Obituary of Hans Nelson

Hans Wolfgang Nelson passed away in Calgary on Friday, June 1, 2007 at the age of 87 years, after a stroke. Hans was born in Bremen, Germany on December 27, 1919 and moved to the Netherlands with his family when he was three years old. He obtained geology degrees from the Universiteit Leiden in the Netherlands, worked for five years in Colombia on a geological mapping project that formed the basis for his Ph.D. in geology and then came to Canada in 1956. Hans had a long and successful career as a Senior Research Geologist at Imperial Oil Limited, first in Regina and then for many years in Calgary until his retirement in 1984. He had the good fortune to work in the Alberta oil industry during a time of great exploration and discovery, and was an inspiration to many young geologists at Imperial Oil. Hans’ greatest joy was his family. He and Nellie were married in the Netherlands in 1951, moved to Colombia and then to Canada where they started their family. Ingrid and Bob have fond memories of a father who always had time for them. Hans is lovingly remembered as Opa by his four grandchildren, particularly by his eldest grandson, John, with whom Hans spent many hours on various construction projects. Grandchildren Lindsay, Kelly and Christopher have fond memories of Opa’s terrific Christmas punch. Hans’ good nature, kindness and ready wit will be remembered by all who knew him. Hans is survived by his loving wife Nellie; daughter and son-in-law Ingrid and David Phillips; son and daughter-in-law Bob Nelson and Sandra Arsenault; older brother and younger sister, Prof. Dr. Hein Nelson and Marga Nelson, and Hein’s family, all of the Netherlands; and by his four grandchildren, John, Kelly, Lindsay and Christopher, all of Calgary. A Celebration of Hans’ Life will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at 2:30p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. The family wishes to thank Drs. Silvius and Wilmot and the wonderful nurses and staff at the Rockyview General Hospital. In living memory of Hans Nelson, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.