Arthur Emil Nelson had come a long way since the early 1930s, working in Chicago as a part-time office boy for Standard Oil of Indiana. At the time of his retirement from the oil giant, which by then had become Amoco Corp., he was a top executive in charge of leasing for the newly constructed Amoco Building in the city’s downtown.
“The building was so new, he and his clients wore hard hats for tours of the top floors,” said his daughter, Susan Lund. “His favorite offices were the sky suites, where the windows were large and the view just went forever.”
Mr. Nelson, 91, of Batavia, formerly of La Grange, died Wednesday, Oct. 18, at Delnor-Community Hospital in Geneva, of an aneurysm.
The son of Swedish immigrants, Mr. Nelson was born and raised in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood. A graduate of Senn High School, he was in his senior year when he landed his first job, eventually working full time, for Standard Oil of Indiana on South Michigan Avenue. He later received a bachelor’s degree in business and accounting, after taking courses at the YMCA, Northwestern University and North Park University, family said.
During World War II, Mr. Nelson was on leave from Standard Oil for five years, serving with the Army in the European theater. When he enlisted as a private, he was stationed with the 7th Army Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany, rising to the rank of major in the Quartermasters Corps.
Following his military discharge, Mr. Nelson returned to Chicago and to his position in the sales division of Standard Oil. Soon after, he married his wife of 59 years, Loraine, and the couple began raising a family. He also graduated from Chicago-Kent College of Law and was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1950.
Throughout his career, Mr. Nelson rose through the corporate ranks, becoming a vice president of Amoco. In his final assignment, he was president of Standard Oil Realty, and manager of leasing for the Amoco Building, now called the Aon Center, in Chicago. He also was president and a board member of the Amoco Retirees Association of Chicago for many years.
“Mr. Nelson was a fine businessman, but more importantly, he was a kind and wonderful man to work for,” said Mary Voigt, his former secretary at Amoco, who is now retired. “His office was on the 64th floor of the Amoco Building, which was about 80 stories high.”
After his retirement in 1978, Mr. Nelson earned a real estate license and sold commercial properties for several years. He also was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church of La Grange, where he served as vice president of the council, member of the adult fellowship committee and evangelism caller.
In addition to his wife and daughter, survivors include two sons, David and John; a sister, Ruth Nelson Edelman; and seven grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Geneva Lutheran Church, 301 S. 3rd St., Geneva.
