Kim Nielsen

Born in Suffern, New York, he lived in various parts of New Jersey until his college years.

He served in the United States Coast Guard as Boatswain Mate Third Class and was honorably discharged in 1978.

After a year at Drew University in New Jersey, he transferred to University of Hawaii where he received his BA in Anthropology and Archaeology. He then attended RIT in New York where he received an AA in Professional Photography. During his career at The Smithsonian Institution, he also received a Master of Arts in Museum Administration, Cultural Resource Management from The George Washington University.

His professional career began at the Office of Photographic Services at the Smithsonian Institution as Assistant Chief of the Special Assignments Branch. While in this position he had the opportunity to photograph hundreds of iconic pieces and people including Jim Henson and Kermit the Frog, Howdy Doody, Andy Warhol, among many others, and was the Personal Documentary Photographer to the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. He was the Director of the Department of Photography at the Sackler/Freer Gallery before forming the Image Technology Group and also became the Acting Executive Director of Tudor Place Foundation in Washington DC. He moved to the Chesapeake Bay area and became Director of the National Health Sciences Museums at The University of Maryland in Baltimore. He ended his professional career as the Deputy Director, Museum Operations Division at Naval History and Heritage Command, back where he started work in Washington, DC.

After retirement Kim picked up his renewed interests and hobbies. Among his favorites were researching his ancestry, collecting surfboards, renovating old cars, trying to save old presidential yachts and other boats and becoming a Master Gardener in 3 different places. Pursuing these interests led him to the sunny Southern California shores. He had recently renovated a 100 year old cabin with his family in the Cleveland National Forest and had moved to San Clemente with his wife to enjoy one of his favorite things of all: watching the sunset every day over the Pacific Ocean. He always looked for the Green Flash.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years Louise Boekenheide Nielsen, his amazing children, Anna and Graham and his sister Karen Nielsen.

He was loved by all who met him and will be missed terribly. Give a nod to Kim if you ever see the green flash when the sun sets.

A memorial service will be planned for the fall.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.fairhavenmemorialservices.com for the Nielsen family.