Arthur Nelson Obituary

September 22, 1919 - April 13, 2008. Arthur Lloyd Nelson, 88, passed away April 13, 2008. Art was born September 22, 1919 in Great Falls, Montana to the late Henry and Elsa Nelson. He grew up in Spokane, Washington. Art was a 1941 graduate in physics from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, and a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity there. California Institute of Technology awarded Art a Masters of Science degree in meteorology as he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps. Art married his college sweetheart Bettina March 21, 1942 in the First Presbyterian Church of Boise, Idaho. Bettina was with him for a few short postings, and then Art was flying in a B-17 to England. Soon he was in North Africa as a staff weather office, moving along to Sicily and Italy as the Allies advanced. Art left active duty as a Lt. Col. in 1945. He was recalled for two years for the Korean War, commanding an Army signal depot stateside. Art was an engineer for Pacific Telephone in Tacoma and Seattle. He joined Graybar Electric in 1947, working in eight locations before he retired as a director and vice-president in 1982. Art and Bettina moved to Colorado Springs in 1984. Art was an Elder at First Presbyterian Church, member of Pathfinders, New Members Friends, and helped with ESM. He worked in the local soup kitchen and delivered Meals on Wheels. He had been a Troop Committee Chairman for two Scout Troops, where both his sons received the Eagle Scout award. Art was president of the International Electrical Association and a member of Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs, as well as Winter Nights and Daedalians. Travel was an important part of Art and Bettina's retirement years. Seeing their grandchildren graduate from high school and college was a high point for Art. They also traveled to Europe, Africa, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Far East, and throughout the United States. Art is survived by his wife of 66 years, Bettina; his sister Carolyn Langdon, WA, and his children Randall (Christina Larsen), AZ, Barbara Barkauskas (Anthony), WI, Donald (Colleen), CO and Beverly (Sidway McKay), CO. Their grandchildren are Donald Barkauskas, CA; Kathryn Uebelhoer (Brian), CO; Scott O'Hare (Jennifer), TX; Vylar Kaftan (Shannon Prickett), CA; Kimber Nelson, OR; Cheryl Barkauskas (fiancé Jonathan Phair), NY. There are four great grandchildren: Brendan, Shannon, and Paige Uebelhoer, and Keelyn O'Hare. Memorial service at First Presbyterian will be arranged later. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the church Deacons, Pikes Peak Hospice, or a charity of your choice.