Royce H. Coulson Sr. was kind, helpful, caring, intelligent and hard-working, his wife Nitsa said.
Licensed in four states, Coulson worked until age 82 because he enjoyed being a pharmacist, she said. A member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, after graduating from Drake University Coulson worked as a district manager for Eli Lilly in Chicago. Later Coulson worked 30 years for Gary’s Methodist Hospital, where he was well-respected by the medical staff, and in between was the director of public works for Highland.
Coulson, of Hobart and formerly of Highland, was born in Newell, Iowa, where his father owned a drug store. A pharmacy tech who was awarded six medals in the U.S. Army/Air Force during World War II while stationed in the Philippines, Coulson was proud of his service often wearing his World War II or Air Force hats.
“People would come up to him, shake his hand and thank him for his service,” Nitsa Coulson said.
Preceded in death by his first wife Janice, Coulson met Nitsa at Methodist Hospital where she works in medical records. They were married 13 years.
Nitsa Coulson said her husband was a good father who raised his two sons, Royce Jr. and David well. His first granddaughter, Lilah was born in August to his step-daughter Angela.
In 2006, Coulson received his 60-year award pin from the Garfield Masonic Lodge #569. A reader of four newspapers daily, Coulson also enjoyed books, research, listening to jazz and attending jazz concerts and those by the Northwest Indiana Symphony.
“He was very knowledgeable and could converse with anyone,” Nitsa Coulson said. "He was an amazing man. To him age was just a number. He was a true blessing in my life.”
Coulson’s church, the First Presbyterian Church of Highland, has established the Royce Coulson Memorial Fund. Donations can be sent to the church, c/o the Rev. Dr. Laura Reason, 8727 Delaware Dr., Highland, IN 46322.
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