Gary Dennis Goplen

Hard Rock Cafe London July 4th, 2007

Dear Sandy and family. So sad to hear of Gary's passing. So grateful that I got to know him through work at Nelson/Cummins. Many favorite memories of traveling with Gary for work. We went to Japan together a couple of times and he always dragged me willingly along on weekend adventures to see the country. I remember taking the bullet train all the way across Japan to see the sites and enjoy the country, then zipping back to Tokyo or Osaka to just in time to begin work Monday morning. On one trip, we laid over in Honolulu and visited my sister - and again we zipped around the island to see everything we could. Traveling with Gary was always an adventure of fun and figuring out the next step. The world will miss this calm kind man. Mike Connor

It was a joy working with Gary at Nelson all those years. Condolences to Sandy and family Barbara Vaade

Gary was an inspirational husband, father and grandfather. Everyone should be lucky enough to have a man like Gary in their family. He was a great B-I-L to me and uncle to my kids. My sons looked up to him and Gary was just who my daughters needed to provide them with a gentle, caring calm presence. The world was a better place because Gary was in it. 💜

I was Gary's roommate for 2 1/2 years back in 1977-1979. We sure had a fun time! Many parties and playing music together with Gary on lead guitar, Ken Kicinski on drums and me on rythym guitar and TRYING to sing. Gary was one of those quiet, smart guys that knew so much about many things, and was always so helpful with any project at Nelson Muffler or something needing to be fixed at home. He really had that special ability to figure things out and accomplish a goal. He was obviously one of Nelson's best engineers and leaders, with his quiet, reassuring presence and ability to help people be their best person. He also was a hell of a softball player on our team for many seasons. When I think of Gary, I will always think of the long motorcycles riding trips he and I took and how he was always looking to find that one little place that was completely unique to make the memories so special. And we both had much fun off-roading on our other motorcycles, too. I remember going on a quick one week car trip to Florida, just before Sandy and him tied the knot. We went out on a snorkeling dive boat south of Key West about 8 miles, and he loved it, as he had never been diving much up to that point. The smile on his face as we got back in the boat was huge! I also remember that HUGE smile when he told me that him and Sandy were expecting. Becoming a father was as happy as I ever saw him. He is so proud of Chris and Kevin and Sandy. One other very fond memory for me, especially with this being around the holidays, was when we drove to his parent's farm in Deerfield and trudged out through 3 feet of deep snow to cut down the perfect Christmas tree. It was almost like a "Walton's" Christmas! My years of being Gary's friend were ones I will always look back on with joy and happiness. He was a special person to everyone and will be dearly missed and remembered with many stories over the years, I am sure. I am so sorry, Sandy, Chris and Kevin. I know he will be watching over you all, helping you have wonderful lives. Rest in Peace, buddy. Thanks for the memories.....