On Monday, February 26th, 2018, Theodore Robert Nelson passed. Born October 16th, 1958, to Jack and Nanci Nelson in San Francisco, CA, he moved around the country due to his father’s naval career, spending his time around swimming pools and in Boy Scouts. After graduating from Newton North High School, Massachusetts, in 1976, he was accepted to the School of Art at San Diego State University. Two years later, he transferred to California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He worked in nuclear waste remediation and then HVAC design for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Always a sci-fi fan, his fascination with space exploration transgressed his imagination. Interstellar rocket ship design, prime number sieves and Star Trek trivia were never far from conversation.

Marrying Karen and raising their two children, Sayward and Jack, in San Francisco, Ted was always there for his family, chaperoning school outings, and supporting and encouraging them in all their endeavors. Later, Ted and his family moved to Vashon Island to be near his mother and father. He could engineer a simple solution to any problem and could make the most difficult concepts understandable. Ted was always there to lend an ear and a hand, and he accepted all into his heart. His memory lives on with his wife, Karen, children, Sayward and Jack, mother, Nanci, brothers, Michael and Christopher, and everyone with whom he held a conversation.

Ted’s Celebration of Life service was held at the Vashon United Methodist Church at 2:00 pm on Sunday, March 11, 2018. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Vashon Seals Swim Team. Visit vashonseals.org Ted Nelson Scholarship Fund page or if preferred, checks with memo line “Ted Nelson Scholarship fund” can be mailed to Vashon Seals Swim Team, PO Box 1824, Vashon, WA 98070.

Please visit our online guest book at www.islandfuneral.com.