Obituary of Richard Elwell

Niskayuna - Richard Carlton Elwell, 86, died Friday, February 13, 2015, at his home in Niskayuna. Dick was born in Saratoga Springs, the son of Milo and Agnes Furlong Elwell on July 8, 1928. He was the Valedictorian of his class in 1945, while living in Schuylerville and was a graduate of Clarkson College earning a bachelor of mechanical engineering with honors in 1954. He was a U S Army veteran, serving with the 88th Infantry Division. He began his engineering career with the General Electric Co in Schenectady, serving the General Electric Co. working in several different departments, with most of his years in the General Engineering Laboratory. After retiring, he worked for eight years as a consulting engineer. Dick was a licensed professional engineer in New York State and belonged to the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Through the years he wrote several technical including fourchapters of a reference books and had served as editor for STLE Transactions. He was a founding member of the Hudson-Mohawk Section of STLE serving for over 50 years. In 2003, he was awarded the STEL Joll Award as Outstanding Section Member. A favorite pastime was golf and he had been a member of the Ballston Spa Country Club. He also enjoyed opera and was a longtime communicant of St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Margery Steele Elwell; two daughters, Susan Elwell of Alexandria, VA and Barbara (Richard) McCune of Orchard Park; a brother, Gene Elwell of San Diego, CA; three granddaughters, Christine, Carolyn and Allison McCune; nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by siblings, Milo Elwell, Jr., Marden Elwell and Mary Louise Hawley. Funeral service Wednesday morning 10:30 at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church (Union St.) where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Calling hours Tuesday evening 5 to 7 at the Daly Funeral Home, Inc., 242 McClellan St., Schenectady. Interment St. Mary's Cemetery, Ballston Spa in the spring. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church, 2216 Rosa Rd., Schenectady, NY 12309 or City Mission of Schenectady, 425 Hamilton St., Schenectady, N Y 12305.