Robert Douglas Linden Nelson

NELSON Robert Douglas Linden Born to Robert and Hazel Nelson in Vancouver on January 30th 1947, Robert Douglas Linden Nelson was the oldest of nine children (three sets of twins) born into the Nelson family. Shortly after Rob's birth the family moved to Trail B.C., where his sister Donna-Lynne was born, then to Bowness, Alberta, a small town at that time which later became a suburb of the City of Calgary. Babies came quickly in the Nelson family, first Rob and Donna-Lynne then George, then Jennifer and Joanne (twins) then Danny and Elizabeth, (twins) and finally Debbie and Lori (twins). Houses were never big enough, many kids to a room but that was always good...more to share with when the good times rolled around. Rob completed his initial education at Bowness Composite High School, graduated with honours in all subjects and was first in the province for grades. The Calgary Stampede Board asked him to ride on a float in the Parade but he politely refused. His comment in the graduation year book was "Ignorance is bliss". Rob received a full scholarship to McGill University in Montreal...something almost unheard of at the time for a small town Alberta boy. He accepted the scholarship and moved to Montreal in the mid-sixties, attending classes for two years but quit when he could not make the football team. Although academic achievement came easily to Rob his passions were always sports and the outdoors. Rob was an avid reader with an inquisitive mind and he devoured books, often giving copies of books that he had particularly enjoyed to friends and relatives for them to enjoy as well. His interests were only constrained by time and included philosophy, history, geomatics, geography, botany and having fun to name just a very few. From Montreal, Rob returned to Western Canada and worked at such diverse jobs as staking mineral claims in the Northern Territories and high Arctic, to being a deckhand on commercial fishing boats chasing tuna and salmon off the west coast of British Columbia. He eventually returned to Calgary where he began his seismic career with Beaver Geophysical Services, working first on the recording crew and later as a surveyor. During this time he made many friends in the oil and gas industry who remained friends throughout the years. While working in North Dakota for Beaver Geophysical Rob met his future wife Karla Wilson. They married on January 6, 1975 and settled in Calgary where they raised three wonderful, sensitive children, son Troy and daughters Charmaigne and Shannon. Shortly after his marriage Rob and his brother George founded Nelson Surveys Ltd. The business thrived for several years until the implementation of the National Energy Program which devastated the seismic industry and resulted in the failure of the business. Rob refused to declare bankruptcy to protect his interests at the expense of company creditors, resulting in the loss of his home and most of the family possessions in an effort to make good on his portion of the debts owed by the company. The family moved with their meager possessions to Port Alberni on Vancouver Island where he continued to satisfy his obligations and was successful in doing so after many years. In 1987 Rob again ventured back into the seismic surveying industry, forming Enviro-Tech Surveys Ltd. in partnership with his brother George. Under Rob's guidance and with the help and support of many long time friends in the oil and gas industry the company flourished and continues to do so. Rob's tenure in the industry was marked by his kindness, courtesy, honesty, integrity and compassion for all he came in contact with. Rob touched many peoples lives as a teacher, mentor, friend and partner. His legacy will live on through the many people who came to know and love him. Rob died at home of cancer early Sunday morning on December 14, 2008. He died as he had lived, on his own terms. His last weeks were spent surrounded by his beautiful children and loving friends. The family would like to extend their most sincere thanks to the following people for making his passing a continuing journey and not a defeat: Dr. James Corley who extended his care and compassion far above and beyond the norm; Mr. David Lochhead...a cherished friend who comforted Rob to the very end; Mrs. Deborah Brackenbury...steadfast and logical even though her heart was breaking; Mr. John Hughes...a source of constant amusement for Rob and a fine human being; Ms. June Hughes...lifelong friend and a source of great joy to Rob and his family. "No man is an island entire of itself; Every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less. As well as if a promontory were, As well as any manner of thy friends or of thine own were, Any man's death diminishes me, Because I am involved in mankind And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls, It tolls for thee." -John Donne A celebration of Robert Nelson's life will be held in the Sheraton Ballroom of the Sheraton Cavalier, 2620 - 32 Avenue N.E., Calgary, AB on Monday, December 22, 2008 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family at www.mem.com . FOSTER'S GARDEN CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM Telephone: 403-297-0888. Honoured Provider of Dignity Memorial