Lewis Albert Nelson

1920 - 2015

LEWIS ALBERT NELSON Age 94, of Menifee, California, passed away surrounded by his loved ones on Friday, January 16, 2015, due to complications from Parkinson's disease. Born on September 13, 1920 in San Diego, California, he was the son of George and Edith Nelson. He is survived by his wife, Elaine; son Dale and his daughters, Sandra and Suzann; daughter Jan Baird, and her children, Robert and Kristin; and step-daughter, Donna Clifton and her children, Jeffrey, Ryan and Steven; and a total of 9 great grandchildren. Lewis served in World War II joining the U.S. Army Air Corps shortly after the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor serving until 1947, a recipient of two Distinguished Flying Crosses and four Air Medals. He graduated with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Southern California in 1949 and earned an MA from UCLA in 1960. Lewis was an experimental test pilot with Northrop from 1950-1972 completing first flights on the N-156F, F-5 and T-38 and YA-9A aircraft, logging over 5,000 hours. He held a number of senior positions with Northrop, including Director of the Flight Test Engineering Section, until his retirement in 1986. He was also a founding member and Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and a member of the Aerospace Walk of Honor. Lewis was a member of the Neptune Society and his remains will be scattered at sea - there will not be any services.