David Charles Nelson, 78, died April 26, 2026, in New York City. He was born March 16, 1948, in El Paso, Texas, to Helen (née Tyree) Nelson and Edward Baker.
David spent most of his childhood in St. Anthony Park before moving to Willow River, Minnesota, with his mother, stepfather Ralph Nelson, and six siblings. He graduated from Willow River High School in 1966. Never one for the confines of traditional schooling, David believed wholeheartedly in the school of life. He was a voracious reader, a tireless worker and a man whose early jobs were as colorful as he was.
David had a gift for connecting with people on the margins, a place he understood well. As a young man, he worked in mental health facilities, as well as the innovative program Operation de Novo in Minneapolis.
His true vocation in book publishing began as a clerk at Micawber’s Bookstore in St. Anthony Park. He married Margaret (née Schultz) in 1971, and their only child, Erica, was named after a favorite customer—a young girl who loved to sit in the front window and read.
David also worked at the wholesaler Bookman and, in 1978, joined Viking Penguin as a Midwest sales representative. After moving to New York City in 1988, he became national sales manager at Viking Penguin, vice president of National Accounts, and in 1991 vice president and director of sales for adult hardcover and children’s books, a role he held until 1997.
In 1992, he married his second wife, Jazan Higgins, with whom he shared a love of the book business.
From 1997 to 2002, David served as vice president, director of sales at Harcourt Brace, overseeing all adult and children’s book sales. He later took on broader publishing roles, including establishing and running Midpoint’s Beaufort Books as vice president and publisher, and serving as executive editor at Sterling Publishing, where he founded the Ethos imprint dedicated to spirituality and wellness. He concluded his career as a literary agent with Waterside before retiring in 2018.
David’s professional affiliations reflected his deep commitment to the literary world. He served as vice president of the Upper Midwest Booksellers Association, sat on both the Trade Executive and Trade International Executive Committees of the Association of American Publishers, and was a member of the Milkweed Editions Advisory Board. He also served on the board of Compassion & Choices, supporting people in making end-of-life decisions with dignity.
David was a sensitive soul wrapped in a larger-than-life personality—generous, quick-witted and unforgettable. His laugh was infectious and he loved sharing it with family, friends and colleagues. He had a wide-ranging interest in spirituality, a deep love for animals and baseball, and was most at peace near water. David also loved to drive, both on road trips and simple loops around the neighborhood. His feats behind the wheel were legendary, especially in New York City traffic.
David enjoyed food immensely. He kept close tabs on the NYC restaurant scene, though the Mexican food of his childhood and roots was his favorite. David always showed up for the people he loved, and his most treasured role was being a dad to Erica and his cats. He overcame many significant challenges in his life and was sober for over 22 years when he died.
David was preceded in death by his mother, Helen; his stepfather, Ralph; his father, Edward Baker; brothers, Rick and Robert; and ex-wife, Margaret Nelson. He is survived by his second wife, Jazan Higgins, New York; his beloved daughter, Erica Nelson, Minneapolis; his sisters, Carol Taylor and Ellie (Dave) Strock; brothers, Jim Baker (Barbara Weisser) and Steve (Nancy) Nelson; and sister-in-law, Jane (Rick) Nelson.
Celebration of Life service will be held at Roselawn Cemetery Chapel on August 1. Memorial donations welcome to Alley Cat Allies, alleycat.org.