Richard Eldh Sr., Businessman and volunteer

Thursday, 29 October 2009 13:35

Richard E. Eldh Sr. of Westport, formerly of Weston, died on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009.

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 there with his wife, Cheryl, and their four children.

His family said Mr. Eldh 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.

He was a charter member and former president of the Charitable Giving Committee of the Sunrise Rotary; a member of the 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.

Mr. Eldh 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 a member of the Westport School Building Committee where he was chairman of the Coleytown Middle School Renovation Subcommittee.

Mr. Eldh spent his formative years in Chicago and was a graduate of Carleton College in Northfield, Minn.

He 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.

Sailing was one of the many personal endeavors he enjoyed.

Mr. Eldh and his wife were active members of the Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club from 1982 to the present. 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.

Mr. Eldh is survived by his wife, Cheryl; his children Susan and Bruce Orr, Terry Eldh, John and Katie Eldh, Rich and Joyce Eldh; 10 grandchildren; a sister, Barbara Horsley, and a brother- and sister-in-law, Sid and Karen McKenna.

A memorial mass was celebrated at St. Luke Church in Westport. Burial 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.