Nelson retires after 52 years in banking

On Friday, Superior's Central National Bank (CNB) ag loan officer and branch president, Richard (Rich) Nelson, retired after 52 years in the banking industry. CNB held a celebration for Rich at the local branch where employees, customers and family gave him their congratulations and best wishes. Also, present to give Rich their regards, were bank executives: Sara Girard, chief executive officer, Robert Munson, Junction City bank president, Mike Munson, general counsel, Ed Meekins, board member, and Brian Morrow, field manager. Nearby to join in on the celebration was Rich's family: his wife, Cindy and their three daughters, Tara with husband, Chuck Mundt, and their son, Carl and wife, Regan who is due in October; Holly Schmidt (husband Dan and their daughters, Madyson and McKenna were unable to attend); Andrea and Will Bakker with their daughters, Eleanore and Meredith.

A photo collage board was placed near the welcome table containing images of Rich participating in a variety of events with CNB over the decades; a float for the Vestey Parade celebrating CNB's 125th year in business, a bank meeting with Rich sporting a 1970's plaid suit coat with a wide tie and a picture of his 40th birthday celebration with a singing telegram. The bank lobby was filled with tables and chairs, finger-foods, drinks and desserts. Sitting a top the blue table cloths were a couple of vintage metal coin changers and party-sized canvas money bags labeled "Farmers State Bank and Trust" – a nod to the period of Rich's early years in banking.

For a few hours, many consumers, neighbors and friends from local communities brought cards and gifts, shook hands and gave Rich hugs then mingled with the others during the celebration.

Patty Eggers disclosed the funny story about Rich's 40th birthday. The tellers secretly planned the surprise. While Rich went out to lunch with his mother, the tellers hurried to decorate his office before his return. The singing telegram lady arrived before Rich. The tellers didn't want him to see the gal when he walked back in the bank spoiling the surprise, so they hid her in the bathroom. His lunch break was a little longer than the usual, but alas he was back and began talking with customers. The song bird was released from the coop and the surprise was effective as the telegram lady sang a song about a truck that he had. It was a hilarious moment full of laughter. In his embarrassment, "he turned every shade of red," said Patty.

Rich's career in banking began in Sept. 15, 1972, at National Bank of Commerce (NBC) in Lincoln. He entered their management training program and worked in their correspondent department providing loans and other services to banks. He was assigned to areas in Minnesota, Iowa and Southeast Nebraska. He became familiar with people in Superior from his official visits.

Exactly four years later, Rich accepted a position in Superior at Farmers State Bank and Trust with bank owners, father and son, Minor and Sam Baird, where he began to work as a loan officer providing agriculture and commercial loans. The bank was sold to CNB of Junction City in 2000. Rich continued in his assigned position in Superior.

Between 2004 and 2005, Rich was promoted to president of the CNB Superior branch and remained as such until his retirement. He continued providing ag loans along with his new responsibilities as president of a corporate bank. His primary focus was to provide service, customer satisfaction and, according to Rich, to "assist customers in managing money as wisely as possible." Rich managed the branch operations and would oversee any developments. If something went wrong or there were concerns Rich said, "It was my responsibility to take care of it." Other major decisions were made by upper management in Junction City. Building a loan portfolio required "aggressiveness to assist individuals in obtaining agriculture loans," said Rich; to help local farmers receive the funds they needed to grow their business. "I enjoyed working with customers and getting a young customer and watch him grow and succeed."

Expressing their gratitude of 15 years of personalized service from Rich are Danny and Marcy Simmelink. "Rich was a big influence for our heifer program. He was easy to work with. He understood our farming-ranching operation. Rich would go to Kearney during our sale. We're glad his health is better to enjoy his retirement and enjoy time with his grandchildren."

It has been an extensive 52-year career in the banking industry and 48 of those years Rich served in Superior. "CNB has been a good bank to work for. There is never a perfect job, but with CNB there was trust and good knowledgeable people I enjoyed working with," said Rich. He remains humble in his accomplishments not boasting of himself. His coworkers, however, were enjoying telling stories about working with him. Here are just a few comments made by those at the gathering.

Sherri Poole reminisced when she used to babysit for Rich and Cindy's two oldest daughters before ever working at the bank. Now she has been at CNB for 40 years. But, back in 1999, Sherri and Rich made a fun wager that neither of them would drink soda pop. The first one to cave-in would buy the winner a steak dinner. They have been on the honor system since, but 25 years later neither of them succumbed to a soda. "I don't mind having to buy Rich a steak dinner, but I am too stubborn to lose," said Sherri.

One day Rich had misplaced an item and searched a good 30-minutes for it. He requested help from the tellers to help him find it and the reward would be pizza. Some can relate looking for their glasses all the while having them on their head or looking for their keys while holding them in their hand. This was no different for Rich. Within 5 seconds the tellers found what he was looking for sitting on his desk. In keeping his word, all the tellers relished the pizza Rich ordered for them.

Former CNB employees added their comments. "Rich was great to work for," said Stuart Alsup. "Closing with him was rushed. He wanted to get out at the end of the day," Missy Warner said with a laugh. "Yes, it was a hoot closing with him," agreed Hillary Girjalva, "He sure will be missed," she said. Laughing, they all concurred it was fun working with Rich and that "he always teased us."

The "North 40," affectionately termed for the four branches field manager, Brian Morrow, oversees. They are Mankato, Beloit, Concordia and Superior. Brian is new to his position and has worked with Rich for a year. Brian said he has enjoyed gleaning from Rich's knowledge of history, his perspective on technology, how banking has changed and what Rich's concerns are in future banking. "He truly is a part of the community. After 54 years, he is so close to so many people. It is quite amazing. I do hope he comes back to sit and talk," said Brian.

Rich has been observing the development of AI technology with its effects on individuals, families, the community, farmers and the banking industry as we know it today. Many are familiar with stories of relatives moving to the mid-west to farm. It was accomplished by manual labor with hand tools and horse-drawn equipment and later evolved to tractors. Today's farming is evolving once again with the use of electronic devices and over-sized motorized equipment. If AI becomes a reality, there could be several technologically-driven tractors on a field with one person managing it all. "We won't need many farmers. Every aspect will be hurt and minimized from farmers to the local mechanic to the fertilizer and seed company and beyond," said Rich. He adds, "AI technology could eliminate farmers and his banker. Bank closures in small villages and towns could adversely affect townspeople in many ways. "My concerns are the consumer commercial and ag loans may be done by the big banks wiping out small banks. Nobody knows what tomorrow will bring," said Rich.

Prior to his banking career, Rich attended college and earned his bachelor of science degree in ag with animal science. Rex Kirchhoff and Rich had physical education class together in college and became good friends. Rex and his wife, Linda, stopped by to give Rich their compliments. While attending college Rich worked at a veterinarian's office, for Dr. Robert White, located near Lincoln. Rich worked with large and small animals in the clinic and made country call visits. Rich's experience proved useful when he was drafted in the Army and sent to Vietnam.

Rich trained in advanced infantry, but while in Vietnam, the military tracker dogs were in need of care. Rich was already equipped to work with animals, so his military specialty changed to assist the canines. It was laborious work. There were more than 450 dogs on the compound "We took care of each one individually. The dogs were never grouped together. Each dog had its own 'kennel.' It was a lot of manual maintenance." The outcry from the United States regarding the canine's conditions in a war zone added pressure for their care. Rich diligently attended to the dogs' care and accompanied them on their flight back to the US assuring their strength and safety. After his term in the service, Rich was honorably discharged. Back in Nebraska, he learned of the opportunity to work at NBC bank, and thus began his banking career.

Rich has accomplished all of this with his high school sweetheart of 54 years by his side. Rich and Cindy married in December 1969. Cindy worked as a registered nurse in Holdrege while Rich was in the service and later worked part-time in Lincoln. When they relocated to Superior with their children, Cindy worked at Brodstone Healthcare medical center part-time as an RN. Their family has grown from their three daughters, Tara, Holly and Andrea to having three sons-in-law, six grandchildren and a great-granddaughter due in October.

So, what does retirement look like for Rich? "My retirement picture is really fuzzy at this time," replied Rich. As most of the community is aware, Rich had endured a setback in his health which prompted his retirement consideration. Nothing short of a miracle, Rich has made quite a comeback in his recovery gaining strength every day. He would like to travel with Cindy in the south and in the northwest areas of the states and enjoy being with family.

On behalf of CNB, Sara Girard expressed, "We are thankful for Rich's many years of leadership. He has been a great example of customer service and work ethics. He is admired by all of us and we celebrate his 48 years here. We wish him the best and a well-deserved retirement."