Obituary: Talmage W. Nielsen

Talmage W. Nielsen 1924 ~ 2006 Talmage W. Nielsen, prominent physician, loving husband, devoted father and grandfather, loyal friend, inspirational teacher, passed away November 10, 2006 at age 82. He was the personal surgeon to President Howard W. Hunter, Elder Bruce R. McConkie, and Elder Neal A. Maxwell. He was born in Monroe, Utah October 1, 1924 son of Zeraldo N. and Nellie Emma Whiting. He attended the University of Utah and Harvard Medical schools, where he received the John Harvard Fellowship, a mark of academic distinction, in 1948. He married Dorothy Levie March 12, 1946 in the Manti Temple. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; sisters, Eunice Kay, and Carma Conn; four daughters and one son, Claudia Evans, Tamera Cardon, Kristen Palmer, Kathryn Reeves, and Stanley Talmage Nielsen; 23 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. He completed his specialty training at Massachusetts General Hospital. Doctor Nielsen was a Diplomat of the American Board of Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He entered the United States Army serving at the William Beaumont Hospital as chief of the surgical service. He practiced at the LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City and had affiliation with the Primary Children's and University hospitals. He served as the president of the Salt Lake Surgical Society, as chairman of the Department of Surgery, and Medical Education director at the LDS Hospital. He was the chief medical consultant for the Division of Disability Determinations Services where he received a citation from the President's Committee for the Employment of the Handicapped. Elder Nielsen was the first area medical director for the LDS Church in the South America North Area and also in the Europe East Area. He was the assistant director of Church Hosting and the director of the Hawaiian Temple Visitors Center. Elder Nielsen has born his testimony in Spanish, German, and English on three continents. He stated, "I'm not concerned about the praise of men, but am anxious about my ability to receive a warm introduction on the other side of the veil. I hope that my love for the Gospel of Christ and for its Author will enable me to find a place there." Funeral services will be held at 12 noon, Friday, November 17, 2006 at the Monument Park Stake Center, 1320 South Wasatch Drive. Viewings, Thursday, November 16th from 6-8 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah and Friday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Monument Park Stake Center. Interment, Mt. View Memorial Cemetery, 7800 South 3115 East.