Kenneth Nelson Obituary

Nelson, PhD., Kenneth W.

Kenneth W. Nelson, PhD, age 90, passed away at his home on January 28, 2022. Beloved husband of (the late of Hilda 1994) and the late Nijole Nelson, nee Martinaityte (2021), who he married in 1995.

Kenneth received his Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate (1956) from the University of Notre Dame. After a stint in the steel industry, for a short time he toiled unhappily at University of Michigan for the US Military. Thereafter, Kenneth taught chemistry as a professor at Chicago State University until he retired in 1985. A licensed pilot, he owned his own plane. He traveled abroad often, sometimes touring various countries by motorcycle.

In his early years, Ken dabbled with jewelry, wood, ceramics, and glass, creating many artistic and functional items, many of them unique and beautiful.

In 1995, after his marriage to Nijole, she asked him, "Which profession would you have chosen if reimbursement was no object?" He thought for a while, then said, almost under his breath, "I would have liked to become a sculptor." Nijole responded, "Well, go ahead!" And with those words, the wild, beautiful, creative, and fascinating world of Kenneth's creative vision expressed in steel came to be.

By 2005, he had created over 150 steel sculptures, and had several solo exhibits and participated in almost dozen group exhibits. Since then, he has created and crafted several hundred additional examples of beauty, art, and creativity. He turned steel into an organic art form.

Today, selected pieces remain on display in Paris, Vilnius, and Milan, with many more pieces installed in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Iowa. They range from a foot tall, to eight feet tall, many of which were metal powder coated to protect them from the elements. His "farm-studio" in Wisconsin contains multiple, installed outdoor pieces. His organic concepts have been compared to Chihuly's glass works. His more geometric designs often bring to mind M.C. Escher.

His mastery of steel as a medium has led to Candelabras, Cattails, Chimes, Flowers (large and small) Unfurled Curves (Ken's words) Worms, Cubes and Square Shapes of incredible simplicity and complexity. He worked constantly until the death of Nijole. The world of art is richer because of Kenneth.

A modern Renaissance Man, a Doctor of Science, a lover of art and constantly driven to create, he was also something else - a curmudgeon, 1st Class.

As such, he hated both major and minor injustices, and often took steps to right wrongs, from his unique perspective. One example from 1973 speaks volumes. Kenneth's then wife, Hilda, received an unwarranted traffic ticket for driving through a yellow light.

A few days later, Ken and she were driving on Halsted Ave. when he saw a police car drive casually through a red light. No lights, no siren, no emergency call. Two blocks later, the officer repeated the same traffic violation. And four block after that, he did it a third time.

Kenneth took matters into his own hands and stopped the Chicago Police vehicle by repeatedly flashing his headlights at the cop.

Finally, he parked his car at an angle in front of the police car and instituted a citizen's arrest of the law-breaking cop. Because one headlight was out, it was Kenneth who was arrested and held in jail. Famed journalist Mike Royko eventually dedicated a column to Kenneth's plight.

Stubborn, energetic, brilliant, creative, and often erudite, an image of Kenneth should appear next to the definition of curmudgeon in the dictionary.

Henry James once wrote, "It is art that makes life, makes interest, makes importance . . . and I know of no substitute whatever for the force and beauty of its process."

Kenneth's dream of becoming a sculptor was more than fulfilled. In the end, he was a brilliant artist. The art world has benefited greatly from his creative successes.

A private interment will be held at St. Casimir Cemetery, Chicago and a Celebration of Ken's and Nijole's life will be held at a later date. Memorials in Ken's name may be made to The Art Institute of Chicago. Arrangements entrusted to Donnellan Funeral Home. For info (773) 238-0075 or sign guestbook at www.donnellanfuneralhome.com.

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