 11:00 – 12:30 at Roma Lodge, 7130 Spring Street, Racine, WI 53406.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Camp Anokijig. Al’s father was able to spend a Summer week there as a child. Al enjoyed many Labor Day weekends there with his family and friends and now a fourth generation, his grandchildren are learning what a special place it is.
We wish to extend special thanks to Dr. Ranga Sriram, who saved Al’s life more than once, giving him decades more of life and happiness with his family. We would also like to thank Dr. Galbis-Reig & Jennifer, Dr. Michael Curly and Sara Uttke, Erin Gillsepie, The Reiman Cancer Center Team, Ascension’s Dr. Byrne and all the therapists and staff on the Rehab 3rd floor. To the Aurora Home Health Care team – Al enjoyed your visits and with your help and motivation, Al became even stronger in body and in spirit.
Al Hagopian says
A good man, father, husband, & great neighbor.
Bill Greco - St. Luke’s Radiology/Nuclear Medicine says
My condolences to the family for your loss. Al was a great guy. Always laughing. Got to know him from his frequent visits to St. Luke’s Radiology and Nuclear Medicine. Also knew him as a great competitor on the basketball court in the City Leagues. Rest in peace, Al.
Lee and Mary Sederberg and the Boys says
Although we haven’t seen Al and Angie recently we have fond memories of our sons walking to Roosevelt school and many years watching them play high school, club and college volleyball. Al was a frequent chaperone on away trips and a welcome friend to have along. He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
Denny Corr says
No better time than “Pallen with Allen” aboard the Erickson ambulance . Always stopping on our way back from St. Lukes Milwaukee at Leons for ice crean. Al often bought.
Gary Leyer RN/EMT-P says
Angie & family
I am so sorry for your loss. Big Al was quite the man and certainly helped build my foundation in EMS/health care which will reach 50 years this June (along with Pat, Ray, and Charlie). I enjoyed my years being part of the Erickson Ambulance team/family, and even as the years passed, I still felt part of the family when I would call for a transport from the ER and hear Angie’s voice on the phone, see big Al saunter in to do a transport, or even later in my years – discuss continuing education options for the crews through my role at Gateway Technical College. Just look at the success list from us youngsters that had been hired on at Erickson, so many successful careers and pathways developed and relationships formed. Foundations are built based on mentorship. I and so many others were blessed to have Al and the rest of your team mentor us as pups, and we all have gone on to serve our communities well. Be proud of your impact to this community. I sadly will be out of state for your reception and will miss seeing you and the others, just know there is a big bear hug waiting for when our paths cross again.
Ronnie and Susie says
A gentle giant and a great pal. Susie and I were blessed to enjoy so many good times together. Starting with the Labor Day camping weekends at Anokijig where we laughed around the Timberline campfire and watched the kids grow up before our eyes. Then later the AHB’s had the pier weekends at Stan’s and Ice’s. We drowned a lot of minnows together, and if the fish bite was slow you might be lucky enough to be treated to a solo sunset serenade including the entire soundtrack from the “Sound of Music”. Going to miss you big time big guy. RIP
Jim Poplawski says
Deepest Sympathy on your loss. Remembering the good times at Elmwood Shell.
Jim Poplawski