Welcome to the memorial page for
Dr Leonard C. Nelson
August 26, 1920 ~ August 23, 2017 (age 96) 96 Years Old Light a Candle
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Message from Bernard Radford, class of 1961
February 19, 2021 5:01 PM
Doctor Nelson led WVIT as the Industrial Age was ending and the Computer Age was beginning. Because of his leadership WVIT established itself as the 18th ranked engineering school in the nation. Several of Tech's graduates made major contributions in the USA's struggles against Communism. Thanks Dr. Nelson, you lived your life well.
Message from Eric Lindemann
October 21, 2020 6:02 PM
I stumbled upon this page by accident. I was honored to meet Dr. To meet Leonard C. Nelson in 1984. The German Hermann Bahlsen, who also died. As a German exchange student, I have Dr. Leonard C. Nelson experienced as a very level-headed, calm and very personable man who was always at my side with good advice. I am and will always be grateful to him for this. Blessings.
Message from A Friend from long ago
September 10, 2017 1:12 AM
Leonard Nelson will be remembered for many things. He was a great leader, a man with vision and a man with the strength and knowledge to fulfill his dreams. He defined WV Institute of Technology and armed himself with a strong team that helped to form the best engineering institution in the nation and beyond. However, my memories of Dr. Nelson were that of a great family man. His home was a loving, caring place of lessons of life and education. My thoughts are with his family on the journey to peace and comfort. Blessings.
Message from Jo Harris
September 8, 2017 10:32 AM
Rita and family--My sincerest condolences to you. The many memories posted here express in the breadth of Dr. Nelson's leadership and influence. He was an inspiration to me as a newly hired faculty member in 1975 and remained so after these many years in higher education. We were so thrilled that he spoke at the Davis Hall renovation ribbon-cutting at the age of 92 and explained his vision and thoughts on the role of community college education as it was evolving nationally. He established the first community college component in the state--and built Davis Hall in the center of the campus and community for ease of access. We are forever grateful for his legacy. Rita, I enjoyed so much being your colleague as well. You two were the ultimate professional team. Strength and comfort to you, my friend.
Message from Susan Nester
August 31, 2017 5:14 PM
Rita
So sorry to hear of Leonard's passing. He was an exceptional, charming person and able to make WVIT the fine institution we enjoyed being associated with from the time we came to WV in 1966! I can't help but think Tech would still be in Montgomery if we had him making the decisions!!
It has been very special knowing both of you all these years!
Hugs!
Susan Nester
So sorry to hear of Leonard's passing. He was an exceptional, charming person and able to make WVIT the fine institution we enjoyed being associated with from the time we came to WV in 1966! I can't help but think Tech would still be in Montgomery if we had him making the decisions!!
It has been very special knowing both of you all these years!
Hugs!
Susan Nester
Message from Kaye, Charleston, WV
August 28, 2017 10:49 AM
Thank you for your service to our country Mr. Nelson!
Message from Charles R.(Bob) Burdette
August 27, 2017 11:31 AM
I was sorry to read of the passing of Dr. Leonard C. Nelson, he was not only President when I graduated from Tech in 1967(BSEE) but was also my boss after I returned to Tech in 1972 as Director of the Physical Plant.Dr. Nelson was a fine man and the greatest friend WV Tech ever had, he was sorely missed after his retirement During my 31 years at Tech, there were several more people in the Office of President but in my opinion, Dr. Nelson was the last true President West Virginia Institute of Technology had. Again, my condolences to his family.
Message from Loretta & Donald Smith
August 26, 2017 8:29 AM
Our sincere sympathy to you, Rita for the loss of your dear husband. He was an inspiration to everyone that knew him. We will always remember our trip to Italy with you both
Donald & Loretta Smith.
Donald & Loretta Smith.
A candle was lit by Abby & Hannah
on August 25, 2017 8:50 PM
Message from John and Teresa Agosti Mann
August 25, 2017 8:13 PM
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Nelson. Our sympathy, love and prayers to the entire Nelson family. As West Virginia Tech graduates, we are well aware of Dr. L. C. Nelson's contributions to the college and to the Upper Kanawha Valley as well. We watched the Tech construction boom in the mid to late 1960's compliments of Dr. Nelson. We met at the Homecoming Dance 1968 featuring Duke Ellington. We are sure that Dr. and Mrs. Nelson had a great deal to do with the recruitment of Duke Ellington. So you could say that the Nelsons were responsible for 49 years of relationship and marriage. A sincere thank you to the the Nelsons. We always considered Dr. and Mrs. Nelson a class act.
Message from Kenneth Watts,Logan Wv
August 25, 2017 7:20 PM
A sad loss. Dr. Nelson was Pres. when I attended Texh., and
when I was cashier for the school. He was a great person.
My wife is also a tech graduate and was Sec. to the Engineering
Dept. Marsha Watts.
We are very sad.
when I was cashier for the school. He was a great person.
My wife is also a tech graduate and was Sec. to the Engineering
Dept. Marsha Watts.
We are very sad.
Message from For the Nelson family
August 25, 2017 3:30 PM
Condolences to Dr. Nelson's family. Thoughts and prayers are with you. You, as was Tech and Montgomery, were blessed with Dr. Nelson. He was a great man and a great leader.
West Virginia Institute of Technology and Montgomery were blessed to have Dr. Nelson as the Tech leader for 25 productive years. His employees always had the assurance that the future of the campus was in good hands. He was one of us; we were one of his.
If my memory serves me correctly, over half of the buildings on the Montgomery campus were constructed during his tenure. It seemed that at any given time one or more buildings were under construction. I have a feeling that he probably was the 'commander in chief' of each and every nail that was driven during those construction projects.
The campus ran like a well-oiled clock at all times. He had vision, passion, and purpose, and that vision, passion, and purpose resulted in a nationally renowned engineering college for the state of West Virginia and for the city of Montgomery.
It was a pleasure to work for and with Dr. Nelson. He was a great leader who taught us many valuable lessons that lasted a lifetime.
Thank you, Dr. Nelson and each member of his family, for being a friend of Tech, a friend of Tech employees, and a friend of Montgomery.
West Virginia Institute of Technology and Montgomery were blessed to have Dr. Nelson as the Tech leader for 25 productive years. His employees always had the assurance that the future of the campus was in good hands. He was one of us; we were one of his.
If my memory serves me correctly, over half of the buildings on the Montgomery campus were constructed during his tenure. It seemed that at any given time one or more buildings were under construction. I have a feeling that he probably was the 'commander in chief' of each and every nail that was driven during those construction projects.
The campus ran like a well-oiled clock at all times. He had vision, passion, and purpose, and that vision, passion, and purpose resulted in a nationally renowned engineering college for the state of West Virginia and for the city of Montgomery.
It was a pleasure to work for and with Dr. Nelson. He was a great leader who taught us many valuable lessons that lasted a lifetime.
Thank you, Dr. Nelson and each member of his family, for being a friend of Tech, a friend of Tech employees, and a friend of Montgomery.
Message from Charles and Ruth Martyn
August 25, 2017 2:15 PM
We send our sympathy to all the family of Len Nelson. I worked for him for twenty-five years and he was one of the best. As convocations director, I hired Dizzy Gillespie to play on campus. I told Len and the next thing I knew he had organized a reception for Dizzy at his home. He liked the band picture (spelling Tech) we did at Virginia Beach (during a tour and parade). When I came back, I presented the picture to him. He liked it so much he framed it and put it on his credenza. When we got new uniforms for the band, we held a special concert in the student center. Len surprised the audience by coming on stage dressed in the new uniform. Another time, the band played for the dedication of the new swimming pool, Len was thrown into the pool as the "Grand Finale." So many positive memories --you did not work for Leonard Nelson, you worked with him.
Message from To the Nelson family/ extended family
August 25, 2017 10:04 AM
There are so few persons who really achieve lasting change in the community but your father/grandfather/spouse was one. WV Tech would not have been anything more than a nondescript community college were it not for Dr. Nelson.....The sort of leadership and caring for the community which he brought has never been matched since his retirement.
Although the recent absorption by WVU may have been inevitable I have no doubt that the college would have continued at a much higher level had he been in charge of the transition.
Laurie/Sherrie: I especially miss your warmth, intelligence and spirit. You and your family made Montgomery a real vital part of my life and I treasure the memories. Your dad was of course a major part of what made Montgomery special, if only for a brief time. God bless. Cherish the good parts in your hearts. All my most sincere condolences.
Although the recent absorption by WVU may have been inevitable I have no doubt that the college would have continued at a much higher level had he been in charge of the transition.
Laurie/Sherrie: I especially miss your warmth, intelligence and spirit. You and your family made Montgomery a real vital part of my life and I treasure the memories. Your dad was of course a major part of what made Montgomery special, if only for a brief time. God bless. Cherish the good parts in your hearts. All my most sincere condolences.
Message from Ed Wilson
August 25, 2017 10:01 AM
Dear Rita, I am saddened to read of Dr. Nelson’s passing … he hired me at WV Tech. and I admired him greatly.
Please, my condolences to the family … your former colleague from the physics dept., Ed Wilson
Please, my condolences to the family … your former colleague from the physics dept., Ed Wilson
Message from Fran Simone
August 25, 2017 9:31 AM
Rita,
So sorry to learn of Nelson's death. Lovely tribute to him and his many accomplishments in this morning's Charleston newspaper.
Best,
Fran
So sorry to learn of Nelson's death. Lovely tribute to him and his many accomplishments in this morning's Charleston newspaper.
Best,
Fran
Message from Kenneth Bailey
August 24, 2017 2:57 PM
My condolences to Rita and all Len's children. It was a pleasure and privilege to work with Leonard for many years and I am grateful for the opportunity he afforded me to have a career at Tech. He was an innovative leader who brought new programs to the college and who set a high standard of performance for the faculty and staff.
I also enjoyed having him as a fellow golfer and Anvil Club member following retirement He is truly missed by many of us here in West Virginia and will not be forgotten.
I also enjoyed having him as a fellow golfer and Anvil Club member following retirement He is truly missed by many of us here in West Virginia and will not be forgotten.
Message from PHIL GLASER
August 24, 2017 2:21 PM
As an engineering graduate of WEST VIRGINIA INSTITUE OF TECHNOLOGY, I am deeply saddened to hear about the death of DR. NELSON. The LEGACY OF WVIT is DR. NELSON. He had a lasting impression on my life and I will never forget him. As a student, I wish that I could have had conversations with him to share my ideas. DR. NELSON was a creative and innovative leader who had a unique ability to be president of WVIT. I am sure that WVIT alumni and the TECH community are deeply saddened at this time. MY thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time. His LEGACY lives on with the alumni and graduates that knew him and DR. NELSON will never be forgotten.
Message from Bob and Bonnie
August 24, 2017 12:01 PM
Leonard, you were a big part of our lives; as a mentor, as a leader, and as a friend. You impacted much of how we see things and what we do. I am thankful that you were a part of our lives.
Bob and Bonnie.
Bob and Bonnie.
Message from Charlie & Brenda Rodi
August 23, 2017 10:26 PM
Sending you our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
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