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David Nelson Obituary
David W. Nelson was a maverick and an iconoclast in the best way, friends and family say. He was also intellectually and emotionally adventurous. "You don't have to have just one career in your life," he once told his mother, Betty. And he didn't.
Most recently, Mr. Nelson, 50, was a senior vice president at Carr Futures. But high finance was not always in the cards for Mr. Nelson, who lived in Park Slope, Brooklyn, with his wife and two children. After graduating from Johns Hopkins in 1973, he became a social worker in Baltimore. He quit a year later after an alarming accident.
"He was shot in both legs as he stepped out of a phone booth," Mrs. Nelson said. "He was looking up an address for his next client, but someone must have thought he was reporting a drug deal."
He fully recovered from his wounds, but decided to move to Boston, where he tended bar and tried to earn a living playing the French horn. "By 1980, he realized that the demand for French horn players was far smaller than the supply," Mrs. Nelson said. He then went to work for his father at Clayton Brokerage, a commodity brokerage in Clayton, Mo., eventually making his way to Wall Street.
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Naomi
April 13, 2025
Happy birthday, David, from first time visitors to NY from Scotland. Thinking of your family, friends and colleagues.
James Gaffney
September 11, 2021
David was a great friend and business colleague. In many was, he was my mentor. I like so many miss him and his great attitude.
CHRIS CAROLAN
November 9, 2017
9th NOVEMBER, 2017
TODAY SOMEONE ASKED ME SOMETHING ABOUT MY HISTORY WAY BACK, WORKING WITH CARR FUTURES AS MY BROKER/DEALER . . . .
I LOOKED UP FROM MY DESK, THEN LOOKED DOWN AGAIN , VERY QUICKLY . . . . WITH GOOD REASON
DAVID, I STILL MISS YOU AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, THE TEARS AND THE PAIN ARE AS FRESH NOW AS THEY WERE THEN . . . .
Maryanne Roberts
September 12, 2017
Remembering you and our days at Dean Witter.
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Edythe Richman
September 11, 2017
Read about your father as they mentioned his name. So sorry for your loss.
Lara Gray
September 10, 2016
I visited the memorial site this year. It was an incredibly moving and life changing experience. As i walked around the footings studying the names and saying my prayers, I stumbled upon yours. I don't know why but it stood out to me. I took a photo and promised to look you up when I got back to London so that you would be more than just a name on a stone.
I'm glad i did. Now i think of you as a person who had a life, a family and a past. You are not just another victim of a day that should never have been. So on this day when so many people will remember the "victims". Just know that I am specifically praying for you. Rest In Peace.
S J. Friscia III
May 22, 2015
In Memory
With Honor & Respect.
Maryanne Roberts
September 11, 2014
Remembering you today.
Maryanne Roberts
September 11, 2012
In memory of a good boss and friend.
Beverly Arnold Thompson
September 11, 2011
David, as you and I went through confirmation class at Trinity Lutheran in Kirkwood, we never imagined ourselves as adults - we were children. I'm so glad to read in the other messages that you kept that spirit throughout your life. I know you had angels with you on 9/11, and that you were not alone. Rest in peace, and give peace to others.
Maryanne Roberts
September 11, 2011
David, Thinking of you today and remembering all I learned from working with you at DWR and from just knowing you.
Cynthia Mariano
September 11, 2011
David, I will never forget you, and I am grateful to have known you during your years in Cambridge. May your soul rest in peace.
William Handley
September 11, 2010
Never was there a more clever and warm-hearted guy out there. You might be gone, but will NEVER be forgotten!
P Tabbernor
January 15, 2007
In memory....
Kristine
November 17, 2006
As I stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
Maryanne Roberts
September 11, 2006
I worked with David at Dean Witter in 1983. He was a precious metals research analyst and I was his assistant. Our offices were on the 59th floor of One World Trade Center. We both lived in Park Slope, Brooklyn. David was intelligent, and kind. I learned a lot from him. I remember him talking about his father and about his girlfriend, Elizabeth. I'm happy to know that he and Elizabeth married and had two children.
David Nelson
September 10, 2003
September 10, 2003
Tomorrow, my special prayer goes out to David William Nelson, his wife and children; that we may have peace in our hearts & a resolve that love shall someday conquer hate, that understanding will replace ignorance.
Brigid Schiro
September 11, 2002
This morning I received an arm band with David Nelson's name on it during a prayer service at the highschool where I work. When I came home, I showed my daughter and she told me that she had randomly chosen Mr. Nelson's name during a project at her middle school and had written it on a dove to symbolize peace. I feel the coincidence was amazing and together we will double our prayers for Mr. Nelson and his family. God bless you.
Lori
August 20, 2002
Through a project at Associated Ministries in Tacoma, Mr. Nelson's name was chosen for my family to pray for. I want Mrs. Nelson and her children to know that my family and I will pray for them and Mr. Nelson every day.
Laurie Lakebrink
June 18, 2002
Dave Nelson was one of the kindest people I ever met, in the quietest, drollest possible way. Elizabeth, my friend, I wish you the best, as always.
Angie Campbell
May 7, 2002
May God Bless you and watch over the ones that you left behind. Rest in peace.
March 14, 2002
DEAR GOD SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON THIS WONDERFUL COURAGEOUS MAN...DAVID WILLIAM NELSON AND MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE WITH GOD AND HIS ANGELS..GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS..STAY CLOSE AND NEVER FORGET 9/11/01..GOD BLESS AMERICA AND NEW YORK..MAY GOD AND THE BIBICAL DAVID GREET YOU AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN...AMEN
Tom Malone
February 10, 2002
Dave was my first real boss. My first reaction to him was, how is this slightly built, intellectual going to survive in a world filled with street smart tough guys. I had my answer within a few months, he figured out a way to beat them at their own game. Dave was the most successful person on the trading floor, and he did it all without ever entering the trading pit. I knew him before he had children, but I'm sure he was a fine dad. I wish his wife Elizabeth and his two children a happy life.
With Warmest Regards,
T Malone
Melanie Mariano-Lamar
January 2, 2002
David Nelson was an old friend of mine from his classical music days. He had a persevering and ambitious spirit that loved a hard challenge yet he was sensitive enough to appreciate the simpler things in life like camping and mountainclimbing and being a faithful friend. Even though my husband Albert and I will not see him again his memory is in our hearts. We hope one day we might have our children meet his children. Our hearts go out to Elizabeth and the children. We pray for God's comfort and love to be evident in their daily lives.
Much love,
Melanie and Albert Lamar
Teresa Jahn
December 17, 2001
We are very sorry for your loss of David. May his life and love continue on through those who loved him. Our hearts cry with you.
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
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