MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF JANUARY 18, 2018
Title
MEMORIAL RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners extending sympathy and condolences to the family of Dennis Bruce Nelson, Ph.D.
Body
WHEREAS, Dennis Bruce Nelson, Ph.D. died peacefully surrounded by his wife Louise and his family at home on December 19, 2017 in Livermore, CA; and
WHEREAS, the Nelson family will celebrate the life of Dennis on Saturday, January 27, 2018, at Asbury United Methodist Church, Livermore, California; and,
WHEREAS, Dennis was the first born to father, Marion J. Nelson, a science teacher, farmer, and encyclopedia salesman; and mother, Marie Thelma Kremp Nelson Moore, an elementary teacher, a hardworking farmer’s wife and an active community volunteer; and
WHEREAS, during his childhood, Dennis was raised on a farm with a water pump connected to a well, an outhouse, participated in 4-H Club and Boy Scouts, achieved many awards and enjoyed the many animals that populated the farm; and
WHEREAS, Dennis’s responsibilities on the farm were many including: feeding and watering the pigs, chickens and cows; milking the cows; harvesting the crops; cutting, baling and hauling alfalfa; harrowing, plowing and cultivating the field; irrigating the corn fields; picking, storing and arranging for the grinding of corn; and cleaning the barn, coop and pigsties; and
WHEREAS, Dennis graduated with honors from Loomis High School where he was Class President, on the newspaper staff, in the class play, sang in the Boys’ Glee Club, Mixed Chorus, and the Operetta; and
WHEREAS, Dennis worked in an alfalfa mill every summer between college semesters; and
WHEREAS, Dennis was married in 1959 to Deanna Broberg and together they had three children: Valerie, Richard and Robert; and
WHEREAS, Dennis graduated with the highest honors in 1961 earning his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Nebraska while active in the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, Pi Mu Epsilon, also affiliated with Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Student Council; and
WHEREAS, he went on to earn his Master of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1963; and
WHEREAS, Dennis then served in a University of Nebraska Professorship from 1963 to 1966; and,
WHEREAS, Dennis was recruited by Sandia National Laboratories in 1966 to be involved with laboratory and field testing, as well as design and development of weapons systems and components; and
WHEREAS, Dennis completed his Doctorate of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering at the University of California, Davis in 1974; and
WHEREAS, Dennis was instrumental in the pioneering development of digital computer control of random vibration testing, becoming a recognized authority in the area of waveform synthesis for shock testing; and
WHEREAS, Dennis was a member of the Institute of Environmental Services and the Society of Automotive Engineers’ GS Aerospace Shock and Vibrations Committee; and
WHEREAS, Dennis married Louise Smith in 1980; and he was a loving husband and provider for his wife Louise of 37 years; and
WHEREAS, well respected in his profession, Dennis served Sandia National Laboratories in Livermore, CA as a valuable member of the staff on multiple projects, serving his country well using his intellect and dedication; remaining on staff long after his retirement as a consultant mentoring many young professionals, with a career spanning 51 years; and
WHEREAS, even though Dennis received recognition and achieved many awards for his service, he remained humble; and
WHEREAS, after retiring, Dennis enjoyed teaching in the local high schools, community college, and tutoring students in his home; and
WHEREAS, Dennis was involved in many ministries with Asbury United Methodist Church, serving in multiple roles with varied responsibilities to help meet the needs of others; and
WHEREAS, Dennis is remembered as being heartfelt, sincere, and determined all while being quite a character with an entertaining wit and banter that will be fondly remembered; and,
WHEREAS, Commissioner Frank Avila’s wife Sherry, visited her cousin Dennis and his siblings Dean and Virginia and her maternal Aunt Marie and Uncle Marion in Nebraska many summers during her childhood and for special occasions in later years and was influenced by their many positive values; and,
WHEREAS, Dennis leaves to honor his memory his brother, Dean Nelson of Minnesota; his sister, Virginia Nelson of Missouri; his children, Valerie Nelson of Livermore, California; Richard Nelson of Livermore, California, and Robert Nelson of Central City, Nebraska; step-children, Kelly Moyles (Dean) of Filer, Idaho; John Smith (Penny) of Ripon, California, and Glenn Smith (Debbie) of Tracy, California; 15 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren; his 101 year old aunt, Blanche Olson of Holdrege, Nebraska; his maternal cousins Bobby Olson of Holdrege, Nebraska; Sherry Avila of Chicago, Illinois; Joan Saeger of El Paso, Illinois, and Gary Hooste of Indianapolis, Indiana; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and staff extend our deepest condolences for the loss of Dennis Bruce Nelson, Ph.D.; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, and that a copy of same, suitably embossed, be presented to the family of Dennis Bruce Nelson, Ph.D.
Dated: January 18, 2018
Approved: MARIYANA T. SPYROPOULOS, President; BARBARA J. MCGOWAN, Vice President; FRANK AVILA, Chairman, Committee on Finance; MARTIN J. DURKAN; JOSINA MORITA; DEBRA SHORE; KARI K. STEELE; DAVID J. WALSH; Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
Approved as to Form and Legality: Susan T. Morakalis, General Counsel: STM:BK:bh