Major Nelson Dale Rhodes (USAF, Ret.), 83, of Boca Raton, died Saturday, October 22, 2022, at Bethesda Hospital East, Boynton Beach.  Major Rhodes was born May 12, 1939, in Deland, Florida, to the now-deceased George Steward and Catherine (Black) Rhodes.  He grew up in Milford, Connecticut, and enjoyed spending summers with his grandparents in Maine, particularly at his maternal grandfather's blueberry farm.  After graduating from Milford High School, he attended the University of Connecticut and subsequently entered the U.S. Air Force as an Aviation Cadet and became a Commissioned Officer in 1962.

While in the Aviation Cadet program in Waco, Texas, he met his future bride, Nancy Elizabeth Chance, whose parents, Joel and Evelyn Chance, operated the USO in Waco.  They married on June 22, 1963.

Major Rhodes served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years as a Pilot, Navigator/Bombadier, Navigator Instructor, Nuclear Weapons Instructor, and Aircraft Commander, Instructor Pilot/Evaluator Pilot on the EC 121 (Super Constellation) radar reconnaissance aircraft.  He spent numerous deployment tours in Southeast Asia with this aircraft that extended over seven campaigns of the Vietnam War.  He logged 1400 hours of combined combat and 500 combat support flight hours during the course of 140 combat missions and was awarded five Air Medals for service in that conflict.

After retiring from the Air Force in 1981, he spent almost two decades managing two general aviation airports, first in Waco, Texas, and then in Boca Raton.  In 2006, he was recognized by the Florida Department of Transportation as the "Aviation Professional of the Year" in the State of Florida.  He also served as Florida Regional Representative for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for 13 years.

Major Rhodes enjoyed history, particularly local and family history, and spending time with his family, particularly his five grandchildren.  He was an avid Disney-phile and loved music and playing his guitar.

He was a member of the Allerton Colony, Florida Society of Mayflower Descendants, having served as the Governor of the Colony for five years.  He was also a member of Spanish River Church.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy; a daughter, Melissa (Jeff) Garrard of Lebanon, Indiana; Mark (Elizabeth) Rhodes of Boca Raton; five grandchildren, Justin Garrard of Baltimore, Maryland, Julia Garrard of The Hague, Netherlands, Jason Garrard of Lebanon, Indiana, and Allison Rhodes and Jenna Rhodes, both of Boca Raton; two sisters, Diane Meyer of Phoenix, Arizona and Jean (Daniel) Kievlan of Benbrook, Texas; and four nieces and nephews, Jeff (Tara) Kievlan of Austin, Texas, Laura (Kyle) Kovarik of Spotsylvania, Virginia, Daniel (Tricia) Kievlan of The Woodlands, Texas, and Sarah Stanfield of Englewood, Colorado.  He was preceded in death by his parents George and Catherine Rhodes and a brother-in-law, Ron Meyer.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 28, 2022, at Spanish River Church, 2400 Yamato Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33431.

The family request that in lieu of flowers donations may be sent directly to the Military Family Support Trust, 1010 American Eagle Blvd., #400, Sun City Center, FL 33573 or may be made directly on their webpage: www. militaryfamilysupporttrust.org .  There is a donate button at the top right.