David O. Nelson's Obituary
David O. Nelson of Andover departed this world on May 2nd at age 73 surrounded by his family at home. David spent 48 years improving commuter rail services in 24 states and 12 countries.
David grew up in Newington, CT, the eldest son of Helen and Nels Nelson. His classmates at Bates College knew him as “Large”, where he lived up to the name both in and out of the classroom. He played football, studied sociology, and co-authored a book after graduation. Inspired to find solutions for the 1970’s energy crisis, he earned a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from the Harvard Graduate School of Design in 1978. While in the program, he fell in love with Kay O’Neil, a fellow planning student and his lifelong wife-to-be.
David and Kay built a rich life together in Andover, raising three children and working in leadership roles with the Boston & Maine Commuter Railroad, the MBTA, and as consultants advising governments on their passenger railroad aspirations. David lovingly raised his children, leading a cub scout den, coaching youth soccer teams, and chaperoning ski lessons. David was an avid athlete his entire life, playing with both the Beacon Hill Rugby Club and Andover Racquet Club. David “lived loud”, supporting Boston sports teams, chopping his own firewood, dancing exuberantly, sailing in Boston Harbor, capturing life through photos, and engaging deeply with art.
David and Kay traveled extensively for both work and pleasure, and spent summers in Salisbury with his extended family. The couple were fortunate to live in Paris part-time for ten years while he served as a Visiting Professor of Transport and Logistics at le Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers. They split his last few years between Guilford, CT and Somerville to be close to their grandkids.
David prided himself on training and mentoring a diverse cadre of entry-level colleagues, many of whom have grown into management and leadership roles in transport organizations. Driven by a deep intellectual curiosity and his passion for the field, he led national Transportation Research Board committees on urban rail transit, commuter rail, and light rail. His research was widely published in transportation journals. His professional legacy includes service design for relaunching the Old Colony commuter rail lines and expanding service with new stations on the Fairmount Line.
David is survived by his wife Kay O’Neil, his children Nels and wife Eline Bakker (Somerville), Kaylea and husband Ben Heller (Madison, CT), and Ben and wife Adrienne Wells (Amherst), his siblings Melanie and Matthew (Newington, CT), and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was grandpa to Meike, Tygo, Blaise, Jasper, and Dylan. He also leaves his aunt and uncle Martha and George Walsh (Andover). He was predeceased by his brother Michael.
A service will be held on Sunday, May 17 at 3:00 pm at Cochran Chapel in Andover. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Addison Gallery of American Art or to the Nelson Family Scholarship Fund at Bates College.
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