Clifford H. Nelson

WINTER PARK, FLA. - Clifford H. Nelson, 89, a resident of the Mayflower Retirement Center in Winter Park, Fla., passed away Feb. 3, 2004. He was born Oct. 26, 1914, in Billings, Mont., attended the State College of Montana in Boxman, and graduated from the University of Washington as an electrical engineer. He spent his entire career with NASA and was a space scientist, doing pioneering work in jet propulsion and rocketry. A longtime resident of Newport News, Va., he became a prominent figure in America's space program by managing the Lunar Orbiter Project which mapped the Moon for Apollo landing sites. He was appointed Director of Space for Langley Research Center and retired from NASA in 1972, receiving NASA's Exceptional Service Medal for civilian achievement. He and his wife, Helen Nelson, moved to Winter Park in July, 1999. His memberships included PIKA fraternity, the National Engineers Club, and St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Newport News, Va. Surviving are his wife, Helen Nelson; a son, Eric Scott Nelson; a daughter, Karin Nelson Griffith; four grandchildren, Gillian Tucker, David Griffith, Michael Nelson and Christopher Nelson; and six great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6, in Duxbury Hall at the Mayflower Retirement Center, 1620 Mayflower Drive, Winter Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Mayflower Scholarship Fund.