Kris Nelson Obituary
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.
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Rodges Ankrah
February 16, 2012
Kris was my first real boss, and had a huge impact in through his selflessness, perseverance and constant humor in the face of challenges. I'm sorry he's gone, but so, so glad he was here.
Jennifer (Schuller) Prins
July 29, 2011
Kris was the most humble, caring, and committed person I met at the Humphrey School during my studies there (2009-2011). He was a friend and a mentor to me. This is indeed a loss for the students, colleagues, friends, and family whom he loved and who love him. My thoughts and prayers continue for his family.
Kelly O'Brien
June 29, 2011
Susan, I am so very sorry for your loss. I am keeping you in my thoughts.
Oscar Aliaga
June 29, 2011
I met Kris years ago, and the first thing I noticed was his deep commitment to support others. I worked briefly with him, and for that I am completely grateful. May he rest in peace. Oscar Aliaga
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Acooa Lee
June 27, 2011
I'm still in shock and so sorry that I was unable to attend the gathering on Thursday. I frequently joked that Kris was like my second father--he was a constant source of support, encouragement, and information. I could always count on him to speak the truth and be open enough to hear the same. Words could never adequately express how dear he was to me. May he rest in peace. (Acooa Lee)
Tav Buechler
June 25, 2011
I met Kris when he volunteered to teach citizenship classes at high-rise apartments in the Seward neighborhood. He was always kind and gentle with all he served. He had great insight. It turned out that we lived close to each other, and I would enjoy running into him around the neighborhood and catching up. I'm sorry to learn of his passing and that I missed the gathering. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Erik Riese
June 24, 2011
Kris, your honesty, humor, intelligence, & easy-going manner were a real inspiration to me. You will continue to leave your mark on my life and the lives of many others. Thanks for the time, knowledge, & laughs we shared.
aliyah
June 23, 2011
Kris was my biggest champion...he believed in me and gave me a chance to shine. To him, I will always be thankful. May he rest peacefully as he continues to shine over us.
Andy Aoki
June 23, 2011
I worked with Kris years ago on a program placing interns in neighborhood organizations. He was deeply dedicated to neighborhoods, very knowledgeable and very supportive of anyone working in community development. What I'll remember most, though is what a wonderful human being he was, always interested in how your life was going, and always open to new ideas. He'll be missed greatly.
DeWayne Townsend
June 23, 2011
Kris was always my go to guy when questions of neighborhood policy came up. He was really smart and a great guy. The days we worked together in Troop 41 are precious. I will miss him.
My condolences to Susan & Hardy
Susan Gust
June 23, 2011
I first met Kris when he was at the Whittier Alliance and willing to take a risk on hiring an emerging, woman-owned construction company with perhaps more ideals than experience. Little did I know then that our paths would continue on parallel courses of trying to "level the playing field"-- only this time, between the U of M and communities of all types. Kris always made certain that there was a well-worn path in both directions--by bringing the community into the university and the university into the community. May as many of us as possible continue to follow his steady footsteps though we may find them to be large ones to fill. My heartfelt sympathies to his family and to all those experiencing this incredible loss.
Sally Grans-Korsh
June 23, 2011
There are some people that have a special relationship to many different people. Kris was special. He will be deeply missed by many that knew him; his wit, great off-handed comments, knowledge of complex urban issues, political understanding, group ability to both downside and also to rise above the fray and ability to guide strategic minefields for the betterment of many.
The irony is that many people in the twin cities did not know him but benefit through his good community work. He will be sorely missed - and those closest to him - you have very sincere sympathies.
May Kris's good works be catalysts for us all......
Sue Fust
June 23, 2011
Kris was such a wonderful help to and supporter of the young parents of Broadway High School. I am so sorry the community has lost such a wonderful leader.
Chuck Sullivan
June 23, 2011
I was saddened to read Kris's obituary. I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Kris at each stage of his career in Minneapolis. What a career it was. And, how we have all benefited. His role on the "NoLo" (North Loop warehouse district) artist live/work plan laid the ground work for the development we see today. As the first executive director and with his quiet energy behind the ArtSpace Reuse Project (ARP), he linked building owners, city officials, and foundations with the potential of the arts community to begin the long transformation which has resulted in the major housing, business, and sports and entertainment center we now all enjoy. Next to move to the Whittier neighborhood where his leadership brought together diverse community interests that began the change that continues today. Then to move to CURA and the NPCR to not only continue the work within the community, but to teach and mentor a new leadership cadre. There is sadness for his loss, but there is also cause for celebration for all that Kris brought us and that his presence and wisdom has left us with a much better community.
Brian McLaurin
June 23, 2011
Words can't express the sadness I feel over this loss. Kris represented everything good about humanity and it showed up everyday in the life he lived. My life was enriched by knowing and working with him for the short time we were in contact. My heartfelt prayers and thoughts are with you Susan and the entirely network of family and friends that knew him far better than I did.
Boa Lee
June 23, 2011
Kris was instrumental in neighborhood organizing work. He will be missed by everyone who has met him. My condolences to the family.
-Boa Lee
Frogtown neighborhood organizer 2005-2007
Stephen Geffre
June 23, 2011
Susan, My heart and my hands go out to you in this difficult time. Please let me know if I can help in any way. You and your are in my prayers.
Vicki Keck
June 23, 2011
Susan and family, My heart goes out to you in this time of unexpected tragedy. I am so very sorry for your loss and my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely, Vicki Keck
Lanny Linehan
June 23, 2011
Susan,
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. My heart goes out to you at this time and in the days ahead.
Nichole Parker
June 23, 2011
Susan - my deepest condolences to you and your family during this difficult time. You are in my thoughts.
Yingling Fan
June 23, 2011
I am deeply saddened by the passing of Kris. He was such a warm-hearted, approachable and helpful person. I learned so much from him for doing community engagement work. The care and kindness he gave out to students, faculty members, and people he barely knew are so genuine. He will be deeply missed.
Tom Welter
June 22, 2011
Dear Susan, Hardy and all of the family, I share in your loss. Be assured that you are and will remain in my thoughts and prayers. It was my great privilege to work with Kris as a volunteer at the Whittier Alliance in the 80s. I was able to see his skill, leadership and kindness always working to make things better. I will always be grateful for his mentoring and proud of his accomplishments.
Jennifer Berg
June 22, 2011
Sue, Hardy, and the Boecher/Nelson Families: I am so very sorry for your loss and I am thinking about you. Kris was such a kind and peaceful guy. I will really miss running into him at Bill & Michelle's house. I always enjoyed our conversations.
Take care,
Jen
Karin Trail-Johnson
June 21, 2011
Kris was a kind and humble person who cared about making a difference in the lives of students and for the betterment of the community. I am so sorry to hear of his passing.
Kristine Miller
June 21, 2011
Dear Susan and Hardy,
I'm so very very sorry for your loss and feel privileged to have known and worked with Kris. Kris was and is an inspiration to me and many others at the U. He was someone to go to for advice, who would always give you a thoughtful and considered response. He supported and inspired many students and faculty members and will be deeply missed. Sincerely, Kristine Miller
Patricia Mack
June 21, 2011
Kris had the life experience combined with academic credentials to be a true gift to his students. I am glad that so many were exposed to his knowledge and sympathetic teaching style. The U has lost a a fine, fine teacher.
Peter Latner
June 21, 2011
It was Kris's work at Artspace, way back in the 70s, that helped me find my first darkroom/studio space. I know mine is one of countless testimonials, all with the same basic message: Kris made things better; that was his job, and he was good at it.
Susan and Hardy, I'm thinking of you, and I'm so sorry.
Mark Vander Schaaf
June 21, 2011
Over a period of many years, I was privileged to know Kris as a valued colleague in academia. I always appreciated his compassion, love of community and support for partnerships with those of us in government. I will miss him greatly.
Vanessa Abanu
June 21, 2011
A man with a big heart for family, co-workers and community. He will be missed dearly.
Avital Barnea
June 21, 2011
It feel lucky to have had the opportunity to learn from Kris during my time at the Humphrey School. He will be dearly missed.
David, Maureen & Trudy Collins
June 21, 2011
Susan and Hardy--We were so saddened to hear of the sudden loss of Kris. You and the entire Nelson/Boecher family have been so welcoming to our own Jake Collins. We feel we knew Chris well from the wonderful comments and stories told to us by Jake and Dina. You will be in the prayers of the entire Collins family.
Kate Reilly
June 21, 2011
Kris was a wonderful mentor and teacher. My capstone experience with him in 2004 was a not-to-be-repeated wonderful time. He was wise and generous and he will be missed.
Noel Nix
June 21, 2011
As he was to so many, I found Kris to be a gentle mentor, a knowledgeable teacher, and a generous colleague in the work of community development. Kris loved his students and the community more than just about anybody I have known. My heartfelt gratitude to his family for sharing him with the rest of us!
June 21, 2011
Susan and Hardy:
We were so shocked to hear about the sudden passing of Kris. He was such a kind, soft spoken neighbor. Our sincere sympathy for the loss of a great person who will be missed by many.
Lorie & Steve Komar (Minneapolis, MN)
warren hanson
June 21, 2011
Kris was one of the original community development corporation executive directors when they first blosomed in the Twin Cities in the 1970's. He led Whittier Alliance, helped found the first cdc association (MCCED), and kind of did it all in the neighborhood movement. We were fellows together in a national fellowship along with Al Raymond, Ed Johnson, Lisa Kugler, Sandy Vargas, Sherry Pugh and others. Kris was thoughtful & dedicated, super knowledgable, a great teache, advisor & mentor to emerging leaders, and he was fun to work with. He was a real joy to know and will be missed terribly.
Jessie Armstrong
June 21, 2011
I was fortunate to know Kris over the last three years, first as his student and then as an RA at CURA. He was a generous mentor who I admired greatly, and a caring friend. I have so much to thank Kris for. He will be greatly missed.
Loren Niemi
June 21, 2011
We worked on projects together in the '70's and again in the '80's before CURA but the work was work, what remains in the memory are the baseball at the old Met Stadium. Madeline Island visits and a week long trip thru the indiana of his boyhood with Bruce Springsteen and the Grateful Dead on the soundtrack. I've told those stories before but now they take on a new meaning.
Alan Arthur
June 21, 2011
Nobody was more thoughtful, kind and helpful than Kris. His calm, wise presence will be greatly missed in our community.
Kris & Susan - 1981 - Duluth, MN
Loren NIemi
June 21, 2011
Jim Lewis
June 21, 2011
I knew and worked with Kris at the Humphrey School. His concern and commitment to housing issues and to students is a testament to his kind and gentle nature. He will be missed.
Lee Munnich
June 21, 2011
Kris Nelson was a great friend and colleague. Kris and I taught a capstone workshop together on economic and community development for Humphrey School graduate students for 12 years. I will miss Kris dearly.
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