The Chief Engineers Club of Kalamazoo Valley Scholarship Fund is an annual scholarship for a full-time student pursuing a degree at the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at WMU. The first scholarship was awarded in the 2015-16 school year in memorial of John Nelson. The 2016-17 scholarship is sponsored by the Chief Engineers Club and Galloup of the Kendall Group.
The Chief Engineers Club of Kalamazoo was founded in the 1950s during the industry boom post World War II. The non-profit club is designed for networking, promoting fellowship, and providing a space for presentation and discussion. The also host an annual golf outing, boasted as the best in the industry.
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About John W. Nelson
John Nelson was born on July 20, 1950 in Traverse City, Michigan and spent most of his childhood growing up in Lake Ann, Michigan. John graduated from Portage Central High School in 1968 and proudly served in the Army National Guard Reserves of Michigan from 1969-75.
John enjoyed working in Building Trades Construction and graduated from the Lindbergh Apprenticeship School in 1975. He received his Master Plumbers license in 1976, which he maintained throughout his career and was a member of the United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 357 for 43 years.
John worked as a Project Manager for the W. Soule Company for 20 years and held the company's Master Plumbers license for his entire tenure. He also worked as Field Superintendent for Jacobs Construction at Pfizer for three years until he retired in May of 2012. After his retirement John spent his time working on remodeling his vacation home in Lake Ann and clearing his lot and building a camping shed at Stevens Lake, just outside of Lake Ann. He shared many fond memories of spending time there with his family, friends, and cousins at this "little piece of heaven." His hobbies were fishing, golfing, gun shows, and cooking. He was a great entertainer and everyone enjoyed his magic talents and the songs he sang and played on his guitar.
John was a member of the Society of American Magicians and an active member of the Chief Engineers Club of Kalamazoo Valley. John was also a member of Lakeland Reformed Church where he served as an Elder on the Consistory. He also served with the local chapter of the Gideons International.
He was extremely knowledgeable in most every aspect of construction and interpreting regulation and safety codes. Anyone who worked with John trusted him to resolve many complicated issues.
John had a special charismatic personality and made everyone feel very comfortable in his presence. He fought a very courageous battle with Leukemia, was dearly loved by many, and will be greatly missed. He would have been happy and proud to know that a scholarship was given in his name to a deserving young engineering student.