Richard "Lucky" Dale Nelson, 82, died peacefully surrounded by his family at home as the day was dawning on April 10, 2020. His name, "Lucky," was given to him as an infant but those who came to know him were really the lucky ones. Born September 27, 1937, in Hibbing, MN, to Erick and Agnes Nelson, Lucky graduated from Duluth Central High School before enlisting in the US Navy. He completed a tour of duty as an Aviation Ordinanceman, and served on the aircraft carrier USS Randolph in the Mediterranean. His interest in aviation lasted a lifetime as he attended the Oshkosh Air Show for 42 years, volunteering as a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association. He retired from the City of Duluth Water and Gas Department. Although his death was caused by congestive heart failure, Lucky's life was a full-hearted one, blessed by love and adventure. He and his wife, Bonita, made many memorable motorcycle trips throughout North America. After retiring, he fulfilled his dream adventure of taking the Great Loop waterway, not once but twice, on their Grand Banks trawler, the Lucky Maru. In addition to boating, flying and travel, his passions included fishing, hunting, camping, and living on a lake. After participating in the first citizen group to visit O'Hara, Japan in 1991, he and Bonita remained active with Duluth Sister Cities for more than 25 years. His international interests were further enlivened by hosting Rotary foreign exchange students from Japan, Brazil and Poland as well as volunteering in Rotary's successful efforts to construct a medical clinic in the Amazon rain forest of Peru. In Duluth, he was a member of Lake Superior Railroad Museum and the Duluth Power Squadron. Most important to Lucky was spending time with family and friends. He greatly enjoyed having breakfast with his buddies on Friday mornings for many years. He had an inner strength his family could count on. Lucky was consistently teaching his children and grandchildren how to build and to fix anything. This gentle, humble, and kind soul always shared his experience and wisdom. He loved a beer in the late afternoon and never missed a party filled with fun, laughter, and friends. Lucky was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, LaReine (Herb) Boberg, Janet (Marty) Haider, Jean (Glen) Strassberg, Barbara Littler, and Judy (Clarence) Warner; brothers, Robert Nelson and Donald Roth. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Bonita; children, Kathleen (Mark) Smith, Chris, and Mary (Matt) Hecht; grandchildren, Sophia and Evan Smith, and Kyle Hecht; brothers-in-law, Jerry (Lynn Fena) Bakke, Don (Kathy) Bakke, and Ken Littler; sisters-in-law, Bette Nelson and Bonnie Roth, and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of his life will be announced and held at a later date. To sign the online guestbook, add videos and photos, please visit SunriseFuneralHomeandCemetery.com