Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Fatal tractor accident in Healdsburg

Tractor doing weed abatement rolls over operator in hillside neighborhood.

The corner of Rosewood Dr. and Clear Ridge Rd. is in a semi-rural development with comfortable homes on large lots with grass-covered hillsides. Those hillsides were the scene of a fatal tractor accident on early Saturday morning, when Gene K. Nelson, 53, lost his life helping out a friend.

Nelson, a member of , was driving his own tractor, clearing brush on property he was familiar with, that of George “Jerry” Campbell. The accident occurred out of sight and hearing of the Campbell residence on Rosewood Dr., and the accident was discovered by a neighbor out walking her dog.

Both and Healdsburg responded to the 8:06 am call. The injuries were determined to be instantly fatal, and Fire personnel assisted the Coroner’s Office in extricating the trapped operator.

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“He was one of the quiet forces behind getting things done,” said Carol Finwall of the Healdsburg Community Church, filling in as administrative assistant on Monday morning  for the deceased’s wife, Susan Nelson.

“He was sweet, kind, gentle – and so supportive of his wife working here.” Susan Nelson is the pianist in the , said Finwall, and she added that Gene “was at times her page turner.” The Nelsons have three grown daughters.

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Gene Nelson apparently worked as a winery equipment and supplies specialist, specializing in wood tanks for the A Bellagio Wood Tank Company.

A somber recognition was given to Gene Nelson during services on Sunday, the day following the accident. Formal services are being planned for later in the week.


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