Princeton in Bureau County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Richard L. “Dick” Nelson

1935 - 2014

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 7, 2024

1. Richard L. “Dick” Nelson Marker

Inscription. Dick Nelson was born in Princeton to Francis and Malcolm Nelson. He graduated from Princeton High School in 1953. He served in the U.S. Army as a radar operator in Virginia and Alaska from 1955 to 1957.

Dick married his wife, Judy, on September 1, 1957. They raised three children, Leanne, Laurie and Steve.

Dick was the founder of Advanced Asphalt Co., Tri-Con Materials, Inc, TCI Manufacturing and Pavement Maintenance Services, Inc. Dick also founded Production Engineered Products and became a nationally known leader in the aggregate industry by developing and obtaining a patent for the “Vari-Vibe High Frequency Screen".

Dick was past president of the Princeton Park District, during which time he helped develop Zearing Park and the Bureau County Metro Center. He was the first fundraising chairperson of the Bureau County United Way. He also established an annual scholarship for Bureau County senior students who decided to attend a vocational school.

In 2011, he wrote his autobiography, “Paving the Road to Success”; his journey through life and management.

Through the generosity of the Nelson family, this space was created.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1935.

Location.

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41° 22.165′ N, 89° 27.893′ W. Marker is in Princeton, Illinois, in Bureau County. It is at the intersection of Lovejoy Way and South Main Street (U.S. 34), on the right when traveling east on Lovejoy Way. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 541 S Main St, Princeton IL 61356, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Illinois

and specifically in the Illinois River Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 601 S. Main St. (here, next to this marker); Owen Lovejoy (here, next to this marker); 605 S. Main St. (a few steps from this marker); 609 S. Main St. (a few steps from this marker); 518 S. Main St. (within shouting distance of this marker); Flags of Freedom (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Flags of Freedom (approx. 0.4 miles away); In Commemoration of Virgil Fox (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Princeton.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 7, 2024

2. Richard L. “Dick” Nelson Marker

Featured marker is on the right.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 250 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 3, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.