Dr. Harold Eugene Nelson

Dr. Harold Eugene Nelson, 91

MUNCIE - Dr. Harold Eugene Nelson, 91, passed away Tuesday Morning, January 26, 2016 at I.U. Health Ball Memorial Hospital with his wife by his side.

Dr. Nelson was born January 19, 1925 in Morristown, IN, the second child of Brainard and Alta (Pitts) Nelson's four children. After graduating from Morristown High School in 1942, he followed his mother and sister to DePauw University in Greencastle, IN, where he was the recipient of a Rector Scholarship. While attending DePauw, he became a member of Delta Upsilon fraternity. He entered into the United States Army in March 1943 during World War II. In anticipation of a great need for medical doctors, the army assigned him to Princeton University in Princeton, NJ to continue his pre-medical education, which he completed in eighteen months. As the War was still in progress, he was assigned to attend New York Medical College in New York City, NY to pursue a degree in medicine. During medical school he was elected to the Alpha Kappa Kappa medical honorary fraternity. After graduating from NYMC in 1949, he went on to serve an internship at Walter Reed Medical Hospital in Washington, D.C.

In 1950 he moved to Muncie, IN, where he served two additional internships at Ball Memorial Hospital, one year in medicine and a second year in pathology. He was then called to duty in the Korean Conflict, where he served eighteen months in a M.A.S.H. Unit located ten miles from the front line. After returning home, he pursued a residency in internal medicine at The Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH. Upon completion of his residency, he returned to Muncie and joined the medical practice of Doctors Clevenger and Burwell.

In 1969 Dr. Nelson established an independent practice in internal medicine. In 1984 at the request of Mr. Edmund Ball, he became the Medical Director of the newly-established Rehabilitation Unit at Ball Hospital. During this transition he became colleagues with Dr. Robert Suer. As he guided the growth of Rehab from four to twenty beds, Dr. Scott Taylor joined him as co-director. Upon his retirement the hospital honored him by placing a plaque in the Rehab Unit. After his retirement in 2000, Dr. Nelson became medical director of the Executive Physical Program at Ball Hospital, which he oversaw until his final retirement. He served on the Ethics and Strategic Planning committees for the Hospital and was active in the Cardiac Rehab Department.

During his years of medical practice Dr. Nelson volunteered his expertise in the community. He enthusiastically volunteered to assist Dr. Bud Getchell in the Human Performance Laboratory at Ball State University. He was also a faculty member of the Indiana University Medical School-Muncie, through which he instructed and mentored several new physicians. He was a partner in the EIS group of physicians. A man of science, he volunteered to participate in a twenty-seven-month study for Alzheimer's research by the Indiana University Neurology Department, led by Dr. Martin Farlow. In this study, he became the first in the nation to receive a trial vaccine for Alzheimer's disease.

His medical affiliations were: American Medical Association, Indiana State Medical Association, Delaware-Blackford Medical Association (where he served as President), the Muncie Academy of Medicine, American College of Physicians, and the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. He was honored by the AMA, ISMA, and Ball Memorial Hospital for his fifty years of service to medicine. He was always an available physician, from removing stitches at an NCAA tournament, checking a neighbor's child, or writing a script for someone in need.

When he wasn't performing the work he loved, Harold enjoyed many other activities during his life, including: skiing, tennis, sailing, fishing, and passionately supporting the Ball State Cardinals basketball team. Dr. Nelson was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, where he served as Deacon and Elder. He was a member of the Muncie Rotary Club and Friends of the Ball State Art Museum. He held great pride in his adopted hometown, often telling new acquaintances that, "Muncie is the Garden Spot of the Country". Although Harold missed his days of practicing medicine, he and Joan delighted in their days spent with family and friends at their Michigan cottage on Douglas Lake. Friends and family will remember him as an infinitely kind, caring, patient, optimistic and joyful man, full of wisdom and enthusiasm. In his later years, he gradually lost the memory of the life he lived, however, he never lost his beautiful smile or his appreciation for those who loved him.

He is survived by his wife of forty-one years, Joan Nelson, Muncie; daughter, Christy Kneese (Chuck), Oden, MI, their children, Elizabeth Wiedner (Faiz Razi), Chicago, IL, Michael Kneese (Shelley), Indianapolis, Patrick Kneese (Amanda), Denver, CO; son Hal Nelson (Linda), Carmel, IN, their son, John; daughter Laurel Nelson (Guido Bartolucci), their sons, Nico and Marco Bartolucci, Menlo Park, CA. He was thrilled to have had his grandson, Marco, born on his eighty-ninth birthday. He is also survived by his bonus children, daughter, Dr. Kimberly Koss (William Ehrstine), Mason, OH, their daughter, Kara Ketterer (Nathan), Maineville, OH, their son, Robert Ehrstine, Mason, OH; son, Bradford Koss, Muncie; great-grandchildren are, Claire, Lillian, Falynn and Everett Ketterer, Patrick, Sydney and Caroline Kneese, Atticus and Link Ehrstine. He is survived by his sister, Marjorie Wiseman (Park), Muncie, sister, Patricia Busard (Otto), Pellston, MI, brother, Dr. Philip Nelson (Sue), Pellston, MI, and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was grateful for his dear friend, Cate McClellan, and cherished niece, Tonya Evans.

Dr. Nelson was preceded in death by his parents; bonus son, William Lawrence Koss; bonus daughter, Kristen Joann Koss; grandson, James Wiedner; brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Cheryl Harshman.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 4, 2016 at First Presbyterian Church, with the Reverend Doctor Ronald Naylor officiating. A private interment will follow at Elm Ridge Cemetery. Please join us in celebrating the life of this extraordinary man by wearing colorful clothing and your happiest smiles.

Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Washington Street Chapel and one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Alzheimer's Association, 50 E 91st St #100, Indianapolis, IN 46240 or The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 1261 W 86th St #E-2, Indianapolis, IN 46260.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.meeksmortuary.com.