John Oliver Nelson ’30
THE CLASS of 1930 referred to the Rev. Doctor John O. Nelson as "Jack" and knew him to be a very friendly, cooperative person who had a large interest in the Class, individually and collectively, and in Princeton. Jack died of congestive heart failure with complications Apr. 9, 1990, at Brookline Village, State College, Penn.
Jack was born in Pittsburgh, attended Shadyside Academy, roomed four years with Doug Hannah, was a member of Tower Club, and was very active in Triangle, Tiger, Philadelphian Society, Univ. Orchestra (viola), and chapel choir. Post-graduate study included Edinburgh Univ., McCormick Seminary, Yale (Ph.D.), and Westminster (Litt.D.). He was ordained in the Brentwood Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, in 1935. He led an exceptionally full life, albeit within the area of the Christian Church. He was a professor at Yale Divinity School, 195064. He left a monument to his memory in the Kirkridge Retreat Center, a 400acre campus in the Poconos at Bangor, Penn., which he founded, supported financially, and managed, until it became the model for hundreds of other centers.
In 1961 Jack married Jane Bone, who died in 1981. Survivors include: a son, Richard; a sister, Margaret Hanson; a brother, Wenly D. '28 P65; a sister-in-law, Maxine Nelson w'34; a nephew, John E. Nelson 11'65. We share in the gratitude that Jack had a good life.
The Class of 1930
Paw in print
December 2024
Hidden heroines; U.N. speaker controversy; Kathy Crow ’89’s connections