Walter Nelson

Walter Nelson, known to us all for his dry wit and story-telling talents, let it be known that he was conceived in Silverton, CO, in Jan. 1941 and was born Oct. 1, 1941. His father, Dr. Walter H. Nelson, unfortunately died before his son's birth. His mother, Lois, remarried when Walter was seven to his step-father, Alan, who conveyed his love of Colorado and its mountains to his step-son. Walter spent his early childhood in Colorado and then lived for several years with his mother and step-father in Seattle, WA. As a young adult, he worked for a time on the tugboats that took him into the waters of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Walter served in the army for two years in the mid-1960s in Germany before returning to college. He attended Hayward Junior College in California, and it was there that he discovered his love of literature and writing, along with his desire to share his knowledge with others. Walter progressed through graduate school, earning his master's degree in literature. His academic talents were not limited to literature but extended as well to mathematics and science. His curiosity about the world guided him throughout his life, leading him to travel to Nepal, Africa, Mexico, Antarctica, England, and Ireland. With his first wife Marilyn, he had two children whom he adored and treasured, Alan and Elizabeth. He was thrilled by the births of his daughter and son-in-law's (Tom Palmer) two children, Molly and Violet. Walter's in-laws were dear to him, and he valued their kindness and friendship. Walter began his rewarding and long-time career as professor of English and Writing Center tutor at Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, CO, in 1976, retiring in 2000 with the honor of Professor Emeritus. He met his wife Niki Nolles, also an instructor of English, at Red Rocks in 1990. Long-time friends and colleagues, the two later had the joy of sharing, loving, and caring for each other for the past 11 years. He was admired and loved by Niki's sister Charmi Strempke, her husband Bob, and their two children Spencer and Brianna. Spencer, age eight, has acquired his love of nature from Walter and their hikes together. Walter influenced the lives of thousands of students and hundreds of friends and colleagues during his life. He was a talented writer and teacher who always looked for the good in others and the humor in life's twists and turns. Walter's brilliant wit, kindness, sensitivity, openness, caring nature, and warm heart will live in us and through us. In lieu of flowers, please honor Walter's memory by contributing to one of the organizations that he supported: the Theatre Dept. at Red Rocks Community College, the Audubon Society, the Human Rights Campaign (www.hrc.org), or Save Tibet (www.savetibet.org). His wife Niki thanks you for your love and support in this time of sorrow and celebration.