Husband, Father, Healer, Friend
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from Luke’s Journal 2019 | Laughter | Vol. 24 No.2
On 22nd May, 2019, CMDFA farewelled Dr Hugh Nelson who will be fondly remembered for his commitment to his family and for faithful service to the broken and vulnerable in the Name of his beloved Saviour.
Hugh was born in Subiaco (Western Australia) on 15th September, 1948, to Mavis and Dr Alan Nelson, the latter of whom was a founding member of CMDFWA.
Hugh graduated with an MBBS from UWA in 1973 and undertook further study at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and in Child Health. He married Suzanne (Suzy) in 1977, and together they bore three children: James, Sarah and Philippa.
His medical skills and love of community health development took him to many different frontiers including Papua New Guinea, Groote Eylandt, Alice Springs, Hong Kong and mainland China. In each case Hugh lived out his deep desire to go beyond merely treating symptoms, instead seeking to bring healing of the body, mind and soul.
He was particularly committed to aiding those afflicted by trauma, addiction or psychological distress, and his later career was especially focused on trauma counselling and prison work. The Nelson family made their home on Mt Tamborine in Queensland but Hugh also maintained his commitment to overseas medical mission, continuing to visit Timor-Leste even up until his final months. He rarely let his long battle with a neuroendocrine tumour impinge on his very active later life but ultimately passed away in the presence of his dear family, aged 70. He is survived by his wife Suzy, his three children and six (almost seven) grandchildren, and rests now in peace with Jesus.
Dr Jeremy Beckett married to Bethany Beckett, Hugh’s niece.
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