Eugene Anthony Nelssen, (died May 26, 2010) was a third-generation Arizona native, and a Scottsdale, Arizona city councilman from 2006 until his death from cancer in 2010. He is the only Scottsdale city council member to die while in office. [1]
Nelssen earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (1973), Master of Arts - Secondary Education (1975), and a Master of Fine Arts (1976) from Arizona State University (ASU). He taught Computer Arts and Photography at ASU's College of Architecture and the ASU Art Department; Phoenix College; Scottsdale Community College; and at Paradise Valley Community College. [2]
As an outdoorsman, photographer, and educator, Nelssen was always keen to share his love of the Sonoran Desert and capturing images of it to share with others. [3]
Tony Nelssen was elected with the highest number of votes in the March 2006 election. [4] While in office he continued his legacy of volunteer public service, and continued to attend city council meetings telephonically even after falling ill, until his death on May 26, 2010. [5] Nelssen was campaigning for re-election at the time of his death. He died of cancer. [6]
Nelssen was survived by his widow, Margaret Elizabeth Widing "Marg" Nelssen; son Ian Anthony Nelssen; and daughter Hannah Nelssen. [7] Marg Nelssen was appointed by Tony's colleagues on the City Council to fulfill the remainder of his term. [8]
After his death, the City of Scottsdale expanded its WestWorld Equidome equestrian facility and renamed it, "The Tony Nelssen Equestrian Center". [9]