Robert “Robi” Michael Nason, Jr. died on August 23, 2022, at 301 Fields Avenue, Anderson, South Carolina. He was 42 years old, born November 10, 1979, in Zachary, Louisiana. 

Robi was the beloved son of Robert “Mike” Michael Nason, Sr., and Paula Maze Nason of Anderson, SC; brother to Carrie Nason Greer of Morrison, CO; brother to Melissa Nason Reim of Greenville, SC; and uncle to Kendell, Sienna, and Madison.  In addition, he had numerous relatives and friends from Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Colorado, Hawaii, and California. 

His early schooling began in Sunnyvale, CA, then Dunwoody, GA, and finished in Cumming, GA, where he was in band, golf, tennis, track, basketball, and robotics.  In his senior year of high school, he was the XO (Executive Officer) of his JROTC unit, as well as earning the rank of an Eagle Scout. 

During those summers, Robi was active – hiking at the Boy Scouts’ Philmont Ranch in NM, the Flat Top Mountains of Colorado, the Appalachian Trail in Georgia and South Carolina, and attending many camp-outs and trips throughout the Southeast.  He also participated in several weeklong B.R.A.G. (Bike Ride Across Georgia) events of 300 to 400+ miles long. 

With an academic scholarship, he attended LaGrange College, GA (playing on the varsity basketball team as a freshman) majoring in Criminal Law.  Then he attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, GA (where he decided that bull-riding was not for him, but together with a friend, had a great time being disc jockeys on the school’s radio station), and majored in Wildlife Management. 

After graduation, he worked for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources before enlisting in the Marines, just before his 28th birthday of November 10 (also the Marine Corps’ birthday), and served five years.  He had two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as a heavy military helicopter crew chief and mechanic with the “Ugly Angels.”  His duty station was at Kaneohe Bay Marine Base on Oahu, HI.  Before being discharged from the Marines, he conducted final inspections on helicopters before they were cleared for service. 

After his discharge, he studied renewable energy (solar and wind turbines) in the Denver, CO area, working in those fields for several years.  Because of his love for the outdoors, he became a park ranger for Lakewood, CO and then drove for the Rocky Mountain Fire Cache, distributing equipment and supplies to the wildfire fighting headquarters, throughout the West.  He also signed up with the US Forest Service to be a fire jumper.  He last worked for the Bureau of Reclamation, before leaving Colorado. 

Robi decided to move to a warmer climate in 2019, and joined his parents in Anderson, SC.  He really appreciated the winters (or lack thereof) and of being on Lake Hartwell.  He became interested in a number of different topics and did extensive research – delving into the local history and that of the Cherokees, collecting mushrooms and other fungi, charting the surrounding trees and bushes, and knowing many of their Latin names.  He was fascinated with the geology of the area and collected numerous crystal and mica rock specimens. He looked for lightning-struck trees, and researched electromagnetic energy. 

Robi became a thorn in the side of several utility companies.  He discovered his parent’s home had a faulty, patched ground line, and had the electric company replace it. He questioned the filtration and purification processes of the water company, even taking water samples and comparing them to the company’s, asking questions about the difference in the ratios. 

Helping others was characteristic of Robi.  He helped friends find a better place to live or to get a better job.  He aided strangers who ran out of gas or had a flat tire.  He could easily strike up a conversation with anyone.  He would drive around the SC neighborhood in a golf cart, cleaning up the roadways, even removing animals that had been hit (and burying them).  A local company that sold overstocked and store-returned items, let Robi buy some at a greatly reduced price or gave them to him for free, and he would donate them to other veterans. 

Robi loved all things outdoors.  Lake Hartwell was now his playground – kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing, and swimming.  He talked of doing a summer camp for children, introducing them to outdoor lore and crafts – sharing his Eagle Scout skills, bringing a love of nature.  He enjoyed the sunsets and would call others to watch them, too, as well as having gatherings around the firepit.  Driving back country roads, exploring, was something else he liked, especially if Bubbles (his feral-born Georgia cat) was by his side.  Also, he definitely loved eating crawfish.  The local buffets breathed a sigh of relief when he finally left!! 

Unknown to many, Robi struggled with PTSD and major depression.  In addition, he suffered from deteriorating physical conditions.  He was very strong physically, and had the ability to endure pain and hide it.  Unfortunately, he didn’t get the help and support he needed from the medical side of the VA.  Instead, he had been misdiagnosed, given the wrong medication, had incomplete therapy, and different primary doctors.  In the spring of 2021, he developed some unusual symptoms.  His research indicated he might have been bitten by a tick, infecting him with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.  The VA, as well as some local medical facilities ignored his many requests to get tested.  Months later, it finally was confirmed.  He had the disease!!  In 2022, Robi experienced more cumulative problems and an unexpected crisis caused him to spiral rapidly downward. 

Robi will be remembered for his compassion for others – to help, to share with, and to – simply enjoy life.  He loved the Great Outdoors, to watch sunsets, travel, experience different foods, and to do the unexpected.  Over the years, he had some very special people in his life, and he had some unique and special animal companions that also comforted him, such as Bandit, Pooter, Roxie, and Bubbles.  All of this expanded and enriched his life. 

There was something so special about him.  He was asked, “Why did you enlist in the Marines?”  He had been to college, had a job, and then he joined the Marines, at 27 years old.  He answered, “I want to protect you.”

Robi will be greatly missed ………… ❤️ 

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal.”
– From an Irish Headstone

“My grandmother famously said that grief was the price we pay for love.”
– Prince William