David Whitney Eldridge

David “Dave” Whitney Eldridge, 83, of Gahanna, passed away June 15, 2022 at Riverside Methodist Hospital. He was born to the late Harold W. Eldridge and Isabel “Babe” Florence Olson on November 21, 1938 in Spokane, WA. A graduate of Gonzaga High School in 1956, he attended Washington State College. He was a life-long Notre Dame Football and Gonzaga University Basketball fan.

After serving honorably in the US Navy for 5 ½ years, he was employed in 1962 by the Western Electric Co in Seattle, WA. In 1965, he married the only love of his life, Sheila Frances McGivern of Spokane. Together, they had five children. In 1971, he and his family were transferred to Sunnyside, CA and then transferred to Columbus in 1972; a transfer that was supposed to last only 15 months. He retired from AT&T in 1989 from the AT&T Training Center in Dublin, OH and then worked as a contractor for AT&T/Lucent until 2001.

Over the years, Dave and his family were fortunate to enjoy many summer vacations at a family cabin on Lake Coeur d'Alene, ID. After retirement, Dave enjoyed taking ‘blue road’ driving trips around the country, visiting friends and relatives, eventually arriving to the Spokane area before returning to Ohio.

He was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church in Gahanna and, over the years, was a participant in many of its activities and ministries. He was an Honorary Life Member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 5801.

Dave was preceded in death by his beloved wife, who died of breast cancer at age 46 in 1987; granddaughter Porter Josephine Eldridge; his sister, Susan Marie Torpey; and dear friend Carol Baumgardner.

He is survived by his two sons, David, Jr. (Stephanie) and their children, Geneva, Sydney, and Eliza of Pickerington; Eric McGivern (Adrienne) and their children, Anabelle and Callahan of Gahanna; his three daughters, Joanne Frances (Jodie) of Austin, TX, Katherine Isabel (Katie) of Portland, OR, and Kristin Maureen of Sacramento, CA.

He is also survived by his brothers, Larry Conrad (Nancy) of Diamond Lake, WA and John Olson Torpey (Miriam) of Las Vegas, NV; a nephew, many nieces and cousins; a close brother-in-law, Charles McGivern of Daytona, FL; and dear friend, Sanford Baumgardner.

Friends may call on Monday, June 20, from 4pm-7pm at Schoedinger Northeast, 1051 E. Johnstown Rd., Gahanna. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held the following morning at 10am at St. Matthew the Apostle, 807 Havens Corners Rd., Gahanna, OH 43230. Fr. Ted Sill, Celebrant. Interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery immediately following Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Matthew Charitable Works Ministry, a charity of your choice, or simply take time to tell your family members that you love them.