Michael A. Nelson

Mike was always upbeat and loved a good story. While in Tucson, 1972 or 73, he would come to the squadron with stories about the new family puppy, Yobo the Basset. One day he related that Yobo, who loved to chew on family socks when they were handy, was seen to not just chew, but swallow an entire sock before they could get to him. We never did hear how that turned out.

I worked for General Nelson when he was a full Colonel at Elmendorf AFB. He was instrumental in making my Air Force career. I had talked to him a couple times post retirement, and was looking to see if he was still alive, when I noticed he passed last year. I worked for a variety of commanders during my 21 year career and he was easily the best. I loved his ability to consistently make the right decisions, sometimes in spite of conventional wisdom. I was pretty much adrift when I worked...

Mike and I first met in the late 1970's while I was on the Alaskan Air Command staff, and he became the wing commander at Elmendorf AFB. Our paths cross again when he was selected as the President of TROA (now MOAA) and I was a member of the Board of Directors. Our friendship grew as we served our fellow veterans in carrying out the many services of TROA. Mike will be missed by all except God whose kingdom he now resides with Barbie.

In the 1980's I was a young 1st lieutenant in the Air Force assigned to 13th Air Force in the Philippines as an intel officer. General Nelson was the13th Air Force Commander. I had a poor evaluation from my previous assignment and was passed over while at 13th for captain. General Nelson whom I briefed weekly-- took my being passed over personally and told my boss he wanted to write my new evaluation (OER). He even wrote an accompanying letter to the promotion board. That's the kind of man...

Jean and I served together with Mike And Barbie at RAF Lakenheath in their first AF operational assignment and pulled Victor Alert together as F-100 pilots. We became lifelong friends and served together at the Pentagon in the late 70's; he in Ops and me in R&D. Mike and Barbie were an exceptional military family, friends and great individuals in every respect. God Speed!

Anne and I were fortunate to have been stationed three times with Mike and Barbie. No better man, no better woman, no better couple, they set the standard for their generation.