Kent Severin Nelson
April 13, 1942 — November 28, 2022
Kent Severin Nelson, 80, of Pittsford, NY passed away on November 28, 2022.
Kent was born on April 13, 1942 to Virgil Severin Nelson and Rebecca “Ellen” (Fouts) Nelson in Denison, Iowa. A polio survivor, he graduated from Denison High School in 1960, then attended Iowa State University, graduating with a degree in Industrial Administration in 1965. He attended Navy Officer Candidate School and served as a Lieutenant on the USS Alfred A. Cunningham from 1966-1969, visiting various ports of call in Southeast Asia, with a stint off the coast of Vietnam. After an honorable discharge from the military, he attended UCLA and earned a Masters Degree in Accounting and Information Systems in 1971. Kent was active in many community organizations, including the Special Olympics, Far West Ski Association, and the Junior Chamber of Commerce to name a few. He was an avid runner and skier and earned numerous awards and prizes in amateur downhill events.
He started his career in public accounting at Arthur Anderson in Los Angeles and later worked for 20th Century Fox and Kerr Glass.
Kent joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1976 and met Diane Louise Benedict in their local congregation in Santa Monica, California. They were married February 29, 1980, in the church’s Los Angeles California Temple. Their first son, Severin was born in 1983, followed by Trevor in 1985. In 1987, after working on the initial public offering for MDT Biologic Company, he was given an opportunity to move to upstate New York where he served on the board of organizations such as his neighborhood homeowner association, Toastmasters International, and The Hill Cumorah Pageant. Their third son, Cameron, was born the next year. A lifelong lover of choral music, Kent sang with the Iowa State Singers, Eastman-Rochester Chorale, and numerous church choirs. He ended his professional career as the CFO of Pooler Enterprises, retiring in April 2012. He then filled his days researching family history, serving in the community, traveling with old friends, and spending time with his loved ones.
Though his professional achievements were admirable, his greatest accomplishments were in the home. Kent was a tender, compassionate, and patient father. He often spent his weekends in one-on-one activities with each of his sons. He taught his children the importance of financial literacy and community service by example, including them in opportunities to work in soup kitchens, food drives, and the like. A boy scout himself, Kent was actively involved in the organization – assisting with campouts, popcorn sales, and high adventure trips. As a husband, he never shied away from a chance to help his wife, even after a long day at the office. His legacy of unselfish service and quiet dedication will be remembered by all who knew him.
Kent was predeceased by his mother, Ellen, and his father, Virgil. He is survived by his wife, Diane (Benedict) Nelson; sons: Severin (Lissa) Nelson of New York, NY; Trevor (Jessica) Nelson of Union, KY; and Cameron (Rebecca) Nelson of Detroit, MI; his nine grandchildren; sister Janna (John) Rice of Des Moines, IA; several cousins; nieces; and nephews. Calling hours will be from 6-8 PM, Friday, December 2nd, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 460 Kreag Road in Pittsford. There will be a visitation Saturday morning at 10 AM followed by the funeral service at 11 AM at the church. Kent will be laid to rest alongside his parents in Denison, IA in the upcoming weeks.
Kent was born on April 13, 1942 to Virgil Severin Nelson and Rebecca “Ellen” (Fouts) Nelson in Denison, Iowa. A polio survivor, he graduated from Denison High School in 1960, then attended Iowa State University, graduating with a degree in Industrial Administration in 1965. He attended Navy Officer Candidate School and served as a Lieutenant on the USS Alfred A. Cunningham from 1966-1969, visiting various ports of call in Southeast Asia, with a stint off the coast of Vietnam. After an honorable discharge from the military, he attended UCLA and earned a Masters Degree in Accounting and Information Systems in 1971. Kent was active in many community organizations, including the Special Olympics, Far West Ski Association, and the Junior Chamber of Commerce to name a few. He was an avid runner and skier and earned numerous awards and prizes in amateur downhill events.
He started his career in public accounting at Arthur Anderson in Los Angeles and later worked for 20th Century Fox and Kerr Glass.
Kent joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1976 and met Diane Louise Benedict in their local congregation in Santa Monica, California. They were married February 29, 1980, in the church’s Los Angeles California Temple. Their first son, Severin was born in 1983, followed by Trevor in 1985. In 1987, after working on the initial public offering for MDT Biologic Company, he was given an opportunity to move to upstate New York where he served on the board of organizations such as his neighborhood homeowner association, Toastmasters International, and The Hill Cumorah Pageant. Their third son, Cameron, was born the next year. A lifelong lover of choral music, Kent sang with the Iowa State Singers, Eastman-Rochester Chorale, and numerous church choirs. He ended his professional career as the CFO of Pooler Enterprises, retiring in April 2012. He then filled his days researching family history, serving in the community, traveling with old friends, and spending time with his loved ones.
Though his professional achievements were admirable, his greatest accomplishments were in the home. Kent was a tender, compassionate, and patient father. He often spent his weekends in one-on-one activities with each of his sons. He taught his children the importance of financial literacy and community service by example, including them in opportunities to work in soup kitchens, food drives, and the like. A boy scout himself, Kent was actively involved in the organization – assisting with campouts, popcorn sales, and high adventure trips. As a husband, he never shied away from a chance to help his wife, even after a long day at the office. His legacy of unselfish service and quiet dedication will be remembered by all who knew him.
Kent was predeceased by his mother, Ellen, and his father, Virgil. He is survived by his wife, Diane (Benedict) Nelson; sons: Severin (Lissa) Nelson of New York, NY; Trevor (Jessica) Nelson of Union, KY; and Cameron (Rebecca) Nelson of Detroit, MI; his nine grandchildren; sister Janna (John) Rice of Des Moines, IA; several cousins; nieces; and nephews. Calling hours will be from 6-8 PM, Friday, December 2nd, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 460 Kreag Road in Pittsford. There will be a visitation Saturday morning at 10 AM followed by the funeral service at 11 AM at the church. Kent will be laid to rest alongside his parents in Denison, IA in the upcoming weeks.
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