Now This

Carl Nelson

1958 - 2004

The Nelson family has had another loss.

My brother, Carl, passed away sometime yesterday in his apartment in Arizona of some kind of seizure (stroke? heart? anyurism?). He was 46, the youngest of us Nelson children. He worked the night shift for a local community college in the computer department for at least a decade. He never married.

Unfortunately, Carl and my father did not get along; aside from three brief visits at the time of our mother's death in 2001 he did not have contact with our family these past 12 or so years despite our attempts to reach out to him. We were hoping that after my dad passed he might re-establish contact with his sisters, but I guess it won't happen in this life.

He was 7-years my junior and so our only real time together was when we were kids. There was no specific estrangement between the two of us, but we were mostly strangers to each other. He had 'adopted' a different set of 'parents' and 'siblings' within his circle of friends over the past decade or so and ignored us. This made me sad, and a little angry, because I could see how this hurt my parents, particularly my father. Otherwise, my hope was that he found happiness in the path he chose for his life.

Somehow, although I'm shaken and sad, I'm not all that surprised by the news. I had an inner 'sense' about Carl these past several months since my dad's death, as though he was somehow already gone too.

Rest in Peace.

GETTING BACK TO LIFE

A little at a time I've been getting back to the ordinary things of life and my interests. My family is doing well, and we thank you for your expressions of sympathy, warm thoughts and prayers. They have all added to the sense of support and caring that we've known through the past weeks.

Honey has done her part, too. We've now been human and cat together for 7 months now. During the past month of trial and sorrow, she came closer yet, by agreeing that it was ok for me to pet her on my bed. I am now allowed to sit on it and pet her, and even lie down an arm's length away and pet her. She will even jump up on the bed when I'm sitting there first. It is a morning routine with us before I leave for work, and at night also.

The pictures here were taken during a recent petting session with me sitting on the bed and sometimes petting her while aiming the camera as best I could for the shot.

ACROSS THE GREAT DIVIDE

Robert E Nelson
1922 - 2004

My dad passed away during the early morning of July 5th.

My sister was enroute to the hospice home when it happened, but a nurse was with him, and it sounded like he was peaceful.

We are greiving, but are all ok. I'll write more about him in the upcoming days.

Thank you, my friends, for your care.

7/6: Edited to add the photo and obituary below. We are all doing well.

OBITUARY

Robert E. Nelson, 82, of Tempe, AZ died July 5, 2004. Born January 22, 1922 in Vandling, Pennsylvania to the late Carl and Barbara Nelson. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betty Jean Nelson March 9, 2001. He is survived by his children, Mary Nelson of Bridgeport, CT, Barbara and Carl Nelson of Tempe, AZ, and Susan Nelson Passmore of Hixson, TN, sister Barbara Gliha of Vandling, PA, brother Harry Nelson of Littleton, NC, and grandchildren Daniel and Sarah Passmore of Tennessee. Robert was a veteran of World War II meriting a Purple Heart. He received a Bachelors of Science degree in Ceramic Engineering from Penn State University and worked as a ceramic engineer until his retirement from Litton Industries. He worked on the development of the camera that is still on the moon, fiber optics, and night vision technology. His personal laboratory research included the development of a second generation lense that could see through fog, and two patents. After he retired he was an engineering consultant in Israel and he became an expert witness in tube technology before a US court. He was a loving husband, father and family member; he enjoyed his cats, feeding the birds, computer, writing, travel, a good game of poker, and working on and around his home. He will be missed. In lieu of flowers his family requests donations to The Salvation Army, 40 E. University Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281. Carr-Tenney Mortuary assisted the family.

FIRSTBORN

I'm the firstborn in my family. That's me on the bottom step holding the ball. The serious, responsible look is already on my face even at that young age. My younger sister is the other tot in the light suit. She was, and is, the extrovert, the wit, the charmer. Funny how personality characteristics show up so early. [Click on View My Album to enlarge.]