R.W. Nelson

Born shortly before the start of the United States’ Great Depression, Rolland Wade “Bud” Nelson witnessed many history-defining moments that shaped the late-20th and early-21st centuries. But R.W. did more than experience these events; he created his own legacy that helped transform a billion lives around the world every day.

The third child of Bart and Lily Nelson’s six children, R.W. grew up in Iowa, the epicenter of agriculture, where crops and cattle sustain the world’s food supply. He graduated from Dowling Catholic High School in 1944 and started college on a football scholarship at Drake University before he was drafted in World War II. As a serviceman in the United States Air Force, R.W. spent three years in the Philippines, becoming crew chief for B-29 bombers and earned several service ribbons along the way.

After returning from duty, R.W. resumed his studies at Drake, majoring in biology. During this time, he went on a blind date with an Iowa State University student, Mary Kelleher. Set up by her cousin, who wanted an introduction to Mary’s college roommate, Mary insisted that she would only make the introduction if he brought someone for her, and that someone was R.W. They would go on to date for several years, marry in 1953, and spend the next 72 years together.

The first of the Nelsons’ five children, Christopher, was born in 1954, followed by Elizabeth (“Libby”), Janet, David, and Molly. Restless to start his own business and follow in the footsteps of his father and brother, and unhappy about his future prospects in his current role, R.W. struck out on his own in 1961. With $10,000 in savings, a living room for their home office, and five small children, R.W. and Mary created an agricultural ingredient company in Des Moines, Iowa that would become known as Kemin Industries.

Sensing an unmet need in the market, R.W. applied his experience in feed additives, his scientific background, and his ingenuity to create flavors, crop preservatives, and antioxidants for animal producers and farmers. He mixed them by hand in a Maytag® wringer washer at his father’s wool barn—the company’s manufacturing facility. He did this while Mary tended to the administrative side of the business.

Ever the entrepreneur, R.W. always focused first on serving customers, which led Kemin into new areas. By 1967, the business had grown too big for the Nelsons’ living room, and a small office was built on the same site as the manufacturing plant, built four years earlier. Today, Kemin’s state-of-the-art, multi-million-dollar worldwide headquarters campus occupies the same area as the original facilities.

For over six decades, R.W. and Mary built Kemin from a small Midwest company into a global leader in ingredients and scientific innovations, offering more than 500 specialty ingredients that better the health and well-being of people, pets, animals, livelihoods, and the planet. Today, the Kemin footprint spans six continents and serves customers in more than 120 countries. Known as Kemin’s most dedicated marketer and salesman, R.W. came to the office for nearly 60 years. He was beloved by countless customers around the world and thousands of Kemin employees whose lives he impacted.

Throughout his career, R.W. was a celebrated innovator, holding four patents, and was recognized worldwide for his scientific discoveries and business achievements. He received citations from two presidents: the President’s “E” Certificate for Exports from President Nixon in 1971 and the President’s “E” Star Award for Excellence in Export from President Carter in 1978. R.W. also received the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Export Award in 1972, the State of Iowa Economic Impact Award in 1987, the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur Achievement Iowa Award in 1991, and the Iowa Biotechnology Association’s Entrepreneur Achievement Biotechnology Award in 2004. In 2006, he was inducted into the Iowa Business Hall of Fame. 

Both at Kemin and across global communities, R.W. was a servant leader and believed in the moral obligation to improve the quality of life for others and give back to the community. R.W. and Mary quietly became transformative philanthropic leaders in Iowa and around the world, supporting hundreds of organizations and contributing significantly to many. Known to be the most humble recipients of any type of recognition, they were deeply honored to receive the 2019 Robert D. Ray Iowa SHARES Humanitarian Award for their commitment to outreach to remote parts of distant countries affected by devastating natural disasters.

R.W.’s ambitions may have seemed unattainable at times, but what he achieved in his life is truly awe-inspiring. He was tirelessly committed to Kemin, but equally so to his faith, community, and, most importantly, his family. He loved time with his children, twelve grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. He, along with his wife Mary, established a legacy of scientific discovery and service to others that will continue far beyond his 98 years. In his many roles, from grandfather to global business visionary, R.W. will be remembered for his integrity, humility, and life-long belief that anyone can make a difference and should do so.