David Ernest Nelson

David Ernest Nelson, 80, formerly of Clear Lake, passed away on Oct. 21, 2023 of dementia. 

He is preceded in death by parents, Ernest and Mae Nelson; siblings, Judy Stout Neuberger, Richard and Larry Nelson, all of Clear Lake. 

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Gloria Spelman Nelson, of Williamsburg, Va; daughter, Laura Nelson Coyne, husband Brian; granddaughters, Meghan and Allison, of Pylesville, MD; and nieces and nephew, Michelle Stout Luscombe, Melody Stout Gaston and Mike Stout, all of Iowa. 

Dave was born on Feb. 2, 1943 and was raised in the small Midwestern tourist town of Clear Lake. On Feb. 2, 1959, Dave spent his 16th birthday at the Surf Ballroom where Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens performed. Early the next day, while getting his driver’s license at the DMV in Mason City, he overhead the state police officers quietly talking about finding the missing plane site with the remains of “rock and roll” stars and pilot. Thus, Don McLean’s song, “American Pie” better known as “The Day the Music Died,” was partly written to remember this sad event. 

In June 1962, Meredith Willson returned to his hometown of Mason City, for the World Premier showing of the movie. “Music Man,” accompanied by cast members: Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, Ronny Howard, all riding in convertibles following the big parade. Dave played the trombone in the high school band and was invited to play his trombone (“76 Trombones”), in the first line of the big parade. Dave loved telling these two once in a lifetime events. 

Following graduation from Clear Lake High School in 1961, he continued his education at Iowa State University. While at Iowa State, he met Gloria Spelman, a student at Drake University, on a blind date. They were married on June 10, 1966 and celebrated 57 years of marriage until his passing. 

Following ISU, Dave served as Assistant Engineer for Cerro Gordo County, Iowa. In 1968, they moved to Harford County, Md. where Dave earned his Professional Engineer license and managed the Baltimore office of Buchart Horn Engineers. He then worked for Martin Marietta, Lockheed Martin, and finally GE Aerospace. Dave retired in 2003. In 2010, Dave and Gloria moved to Colonial Heritage, a retirement community in Williamsburg, Va. 

David had a complete woodworking shop. When a new federated garden club was formed, Gloria suggested he make bluebird houses to be sold to raise funds for this new club. Many happy bluebirds live in many locals in Dave’s bluebird houses. He was later named an Honorary Member of Colonial Heritage Garden Club. 

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date in Colonial Heritage, Williamsburg. Online condolences may be shared at www.nelsenwilliamsburg.com.