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Glen Nelson, former CEO of Park Nicollet and former vice chairman of Medtronic, has died. He was 79.


"So many think of him as a mentor and a champion," said his daughter, Diana Nelson, "someone that had a compassion for their personal lives or problems and would step in to help or provide support when needed or help them set the bar higher for themselves in what they wanted to achieve."


Glen Nelson was the son of pharmacists — and was working at his parents' Edina pharmacy by the time he was 10.

He studied medical anthropology at Harvard and medicine at the University of Minnesota. 

He went on to become a surgeon at Park Nicollet Medical Center, where he later served as CEO from 1975 until 1986. He served as vice chairman at Medtronic from 1986 until 2003. 

Later, Nelson became chairman of the board of Minute Clinic and a senior advisor to CVS Pharmacy. 

"He really had amazing energy to devote to the community," his daughter said.

Nelson was a longtime Minnesota Public Radio board member and an honorary life trustee of the company. 

His wife, Marilyn Carlson Nelson, is the former CEO of Carlson Companies. 

"His philanthropic focus was something that he and my mom partnered on together," Diana Nelson said. 

"They had a lot of joy in their philanthropic activities. Recently, they were very excited to be part of the Minnesota Orchestra's relaunch and sponsored the orchestra's tour to Cuba."

Glen Nelson died Saturday in Egypt, where he had been undergoing medical treatment.

His funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, at Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church in Minneapolis.

NewsPartners

Peter Cox

Author

Nelson was the son of pharmacists who went on to become a surgeon.  He later led Park Nicollet and Medtronic and was involved in several boards across the Twin Cities.

Glen Nelson, Twin Cities doctor, philanthropist and health care leader, dies at 79

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