Richard D. Ekstrom

Richard Daniel Ekstrom, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, fun uncle, neighbor, and friend, passed away on Monday July 14, 2025 at his home. He was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and got his work ethic from his parents Albert Einar Ekstrom and Victoria Ekstrom. He attended Fairfield Prep, where he volunteered with Junior Achievement and was captain of the track team. He was active in Boy Scouts and was in the choir and an acolyte at St. John's Episcopal Church of Bridgeport. He had a distinguished career at Westinghouse Electric, where he was part of the managerial, financial, manufacturing, and leadership staff. He was an Army Reservist, a Junior Achievement Advisor, and Chairman of Pittsburgh Business Group on Health. He led several startup infotech and biotech companies, was board chairman of C.O.R.O. Center for Civic Leadership, board member of Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative, member of Westinghouse S.U.R.E., and author of The Backwords Dictionary. He was responsible for the historical marker at Westinghouse Park and for refurbishing the Westinghouse Memorial. He liked spending time at his summer cottage in Nantucket, playing tennis and golf, biking, skiing, sailing, traveling, cooking, Penguins hockey, and Steeler games. He enjoyed all of this with his wife (whom he met at his legendary Spring Party) and his daughter. He is survived by his wife Sandy, his daughter Rachel Ekstrom Courage, his son-in-law Nick Courage, his newborn granddaughter, his brother David Ekstrom of Pittsfield, MA and Lake Worth, FL, and his sister Darlene Raeppold (Rainer) of Lakewood, NJ, and was predeceased by his sister Virginia Yung (Charles). Friends will be received at John A. Freyvogel Sons, Inc. (freyvogelfuneralhome.com) 4900 Centre Avenue at Devonshire Street on Monday from 2-6 p.m. Funeral Tuesday at Calvary Episcopal Church at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent to Calvary Episcopal Church 315 Shady Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, or Westinghouse S.U.R.E, 641 Braddock Ave, Portal #7, East Pittsburgh, PA 15112.
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