Dewey A. Nelson, MD

 Dewey A. Nelson, MD died peacefully on November 19, 2017 at Landis Homes retirement community in Lititz, PA. Dewey was fortunate and blessed to have lived a long and fulfilling life.

 Dewey was born in Eldorado, Arkansas and grew up in Bunkie, Louisiana, the son of an ESSO pipeline foreman. His passion for medicine was fueled as a boy. He was fascinated by and admired the family physician who made many house calls to tend to and cure his older brother, who eventually overcame a life threatening ailment.

 After graduating as Valedictorian of his high school class, Dewey went on to study at LSU, Cornell University and Cornell Medical College on an accelerated program. He obtained his MD degree at the age of 22 from Cornell, and it was there that he met his wife of 66 years, Jem Nolt Nelson.

He then served his country as a battalion surgeon in the Korean War and was awarded the Bronze Star for his valor.

After completing his residency at Cornell in neurology, Dewey and Jem moved to Wilmington, Delaware in 1957. Dewey was the first and only board certified neurologist in the state for six years. He was also the founder of Wilmington Neurology Associates.

During his career, he became a full professor of neurology at Jefferson Medical College and trained many medical students and young physicians at both Wilmington and Christiana Hospitals. Dewey retired after a long and fruitful career in 1999.

Dewey had many other interests aside from medicine. He was an author, enjoyed deep-sea fishing, bee keeping and loved to restore old cars. The peacock blue ‘56 Ford Thunderbird was iconic Dewey, and he proudly used his classic car as a daily driver.

He also served as an elder at Red Clay Creek Presbyterian Church and sang in their choir. Dewey had a deep and non-wavering faith in the Lord throughout his life. As a testament to his faith, Dewey was a devoted husband, loving father and generous friend.

In addition to his dear wife, Jem, Dewey is survived by his five children and their spouses: Allen and wife Rose Nelson, Reverend Stephen and wife Elisabeth Heinzel-Nelson, Jean Nelson, MD and husband Matthew DiGioia, John and wife Randa Nelson, Daniel and wife Toshiko Nelson, and by his 14 grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to Villages in Partnership, PO Box 52, Allentown, NJ, 08501.