Nelson_H.Mark_11 December, 1932
H. Mark Nelson passed away from respiratory failure on February 13, 2009 at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, Utah. Mark was born December 11, 1932 in Malad, Idaho to Andrew Hyrum and Mary Bush Nelson. He grew up in Milton, Utah and graduated from Morgan High School. During the nationwide polio epidemic of 1948, before the vaccine was developed, he was the only one in his rural town to contract the disease. Although this severely weakened his 15 year old body, he lived for 60 more years without ever regarding himself as disabled. He attended Brigham Young University where he studied Physics and Mathematics and was Valedictorian of the Class of 1953. At the encouragement of his mentor, John Gardner, and with the support of his devoted mother, he then attended Harvard University and met many lifelong friends there in the Cambridge Branch. His Ph. D research was in the lab of Norman Ramsey, who later received the Nobel Prize for Physics. Upon graduation from Harvard, he was invited to teach at BYU as a professor of physics, where he enjoyed 40 years of teaching and research. His great love for science was matched only by his love for his BYU students and colleagues.
In 1969, he married Judith Gardner in the Salt Lake Temple, a decision he credited as the best he ever made. They raised their four children together in their home on Aspen Avenue in Provo, Utah. A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served faithfully where called, including as Bishop’s counselor, Gospel Doctrine teacher, and High Priest Group leader. He occasionally admitted that his favorite callings related to church finance, an area where his talents were drawn upon frequently.
He is survived by his wife Judy and his children; Kenneth (Sheila) of Queen Creek, Arizona; Karl (Terri) of Boyds, Maryland; Philip (Allison) of Ladera Ranch, California; and Marilyn Nielson (Sam) of South Jordan, Utah. Mark is also survived by his brother Deane of Camarillo, California; his sister, Laurel, of Spanish Fork; and 11 grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at the Oak Hills First Ward chapel at 1038 N. 1200 E. in Provo on Friday, February 20 at 1:00 p.m., with a viewing from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. that same day. Additional viewing from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 19, at Berg Mortuary, 185 E. Center St. burial will be in the Provo City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to info@bergmortuary.com.