Richard ‘Dick’ E. Eldh Sr., 81, father of Darienite and volunteer who worked in packaging industry

Monday, 26 October 2009 11:53

Richard “Dick” E. Eldh Sr., of Westport, father of Darienite Susan Orr and volunteer who had a long career in the packaging industry, died Tuesday, Oct. 20. Mr. Eldh, 81, was the husband of Cheryl Eldh of Westport.

Mr. Eldh was born Sept. 23, 1928, to Helge E. Eldh and Lily T. Ekmark. He spent his formative years in Chicago and was a graduate of Carleton College in Northfield, Minn.

Mr. Eldh was owner and president of North American Plastec. Prior to operating this business, Mr. Eldh 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.

Mr. Eldh volunteered in Westport, serving as charter member and former president of the Charitable Giving Commitee 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.

He was a 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 proud of his role as a member of the Westport School Building Committee, where he was chairman of the Coleytown Middle School Renovation Subcommittee.

Sailing was one of the many endeavors Mr. Eldh enjoyed. He and his wife were active members of the Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club from 1982 to the present, and he served as treasurer and chairman 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 bottle of red wine, his .

Besides his wife and Darien daughter, Mr. Eldh is survived by a son-in-law, Bruce Orr, of Darien; grandchildren Kaki, Bruce, Andrew and Charlie Orr, all of Darien, and Caroline Emily and Hannah Eldh, and Mckenna, Cydney and Richie Eldh; daughter, Terry Eldh, of Bethel; son, John, and his wife, Katie Eldh, of London, England; and son, Rich, and wife Joyce Eldh of Westport.

A memorial Mass was held Saturday, Oct. 24, at St. Luke Church in Westport. Burial was private.

Memorial donations may be made in Mr. Eldh’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.

The Shaughnessy Banks Funeral Home, 50 Reef Road, Fairfield, handled arrangements. To send an online condolence, visit shaughnesseybanksfuneralhome.com.