Keith Nelson

Keith Darwin Nelson, 93, died peacefully on February 17th, 2017, in Houston, Texas. He was a long-time resident of Colorado Springs. Keith was preceded in death by Phyllis, his wife of 51 years, and is survived by his son Erik, son-in-law Terry Brandhorst and nephews Randy Nelson and Raymond Wagner. Keith was born and raised in Gowrie, Iowa. He graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in accounting and was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity. While attending college he met and became engaged to his beloved Phyllis. His college years were interrupted by World War II, during which he served in the U.S. Navy. He was an officer aboard the USS Shelby, which operated in the Pacific theatre. After the war, Keith and Phyllis were married in Denver, Colorado and spent their honeymoon at the Broadmoor Hotel. They fell in love with Colorado Springs. They lived for several years in Detroit, Michigan where Keith worked for the accounting firm Arthur Andersen. But Colorado Springs still beckoned. Keith resigned his position, and he and Phyllis courageously moved to Colorado Springs in 1955 without any firm promise of employment. Fortunately, Keith was soon hired by the Colorado Interstate Gas Company (CIG). Keith was also involved in several extracurricular civic activities, most notably as a member of the Colorado Springs Civic Theatre. He appeared in many productions and became an audience favorite. Other appearances even included the Broadmoor Ice Revue. In 1974 CIG was acquired by another firm and Keith left the company as Controller. He and Phyllis moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where Keith joined Northwest Pipeline Company. During this time Keith felt the calling to enter the priesthood in the Episcopal Church. After his ordination he was very active in the Diocese of Utah until he and Phyllis returned to Colorado Springs in 1994. Upon his return, Keith joined the clergy at the Chapel of Our Saviour and served there for the next 20 years. During his final years Keith lived at a retirement community near his son in Houston, but returned to his home in Colorado Springs during the summer months. A memorial service will take place at the Chapel of Our Saviour, 8 Fourth Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80906. The date and time of the service will be announced later. In the meantime, in lieu of flowers, Keith's family would deeply appreciate charitable contributions to the Chapel of Our Saviour or to the American Lung Association (www.lung.org).