Glenn Nielson remembered

Philanthropist gave much to the community and BYU-Hawaii. Adapted from a Ke’Alaka’i news article written by Melinda Champlin, Nov. 4, 1998

Glenn E. Nielson died at his home in Cody, Wyoming, Monday, Oct. 19, 1998. He is survived by his wife, Olive; their five children; 35 grandchildren; and 68 great-grandchildren. Nielson and his wife had been married almost 70 years.

Nielson will be remembered by many at BYU-Hawaii for the generous contributions he made to finance students' educations. His granddaughter Olive Teresa Kimball, a resident of the Townhouses, remembers him for the love and concern he showed to his family.

"I knew him as the grandfather who greeted me at the door with a big kiss and hug," she said.

The Nielsons' interest in BYUH began when they were passing through Hawaii on their way to Samoa. Olive's father, Edward J. Wood, was the first missionary to serve in Samoa, and the Nielsons were completing research for a book Olive was writing.

"They were inspired by the university here," said Kimball.

Kimball reports that her grandparents also donated a significant amount of money to BYU in Provo and Ricks College.

Nielson's generosity extended beyond universities. He also helped build many church buildings as well as the Cody Medical Building and the Buffalo Bill Historical Center.

Nielson was born in Aetna, Alberta, Canada, on May 26, 1903. He graduated from the University of Alberta with a degree in agriculture and economics.

Told by his brother that he would never amount to anything more than a farmer, Nielson proved him wrong by moving to Wyoming and becoming a major partner in the petroleum company that became known as Husky. Nielson eventually bought out his partners and maintained ownership of Husky.

Known as "Mr. Asphalt" throughout the region due to his success in the petroleum world, Nielson's company also operated eight charcoal plants and 13 steel warehousing and fabricating plants from Chicago to the West Coast.

"It's really the Cinderella story of America," said Kimball. "He came here and worked hard and smart. Because of that, he was successful."

Nielson was very active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a full-time mission in both England and California in his late teens. In 1973, he was called to serve as mission president for four years in the Washington, D.C. mission.

"They had a lot to do with building the D.C. temple," Kimball said.

Nielson also served as stake president for the Big Horn Stake for a period of 15 years. He served as a regional representative and a member of the Church Finance Committee in Salt Lake. Nielson was a stake patriarch until his death.