CHARLTON-Donald J. Nelson, 60, of 18 McIntyre Road, died Tuesday, August 30th at home after being stricken ill. He leaves his wife of 13 years, Shirley F. Riopel-Nelson, 2 sons; Erik Jon and his wife Dana Nelson of Dudley and Brian A. Nelson of Boston, a daughter; Katrina A. wife of Daniel Lacher of Oklahoma City, a granddaughter; Olivia M. Nelson of Dudley. A brother; Stephen Nelson predeceased him.
He was born in Perth Amboy, NJ the son of Norman A. and Elizabeth M. (Arva) Nelson. Prof. Nelson earned his B.S. in Agricultural Research at Rutgers University and completed his Ph.D. in Biochemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He then spent time as a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Pharmacology at Stanford University and in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Virginia before becoming an Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Clark University in 1975. He rose quickly to the rank of Full Professor in 1987 and was most recently awarded the University’s prestigious Andrea B. and Peter D. Klein Distinguished Professorship in 2004. Professor Nelson also held an appointment as an Adjunct Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at the University Of Massachusetts Graduate School Of Biomedical Sciences. He was the author of over seventy papers in the field of physical biochemistry with his most recent work being in the area of calcium binding proteins and on the mode of action of the anthrax toxin. His current research employed computer simulation to characterize structure and dynamics in bio-molecules. He had received more than one million dollars in grant support for his research and the support of programs at Clark University.
Professor Nelson taught a wide variety of courses at Clark at both undergraduate and graduate levels including Introductory Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, The History of Science, Biochemistry, Biophysical Chemistry and Protein Chemistry. He will be best remembered at Clark as advisor to a large number of BA, MA and PhD students whom he managed to infuse with his love of science and research and with his dedication to teaching and learning. He was a member of Singletary Rod & Gun Club and enjoyed hunting, archery, muzzle loading, canoeing, NASCAR and gardening. He took every opportunity to travel whether it was a cruise across the Atlantic or a trip to Las Vegas. Don enjoyed life to the fullest.
The funeral will be Thursday, September 1st at 7:00 PM in O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue. Calling hours are from 4:00 PM until the time of the funeral. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Clark University, c/o Donald J. Nelson Fund, 950 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01610.