Richard E. Eldh Sr.

We announce with great sadness that Richard E. Eldh, Sr. of Westport, CT passed away on Tuesday, October 20th. Better known to all as Dick, he will be remembered by family and friends for his unending devotion to- and volunteerism for- the town of Westport during his 35 years living here with his wife, Cheryl and their four children. Dick was known for his disarming personality and charm, his thoughtful comments and opinions, his great listening skills and his unwavering commitment to get the job done and get it done right. His indelible mark is evident all over town as: Charter Member and former President, long-time member of the Charitable Giving Committee of the Sunrise Rotary; a member of the Town of Westport Public Site and Building Commission; and a member of the Westport Y’s Men where he actively participated in the Hoot Owls and Investment Club, to name a few. Dick was a valuable contributor of ideas and energy during the renovations of the Westport Library and Police Headquarters as well as many other facilities throughout the town. He was extremely proud of his role as a member of the Westport School Building Committee where he was Chair of the Coleytown Middle School Renovation Sub-Committee. Dick spent his formative years in Chicago and was a graduate of Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. He was Owner and President of North American Plastec. Prior to operating this business, Dick had a very successful sales and marketing career in the packaging industry with American Can Co., which spanned 30 years, living in such places as Wisconsin, Missouri, New York and Connecticut. Sailing was one of the many personal endeavors he enjoyed immensely. Dick and his wife Cheryl were active members of the Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club from 1982 to the present and served as treasurer as well as chair on many club committees. He loved to ski in Vermont, attend cultural events including the New York Metropolitan Opera, Longwharf Theater and Westport Playhouse, and always loved a nice bottle of red wine. Dick’s family was his pride and joy and he was theirs. Continuing to live in Westport is his wife, Cheryl, daughter, Susan and Bruce Orr of Darien, daughter, Terry Eldh of Bethel, son, John and Katie Eldh of London, England, and son, Rich and Joyce Eldh of Westport; and ten grandchildren: Kaki, Bruce, Andrew and Charlie Orr; Caroline, Emily and Hannah Eldh; Mckenna, Cydney and Richie Eldh. Friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass on Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Luke Church in Westport. Interment will be private. Memorial donations may be made in Dick’s name to: Sunrise Rotary, 21st Century Foundation, P.O. Box 43 Westport, CT 06881 or to the Norwalk Hospital Foundation c/o the Whittingham Cancer Center Research Fund, 34 Maple Ave., Norwalk, CT 06851.