David K. Nelson, 42, a Helena native who was the Bureau of Land Management's regional economist in Billings, died Sunday at Deaconess Medical Center in Billings of acute leukemia.

He was born April 5, 1947, in Helena to Robert and Hope Nelson.  He graduated from Helena High School in 1965 and received a masters degree in economics from Montana State University.

He was an Army veteran who taught English to Koreans while he served in that country.  After his discharge he worked for the Veterans Administration in San Francisco.  Later he worked for BLM in Battle Mountain, Nev., and in Butte before accepting the post in Billings.

He belonged to many conservation organizations, including the Sierra Club.

Survivors include his parents; his fiancee, Joan Trent of Billings; several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Memorial services are 2 p.m. Wednesday in Smiths Downtown Chapel in Billings.  Cremation has taken place.

Printed in the Helena Independent Record on June 6, 1989.