Lt. Gen. Michael A. Nelson, USAF, who completed his term as president of The Retired Officers Association (TROA) months before the name changed to MOAA, died Oct. 8, on his 87th birthday.  

Nelson served as TROA president from June 1995 to September 2002, leading efforts to change the name that took effect in January 2003. He served 35 years in the Air Force, taking over at TROA the year after his 1994 retirement. 

He was born in 1937 in East Los Angeles, Calif., and was a 1955 graduate of Alamo Heights Senior High School in San Antonio. In 1959, he earned a bachelor's degree in international relations from Stanford University and received his commission in the Air Force through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program.  

Nelson served as a command pilot with over 3,500 flying hours in F-100s, F-105s, A-7s, F-4s, F-15s, and F-16s. He flew 100 combat missions over North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. 

His final Air Force assignment was commander, 9th Air Force and U.S. Central Command Air Forces, Shaw AFB, S.C. His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with 10 oak leaf clusters, and Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster. 

Then-TROA President Lt. Gen. Michael A. Nelson, USAF (Ret), third from left, stands with members of the association’s Government Relations team, including Col. Paul Arcari, USAF (Ret), third from right, and Col. Steve Strobridge, USAF (Ret), far right. (MOAA file photo)

Moving TROA Forward 

During his tenure at what would become MOAA, the association, along with partners in The Military Coalition, had many legislative victories on the Hill, including increasing active duty pay raises, repealing dual-compensation restrictions and the REDUX retirement system, and enacting TRICARE Senior Pharmacy and TRICARE For Life.  

Additionally, he made positive changes within MOAA headquarters: The Retired Officer Magazine went through a major redesign. The association launched its website in 1996. The Officer Placement Service began holding career fairs to further assist servicemembers transitioning out of the military. And the Member Service Center opened in 1998, representing a new level of personal service for members.  

Nelson also led the effort to change the association’s name from TROA to MOAA, an accomplishment that became official in January 2003, a few months after his departure. 

[LEGACY.COM: Michael A. Nelson] 

“General Nelson was a remarkable leader at MOAA and was deeply respected by our board, staff, and council and chapter network,” said MOAA President and CEO Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret). “His loss is felt throughout our community.” 

Col. Steve Strobridge, USAF (Ret), who served as deputy director and then director of Government Relations during Nelson’s tenure, echoed that sentiment.

“He was one of the best leaders I ever worked for,” Strobridge said. “He demanded professionalism and accountability, while promoting a family atmosphere with the staff. He and his vivacious wife, Barbie, were beloved and respected by all of us.”

Nelson was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Wigdale “Barbie” Nelson, on April 2, 2022. The two were married for nearly 60 years. He is survived by four children — Wendy (Jim) Miller, Holly (Mike) Blais, Tracy (Chris) Herwig, and Michael A. Nelson Jr. (Becky) — 11 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, as well as sisters Linda Simms and Marilyn McClees, brother Tom Nelson, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.