Rolf Nelson Obituary

Rolf Hardin Nelson
March 18, 1954 - June 16, 2025
Rolf Hardin Nelson passed away unexpectedly in his sleep at home in Santa Rosa on June 16th at the age of 71.
Born on March 18, 1954, in Petaluma, Calif., to Tom "T.J." and Dorothy Nelson, Rolf was, in his own words, "a local boy, third generation Sonoma County." The family moved to Santa Rosa, eventually settling on Magowan Drive where Rolf was raised alongside his four siblings: Kathy (Joe) Story; Eric (Martha) Nelson; Kurt (Leanne) Nelson; and Chris Nelson. He graduated from Montgomery High School, class of 1972, as senior class president. He attended Santa Rosa Junior College as a Doyle Scholar and went on to graduate from California State University, Long Beach, with a degree in finance.
He married the love of his life, Becky Howe Nelson, in 1976. Together, they began a beautiful family with two children, Todd (Chrissy) and Haley (Andrew), and one adored granddaughter, Mae.
Rolf began his banking career with positions at Wilmington Savings and Loan and Security Pacific Bank. He then joined his local Exchange Bank in 1990, where he would work until his retirement in 2018 as Senior Vice President of Branch of Banking.
He was deeply involved in the community. He often said, "Life has been very good to me, and the best way I know to be grateful is to give back." As testament to this, he served in various board and leadership positions for the Windsor Rotary; Windsor and Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerces; Chop's Teen Club; and as a Rincon Valley Little League Coach.
Outside his professional and community work, Rolf was a lifelong San Francisco Giants fan. He also enjoyed playing golf, racquetball, and pickleball; socializing with his Melissa Court neighbors; and taking road trips around the U.S. first with Becky in an old Volkswagen camper van, and later with Becky and the kids in a tent trailer.
What mattered most to Rolf were his family and his community. He will be remembered for his warm, gregarious spirit and caring, generous nature. Anyone would agree: he was the ultimate "people person."
Rolf will be fondly remembered by his beloved wife, children and granddaughter; his mother and siblings; his brother-in-law Denny (Julie) Howe; his uncle, John (Linda) Nelson; his cousins; his many nieces and nephews; and his Exchange Bank family.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for July 13th, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country (179 Railroad Street, Santa Rosa).
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations be made in Rolf's memory to Chop's Teen Club (https://chopsteenclub.org/community/ways-to-give/) or Olympia House (please send checks to 11207 Valley Ford Road, Petaluma, CA 94952).