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David Oscar Nellemann

August 8, 1933 - July 11, 2024

David Oscar Nellemann David Oscar Nellemann

On Thursday, July 11, 2024, David Oscar Nellemann, loving husband to Lynne Edeen O’Shea, proud father of his son Mark (Kimberley), daughter Laura and grandfather to Laura’s children, Haley and Erik, died a month short of being 91 in Northwestern Medicine’s Delnor Hospital, Geneva, IL. With his parents, Oscar and Bernice (nee) Urbelis and two younger brothers, Richard and Robert (deceased), he grew up 25 miles from Chicago in East Chicago, Il. The majority of his life was spent in Chicago, IL. Washington, DC was also home to him as well as myriad client sites around the world. 

Given his expertise in the design of computer-based management information systems and the development of standards for the GAO—Government Accountability Office, his reputation grew as an advocate for financial “best practices.” The GAO was particularly important as it provided Congress, the heads of executive agencies and the public with fact-based, non-partisan information used to save taxpayer dollars. Corporate CEOs, boards of directors and military brass considered him a confidant and leading-edge expert – “a force to be reckoned with”. While in Washington, DC, David was responsible for reviewing and evaluating financial, logistics and communications systems in the Department of Defense, NASA—The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the State Department and AID – Agency for International Development. 

Prior to joining GAO, David’s 30 years working with colleagues in Chicago-based Andersen Worldwide and Andersen Consulting led him to the positions of Managing Partner for the Firm’s Industry Program and Managing Partner of its Manufacturing Industry Consulting Practice. He was a CPA (Certified Public Accountant), CGA (Certified Government Accountant) and CPM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management). A member of Pi Alpha Alpha, the national honor society in public administration, he earned his BS from Purdue University, MBA from Northwestern University and MPA in budgeting and public finance from George Washington University. 

Giving back to others was clearly important to David. After retiring from Andersen Consulting, he taught for more than a decade at business schools in the Chicago area — DePaul, Northwestern and Lake Forest universities. His thought leadership led to articles on cost management, financial reporting, enterprise planning and control systems. He served on dozens of philanthropic boards of directors from the Audubon Society, Sierra Club, the National Parks Conservation Association to Meals on Wheels. A long-standing affiliation was participation on the Board of Directors for Chicago’s Goodman Theater and as Treasurer of the Barrington, IL chapter and Executive Committee for the city’s Lyric Opera. He wore a Green Jacket at the University Club of Chicago indicating significant recruitment of new members. His philanthropic contributions covered 40-50 organizations annually.

A member of St. Mark’s Anglican Church in St. Charles, IL, his extensive home library went from various Bibles to books on Winston Churchill, J. Robert Oppenheimer, Stephen Hawking, and Elon Musk. Like many of you, those yellow covers of National Geographic were a staple in his home as were Trains, Scientific America, and the New Yorker. Music instruction and busts of famous composers lined the shelves alongside his piano. His daughter Laura fondly remembers him singing Frank Sinatra’s My Way from his private collection of all his Sinatra record albums. Amazon Prime drivers knew him well as did Alexa.

Including his military service as a field artillery officer in the Korean War, David’s life was an adventure, from single engine Concorde jets to Congressional testimony. He’s been described as athletic, authentic, gregarious, supportive, quick-witted, big hearted, with amazing intelligence matched by constant curiosity. From the Northern Lights to South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, scuba diving in Pacific waters, fishing in Costa Rica with his son Mark, golfing in Scotland, crossing America on Harley- Davidsons with his wife, Lynne, shooting upland game or piloting his Piper Cherokee, N3686W (the W called out as whiskey), David’s life has been an adventure. Partner. Pilot. Player. Playful. Perceptive. Patriotic. Perceptive. Psephological. Professor. Piano player. Philanthropist. Should a Legacy.com writer ask what hobby he liked best, and with blue eyes twinkling, the answer would be flying. He has, indeed, flown, earning the respect of family and friends.

Condolences


from ,

"David has been a wonderful friend and neighbor, with Lynne, for many years.He was unique and fascinating, with a great many interests, from sports, flying, finance, education, philanthropy, and HOA management.He took on life’s challenges with focus, energy and perseverance.An inspiration.We will miss him.Jim and Marybeth McGreevy"


Ben and Rebecca from Woodway, TX

"We are thinking about you and praying for you."


Richard Nelleman from Hudsonville, MI

"Brother Dave, we have so many fantastic memories of our lives. We will miss you and Lynne visiting Michigan and your conversations can’t be beat. When someone you love becomes a memory that Memory becomes a treasure. Now it’s time for you to rest in peace. Love, Rich and Betty❤️❤️"


lynne o'shea nellemann from chicago, IL

"Hope all is well"


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