Sad news about a great one many of us knew

[Evan B]

Got this email this morning. I knew Don through work, and he was always the kindest person to talk to on the phone. I've missed chatting with him since he closed his shop, River City Fly Fishing, two years ago.

(email below)

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I don't enjoy being the bearer of bad news but each of you are among a large community of friends and colleagues of Don Nelson who passed away last Wednesday.



Here is the link to the notice that has been posted by the family.

Donald Nelson Obituary - Portland, OR

Celebrate the life of Donald Nelson, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Finley Sunset Hills Mortuary.

www.dignitymemorial.com

A celebration of his life is to be scheduled for the public in August. More information to come on the date, time and place. Please share this with all who knew him.



Jerry

 

[SurfnFish]

sunny riffles forever, Don

 

[clarkman]

Shit, that really sucks. What an awesome dude!

 

[SteelheadBee]

He was such a generous man. When I planned a trip for my daughter when she was 8years old - we went to his flyshop, Don threw in a whole lot of extras in her shopping bag for free (he was known to do that) and it made an impact on us. Sad to hear about this.

 

[Snakes]

Ah, shit...thank you for sharing and I'm sorry to hear that. I knew Don well through his shop. I worked in an office park just a short walk away from his store, and for many years, that was my lunch break. Had similar experiences to others in terms of his generosity. And if you look through my fly tying stuff you'll find lots of River City in there. My signature move was to buy the less expensive dubbing from the BACK of the rack, instead of the expensive stuff at the front. I'd legit save anywhere from .19 to .75 cents every time.

He fought a few health battles during the time that I knew him well. And I'll be dammed if it didn't make him funnier every time he won.

Favorite super quick story: I referred a few non-fly fishers to that store that were looking to buy gifts or something for friends. Eventually I quit referring the non-flyfishing crowd. They just didn't understand it. My rave reviews were looked at with a little more of a puzzled response...like, "there's just a few old dudes sitting around in there. And I can't find shit with all the clutter. No one even looked up to say hi." Hahaha.