Return to Main Menu

Professor remembered for teaching others Donald R. Nelson, 71, DDS, professor and director, Division of Removable Prosthodontics in the College of Dental Medicine, died  Sept. 28.   Dr. Donald Nelson Nelson was born in Evansville, Ind. He attended Evansville University, graduated from Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1959 and was commissioned in the U.S. Army Dental Corps. His military career included tours of duty in Europe, Vietnam, and the United States. He also completed residencies in General Practice at Darnall Army Hospital, Fort Hood, Texas, and Removable Prosthodontics at Letterman Army Medical Center, San Francisco.   His military awards included the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal with Palm and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Nelson was also a graduate of the U.S. Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga. He retired from the military in 1979 and held faculty positions at the University of Texas School of Dentistry, San Antonio, the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill, N.C., and at MUSC’s College of Dental Medicine in 2003.   Throughout his professional career, Nelson routinely authored scientific articles for dental literature. He was an active member of numerous professional organizations, including his role as a diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics; a fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry; American College of Dentists; International College of Dentists; and American College of Prosthodontists. He is survived by wife, Susan, sons, James and David, and daughter, Mary.      A service to commemorate Nelson’s life will be held at noon, Oct. 25, St. Luke’s Chapel. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 409 King Street, Suite 300, Charleston, S.C., 29403 or the Kidney Foundation of South Carolina, 500 Taylor Street, Suite 101, Columbia, S.C., 29201. The death of Dr. Nelson is a loss to the College of Dental Medicine, the profession of dentistry and the professionalism of dentistry. He was an outstanding clinician and educator and will be missed by all of us who knew and worked with him. —James Rivers, DMD, professor and chair, Department of Restorative Dentistry Dr. Nelson worked diligently and compassionately on the Academic Performance Committee and the Admissions Committee of the College of Dental Medicine for many years. The prospective dental students were fascinated by his true stories as a combat U.S. Army dentist in Vietnam and his training as an Army dentist paratrooper. He earned many coveted best clinical teacher awards, including the American College of Dentists’ award.   —Tariq Javed, DMD, associate dean for academic and student affairs, College of Dental Medicine I first met Don Nelson about 25 years ago when I was a graduate prosthodontic resident assisting in the course he directed at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry. Like all the other residents (who were all supposed to already know what we were doing), without exception we would listen to what Dr. Nelson told his group of students and then go back to our own groups and repeat what he had said “word for word.” He was the best I ever worked with, and much of what I know about removable prosthodontics I learned from him. He was loved and respected by everyone he taught and worked with, and will be missed terribly.  —Robert Holmes, DDS, professor and director, Division of Fixed Prosthodontics, Department of Restorative Dentistry What was most impressive about Dr. Nelson was that he invested in everyone who he came into contact with. He always had time to listen, even when he did not have the time. Not only did he invest in his students, but in other colleagues, staff members, friends and family. I will miss that. —Monica Cayouette, DMD, associate professor and director, Division of Implants, Department of Restorative Dentistry Don Nelson was the greatest of colleagues and the epitome of professionalism. He was a joy to be around. Every time I see a dental student with his cap on backwards, I will affectionately think of Don's insistence on proper decorum. —David Mishkin, DMD, Professor Emeritus of Periodontics Don was the consummate professional. He was the most impeccably dressed person we ever knew and he carried over such traits to the practice and teaching of dentistry. He always had time for anyone who sought his expertise and the many visits by former students is a testament to his role as a teacher and mentor. His sense of humor and debating skills are sadly missed by his lunch time cronies…”are you dining in Captain?” —Drs. Peter Kobes, Stephen Malley, Robert Neuner and Monica Cayouette College of Dental Medicine     Friday, Oct. 20, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.