Richard Perham Ellison

Richard Perham Ellison, 88 years, co-founder of Boat US died Dec. 18, 2018. He is survived by his wife, Martha Ellison, daughter Sarah “Sally” Ellison, granddaughters Jolene Trzicak and Erin Ellison and great grandson Ethan Trzicak. He is preceded in death by his son Richard P. Ellison, Jr. and daughter Terry Mae Ellison.A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Church, Lafayette Square, 1525 H St.NW, WDC 20005 on Fri. Jan. 4, 2019 at 11AM. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to St. John’s Church, Alexandria Seaport Foundation, Thompson’s Alley, Alexandria, VA 22314 or Vocal Arts DC, PO Box 42423, Washington, DC 20015. Richard “Dick” Ellison (1930-2018) , born in Minneapolis, MN, graduated from St. Albans School, Washington, DC in 1948. In 1952 he graduated from Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut and enrolled in the Wharton School of Business for a time before receiving a commission in the navy. He served on Korean soil, on shipboard and lastly as a teacher at the War College, Newport, RI. Following military service Dick was engaged in many ventures, adventures and misadventures an example of which was his captaining a sailing ship freighting bananas from St. Croix to Dominica. He loved life and its many opportunities and was an entrepreneur at heart. In the 1960s he found a true calling in business as President of Boat America Corporation and co-founder of Boat US. This company was to the boat owner as AAA is to the automobile owner. Dick remained an avid recreational sailor throughout life and was a member of the Annapolis Yacht Club. He was an Episcopalian from birth to death and credited St. Albans School for formulating his character, his appreciation for hard work and the values by which he lived. A man of continued optimism, Dick was somewhat a force of nature with a winning smile. He had a twinkle in his eyes and a most generous spirit. With his first wife Sylvia Behrens he fathered three children, two of whom predeceased him. He is survived by his wife Martha Ellison, his daughter Sarah “Sally” Ellison, granddaughters Jolene Trzicak and Erin Ellison and a great grandson Ethan Trzicak.

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Richard Perham Ellison

November 14, 1930 - December 18, 2018