Obituary: Donald N. Nelson
Donald N. Nelson, 90, died on Dec. 16, 2024.
Nelson, Donald N. of Oxford, age 90, passed away on Dec. 16.
Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to Emery and Marian Nelson, he completed high school in Tuckahoe, New York, and attended Duke University where he was president of his fraternity and a delegate to the Conference of the World Alliance of YMCAs in Paris.
As a U.S. Marine, he was outstanding recruit in his platoon and earned two meritorious promotions.
After earning a graduate degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, he spent a year on the staff of the Institute of International Education before coming to Miami University as its first advisor to foreign students.
Early in his career, he was a recipient of a State Department grant to spend six weeks in India, and was a Fulbright recipient to Germany. Nelson served as a consultant for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural affairs, and was a member of a team to interview students in East Africa who were applying for grants through U.S.A.I.D.
He retired in 2003 as Director of International Education Services. During his 43 years, he served as NAFSA president and chair of the council of advisors to foreign students and scholars.
He organized and coached the Miami men’s soccer club, which in 1971 became the soccer team, and later coached in local youth leagues. He helped to train the volunteers of the Mississippi Summer Project in 1964, was a long-time member of the Oxford Men’s Club, and an avid stamp collector. He is also known for his extensive knowledge and deep admiration for the legendary aircraft, Douglas DC-3.
He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Diane, and leaves behind his wife, Judith; daughter, Erika of Oxford; sons, Brian (Natalia) of Aurora, Colorado, Philip (Kana) of Osaka, Japan; and five grandchildren.
Contributions can be made to the Miami University International Student Emergency Fund: Annual Giving, 725 E. Chestnut St., Oxford, OH 45056; or to the Maya Education Foundation Diane Nelson Scholarship, P.O. Box 1483, Wellfleet, MA 02667 www.mayaedufound.org.
