Lonay “Lon” M. Nelson, age 86, of Redmond, Oregon, passed away on October 11, 2017, after an unexpected illness. Son of Arthur and Bernice (Weiler) Nelson, he was born and raised in Forreston, Illinois.
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin Madison with a BS in mechanical engineering, he served as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Engineering Corps, stationed in Germany. After discharge, he spent his working life as a mechanical engineer and manager of production facilities in Scotland, Belgium and the United States, ultimately retiring to his playground in Central Oregon.
He was a seeker of adventure, spending his free time in the mountains and on the rivers of the Northwest. Lon was a lifelong Mazama member, having joined the Mazamas in 1971. He was an active climb leader from 1977 to 1992. He earned the Guardian Peaks Award in 1976, the Oregon Peaks award in 1977, and the 16 Major NW Peaks award in 1977. He was awarded the 5-point leadership award in 1979, and the 15-point leadership award in 1989. He served on the Mazama Executive Council from 1983 to 1985, was Mazama Treasurer in 1984 and 1985. He also served one year on both the Whitewater (1987) and Financial Affairs (1987) Committees. He was the coordinator of the Intermediate Climbing School in 1977.
In addition to climbing all 16 major NW peaks, he rafted most of the NW rivers, taking many along with him and regaling others with tales of his travels. He completed his bucket list by circumnavigating the globe, with a side trip to Antarctica. Other passions included music, wilderness conservation, snow skiing, canyons of the Southwest and his beloved 1966 Sunbeam Tiger.
He is survived by his children, Brent, Blair, Lauren, Sander, Miel; his wife, Susan; and her children, Shannon, Kelly, Heather, Erin; his first wife, Priscilla Nelson; brother, Canden Nelson; sisters, Darlene Demetrick and Caroline Kilgore. Brother, “Bud” Nelson, predeceases him.
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