Philip Knapp Nelson

Philip Knapp Nelson, 96, passed away on August 26, 2024 in Sarasota, Florida. Born on April 29, 1928 in New York City, NY he was the younger of two children of Esther Knapp Nelson and George Peter Nelson. He matriculated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1945. He immersed himself in extracurricular activities: Penn Band (french horn), Glee Club, Rowing Club and Mask & Wig Club, a musical comedy troupe. Phil joined Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity and was elected sophomore class president. In the spring of 1946 on a blind date to the Sophomore Hop, Phil met Marion Schimpf— it was love at first sight. Phil was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and in 1948 graduated early with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Phil started medical school at Penn in 1949, proposed to Marion in the fall and they married on December 31, 1949 in Highland Park, PA. He was elected into Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society in 1950. Phil received his MD degree in 1952 and completed his internship in 1953. Near the end of his first year of residency, he enlisted in the Air Force and served 2 years (1954-56) as Chief of OB/GYN at 2791st USAF Hospital, Ogden Utah. He received an honorable discharge with the rank of Captain, and resumed his residency at Penn.

In 1959, Phil joined a thriving OB/Gyn practice and moved his growing family to Williamsport, PA. Williamsport was the ideal place to raise their four girls, and where they made life-long friendships. Phil delivered nearly 6500 babies in his 22 years in Williamsport. A trailblazer, always embracing new ideas and cutting-edge technology, he was trained and certified in laparoscopic surgery in 1973. He was at the forefront of laparoscopic photography. He met and operated with Dr Patrick Steptoe, the pioneer of in vitro fertilization. Phil did extensive research on nurse midwifery and convinced his partners to hire two outstanding midwives. They became invaluable in their practice, and within two years, had delivered over half of their uncomplicated deliveries.

Phil and Marion loved to travel and visited their favorites, the Virgin Islands, Africa, Hawaii, and the British Isles multiple times. Phil caught the acting bug and performed in numerous plays with the local Williamsport theater group, and was cast as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof.

In 1981, after relocating to Sarasota, FL, Phil continued to see OB/GYN patients for five years, and then pivoted to treating CFS patients. He and Marion were passionate advocates for education, research, diagnosis and treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Between 2003 and 2005, Phil retired from the practice of medicine and he and Marion moved to the Glenridge on Palmer Ranch. New friendships blossomed, and activities were abundant. Singing and performing with the Glenridge Harmonaires and Singers brought joy and new connections. They had more time for travel and explored China, Australia, India, Brazil, Chile, and Argentina. Phil started a new career as a volunteer botanical photographer at Marie Selby Gardens. For nearly 8 years he photographed 6,800 plants creating 28,000 digital images.

Philip was preceded in death by his parents, Esther and George Peter Nelson; wife, Marion S Nelson; daughter, Janet Nelson; brother George Peter Nelson, Jr.

He is survived by his three children, Carol Nelson, Laura(Sam)Hawken, Susan(James)Segars; seven grandchildren, Tom(Tiffany)Hawken, Jennifer Hawken, Jessica Hawken, James(Christin)Segars, Michael(Alisha)Segars, Laura(Edgar)Petras,Jonathan(Agnijita)Segars; and eight great grandchildren, Stafford, Theodore, Caledonia, Finley, Oriana, Wyatt, Keaton, and Eleanor.

Philip — wonderful soul, one of a kind, loving, devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather Forever loved, forever in our hearts “There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart.” – Gandhi