He was born Feb. 12, 1954, in central Virginia, son of the late Dr. Lawrence Gerald Nelson Sr. and Antoinette Dalton Nelson. In addition to his parents, Lars was preceded in death by his sister, Judith Nelson.

Lars spent his childhood with his family living on the campus of Sweet Briar College where his father worked as a professor of English and his mother taught Latin. During adolescence, he spent his summers at Nature Camp, which figured prominently in his life and inspired his career as a geologist. He first attended as a camper, then worked there as a camp counselor in his twenties and again for a few summers later in life.

He was a graduate of the University of Virginia where he studied environmental science and then began a career in Geology. He worked as a professional geologist for over a decade, spending the majority of that time as a geologist for Solite Cooperation in Richmond. He then went back to school to get a masters degree in teaching and became a science teacher at Rockbridge County High School.

Lars is survived by his two daughters, Lori Chamberlin and husband Chris Chamberlin, and Jennifer Hurley and husband Patrick Hurley; three grandchildren, Dylan Chamberlin, Larkin Chamberlin and Charles Hurley; his good friends, Cindy Nelson and Cheryl Dupuy; and his brother in-law, Page Nelson.

A small service will be announced at a later date. NG