One of the things Barry Nilson remembers about his father Torkel Nilson was how he made decisions and acted on them.
“Once he made a decision, he moved and he moved fast,” Barry said.
This quality of making a decision and sticking to it can be seen throughout Torkel’s life — from joining the Swedish navy, to meeting and marrying his wife, to joining the Redmond City Council.
Torkel, who served on the council from 1970-73 died on March 23 in Redmond. He was 88 years old. He is survived by four children, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Barry — a deputy fire marshal who has worked for the Redmond Fire Department for 22 years — is third in line among Torkel’s two sons and two daughters. He has an older sister and brother and a younger sister.
FAMILY HISTORY
Torkel was born in a small village in central Sweden. At the age of 16, he joined the Swedish navy, but because he was too young, Barry said his father had to get a signed letter from the king of Sweden to be able to serve. A permission slip from the king, Barry said with a laugh.
Torkel served in World War II, during which Sweden was neutral. After that, he immigrated to the Saskatchewan region of Canada, where some of his relatives were living. Torkel then moved to Mineral, Wash. near Mount Rainier.
It was there that Torkel met his future wife, Barry’s mother Doreen, who was in town from Seattle visiting relatives, in 1948. Barry said the two met at a dance during Memorial Day weekend. Torkel was looking for someone who knew a Swedish dance called the schottis. Doreen, who had no Swedish heritage, was the only one who was familiar with it.
Barry said Torkel had to return to Sweden for a few months, but he and Doreen exchanged letters — for which Torkel had to learn English. The two married in September of 1949.
After that, the couple moved to Seattle. They started their family and in the summer of 1968, they moved to Redmond.
Barry, who was 11 at the time, said he and his siblings all graduated from Redmond High School.
SERVING THE CITY
Torkel joined the Redmond City Council in 1970.
“I’m not sure what egged him on to join,” Barry said.
And while the reason behind Torkel’s choice to run and serve on council may be a bit of a mystery, there is no doubt that he put his term to good use.
Torkel played a large role in preserving the Redmond Watershed. Barry said the area had been slated to become a small regional airport. As a teenager at the time, he said he was aware of the work his father was doing on the council, but he didn’t really realize the importance of preserving the watershed until about 15 years ago when the area’s trails were being developed.
“Now I understand what he did,” Barry said about his thoughts at the time.
In addition, Torkel supported development where the Hyatt House hotel is now located. Barry said Torkel also worked to outlaw pinball machines in bars and taverns as they led to gambling.
In the late 1970s, Torkel owned the property next to Fire Station 11 and was one of the earliest proponents of multi-story live-work space, which ultimately became a foundational element of the current model of several new developments in the city.
“The city appreciates Mr. Nilson’s past service to his community and our thoughts are with his family during this tough time,” said Redmond Mayor John Marchione.
CIVIC MINDED
The Redmond community was always important to Torkel. Former Redmond City Council member and mayor Doreen Marchione said he was always active in the community — even after he left the council. She added that Torkel supported her when she ran for council in the late 1970s.
“He encouraged us to run for the council,” she said, referring to herself and another former council member who had served before she joined in 1977.
Former Redmond council member Pat Vache agreed that Torkel was always civic minded. He said he would run into the other man at a local cafe every now and then and they would talk about Redmond. Vache added that Torkel knew a lot about the city and was interesting to talk to.
“Wish I’d have known him better,” he said.
A STERN BUT FAIR FATHER
As a father, Barry said Torkel was stern but fair and his presence always made Barry straighten up a bit. Barry said his father never cared what any of his children did for a living, as long as they were happy. Barry was the only one of Torkel’s four children to follow in their father’s footsteps and go into the construction business. Torkel developed a number of properties around Redmond, some of which are still standing, Barry said.
When asked about his favorite memory of his father, Barry said there is nothing specific as he has been flooded with so many, but he does remember his father’s smile.
Service and life stories information is being developed by Torkel’s family and will be posted as soon as it comes available at www.cascadememorial.com.
