Andrew Louis Nelson

1920 - 2016

Andrew Louis Nelson obituary, 1920-2016, Seattle, WA

FUNERAL HOME

Forest Lawn Funeral Home

6701 30th Ave SW

Seattle, Washington

Andrew Nelson Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Nov. 25, 2016.

Andrew Louis Nelson





Andrew (Andy) Louis Nelson climbed his last mountain on Wednesday November 23rd (just shy of his 96th birthday) at the Kenney in West Seattle. Andy was born in Seattle WA on December 10, 1920 to George Gedeon Nelson and Bertha Amelia Lindfors Nelson. Andy’s grandfather Andrew Nelson was a Swedish immigrant and pioneer in the Juanita area who built the Juanita School and the Modern Woodman Hall (Juanita Community Church). The Nelson family home, built by Andy’s grand-father) at 100th NE & NE 132nd was torn down in the 1970’s to make way for an Albertson’s grocery store.



Even at a young age Andy was an outdoor guy; he loved scouting and the mountains. There is some evidence that he even won a 1934 Seattle Model Sailboat Race at Green Lake.



Andy graduated from Lincoln High School in 1939 and then attended the University of Washington, graduating in 1943 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. Having served in the UW ROTC program (Sept 1942), Andy entered the Army Air Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant in February 1944.



Andy served as an Electronics Officer during WWII instructing pilots on navigation systems. He was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Ribbon; America Theatre Ribbon; World War II Victory Medal as well as numerous commendations. Towards the end of WWII Andy was promoted to 1st Lieutenant.



After his discharge from the Army, Andy was advised that as a Mathematics teacher he would not earn much money and he enrolled at the UW for a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.



Andy’s business career was at Boeing as an Engineer writing technical manuals for aeronautical applications.



As an Eagle Scout (1937), Andy gave back to the community in so many ways. He was a Life Member of the Mountaineers, Life Member of the UW Alumni Association (Go Dawgs!), Boy Scouts of America Troop #282 Leader (recognized for his over 60 years in scouting), West Seattle Lions Club, West Side Presbyterian Church and an all-around wilderness adventurer who shared his love of hiking and mountain climbing (he climbed Mt Rainier twice) with many. Andy “walked the walk; talked the talk” when it came to understanding the environmental issues in keeping “the great outdoors” great.



While Andy had no children of his own, his wife, the late Doris Isabella Powell Halliday Nelson, presented him with a family of step-children, grandchildren, nieces & nephews; all who thoroughly enjoyed him. Doris and Andy spent many years traveling throughout the world….from Elder Hostels and UW trips across America to Europe to Australia; Antarctica; the Arctic; Africa; Asia; Central & South America, etc.



Andy is survived by his step-daughter Diane Halliday Longyear of Elko, NV and her son Rick Longyear (also of Elko NV) and children/grand-children; the children & family of her son Robert (deceased)Longyear; nephew William R. Powell of Chehalis, WA; Nieces Bonny Powell Taylor of Kent, WA; Patricia Powell McGuire (Joe) of Manchester, WA and their families consisting of great & great great nephews & nieces.



The family would also like to acknowledge and thank long-time friends Gary Benson; Warren McKinstry; Paul Smith; Rev. Ron Rice; Stacy St. John; Ron Burke and Bill Hart for their friendship, rides, stories, etc. We so appreciate your friendship with Andy and your stories! And a special thank you to all the past Troop #282 members. Last, but not certainly least, is a special thank you for the wonderful staff at the Kenney/Lincoln Vista and the Kline Galland Hospice; what a wonderful group of caring individuals!



The family requests that in lieu of flowers & in keeping with Andy’s pattern of giving, contributions in his memory to any of the following organizations would be appreciated: The Seattle Council Boy Scouts of America; West Seattle Senior Center; West Seattle Food Bank; Southwest Seattle Historical Museum; The Kenney Foundation; The Nordic Museum; or The Mountaineers.



A viewing will be held on December 1st from 11am – 1pm at Forest Lawn Funeral Home with military graveside service at 2pm at Evergreen Washelli.



Please Note Change: Memorial Service on December 9th at 11 am at West Side Presbyterian Church with reception to follow.







To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Andrew Nelson

What is your first memory of Andrew?

Share a favorite memory you have of Andrew.

Tell us about a special moment you shared with Andrew.

Describe a time when Andrew made you laugh or smile.

What is something you will always remember about Andrew?

Talk about a shared experience you had with Andrew.

What is something you did together that you enjoyed?

Describe a place or activity that reminds you of Andrew.

Tell us about a personal story or anecdote involving Andrew.

What is something you learned from Andrew?

Not sure what to say?

4 Entries

December 14, 2016

Cait Lockhart

Andy has been a fixture here since I started working at The Kenney 7 years ago. I have so many fond memories of both him and Doris and their involvement with the staff and other residents here. They were both incredibly kind and I was honored to get to know Andy and his family more in recent years. From The Kenney, our love and prayers go out to his family - your appreciation for us is the reason we all show up to work every day, and folks like Andy make it easy.

December 13, 2016

To the family of Andy and Doris Nelson,
My mother and father, Virginia and Eilert Prestegaard considered both Doris and Andy fine people and wonderful friends. They spent many good times together, including travel to Norway and Greece years ago.
Eilert passed away 3 years ago but my mother, Virginia, wanted very much to attend Andy's service -she unfortunately, missed it.
I wanted to mention on her behalf our condolences to your family and how happy we were to see Andy on several occasions in the past few months at the Kenney.
Sincerely,
Anna Prestegaard Bryant

December 3, 2016

Ryan Larson

I will always remember Andy with sincere fondness.

I consider him a mentor in my life and he will be missed.

November 30, 2016

Susan Calender-Bitzer

This story began with Andy's mother and my grandmother being best friends in high school. Andy and my mother grew up together and this friendship remained through the years with both families. My mother was widowed when I was almost 3yrs old. Andy and his parents were very supportive to my mother, brother and me when we moved to Seattle. He taught me how to ski when I was 4yrs and my brother was 2yrs. He took us on picnics and hikes. He was my father for the father daughter banquets. He was there for all our important milestones, birthdays, recitals, graduations, weddings and more.

I will always treasure the memories I have of him. He was such an important part of my life growing up. He was so kind, supportive, generous with his time. He was always there for us. He will be deeply missed.

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results

Make a Donation
in Andrew Nelson's name

Memorial Events
for Andrew Nelson

Dec

1

Viewing

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Forest Lawn Funeral Home

6701 30th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98126

Dec

1

Graveside service

2:00 p.m.

Evergreen Washelli

WA

Dec

9

Memorial service

11:00 a.m.

West Side Presbyterian Church

WA

Funeral services provided by:

Forest Lawn Funeral Home

6701 30th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98126

How to support Andrew's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Andrew Nelson's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more