"Spencer was
a wonderful
son, an
incredible
young man.
He had
accomplished
so much in
his short
life. He had
so much more
to
accomplish,
but God had
other plans
for him. It
was always
his dream to
ski for the
University
of Colorado.
He had been
a Buff since
an early
age, as both
my wife and
I are
alumni. He
was very
proud to
wear the CU
speed suit
and the
buffalo logo
on his
helmet. He
had a great
freshman
season, but
he was not
content with
those
results. It
was his goal
to be an
All-American,
captain of
the team and
lead the
team to the
National
Championship.
I know in my
heart that
he would
have done
that. We are
overwhelmed
by the love
and support
from the CU
Nation. We
love the
University,
Coach Rokos
and all of
the Ski Team
athletes.
They will
forever be
in our
hearts. It
is our hope
that
Spencer's
spirit lives
on in each
of his
teammates
and helps
them to the
NCAA title
this year.
Go Buffs!"
-Peter
Nelson,
father
"When Spence
was about 5
or 6 years
old his
family came
to Camp
Nelson, his
persistance
was evident
at an early
age. His
father was
helping
Uncle John
with a
building
project,
(the boat
house deck)
and he told
Spence he
would take
him for a
canoe ride
when was
done. Spence
stood by
thier side,
paddle in
hand, ready
to go for
hours, smile
on his face.
I will never
forget his
words as he
was standing
there, 'Dad,
Dad, Dad,
Dad, Dad,'
he figured
he would
help get
things going
by cheering
them on.
Peter finaly
looked at
John and
said I'm
going
canoeing
with my son
I'll be back
later, and
he did.
Always ready
for action
but gentle
soal, I
could keep
writing
about him
and his
family for
hours
because they
make my life
and my
families
life whole.
He will
always be
with us."
-LeAnn
Nelson,
Spencer's
aunt
"Spencer
was a dear
son,
brother,
grandson,
teammate and
friend. The
fact that
Spencer is
no longer
with us is
still beyond
our wildest
imagination.
Only belief
that his
spirit is in
place we all
will meet
one day
again can
give us the
strength to
cope with
it. We
cannot ease
the sorrow
of his
family, but
we know we
will love,
honor and
cherish
Spencer in
our fondest
memories for
the rest of
our lives."
-Richard
Rokos, CU
ski coach
"I have
never met
anyone who
was so
excited
about
absolutely
everything
in life as
much as
Spencer.
Like most
know, he was
always
smiling and
always
happy. Every
person he
met was
immediately
his friend
because his
joy and
passion for
life spread
easily.
"Spencer
belonged
outdoors and
in nature.
Whether
skiing,
hiking, or
biking, he
was always
up for an
adventure. I
was
fortunate
enough to be
with Spencer
when we
climbed his
17th 14er.
We had
planned on
camping and
climbing
Quandry on a
day in early
July.
Sitting
around the
campfire
watching the
sun set,
Spencer
suggested
that we
climb the
peak at
midnight. We
all laughed
and
dismissed
his idea,
but sure
enough,
guided by
Spencer's
enthusiasm,
we all
started the
trek up the
mountain
under the
stars and
moonlight.
Four hours
later, and
we had made
it to the
14,000-foot
summit. From
the top we
stared out
at hundreds
of miles of
jagged
mountains,
just as the
moon
disappeared
behind a
ridge.
"Its
adventures
like these
that no one
else would
take that
seemed to
fuel Spencer
that night.
I am so
appreciative
to have
known
Spencer and
been able to
see the
things I
have seen
because of
him. Our
team will
deeply miss
him.
"We all
love you so
much
Spencer."
-Eric Davis,
CU teammate
"Spencer
embodied the
notions of
motivation,
ambition and
"joie de
vivre"
(meaning
"happiness
to live").
He was a
hard worker
and always
the one to
take an
extra run on
the hill.
When working
out, he was
always at
100 percent,
minimum. He
knew what he
wanted to
become a
champion.
His
approach to
life he has
always been
a champion,
always
smiling and
optimistic,
his constant
curiosity
animated
impassioned
conversations
about skiing
and sports.
I cannot
express how
much we will
all miss
him, but I
can say that
he inspired
me and
everyone who
met him.
"Spencer
was a loved
friend and
teammate.
His smile
will
accompany us
forever; we
will never
forget you
Spencer."
-Gabriel
Rivas, CU
teammate
In
lieu
of
flowers,
the
family
is
asking
those
wishing
to
make
a
donation
to
do
the
Spencer
Nelson
Memorial
Gift
Fund
through
the
University
of
Colorado
Foundation
and
at
Wells
Fargo.
For
more
information
about
the
CU
Foundation
fund,
contact
Scott
McMichael
or
Rachel
Kulkarni
at
(303)
492-2200,
or
people
can
make
checks
out
to
the
CU
Foundation
and
put
Spencer
Nelson
in
the
memo
field
and
mail
them
to:
University
of
Colorado
Buff
Club
or
Ski
Team
369
UCB
Boulder,
CO
80309-0369
