Ira Roland Nissen

Ira Roland Nissen was born May 14, 1921. On August 11, 2014 his family was at his side and as the sun was rising, God reached out and took Ira’s hands. At the close of hearing Psalm 23, read by his granddaughter, Ira took his last breath and was escorted home by angels.

He was a North Dakota farm boy, eldest of seven children born to William and Ruth Ellen Nissen. As a young man during the depression he worked for the CCC’s and then enlisted in the US Army in 1942. His tour of duty during WWII took him through North Africa, Italy, France, Germany and Belgium.

His wife of 52 years, Pearl, preceded him in death. They had four children, fifteen grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

Professor Nissen graduated from North Dakota State Teachers College in 1949. He received his Masters Degree in Business Administration at University of Colorado in Denver. He taught at Oregon State University, Idaho State, Montana State, and at University of Las Vegas at Nevada among others. He was a pioneer in computer education and his programs from the TRS-80 are in the Internet Archives.

His influence on the lives of those he touched went on in his missionary work. He was a counselor for the Billy Graham Crusade in Las Vegas and a member of The Gideons International, traveling to Russia and Africa to serve. He also worked with San Francisco SOS. He wrote three books documenting these experiences and his adventures walking while carrying the cross. He walked across the state of North Dakota, down the Pacific Coast Highway, and in South Korea. He walked with his cross in many places and touched the lives of so many. His friends were his family, and his students his children.

Last year he wrote, God has set a time when He plans to call us home. He did not want prayers that would hold him back from glory. Iras was 93 years old.

When he left this earth you could hear his voice singing, “This is a day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice…”

Hallelujah!

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, August 20, 12:30p.m. at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, OR.