Dr. Stuart O. Nelson

Stuart O. Nelson, 98, an internationally distinguished research engineer and scientist with the

U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), died September 26, 2025. He was born in Stanton County, NE, to the late Irvin A. and Agnes E. Nelson. He graduated from Pilger High School in1944 and enrolled immediately on a Regents scholarship in engineering at the University of Nebraska to secure more education before anticipated military service. ln 1946, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy Electronics program, spent a year in the Electronics school at Treasure Island Navy base in San Francisco Bay, and served the remainder of his 2-year enlistment as the senior Electronics Technician aboard the U.S.S. Bausell, flagship of Destroyer Division 12 in the Pacific theater. Upon discharge from the Navy, he returned to the University of Nebraska and earned a B. S. and M. S. in Agricultural Engineering, and an

M. A. in Physics, before joining the U. S. Department of Agriculture's research program at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, in 1956. Ten years later, he took leave for a year's study at Iowa State University, and, while continuing his research at Lincoln, NE, completed the Ph. D. in Engineering at Iowa State.

His research with USDA, conducted in the Department of Agricultural Engineering at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, involved dielectric properties measurements and use of radiofrequency (RF) and microwave energy for stored-grain insect control, seed treatment to improve germination and control fungi, treatment of soybeans to improve nutritional value, and sensing moisture content of grain and seed. ln 1976, he moved his laboratory to the USDA, ARS, Russell Research Center, Athens, Georgia, continuing dielectric properties measurements research, and initiating studies on fruits, vegetables and pecans. Advances in techniques for sensing moisture content in grain and seed with RF and microwave measurements followed, along with quality sensing research on fruits and vegetables, and dielectric properties measurements on pecans and food and poultry products. Contract research on dielectric properties of coal and minerals for the U. S. Department of Energy and the U. S. Bureau of Mines supplemented these studies. Grain moisture meters based on principles he researched are used commercially throughout the world.

Dr. Nelson had more than 800 publications to his credit, including articles in more than 50 engineering and scientific journals, conference and symposia proceedings, book chapters, patents, and a definitive scientific reference book on dielectric properties of agricultural materials and their applications. His work was recognized by election to Fellow grade in the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the International Microwave Power Institute (IMPI), and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Other significant honors included election to the National Academy of Engineering, the IMPI Decade Award, the National Society of Professional Engineers Founder's Gold Medal as the l-985 Federal Engineer of the Year, the ASABE McCormick- Case Gold Medal for significant engineering achievement in agriculture, the Georgia Engineering Foundation Medal of Honor, an Honorary Dr. Sc. from the University of Nebraska, induction into the University of Nebraska Biological Systems Engineering Hall of Fame, and the USDA, ARS Science Hall of Fame. He was recognized with a technical session in his honor at the 2008 meeting of the International Society for Electromagnetic Aquametry in Espoo, Finland, and was selected for the IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Society's Career Excellence Award in 2016, He retired in 2007 with 55 years of federal service and continued working as a Collaborator in the USDA laboratory that he established at the Russell Research Center in Athens, Georgia.

He was a member of St. James United Methodist Church in Athens and a member of Optimist

International, having served the Georgia District as a Distinguished and Outstanding Lt. Governor in 1988. He also served his community as Neighborhood Watch Coordinator for more than 35 years and as founding president of the Idylwood Neighborhood Association. He also served on the Athens-Clarke County Waste-Water Treatment Advisory Committee.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Joye Fricke Nelson, and brother, Don J. Nelson. Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Ellen W. Nelson, sister-in-law ChloeAnn Nelson, Lincoln, NE, son, Richard L. Nelson, Elgin, TX, daughter, Jayna S. Nelson, Woodstock, NY, granddaughter, Melodie Kaufl, Sebastapol, CA, stepdaughter, Dianne Fuller Irwin Lhotte (Ron), Fitzgerald, GA, stepson K. Drew Fuller (Erin), Atlanta, GA. step grandchildren, Sarah Irwin McCannon (Brandon), and J. Paul Irwin (Maria), Graydon Fuller and Elise Fuller, and step great grandchildren, Cadence and Vanessa McCannon and William, Dansby and Ellie Irwin.

A Memorial Service will be held (date and time to be announced) at St. James Methodist Church, Athens, with interment at a later date in Lincoln Memorial Park, Lincoln, NE.

ln lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. James United Methodist Church.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, EAST, is in charge of arrangements.

www.lordandstephens.com.