David B. Ellis, chairman of Republicans Abroad Costa Rica, died Tuesday in Ludlow, Vermont, in the U.S., after suffering a heart attack while on vacation. David was 79.
Born in Wyandotte, Kansas, U.S., on May 24, 1932, Ellis received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree in science from the University of Vermont.
As a designer for General Electric and other companies, Ellis traveled the world. He taught math at Burlington Community College and served as an officer in the Coast Guard. He also volunteered for disaster relief work in Puerto Rico.
Ellis loved Costa Rica and met and married the love of his life, Vera Calderón Corrales 14 years ago. He was a devoted and loyal family man.
A lifelong Republican, Ellis enjoyed political discussions and Vermont summer vacations. In Costa Rica, he lived in Alajuela, north of San José, and was active in Post 16 of the American Legion.
He is survived by daughters Gabriela Calderón, Veronica Ellis and Jeannette Morse, grandson Justin, two great-grandchildren, Gavin and Brayden, and two sisters, Barbara Pallotta of Vermont and Jamie Townsend of Florida, both in the U.S.
He enjoyed life until the moment he died on July 26, 2011.
Service in Costa Rica will be announced.
