Sidney Anthony “Tony” Nelson III, a University of Oregon freshman, died May 31 while at Wildwood Falls with friends. Nelson was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
Nelson’s friends remember him as eclectic and always making others smile.
“Even though he connected with people in different ways, he gave that same positive energy and he transcended any type of label you could put on him,” said Javier Cruz-Contreras, one of Nelson’s best friends. “He was one-of-a-kind.”
Elise Maclean, another of Nelson’s friends, agreed.
“You touched the lives of every single person you knew, even the people that you only talked to once,” Maclean said. “Your smile made everyone else smile, too.”
Maclean recalls spending late night hours on a bench outside her dorm room talking with Nelson, who never took off a bracelet that she made him.
Nelson was a multitalented computer science major interested in web development who also produced his own music and played the piano. Nelson also lived on campus at the UO, in Carson Hall.
According to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, Nelson jumped from the top of Wildwood Falls and never resurfaced.
“Our hearts go out to Mr. Nelson’s family and the community who is grieving over this tremendous loss,” Police Sgt. Carrie Carver said in a statement to The Emerald.
The dean of students also gave a statement, saying: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Tony Nelson over the weekend. His tragic and unexpected death will have a deep impact on our campus community. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.”
The UO chapter of Phi Delta Theta released a statement to the Emerald, saying, “Tony exemplified the qualities and values of our fraternity chapter and was a loyal friend to everyone. He could always make you laugh no matter what the situation and his loss is tragic.”
Since the accident, there have been counselors available to support students who live in Carson and a vigil has been planned to remember and celebrate Nelson’s life. Cruz-Contreras said the outpouring of support from the UO community is indicative of how loved Nelson was.
“That’s another thing that shows you how much Tony had an impact,” Cruz-Contreras said. “Everyone wants to help and everyone wants to be involved and remember Tony.”
“You could find a way to connect with Tony, and now Tony is finding a way to connect everyone here… We know that he’s still in our minds and in our hearts.”
A vigil to celebrate the life of Nelson will be held June 4 at 7 p.m. in the EMU Amphitheater. A GoFundMe was created on June 3 by Nelson’s family to fund his memorial service.
Follow Francesca Fontana on Twitter @francescamarief