David E. Eldredge

David E. Eldredge, 95, of Rochester, died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at his home in Rochester. Burial is planned in Michigan. Memorials could be sent to Season Hospice, 1696 Greenview Drive SW, Rochester MN 55902. David was born in Mount Vernon, New York to Gordon C. and Matilda R. (nee Sherman) Eldredge. He was raised in Dearborn, Michigan with two twin brothers. He was a track athlete in college at the University of Michigan and saw Jesse Owens compete in Big 10 track meets. He was inducted into the U.S. Army early in 1942. His brother John entered the military shortly before and brother Abner (Mike) soon after. David completed artillery and officer training stateside, and was married to Joan Louise Reutter on November 16, 1942. Soon after he was deployed with the 989th Field Artillery Battalion as part of the Indiana National Guard. The battalion sailed to Ireland, prepared in England, and landed on the beaches of France a few weeks after D-Day. His battery advanced across France for a year until V-E Day, and then prepared for deployment to the Pacific Theater until the surrender by Japan. In December of 1945 he returned home by ship, and the three brothers were reunited with their families in Michigan for Christmas. He was honorably discharged on February 21, 1946. Following his discharge David completed his degree in geology at the University of Michigan on the GI bill, then took his young family to the oil fields of Wyoming. After a hard winter they returned to Michigan and he had a long career with Ford Motor Company as a district representative in dealer relations and raised three children. He and Joan retired to Frankfort, Michigan. He was an avid hunter, accomplished fisherman, world-champion woodcarver, rock hound, poet, and storyteller. Fishing buddies were often heard to say dont doubt the Dave because of his keen intuition. His generosity included serving for 10 years as coordinator of the federal Reading is Fundamental program for elementary students in Northern Michigan through the local Kiwanis chapter. He was a loving husband and father, and a true American icon with a John Wayne handshake. David is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Joan; son Matthew (Clancy) Eldredge and daughter Sarah Rothwell of Rochester; grandchildren Vanessa Eldredge of San Diego, California; Adam Eldredge of Okemos, Michigan; Laura Hiscock of Lansing, Michigan; Patrick Rothwell of Mountain View, California; and Emily Rothwell of Davis. California; great-grandsons Thatcher and Houghton Hiscock of Lansing, Michigan; and great-granddaughter Josie Lien Rothwell of Mountain View, California. He is also survived by his best fishing buddy, Jack Rothwell of Riverview, Michigan. Dave was preceded in death by his parents Gordon A. and Matilda (Tilly) R. Eldredge, and by both brothers. His oldest son David Steven Eldredge died at age 56 of Parkinsons Disease.