David Nelson

It is with great sadness that the family of David Pollard Nelson (Dave) announces his passing after valiantly living with Parkinson’s disease for 19 years, on Friday, June 18, 2021, at the age of 79. Ever the baseball fan, he hit a grand slam, rounded the bases, and crossed home plate to his eternal home with Jesus Christ.

Dave will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 54 years, Dianne Carlson Dreher Nelson, and his children, Tracy Schmitt (Todd), Tami Bertelsen (Joel) and Todd Nelson (Heather). Dave leaves a legacy to his nine grandchildren, Nicholas, Christopher, Zachary, Joshua, Carly, Elliana, Aidan, Emma, and Andrew. He will be fondly remembered by his siblings, Carol Coburn (Bill) and Kent Nelson (Jane), and by sister-in-law Sue Dreher (Virgil), as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Dave was born on July 22, 1941 in Longmont, Colorado to Margaret and Lawrence Nelson. He was a graduate of Longmont High School (great class of 1959) and Denver University B.A. (1963), M.A. (1964) and PhD (1969) where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Phi Theta Kappa. During the politically active 1960s, he also interned in Washington D.C. with the United States Department of State before beginning his career as a Professor of History at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas. When he returned to Colorado, he served as a Professor and Administrative Head at Red Rocks Community College for 34 years, moderated the Guy T. McBride Honors Program in Public Affairs at the Colorado School of Mines and led student travels throughout Europe. He also served as a property manager, President of the Lakewood Historical Society, Chairman for the Jefferson County Council for the Aging, and Deacon at Shepherd of the Hills. Additionally, he was a member of the Jefferson County Historical Commission, Denver Westerners, Applewood Kiwanis Club, and Rockland Community Church where he and Dianne were married. Dave was also an author of The Elk Creek Chronicles: From Shaffers Crossing to Pine Grove, Ryssby – The Country Church, 76 Centennial Stories and assisted in the script for Colfax Avenue: Mainstreet Colorado.

Some of his favorite activities over the years included watching the Cardinals, Broncos, and Rockies, playing sports of all kinds, hiking in the mountains, visiting the ocean, traveling with his family, playing gin rummy and ping pong with his grandkids, swimming at Applewood Knolls, listening to music at the cabin, attending his kids and grandkids sporting and music events, attending church and Bible studies, learning about history and current events, listening to other’s stories and experiences, exercising at the YMCA and rec centers, and eating a good donut at Henderson’s donuts. One of his favorite songs was “What a Wonderful World” and those words reflect his outlook.  He exemplified how to live a life well-lived and most certainly is hearing “well done my good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:21

The family gives a special thank you to friends who visited and reached out to Dave and to the nurses and caretakers, including Bristol Hospice, who lovingly cared for him at Mill Vista.

A Memorial Service in memory of Dave will be held on June 29, 2021 at 11:00 at Horan & McConaty 5303 E. County Line Rd Centennial CO 80122 and officiated by Rev. Ken Williams formally from Rockland Community Church. Reception will follow. You may remotely join Dave's memorial service with this livestream link: https://bxcited.com/davidnelson/ . Those who so desire may make donations in memory of Dave to the historical site of your choice.