Former professor dies at 78

Stephen Nielsen, former UNLV Department of Communications director and longtime professor, died Wednesday of pneumonia. He was 78.

Nielsen, an avid gardener, singer and teacher, was a communications professor for nearly 30 years at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and served as director of the department for several years in the early 1990s.

He retired as a professor emeritus in 1998.

"He loved the students," said his wife of 55 years, MarDean Nielsen. "He loved to counsel them."

UNLV assistant professor of journalism Mary Hausch called him "a good colleague with a great sense of humor that made him a fun person to work for. I enjoyed working for him and with him."

Nielsen, an Idaho native, maintained an elaborate garden at his Las Vegas home, growing various fruits and vegetables including corn stalks that grew 8 feet tall.

"He loved to work in the soil," MarDean Nielsen said.

He also enjoyed singing and traveling for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After his retirement he served a second mission for the church with his wife in England and Canada.

He is survived by his wife, four daughters, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the LDS temple at 877 Temple View Drive, near Hollywood Boulevard and Bonanza Road. A viewing will begin at 9 a.m.

Contact reporter Lawrence Mower at lmower@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0440.