Richard Collins Elliott
Richard Collins Elliott passed
away May 30th at peace in his
home surrounded by his family and
his beloved dog, Charlotte. His
enduring legacy is survived by his
wife, Beverley; son Kirk and wife
Martha and grandchildren Lesley
and Meaghan; daughter Christine
Elliott-Armstrong and husband
Andrew and granddaughter
Barbara Savoy-Pacella; daughter
Kimberly Storstad and husband
David. He was preceded in death by his parents and his two
brothers, Raymond and Nevin Elliott.
Richard, better known as “Skipper Dick,” was born February
4, 1921, in Los Angeles, CA, to Raymond and Jewell Elliott.
With a very early introduction to the ocean, Dick spent all
of his summers on and around Catalina Island aboard the
family yacht, Julio. Between Cherry Cove and Avalon, Dick
learned his love for the open sea, which was the starting line
for all of his future worldly adventures. He graduated high
school in Seattle, WA, and before enrolling in the NROTC
to become an officer in the Navy, he attended UC Berkeley
in 1940. He later transferred to UCLA in 1942 where he
met the love of his life, Beverley Sinclair. They married
April 15, 1944, and spent their honeymoon on Mare Island
before Dick was shipped out on the USS Mugford. Surviving
the war in the Pacific, he returned to the family automobile
business, Ray Elliott and Sons.
While employed in the automobile business, Dick decided
to build the family’s first home. This passion for construction
led the family to move to Newport Beach, CA, in 1965
where he envisioned new development opportunities.
Over the next two decades, Dick, his partners and family
were responsible for developing many of the commercial,
industrial and office real estate projects in and around the
Newport-Mesa and Irvine areas of Orange County, CA.
After a very successful career, Dick retired in 1977 to pursue
his love for cruising, sailing, racing and to spend more time
with his family.
Dick was an avid skier, backgammon and dominoes player,
dancer, and could whistle any song as though he were
singing. However, his main passion was embracing the sea
aboard the many boats he acquired throughout his life. One
in particular being Jamboree, where he sailed across the
Pacific retracing his course of duty while aboard the USS
Mugford in the spring of 1995. While in Nagasaki, Japan,
Richard, son Kirk, and crew, celebrated the 50th anniversary
marking the end of WWII.
Dick had many passions and talents, but he will always be
remembered as an amazing husband, father, grandfather,
and as a trusted and loving individual to his friends over the
years. His generosity and class will never be forgotten.
We love you Skipper Dick.
On June 22, 2009, we will be spreading Skipper Dick’s ashes
in the sea he loved so much, followed by a celebration of his
life at 1:00pm at the Newport Harbor Yacht Club. In lieu of
flowers and gifts, the family requests to keep the memory of
Dick in your thoughts and prayers or to donate in the name
Richard C. Elliott to the charity of your choice. The family
wishes to thank the care givers, Amy and Angel, for their
immense generosity in providing much needed care and love
during his final months.
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