Donald Francis Eldridge ’52
Donald Francis Eldridge ’52 passed away at home in Titusville, Florida, on August 10, 2015, of cancer. Don was born on November 2, 1929, in Chatham, Massachusetts. He prepared for college at Deerfield (Massachusetts) Academy and graduated from Dartmouth. He majored in history and was a member of Kappa Sigma, the Glee Club, DOC and Interfraternity Treasurers Council. He later received graduate degrees in education at Bridgewater (Massachusetts) State University and Clemson University. At various times Don did graduate work at Wisconsin State University, Eastern Michigan State University and Ohio State University. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean conflict. He then began a 31-year career as an educator and administrator with the Dennis-Yarmouth (Massachusetts) regional school district, retiring in 1997. While living in Chatham Don served as secretary of the Chatham Airport commission, chairman of the Chatham school committee, member of the Chatham finance committee and master of the Masonic Lodge in Chatham. Don and Marilyn Shaw were married in June 1951, and she survives him, along with daughter Jennifer, sons Jeffrey and Leo, their spouses, three grandchildren and his brother, Kenneth ’45. Don and Marilyn retired to Florida following his retirement and celebrated their 64th anniversary last June. In Titusville Don was also a volunteer at his church, the local medical center and the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum.
