Eric Scofield Nielsen

Eric Scofield Nielsen passed away on July 19, 2026, at the age of 71. He was born on January 1, 1955, in Eugene, Oregon, the first baby born in Eugene that year, to Evald and Elizabeth Nielsen.

Eric earned his civil engineering degree in 1979 from Oregon State University and went on to spend his entire career as a civil engineer in the aviation industry. Aviation wasn't just his profession; it was a passion, including obtaining a pilot’s license and acquiring vast knowledge about airplanes. He grew up skiing in Oregon, and after moving to Florida in the 1980s, he traded the slopes for the waves, discovering a new passion for surfing that stayed with him for the rest of his life. Eric always loved having a project to pour himself into, whether it was photography, restoring classic cars, handcrafting surfboards, or building a wooden sailboat.

Eric was the devoted husband of the late Mary Elaine Nielsen, the love of his life, for 44 years. He was a loving father to his sons Paul (Lauren) Nielsen and the late Lars Nielsen, and his daughter Kirsten (Matthew) McElhinney. He was "Papa" to his beloved grandchildren, Elizabeth, Tate, Anne, and Nolan.

He was predeceased by his wife, Elaine; his son, Lars; and his parents, Evald and Elizabeth Nielsen. He is survived by his sister, Kitty (Kathryn) Nielsen, and her husband, Larry Lawson; his children, Paul (Lauren) Nielsen and Kirsten (Matthew) McElhinney; his grandchildren, Elizabeth, Tate, Anne, and Nolan; and many nieces and nephews.

Eric is deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.