Donald Nelson Obituary

Dear Mrs. Nelson and your children:

I only recently learned of the passing of Don. He was my mentor when I did my GPR residency in North Carolina at the Durham VA. He taught me more than I can ever share and I truly believe he was my greatest teacher. I am truly saddened to learn of his passing. I plan to visit his resting place at Arlington NC. May he rest in God's peace and may you all also know that he was loved by many.

Dear Mrs. Nelson,
I don't believe that I have ever known a man who cared more about his family. We had many long talks at work when the clinic was slow. He was very proud of you and your children, and loved you all very much.
I received much good advice from Dr. Nelson concerning my own life.
The profession of dentistry and the world in general has lost a fine man.
I will miss him.

Ginny Willard McCarter
Dental Asst.
Removable Prosthodontics
MUSC

Well, Mr. Don it has been 2 long weeks and I am hurting for you. My good puppy life will never be the same without you in it. Mrs. Linda is taking good care of me now (as you would expect her to) and I love her to pieces. She took my for a ride to the post office yesterday and that was so nice. You know I gotta ride around in that mercedes some. She also takes me for my long walks too!! Everybody loves me in the neighborhood and they think that I am yours. Well, yes I am!!!

Mrs. linda gave me dinner this afternoon and then we came back to my house for snackies and lots of wine on the deck that you like so much. We have been discussing our plans for the Arlington trip in December. You know we would not miss this piece of business for the world. Well, I will be puppy dreaming for you tonight, Colonel. Talk to you soon.

Love, Your Pal

The "Little Colonel"

Mrs. Nelson,
I am deeply sorry for your loss. I have always loved you both dearly.
Jennifer Hutter

Dear Linda and family: We just learned of Don's passing and it saddens us greatly. What a wonderful friend and a great professional. Don may have been the greatest dental teacher that I have ever known, but more importantly, he was a loyal and devoted friend. We will miss him very much as I know you will also. More later, as we are out of the country this week. Most sincerely, Kay and Hutch.

Dr. Nelson was a brilliant man and the best hands down. He made my experience in dental school a lot better. He truly cared for people and truly loved to just give good advice free of charge. I am so glad I was blessed by his presence and grateful to have listened to him whenever he and i spoke.

Dear Mrs. Nelson, Dr. Nelson was a wonderful professor of dentistry and life. He made everyone smile with his witty humor. We will miss him dearly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

See the below letter from Don's very special friend and the attached photo.

Dear Mr. Don:


I am soooooooo glad that you taught me all of my computer skills so that I can type this up. I know that you would expect nothing less from me.

I have considered myself the “Little Colonel” for quite a while now. Wouldn’t everyone be surprised to know that you and I talk and that I call you “Big Colonel”? Ha!!!

I have learned so much from you since we have been pals. I am the man that I am because of you. I know that we have talked about it not being an accident that we came into each other’s lives. We have really helped each other. I have learned to walk faster to keep up with you…………I have also learned humility, smarts and lots of manners. Not to mention that I now can ride a bike too. Thank you again for my cool doggles so the sun won’t hurt my eyes and the harness so that I will not fall out of my basket. Boy, you just think of everything!!!

Now, this is very hard to write and I am very emotional right now. I just want you to always know that you mean so much to my parents and me.

You are the Bestest Pal in the whole wide world!!!!!

Thank you again for making my steps to the world. Because of you I can see people, birds, puppies and cats so that I can yell at them to get away from “my houses”!!

I am very thankful to have my stairs so that I can bask in the sun and get fresh air while I am waiting for you to come and get me so that we can go places together. I like to go Petsmart for my Folly food, treats, toys and new sweaters. And,.….….Lowes when we need things for working around the house. I was so impressed with that tube of liquid nails just like you were!!

I really enjoy us washing the Mercedes that we bought together. Darn, we have good taste. What!! I have really respected “white” since we have been together and I suspect that my next car will be white as well.


You know, Mr. Don that I am really going to miss your whistles when you are walking across the street to get me. I think that you are telling me to “get in order” as you are on your way. I always felt like “Your Little Soldier”.

Thank you for always playing Dot with me and making me laugh. I know that you liked to play Dot too. I feel so honored that you wanted to spend time with me. I really enjoy our long naps and the peanuts. Yippee!!!

I told my Mom that you read e-mails that you receive to me and we just crack up together. I know so much more now since you have been reading books to me. Actually, I am darn smart just like you!!

Now, I know that we talked about getting me some new sweaters for the fall so I will not get cold. Not to worry……..Mrs. Linda will get them for me.

Well, Mr. Don this all feels like a sharp stick in the eye. You know what I mean.

I love you so much…


Your Bestest Pal
The Little Colonel
Your Little Soldier
Friend of the Working Girl


From one Colonel to the next I SALUTE YOU!!!!


CHEERS “MY FRIEND”



Respectfully,


Folly Poole

Dear Mrs. Nelson and family,
Dr. Nelson was a wonderful mentor and friend. I listened and learned so much from him while attending dental school and afterwards. He will truly be missed. Our prayers are with you.

Mrs. Nelson & family,
As you already know, Dr. Nelson was like a second father to me. He was such a wonderful mentor, cheerleader, educator, and friend. They don't make those everyday. We love you, and your family is in our constant prayers. I know he is in a better place. And his legacy will live on *smile*.

We will always remember you. You will be greatly missed

Dear Linda and Family,

So sorry to hear of Don's death. He has always occupied a special place in my heart since our days at Evansville College and seeing him in the past few years. I'll always remember him with pride.

All our love and sympathy.

John and Mary Challman
Indianapolis

Dear Mrs Nelson,
My husband and I were both students of Dr. Nelson's, and would like you to know how much he meant to us. We could always tell that he truly cared about us, as students and as individuals. He will be missed. Our prayers are with you at this time.

Nelson Family,
Our heartfelt condolences on the Passing of Don. He was always a spot of sunshine during my days at Dental school. I appreciate all the lessons and life lessons he shared.

While we mourn for Don's family , we celebrate his life. Our friend and classmate. Paul and Rose Cheaney

I met Dr. Nelson while he was a patient at MUSC Cardiology. He was a very nice person and we love him dearly. So sorry for your loss.

Dearest Linda,

It doesn't seem possible that just two weeks ago we visited with Don and experienced his sweet and loving smile. He was washing his car and sharing with us why he always buys white cars. His logic was spot on. Although we only had occasional opportunities to visit with you and Don, it has always been a such a joy and pleasure to see you and get to know you better. Of course it was our daughter, Kate, who introduced us to you as her special neighbors. We have you in our prayers, our hearts and our thoughts. This is an unpleasant reminder of how quickly one's life can be snuffed out and a family changed forever. Don's loss will undoubtedly be more difficult for those left behind, as we know in our hearts that Don is in a place so amazing and so beautiful, that he is surrounded by loved ones who preceded him and are embracing him. Our hearts are broken for you as we know how special a couple you are. I'll always remember Don washing his car so it would look beautiful for that special dinner at that special restaurant you enjoyed that week before Don's death. We will continue to hold you in our hearts and will look forward to seeing you whenever we are in SC, which we hope is often!

Love, David & Jane Springer

Dear Linda,

I was so sorry to read in the paper of Don's passing. My prayers are with you and your family. God bless you at the time.

Sincerely,

Sue Kieffer
Summerville, SC

We will truly miss such a wonderful neighbor. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Kate Springer and Justin Altum

Linda,
Please accept our sympathies and know that you are in our prayers.

Linda and Nelson family,
Our hearts are broken for all of you. We loved Don also. Doug is in the Trident hospital with a heart attack and congestive heart failure and we will not be able to attend the services Monday. Our prayers are with you.

Margaret and Doug Beasley

Heartfelt condolences from friends and fellow soldier.
Love,
Betty & Ken Moser

Farewell, Mater Dei '53 Classmate!