Donald R. Nelson
Donald R. Nelson
Feb. 21, 1943 – Feb. 17, 2020
Donald Robert Nelson was born in Corvallis, Oregon, Feb. 21, 1943, and died Feb. 17, 2020, in Lincoln, four days before his 77th birthday. He was the oldest son of Robert and Wilma (Bye) Nelson, both from Seward. Don’s father was stationed in Corvallis before serving in the South Pacific during World War II. Wilma traveled by bus to Corvallis prior to Don’s birth and then returned to Seward when Don was 2 weeks old.
Don grew up in Seward County. His family lived on a farm north of Seward and moved to town when Don was 8 years old. He graduated from Seward High School in 1961.
Don decided to be an engineer when he was 12. He credited his uncle, Harold Coleman, with encouraging him to go to college. Don graduated from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with a degree in chemical engineering. He married Katherine Miller in 1966. They had five children: Jeffrey, Michael, Todd, Steven and Julie. The marriage ended in 1995.
Most of Don’s chemical engineering career was with Monsanto at various sites: Springfield, Massachusetts, (1966-71, junior engineer); St. Louis, Missouri, (1971-73, senior engineer); Pensacola, Florida, (1973-74, principal engineer); St. Louis, Missouri, (1974-76, principal engineer); Springfield, Massachusetts, (1976-85, engineering superintendent); St. Louis, Missouri, (1985-98, manager of engineering and then later senior group consultant). He worked for extended periods on projects in Brazil, Argentina, Britain, Belgium, The Netherlands, Korea, Japan, China and Thailand.
Don became reacquainted with classmate Dorothy Ramsay Heidemann at the Seward High class reunion in July 1996. They had known each other since second grade and had taken math and science classes together in high school, but they never dated, nor were even involved in the same school activities while growing up. That changed after the reunion. They married June 28, 1997.
Don commuted weekly between Lincoln and St. Louis for a year, then took early retirement from Monsanto and moved to Lincoln to be with Dorothy. He finished his chemical engineering career at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where he served as senior lecturer in the Chemical Engineering Department from 1998 through 2006.
Don loved his family. He loved his dogs. He read with a passion. He loved to cook which led him to collect an amazing assortment of kitchen appliances. He loved working with wood and built most of the cabinets and several pieces of furniture in their home. He loved every kind of mechanical and electronic device and pretty much acquired them all. He controlled all the TV remotes and recording devices in their home, even after a stroke compromised his vision, made his one working hand unsteady and limited his mobility. He knew where every item was in the shop and home even after the stroke. He loved following Nebraska sports and enjoyed attending football and basketball games.
Don also loved to organize data and was devoted to a systematic storage of information. That’s why he was good at doing so many things. He did many of those good things at his church, where he served as senior warden, treasurer and acolyte as well as general consultant on a host of church issues.
Don faced life after his stroke with courage, but it was a difficult eight months. Although he loved living, he recognized it was time to leave this earth. His absence leaves a hole in our hearts.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Wilma Nelson.
Don is survived by his wife, Dorothy Heidemann-Nelson; his brother, Gary; his five children and their spouses, Jeffrey, Michael (Marianne), Todd, Steven (Teresa) and Julie (Chris Tutt); and six grandchildren, Ashley Nelson, Cole Lehman, Alex and Tyler Nelson and Hunter and Reese Tutt. He is also survived by Dorothy’s two sons, John Heidemann (Karen) and Ben Heidemann (Lamen); and two grandchildren, Nathaniel and Samuel Heidemann; and a host of extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Seward for “Laundry Love.” This mission invites low-income people to a monthly gathering at the local laundromat to do their wash at no cost. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.zabkafuneralhome.com.
