Richard Ostrom Nellis' Obituary
Richard Ostrom Nellis passed away on February 20, 2024. He was born on May 26, 1928, to Joseph and Kathryn Nellis of Wayne, New Jersey. Richard is survived by his sons Don Nellis and Joseph Nellis (Dale); his nieces Nancy E. Nellis (John Swenson), Katherine Nellis McGinnis, and Margaret J. Nellis (Fares Kerkeni) and his cousin Mary Bishop Bobbitt (Andy).
He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Kathryn Nellis, his brother Donald Nellis, and his wives Mary Crumby Nellis and Lady Hennington Nellis. Richard shared that he was a privileged man to have two beautiful, intelligent, and caring wives on his life’s journey.
Richard was raised on a large produce farm in Wayne New Jersey. He and his father, brother and friends hunted deer and grouse and fished for trout throughout their lives. It was a welcome release from the pressures of running a large farm. Professionally he was a master mechanic who could fix almost anything. Richard continued his love for hunting and flying fishing throughout his life especially upon retiring. As an army veteran, Richard served his country in the Korean War.
In 1982 Richard and his brother Don established the Joseph and Kathryn Nellis Memorial Scholarship at Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS) in memory and honor of their parents. To date, the fund has grown considerably and has helped over 200 New Jersey students achieve their academic and career goals. The scholarship has continued to be funded through donations given by Nellis family members, friends, and corporations via matching donations.
The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of Richard be made in the form of contributions via regular mail to:
The Joseph and Kathryn Nellis Memorial Scholarship Fund
c/o Rutgers University Foundation
Finance Department
PO Box 193
New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903-0193
The form to be used for a memorial donation is available here:
https://rutgersfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2023-10/Mail-In%20Gift%20Form.pd
Graveside Service for Richard will be held on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at 11:00am at Memorial Park Cemetery.
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