LYNNWOOD — Former Lynnwood City Councilman Martin Nelson died Oct. 21 after a long illness. He was 72.
Nelson, who served on the council from 2002 to 2005, lived with his wife, Charlotte, at the Rotary Senior Residence. He lost a re-election bid to Mark Smith in 2005.
A memorial service for Nelson is scheduled for 3 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Lynnwood Convention Center.
“He was a very nice guy, the kind of guy you’d like to have for a friend,” Lynnwood City Councilman Ted Hikel said.
During his term on the council Nelson always came to meetings prepared, Hikel said. He was instrumental in working with outgoing Mayor Mike McKinnon as newly elected Mayor Don Gough prepared to take office, Hikel said.
The councilman was often quiet, even reserved, but he also had a good sense of humor.
“When he spoke, he had something direct to say,” Hikel said. “He was a person who tried to listen to all viewpoints and then make a decision.”
Nelson spent more than three decades working around the world as a construction management consultant. He earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Montana State University.
He was heavily involved with the Rotary Club of Lynnwood, Rotary member and Lynnwood Police spokeswoman Shannon Sessions said.
Sessions, a former reporter and editor at The Enterprise, was on the newspaper’s editorial board when Nelson ran for office in 2001. The newspaper saw him as the clear candidate to endorse, she said.
“I just remember him being very thorough and honest,” Sessions said. “He was a very kind-hearted man who was very committed to whatever he was involved in, whether it was the Rotary Club or the City Council.”
Reporter Scott Pesznecker: 425-339-3436 or spesznecker@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
