Charles Hugh Neilson

1935 - 2024

Neilson, Charles Hugh

July 25, 1935 - December 20, 2024

Charles Hugh Neilson died peacefully Dec. 20, 2024, in Denver, Colorado, at the age of 89. Just a few hours before taking his last breath, he was in the presence of his three children, Hugh Neilson, Kristen Keller and Lisa Schlichtman, and with that last breath, he was reunited with his beloved wife of 61 years, Patricia Dougan Neilson.

Hugh was born July 25, 1935, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Dr. Arthur Wright Neilson and Janet Bulger Neilson, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his wife Pat; his brothers, Arthur Neilson, Dennie Neilson and Robert Neilson; and his sister Janet Neilson Wells.

He is survived by his brother, William Neilson; his daughters, Lisa Schlichtman and Kristen Keller and Kristen's husband, Jason Keller, of Denver, Colorado; son Hugh Neilson, and wife, Tracey Neilson, of Fort Worth, Texas; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Hugh loved his hometown of St. Louis, where he lived for 86 years. He attended Country Day School, graduating in 1953. He went on to attend Cornell University before a serious motorcycle accident prompted his move back to St. Louis where he enrolled at Washington University. The bad luck of the accident proved fortuitous as he met Pat when he was a senior and she was a freshman at Wash U. The two were married June 24, 1961.

Hugh was a devoted husband and father. He and Pat, who raised their family in Clayton, were known for attending anything their children were involved in from athletic events, to school plays, to high school proms where they often became the stars of the dance floor much to the chagrin of their teenage children. The Neilsons also enjoyed spending Sundays at the family farm in Eureka, which was the source of some of Hugh's best memories with hikes, time spent playing in the creek and big family dinners with aunts, uncles and cousins.

Hugh was a salesman for Nationwide Paper Co. retiring in 1991 after almost 30 years with the company.

In addition to their love for St. Louis, Pat and Hugh spent their summers in their other favorite place, the family cottage in Pentwater, Michigan.

A small family graveside service to honor Hugh's memory is planned for 10:30 a.m. Feb. 1, 2025, at Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis.