Richard Stephen Nelle

Richard Stephen Nelle of Springfield died December 30, 2000, at his residence. Born July 29, 1910, in Bloomington, Illinois, he was the son and fifth child of Stephen J. and Augusta Weishaar Nelle, he was educated in the primary and secondary schools of that city. In 1932, he graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (Sanitary Major), and in 1933 he received a degree of Bachelor of Education (Natural Science and Mathematics) from Illinois State University. For three years, 1934-1936, he was engaged as engineer and project superintendent in soil erosion control in several Illinois counties in programs of the U.S. Soil Conservation Service which was associated with the Civilian Conservation Corps. In 1936, he joined the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Sanitary Engineering, performing duties in stream pollution surveys, investigation of waterways works, public water supplies, rural sanitation and disaster related health activities. Called to military service in 1941 as a reserve officer, his early assignments were at Division and Corps level preceding the activation of a floating bridge battalion and later was unit commander. During World War II, he was engaged in general engineering construction, and later in staff work for the Engineering Section of Army Headquaters, serving two and a half years in canada, Hawaii and Okinawa. Active in the Army Reserve, he completed the Command and Staff College Associate Course and received training at several military post. He retired in the grade of Colonel, Corps of Engineers, AUS, In 1970. Following World War II, he returned to the Division of Sanitary Engineering. His activity as a staff member and later as Chief of the Bureau of Stream Pollution was directed to fulfilling the legal requirements of the Sanitary Water Board by studies, investigations, facility design standards, training, and certification of wastewater operators, water resources planning and enforcement actions, as growing communities were faced with the need to acquire, or improve, wastewater collection and treatment facilities. An author of many technical and instructional publications, he also gave talks and lectures to national societies and to wastewater works operators at conferences and training courses. Studies included in the programs were pollution investigations of Illinois River, Lake Michigan, Thorn Creek and DuPage River. Prior to the creation of the Illinois Enviromental Protection Agency, he was involved in water resources planning and preparation of enforcement actions, often serving as hearing officer for the Sanitary Water Board when officials or industrial executives were cited to appear because of alleged violations. He also served on many state and national committees, such as: Ten States Standards; Lake Michigan Pollution; Ohio River Sanitation Commission; National Sanitation Foundation; State and Regional Pesticide Agencies; Natural Resources Task Force; and Civil Defense. He retired as Chief Engineer, Illinois Enviromental Protection Agency, in 1974, the fourth year after the agency was created. Prior to his retirement, he had worked in both the Illinois Enviromental Protection Agency and the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Sanitary Engineering under Clarence Klassen. A registered professional engineer in Illinois, he was a life member of academic and alumni organizations, National Society of Professional Engineers and its state component Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, holding offices in Capital Chapter including that of president. In 1963-1964, he was president of Central State Water Pollution Control Association, an affiliate of the Water Pollution Control Federation, and served as Illinois Editor of the ''Windmill'', the Central States News Bulletin, from 1946-1969. Other organizations include Illinois Public Health Association, Reserve Officers Association, The Retired Officers Association, and the Knights of Columbus. He was a Diplomat in the Academy of Environmental Engineers. In 1935, he married Monita ''Peggy'' O'Neill of Macomb, Illinois and they recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. His interests included genealogy, photography, writing, travel and golf. In 1935 he married Monita E. ''Peggy'' O'Neill of Macomb at St. Paul's Church by Father Michael Ryan. They have five sons and two daughters: Richard D. (Beverly) and Donald E. (wife, Sandra) of Springfield, IL; Jan A. Nelle of Evansville, IN; Marianne Lombardi (husband, Leo) Kathleen Nelle Davis and Patrick E. (Wife, Joyce) all of Huntsville, AR; aand Michael A. (wife, Pattie) of Naperville, IL. There are fifteen grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and four step-grandchildren. The family is being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 So. 6th Street, where friends may call from 4-7:00 P.M. Wednesday, with a wake service at 4:00 p.m.. Funeral Mass will be Thursday, January 4, 2001 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Agnes Catholic Church, the Rev. Mark Schulte celebrant. Burial will be at Camp Butler National Cemetery, where the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County will conduct military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Hospice, 800 East Carpenter, Springfield, Il 62702 or St. Agnes Catholic Church, 245 No Amos Ave., Springfield, IL 62702.