WATERVILLE – With great sadness, we announce the passing of Carl E. Nelson, a beloved athletic trainer and prominent early pioneer in sports medicine. Carl passed away at his home, surrounded by family, on Feb. 26, 2023, at 92, in Waterville. Carl was born on Nov. 21, 1930, in Waltham, Mass., the son of Carl E. Nelson (Revere, Mass.) and Pearl A. Tozer (Quebec, Canada).

Carl graduated in 1949 from Newton High School, where his interest in sports medicine and physical therapy developed following a knee injury. He served in the U.S. Navy, spending two years as an assistant athletic trainer at MIT and two years as a Naval Mess Specialist aboard the submarine USS Ray.

During his years in the Navy, he was stationed at the Norfolk Navy Air Base in Virginia, where he met the love of his life, Jean Dyer Nelson. He married Jean on Sept. 4, 1954, and then moved to Waltham, Mass. where Carl studied physical therapy at Boston University. He first came to Waterville in 1959 to work at Colby College. In 1967 Carl earned a master’s from the University of Maine. Nelson loved Colby and Maine, where he and his family enjoyed fishing, boating, camping, biking, and the general outdoors until his passing. Carl also enjoyed visiting with friends and family in Bonaventure Quebec, Chamberlain and Five Islands, Maine.

He dedicated his life to sports medicine and had a remarkable 34-year career as the Director of Health Services and Head Athletic Trainer at Colby College. Nelson retired from the College in 1993 but remained active and engaged with the community, a regular fixture at games and events.

He was so highly regarded nationally and internationally in his field that he was appointed head athletic trainer for the U.S. in the 1972 Olympic Winter Games in Sapporo Japan and for the 1976 winter games in Innsbruck, Austria. During the 1980 Olympics, he directed athletic training and physical therapy services in Lake Placid, N.Y. In 1986, Nelson was elected to the National Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame, the highest honor for athletic trainers.

Carl played a pioneering role in his sports medicine profession, which was virtually non-existent when he entered the field. An article in the Waterville Morning Sentinel stated, “He was instrumental in the development of the goalie’s face mask for hockey, and he was responsible for an NCAA basketball rule change concerning protective devices used by players to protect against injuries.”

For more than 15 summers, Nelson served as director of physical therapy at the Pine Tree Camp in Rome. Nelson found his work providing services to disabled children and adults deeply meaningful and welcomed the opportunity to spend time with his family at the lake. In 2015, Pine Tree Camp honored Carl’s impact on campers spanning many generations by naming the Wellness Center after him.

In 2018, Carl was inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame as Colby’s distinguished trainer for four decades, his pioneering sports medicine in central Maine, and his 30 years as PT director at Pine Tree Camp for disabled children.

His passion for sports and commitment to helping athletes perform at their best made him an invaluable member of the Olympic community, earning him respect and admiration from colleagues and athletes alike.

In addition to his work with the Olympics, Carl was also a fixture in the local sports community. He worked with high school and college teams throughout Maine, helping athletes recover from injuries and reach their full potential. He was known for his kind and compassionate nature, always putting the needs of his patients first.

Carl’s contributions to the field of sports medicine were numerous and significant. He was a respected National Athletic Trainers’ Association member and was the organization’s president from 1975 to 1976. He was also a founding member of the Maine Athletic Trainers’ Association and served as president from 1985 to 1986.

Carl’s legacy in the world of sports medicine will not be forgotten. He inspired countless athletes and trainers to pursue their passions and achieve their goals. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and worked with him.

Carl is survived by his sister, Lorraine Williams of Jaffery, N.H.; his three sons, Douglas and his wife, Diane of Derry, N.H., Jeffery of Manchester, N.H., and Jonathan and his wife, Cara of Barre, Vt.; and four grandchildren, Ian, James, Jenny, Carl; and nieces and nephews.

Carl is predeceased by his wife, Jean Dyer Nelson; parents, Carl E. Nelson and Pearl A. Tozer; and daughter-in-law, Heather Nelson.

The family sincerely thanks Carl’s caregivers for their loving and outstanding care that allowed Carl to live at home. The presence and support of Carl’s friends, family, and Colby colleagues and coworkers is a true testament to the depth of your relationship with Carl. Your kind words and actions have been deeply appreciated by our family.

A memorial service will be held on a future date.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at http://www.VeilleuxFuneralHome.com for the Nelson family.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Veilleux and Redington Funeral Home, 8 Elm St., Waterville ME 04901.

In lieu of flowers, you can pay tribute to Carl with donations to

Pine Tree Camp

℅ Pine Tree Society,

149 Front St.

Bath, ME 04530

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