6 In memoriam: Ralph Thomas Nelsen, 1934-2010 alph T. Nelsen, Retired Associate Professor of Education, was born February 7, 1934 in Jamestown, NY and died in Portland, July 22, 2010. In 1956, after earning a BA degree in social science at Oklahoma State University, Ralph moved to Oregon and launched a 20-year teaching career in Portland public schools. Concurrently he continued to pursue professional advancement by earning an education and counseling ME (1959) at Oregon State University, a special education MS (1968) at Portland State, and a doctorate in secondary and special education (1971) at the University of Idaho. In 1963-65, he held a Fulbright teaching fellowship in Finland which prompted him to promote cultural bonds with that nation and its culture during the ensuing four decades. Ralph’s public school service focused on alternative education, and from 1965-70 he held an appointment as special education department chairman. At Madison High School he founded FOCUS, a noteworthy educational guidance program. In 1975 he joined the PSU School of Education as an Associate Professor to teach core courses. In conjunction with instructional activities, he designed numerous innovative special projects for which he successfully obtained external funding from various granting agencies, including NSF, NEH, and the U.S. Office of Education. Among his accomplishments was the establishment of a grant-supported student advisement program, the Northwest General Assistance Center. A significant externally funded program, “Exploring the Cultural Heritage of Oregon” (ECHO), provided technical assistance and personal growth services to more than 200 teachers. Through his initiative, the institution obtained DOE funding for an Environmental Education Center that supported outreach instruction in metropolitan area public schools. Professor Nelsen’s personal devotion to special education led to obtaining a two-year NSF grant to develop career options for handicapped persons. In addition to these activities, Ralph regularly taught popular classes at all levels, conducted meaningful research, made presentations at professional conferences, and provided advice and consultation services for a wide variety of public agencies and educational institutions. As a supplement to his PSU career, he founded and directed the Columbia Education Center, a non-profit educational resource serving the metropolitan area and its environs. Professor Nelsen’s career contributions added strength to the University’s development and fulfillment of its mission to meet the challenges of changing educational needs in the community it serves. All of us who knew and worked with Ralph highly regarded his achievements. The University community owes him a debt of gratitude for his energetic dedication to our educational goals. His spouse, Joan, to whom he was married for 55 years, preceded him in death. Survivors include four children, Laura, Jeanne, John, and Eric; 11 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. To them, we extend our heartfelt condolences. The obituary that appeared in the Oregonian of July 27, 2010 may be consulted in the RAPS office. --Victor C. Dahl, Emeritus Professor of History R
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