Peter Donald Eldridge

Peter Donald Eldridge of Alexandria, Va., passed away Aug. 4, 2018, following a brief illness. He was 65. Friends and colleagues will remember him for his passion for education, books, trains and railroads, and as an avid collector of records and radios. Professionally, Pete served for over 31 years at the US Department of Education (Department) in Washington, D.C., where he held many positions. He served as the Team Leader for the Improving Literacy through School Libraries program and most recently as a Senior Education Program Specialist in the Office of Safe and Healthy Students. Because of his talent and experience, he served in several supervisory positions to ensure the work continued when others were out, such as Acting Director for the Office of Academic Improvement and Acting Group Leader for the Academic Improvement and High School Groups. During his time at the Department, he worked on a number of federal education programs and initiatives; these included Impact Aid, Eisenhower Professional Development for Mathematics and Science, Women’s Equity Education, Student Support and Academic Enrichment (Title IV Part A), Education for Homeless Children and Youth, Title VI (special populations), and he was considered an expert government contract officer representative. From October 1999 to November 2010, he worked on the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program, the Federal after school program, where he spearheaded the policy development and transition of the program from a $400 million to a $1 billion educational investment. Prior to working at the Department of Education, Pete worked for Marriott Corp. Outside of work, Pete served on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Rail Passengers, a Washington, D.C.- based lobby group focusing on rail transportation issues. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Radio & Television Museum of Bowie, Maryland. A graduate of 1971 Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Md., Pete held a B.A. in History from Elon College in North Carolina and a master’s degree in Secondary Education from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. He was a member of Pi Gamma Mu Social Science Honor Society and Sigma Phi Epsilon social fraternity. He was a longtime member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles ALVA Aerie #871 in Alexandria, Va. A memorial service is planned for Oct. 6, 2018, at 1 p.m. at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Alva Aerie #871, 1015 Cameron Street., Alexandria, Va., 22314.