Roll Call Tribute

COL (Ret) Peter Edward Nielsen, MD 

August 16, 1960 - August 23, 2024 

COL (Ret) Peter Edward Nielsen, MD, was born on August 16, 1960, in New Orleans, LA to parents Edward Lewis Nielsen and Judith Marie Hansen Nielsen. He was baptized at the Norwegian Seaman’s Church and confirmed at Kinsmen Lutheran in Houston, TX.

He was an Eagle Scout and graduated from Cypress Fairbanks High School in 1978 in Houston, and from Texas A&M with a B.S. in Biochemistry in 1982. He was awarded an HPSP scholarship from the Army and attended The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio Medical School. During this time, Peter met his wife, Cheryl Swayze and they married in August 1986. Upon his graduation in 1987, he completed an OB/GYN residency at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, TX, followed by a fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine at the University of Texas Houston Medical School.

His military assignments included tours in Berlin and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany; Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, WA; and Western Region Medical Command Assistant Chief of Staff for Clinical Operations at Joint Base Lewis McChord. Additionally, he served as the OB/GYN consultant to The U.S. Army Surgeon General for 12 years and was awarded the Lewis Aspen Mologne Award in 2008. He served two combat deployments in Iraq during Operational Iraqi Freedom in 2005 and 2011.

In 2013, he graduated from the U.S. Army War College and was awarded the Army War College Foundation Personal Experience Monograph Writing Award, outlining the first State Department support hospital system in Iraq.

At his final assignment, Peter served as the Hospital Commander at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. There, he secured partnerships with all state VA hospitals and as a result of his leadership Congress appropriated funding for a new hospital. He was awarded the Visionary Leadership Award for his leadership in Ebola Virus Preparation. On June 24, 2016, he completed his command and was awarded the prestigious Distinguished Service Medal. Peter’s notable service also includes the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (6th Award), Army Commendation Medal (5th Award), Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Superior Unit Award, along with multiple service and deployment ribbons.

From 2016 to 2021, he served as Obstetrician in Chief at The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, TX, before joining UT Health San Antonio until his death.

Peter’s life was a testament to his faith, family and service. He and wife Cheryl of 38 years were blessed with three children and two grandchildren. He taught Sunday School, served in numerous church roles, and enjoyed fellowship in his Bible study groups. He was a committed leader in the Boy Scouts of America and a devoted supporter of his children’s swim teams. Peter was a proud Fightin’ Texas Aggie and had a passion for traveling, military and family history. The family deeply appreciates the outpouring of love, prayers and support during this time.

Peter passed away on August 23, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Judith Nielsen. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Nielsen; daughter Kristin (McKinley) Soult, sons Karl (Evan) Nielsen and Erik (Carol) Nielsen; grandchildren, Malachi and Olive Soult; brother Hans (Cindy) Nielsen; sisters Anne-Marie (Leon) Hayduchok and Karen Nielsen; mother-in-law Donna Hendrickson; sister-in-law Holli (Greg) Brunsman; brother-in-law Sam H. (Janis) Tubb III and extended loving family.

The family will receive visitors on Sunday, September 22, 2024 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Klein Funeral Home Champions Forest. Services will be held on Monday, September 23, 2024 at 10:30 am at Kinsmen Lutheran Church, Houston, TX with internment at Houston National Cemetery at 2:15 pm. Guests are invited to wear red, white, and/or blue.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Christian Medical and Dental Associations at cmda.org/donate, then select “Give Where Most Needed,” or mail to CMDA, PO Box 7500, Bristol, TN 37621.