Page 11 - Flathead Beacon // 4.29.15

FLATHEADBEACON.COM NEWS
Van Kirke Nelson, Kalispell’s Pioneering Doctor, Dies
APRIL 29, 2015 | 11
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Nelson leaves behind a
the region’s modern health care services. Over his 41-year career, he became the town’s preeminent doctor, answer- ing calls at all hours of the day while mentoring many of the valley’s next gen- eration of young doctors. He regularly traveled to the Blackfeet Reservation to provide health services to those in need. He fought in the political arena for patients who were not receiving appro- priate care and was the largest provider for the pregnant Medicaid population in
the valley, never turning away anyone. He helped co-found the ALERT Air Ambulance, one of the state’s first hos- pital-based helicopters that now trans- ports more than 300 patients a year and provides life support and care over a 350-mile range. Montana’s first rural emergency air service, ALERT has saved
more than 1,420 lives.
He served on several community
boards along with his wife, Helen. Former U.S. Sen. Max Baucus gave a speech on the Senate floor in Washing- ton D.C. on July 15, 2002, praising Nel- son’s legacy “that has enriched the very
fabric of the community.”
Nelson once delivered six babies in
a single day. All together, he personally delivered more than 4,900 newborns throughout his career in Kalispell, Bau-
cus said.
“But the quality of Kirke’s career
cannot be measured in numbers,” Bau- cus continued. “Every day he changed lives and made the Flathead Valley and Montana a better place to live.”
In 2013, Nelson and his wife received Flathead Valley Community College’s Montana Mentor Award, which hon- ors community leaders who exemplify the meaning of mentor. That same year, Nelson received Great Chief Award, the oldest and most prestigious honor in the Kalispell community.
Outside of his distinguished work, Nelson was a renowned art collector. He assembled one of the most extensive collections of Western art in Montana, with paintings and bronzes from the early 1900s, which were featured in his art gallery, Glacier Gallery. Nelson’s col- lection included several works by Mon- tana’s iconic artist Charles M. Russell.
Last summer the Hockaday Museum of Art featured a public exhibit of the Nelsons’ private art collection, touting it as “rare public display of elements of a world-class collection.”
Nelson was recognized at last week- end’s annual ALERT banquet.
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co
remarkable legacy as a beloved community icon and steward
By DILLON TABISH of the Beacon
Dr. Van Kirke Nelson, a longtime physician in Kalispell who laid the foun- dation for Northwest Montana’s modern health care services, fought for patients who were without appropriate care and also assembled a world-class art collec- tion, died at his home on Saturday. He was 83.
A memorial reception will be held from 2-5 p.m., Sunday, May 17 at the Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp near Lakeside, according to a death notice published Wednesday in the Daily Inter Lake.
Nelson leaves behind a remarkable legacy as a beloved community icon and steward.
In 1962, he became Kalispell’s first medical specialist to set up practice as an OB-GYN. He later helped establish the Flathead Outpatient Surgical Cen- ter, essentially laying the foundation for
Firefighters Battle Grass Fire
Ashley Meadows Lane fire the latest blaze in recent weeks
By JUSTIN FRANZ of the Beacon
Firefighters from around the valley contained a 6-acre grass fire that took off and threatened two homes south of Kalispell on April 22.
According to a firefighter on scene, a man was burning grass on his property near Ashley Meadows Lane when the winds changed at about 3 p.m. and spread the blaze to the surrounding property.
Firefighters from the state’s Depart- ment of Natural Resources and Conser- vation, Kalispell, South Kalispell, Ev- ergreen, Smith Valley, West Valley and Somers all responded.
Crews were able to contain the blaze shortly before 4 p.m.
Last week’s fire was the latest to spark in the Flathead Valley in recent
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South of Kalispell
A grass fire burns south of Kalispell on April 22. GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
days. Two weeks ago a large fire erupted at a salvage yard in Somers. Before that, a debris burn escaped and threatened homes off Shelter Ridge Road.
“Until things green up any dead grass will burn,” said DNRC Fire Pre- vention Specialist Ali Ulwelling.
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