Eric L. Nelson

Died at Stratford Convalescent Center in Elmhurst, Illinois. The cause was chronic pulmonary disease.

Born DATE, in Pennington, Connecticut, to Sarah Ann and Eduardo Bertini, attended the Nottingham Academy and graduated from the Newton Fashion Institute. Serving in the Army Corps, attaining the rank of chief leader-one of the first to attain that rank. Married to Casey Penfield Baldridge.

Lived in many different places -- including Florence, Italy, and Paris, France -- before settling in Chicago, working at the Illinois School of Fashion as a design instructor.

A member of the Fresh Air Society, a group founded to promote smoke-free environments after Casey died of lung cancer. An avid gardener, and a longtime volunteer at the Meadow Arboretum, which named a hybrid rose, "Cookie's Cluster". Also an expert swimmer; tried out twice for the American Olympic team and narrowly missed qualifying. A dedicated Scrabble player and five-time winner of the Stratford Scrabble Marathon.

Will be especially remembered for quick wit, spirit of adventure, and the tenaciousness that allowed to achieve top rankings in many diverse endeavors.

Survivors include longtime companion, Casey Bennington, and sister, Nancy Walsh, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Services will be held at 2 p.m., at the Meadow Arboretum, 22 Oak Park Lane, Elmhurst, Illinois. Burial will be held in private. Relatives and friends are welcome at the service and the reception at the Arboretum immediately following it, from 3 to 5 p.m.

Memorial contributions are welcome and should be mailed to the Fresh Air Society, 1940 Botts Avenue, Chicago, IL 60601.

Thanks to the staff and volunteers at Serenity Hospice for their help and support.