Daniel R. Elliott

Daniel R. Elliott, Jr., died August 4 at Judson Park in Cleveland. He was 87.

Born March 15, 1939, to Betty (née Spangler) and Daniel R. Elliott, Sr., Dan grew up in University Heights, attending Heights schools before enrolling at University School in 9th grade. He distinguished himself in both academics and athletics, excelling in track and soccer at U.S. and winning the caddy championship at Canterbury Golf Club.

Following graduation from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., Dan attended the University of Michigan Law School, where he and his first wife Carol (née Reaser, now Giltz) welcomed their first son, Daniel III. Upon graduation, they moved to New York City, where he was an associate at the prestigious law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore. Their second son, Timothy, was born in New York.

In the late 1960’s, the family returned to the Cleveland area, settling in Shaker Heights, and Dan joined the highly respected firm of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue, focusing on corporate work, primarily mergers and acquisitions. A client, White Consolidated Industries, recruited him to become a senior executive and general counsel. He helped negotiate the terms of WCI’s acquisition by AB Electrolux of Sweden and remained with the company until his retirement. During these years he married Peggy Caldwell, and they had two children, Maggie and Peter.

As the son of a social worker, Dan had a lifelong interest in social justice and devoted thousands of volunteer hours to such causes. He was especially proud of his involvement in monitoring desegregation of the Cleveland schools and leadership roles with the Greater Cleveland Interchurch Council, the Neighborhood Centers Association, and Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry.

Often wrong but never in doubt, Dan loved verbal sparring and didn’t mind starting an argument, whether with his Jones Day colleague Antonin Scalia or a trio of burly Celtics fans in the parking lot of the Richfield Coliseum.

A fanatical track and field, Ohio State, Shaker Heights High School and Cleveland sports fan, Dan frequently attended games in Columbus and Richfield as well as downtown Cleveland, and made an art form of insulting officials. It took 68 years, but in his lifetime he saw the Guardians, the Browns, and the Cavaliers each win their respective league championships.

His interests were many, varied, and enthusiastically embraced. A small sampling: birdwatching in far-flung locations including Sri Lanka, Africa, and South America; swimming; travel, especially to New York, London, and Paris; gardening; French cuisine; track; tennis as both player and spectator; rock music; and the Cleveland Orchestra and Ballet.

Dan was predeceased by his parents, his sister Debrah, and his son Tim. He is survived by sons Dan III of Lyndhurst and Peter (Julia Liebster) of Charlotte, N.C.; daughter Maggie (Dann) Martin of Nashville; granddaughter Lilly Martin of Nashville; his devoted Mayhew cousins Wendy (Roger) Kephart, Kathy (Gary) Marks, Kim (Chet) Blackey, Tina (Ed) Hrbek, and Beth (Karl) Fiscus, and their families; his former wives; and many friends.

The family wishes to thank the kind and infinitely patient caregivers at Judson Park, where Dan spent his final years.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. August 29 at Fairmount Presbyterian Church, 2757 Fairmount Boulevard, Cleveland Heights. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, Dan’s family suggests contributions in his memory to Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry, 4515 Superior Ave., Cleveland, OH 44103.  www.lutheranmetro.org