Dr. Robert A. Nelson, DDS, of Portsmouth, died peacefully, Saturday, March 21, 2026 at The Sanctuary of the Ohio Valley Senior Nursing Facility in Ironton. He was born January 4, 1934 in Cincinnati, to the late William and Ceceila (Fathbruckner) Nelson.
Bob, or “Doc” to most, was an Air Force veteran, having served in the Vietnam War, graduated from Xavier University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1958, and then graduating from the Ohio State University College of Dentistry in 1962. Dr. Nelson practiced for over 64 years, right up until he became sick. He was a proud member of the American Legion, James Dickey Post #23 Honor Guard, Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce, and he joined the Lions Club in 1965. He founded the Dental Assistant Program at Scioto County Joint Vocational School and was co-founder of the Dental Hygiene Department at Shawnee State University. Not only was he just a member of most Dental Associations, he was elected or appointed committee member, chairman, or delegate in almost every capacity. Doc was very proud of his time serving his country in the military and was equally proud of his accomplishments in the dental profession.
Some of his professional affiliations, American Dental Association, Ohio Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, Ohio Academy of General Dentistry, Southern Ohio Dental Society, American College Dentist, Federation Dentaire Internationale, Holistic Dental Association, International Academy of Microendocrinology, Academy of Gold Foil Operators, American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, Central Ohio Academy of Dental Practice Administration, George M. Hollenbach Operative Dentistry Study Club, W.G. Sutherland Temporomandibular Cranial Dental Group, Pierre Fauchard Academy, Ohio Dental Options Committee, Cranial Academy, Scioto Memorial Hospital – Former Staff Member, Chair Credentials Committee, Mercy Hospital – Former Staff Member, Chair Credentials Committee.
Elected and Appointed Positions – American Dental Association: Delegate and Alternate (18 years), Member of the Constitution and By Laws Committee (4 years). Ohio Dental Association: Ohio Dental Association Member 1964-Present. Chair & Member of Numerous Councils, Sub-Councils and Committees, Contact Dentist, Sub-Council on Dentists Concerned for Dentist-Co-Founder and Present Member, Co-Founder ODA Peer Review Committee, 9 years on State-Wide Peer Review Committee, Chair of Southern Ohio Peer Review Committee – 1975 to present, Member of the Select Committee that was charged with updating portions of the State of Ohio Dental Practice Act.
The Ohio State University College of General Dentistry: Blue Ribbon Committee-Member, Served on The Faculty & Curriculum Sub Committee
Ohio Academy of General Dentistry: Chair-Constitution and By Laws Committee, PACE-Chair, Director District VII
Southern Ohio Dental Society – All offices held numerous times: The Central Ohio Academy of Dental Practice Administration, President Emeritus-held all offices
Community Involvement- Member of the following: St. Mary’s of the Annunciation Catholic Church, Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce, American Legion-Life Member, Honor Guard and Memorial Day Parade Committee, Parade Marshall, Portsmouth Lions Club – 1965-present, District Trustee, served in all offices, Knights of Columbus – served in all offices.
The Ohio State University College of Dentistry: Numerous Presentations to Dental Students on Operative Dentistry and Practical Management.
Shawnee State University: Co-Founder of Dental Hygiene Department.
Scioto County Joint Vocational School: Founder of Dental Assistant Program
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Sheila Nelson, two sisters, Alice Rose Bucheit and Wilma Gosink, and a brother, William Michael Nelson II.
Doc is survived by his children; Patrica Scarberry (Rick) of Franklin Furnace, Kevin Nelson (Pam), of Gig Harbor, WA, Sharon Nelson (Dave Manguso) of Montrose, CO, and Lisa Kinsey of Hubert, N.C, seven grandchildren that he adored, Drew Scarberry, Devan Spriggs (Stefan), Brooke Kinsey, Grant Kinsey, Michaela Nelson, Mackenzi Cullen (Jon), and Miranda Wood (Caleb), and a great-grandson on the way in May of this year, Barrett Lee Spriggs.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 12:00 PM Thursday, March 26, 2026 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Stephen Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Portsmouth, where graveside military rites will be provided by the American Legion, James Dickey Post #23. A visitation for friends and family will be on Wednesday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Melcher Hammer Funeral Home in Portsmouth. A Recitation of the Rosary will immediately follow the conclusion of visitation Wednesday evening at the funeral home.
The family would like to give a special thank you for the exceptional care the medical staff gave to their father, Dr. Hamm and staff, SOMC Hospice, and the staff at Sanctuary of Ohio Valley.
In lieu of flowers, donations can me made in memory of Dr. Nelson to Notre Dame Schools, SOMC Hospice, or the Ohio Dental Association’s Political Action Committee, ODPAC.
