Remembering Rick Nelson

In memoriam of Rick Nelson Day, which began May 1, 2023, The Eagle is featuring the late editor and publisher Eric Robert Nelson, 72, of Cathlamet, who died June 2, 2023, at his home on Puget Island.

The Wahkiakum County Eagle is staffed by people who care deeply about their community and strive to bring relevant news to those who need to read it. This legacy began with the Nelson family. Bob and Lois Nelson bought the paper in 1966, and their son, Rick Nelson, dedicated 44 years of his life to The Eagle and the Wahkiakum County community. Rick took over as publisher when his father passed away in 2006, and each issue he oversaw was meticulously assembled. Every article was written, and every public meeting covered, with journalistic integrity and the utmost consideration for his readers. It's no wonder his community dedicated an entire day to his legacy and to remembering the importance of his life's work.

Rick battled with cancer for 22 years, which is exactly half the number of years he dedicated to The Eagle. But despite his illness, he was writing up to the last month of his life. In his editorial titled Onward!, which was published shortly before he passed, he discusses his early days at the paper. "The Eagle has been in my family's hands since 1963. I started working there, a seventh grader with a work permit, cleaning up after each edition. We were using hand-set movable type in those days, the same 1400s Gutenberg technology, and equipment that made lines of lead type and casts of photos and other artwork. I swept it up and melted on Saturdays, separating the dross and pouring new pigs for the Linotype."

When Rick started hospice care in April 2023, he came home to live out the rest of his days in the comfort of his own house. He returned to Cathlamet on May 1 and was greeted by an entire community of grateful people who wanted to welcome him home. More than 100 Wahkiakum residents lined Main Street to greet Rick and wave him on, as he was escorted through town by Sheriff Howie. Word got out to the high school students that Rick played flamenco guitar, and as he drove past the school, students lined the sidewalk with some playing the flamenco guitar in his honor. To memorialize the day, Mayor Olson issued a proclamation declaring May 1 as Rick Nelson Day. "I'm happy that people recognize the role my 44 years at The Eagle have played in our community," said Rick in his editorial Homecoming. "It was a way of life and a privilege to contribute to our community."

Rick's work gained recognition beyond Wahkiakum County, and when he started hospice care, the Nelson family received a letter from Washington State Governor Jay Inslee. Along with expressing his sadness for Rick's hospice placement and a promise to keep his family in his prayers, Inslee emphasised the importance of local news and Rick's efforts to keep his community informed. "For 40 years, Rick Nelson kept the people of Cathlamet, and indeed all of Wahkiakum County, connected to one another through the power of the press... On behalf of a grateful state, thank you for the sacrifices Rick and your entire family made to bring Wahkiakum County residents the news each day for four decades."

Ian Brandon, Business Manager at The Eagle, worked with Rick for three years before he passed away. "Rick had an unstoppable work ethic, and he never seemed to be bothered by complaints or by people disagreeing with him," Ian said. "He got a lot of pushback [sometimes], but he just went on doing his job. He stuck to the facts."

Kay Chamberlain, author of The Eagle's Skamokawa News column, said, "I appreciated Rick keeping me on at the Eagle after his dad's passing and allowing me to yak my way through my column on a weekly basis for all those many years. Most people did not realize just how much time Rick spent putting the paper together, as he went to endless meetings and sports events and took photos of them, all the while writing the articles to match them, and this took countless hours out of each and every day. His love and dedication to the publishing of the Wahkiakum County Eagle over all those decades will never be matched. While we may not have always agreed on everything, I definitely admired his work ethic and commitment to the paper and carrying on its legacy. He is truly missed."

Rob Hilson, who has been providing The Eagle with sports photos since 2018, remembers Rick's professionalism and integrity. "Rick really respected The Eagle's audience," Rob said. "I noticed immediately that he had worked hard to achieve a well-rounded local newspaper, and [Rick] did this with limited resources."

Geri Florek, who worked at The Eagle for 30 years, characterizes Rick's nature as an employer, "He was the best boss I ever had, but he did not feel like a boss, more like a team leader. He was smart, he was kind, he was funny, and he always treated everyone with respect. I greatly admired him and appreciated the working environment that he created for us."