EINAR NILSSON

1901-1989

Einar Nilsson, a retired electrical engineer, died of pneumonia on December 13, 1989, aged 88. He was born in Malmö, Sweden, and for forty-four years worked for the Pacific Gas and Electric Company before retiring in 1966. For the past eighteen years, he lived in Carmel, California.

During World War II, Einar worked in the Special Forces Section of the Military Planning Division of the Office of the Quartermaster General, where he was extremely resouceful and popular. A big man, with black hair, flashing eyes and an eager grin, Einar was always imaginative, practical and ready to help others. As a valuable member of the Alaskan Test Expedition of 1942, he made the third ascent of Mount McKinley while testing Army clothing and equipment. His ingenuity was continually proved on this expedition. On one occasion high on the mountain when an extra pair of snowshoes was needed, he made snowshoes from scraps of wood and extra shoelaces. Einar’s love of wild country and the mountains was very basic to his character.

He joined the American Alpine Club in 1943. He was a life member of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, of the Sierra Club and the Save- the-Redwoods League and a member of the photographic workshop of the Carmel Foundation.

His wife Annie survives him, as well as his daughter Cece Waldron and two grandchildren.

Robert H. Bates