Richard S. Ellwood ’53

Dick, a financial wizard who was one of the first real-estate invest ment bankers in New York City and a creative Tiger who transformed our mini-reunions into major ones, died from a fall in his New Jersey home Dec. 29, 2011.

During his business career, he became the youngest vice president at J.P. Morgan Bank, and was responsible 40 years ago for arranging several billion dollars in property and corporate financing. After leaving Wall Street, he established R.S. Ellwood & Co. in his hometown of Rumson, N.J., where he continued his sizable monetary transactions.

Dick held every important class office, eventually concentrating on mini-reunions (who will forget the Germany trip?), which some said were as successful as the five-year campus get-togethers, many of which he helped organize.

His devotion to and volunteering for the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey were well known, and its bishop presided at his funeral. Besides the 11 pallbearers mentioned in ’53’s Class Notes in the March 7 PAW, Bill Black, Bill Close, Ellen Decker, Ralph DeNunzio, Jim Goetschius, and Frank Phillips were among those representing the class.

Dick’s loving wife of 53 years, the former Elizabeth “Liz” Miller; daughters Sarah Opler and Deborah; son Alexander; and seven grandchildren cherish his memory. His dedication to ’53 was legend. Unfortunately, we shall not see his likes again.