Dr. Lewis T. Nielsen died at the age of 93 on July 25, 2014. He was the son of Knute & Doris Nielsen. He was the oldest of a family of four children: Barbara, Larry and Maxine, all of whom have died previously. Lew grew up in the Sugarhouse area going to school at Forest, Irving Jr. High and graduating from South High School in 1937. He entered the University of Utah that year and continued his education until he was drafted in 1942. After basic training in Texas he was assigned as a 2nd Lieutenant to the Station Hospital at Frederick Army Air Field in Oklahoma. He served there until WWII ended. He left as a Captain in the Medical Service Corp. He remained in the Army Reserves as the Adjutant of the 328th General Hospital for the next 20 years retiring as a Major. Lew finished his education at the University of Utah with a PHD in Zoology in 1955 where he remained as a Professor of Biology until he retired in 1989. His research interest involved mosquitos and other insects and resulted in 90 publications and four manuals. His research involved collection throughout the Western US, Canada, Panama, Sweden, Norway, Mexico and New Foundland. He taught courses in Biology, Zoology and Entomology and directed the graduate studies of twenty-seven Masters Degrees and eleven PHD’s. Lew was active with the American Mosquito Control Association where he served as President of both organizations and was made honorary member of each. After his retirement, Lew remained active with his mosquito research, publishing several paper & identification manuals on the mosquitos of Utah and New Mexico. He also enjoyed classical, operatic and jazz music, hunting, fishing and spending time at his Christmas Meadows Cabin in the Uinta Mountains.
Lew was a remarkable man in his profession, loved his family and treasured his many friends. Memories of this gentle giant will be cherished by everyone that had the privilege to be part of his life. His request for no viewing or service will be honored. He wished to be remembered for the good times and the long term loving relationships that gave him so much pleasure and happiness.
Lew requested cremation under the direction of the Wasatch Lawn Mortuary and his ashes spread at the Christmas Meadows property.
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