a Tribute to Henry Elden, Architect, Engineer, Top O Rock, Charleston, West Virginia
born 28 May, 1914, died 17 Jan. 2009, 94 years old. More photos of Henry at bottom updated 05/30/2009
Memorial Service 11 April '09 Photos Reflections - Collectibles from Top O Rock & interior room photos
Truth Seekers met at Top O Rock for 4+ years, now at Kanawha Co. Library, 1st Sunday Monthly 2-4 pm, Visitors Welcome 07/21/2024
Overview of his life's work & adventures at bottom - click here H. Eldens Licenses- Awards
yet to post
- photo collection of Henry Elden
- his articles, travels, biography, notes of
interest.
See photos
of his famed Top O Rock, explore & enjoy.
About Elden Architects
Henry designed & built hospitals, post offices, government buildings,
homes,
schools, and diverse & exciting projects like Calvary Church in Wheeling,
Chief
Logan State Park Lodge, and many more.
Architect/ Engineer, PhD WW II Lieutenant
Clint Bryant / Henry
1st design team,
Clint, & Carol, Joe, Bob, George, Uner
Top O Rock
shown on National TV Images: Interior Exterior
Top O Rock Studio Reception Setting
82 Lawns
Settings
80
Studio Atrium Weddings:
Tara - May '06
30
Tonya Oct
29
Lawn Weddings: Brandy 83 Jennifer 31 Regina 32 Wedding 23
If you have something to share - send to Ted Elden at Elden@SuddenLink.net
304 344 2335, 2 Ramu Road, Charleston, West Virginia [ 25314 ]
Dad was often in the news, he was
popular guy, admired by many.
Being a photographer is nothing,
Dad would engage
and delight people and that he would put on film,
So photos are
nothing but a reflection of great times & people.
He was the root cause of much of the joy around him.
Peace, best to
you all.
Top O Rock - a dream of design in nature - amid a 5 acre forest, overlooking Capitol City - River City Skyline
Henry Elden:
Designed & built 800+ projects around W. Va., about $ 450 million total value.
Unique designs for homed, hospitals, post offices, gov. buildings, schools &
colleges.
He got national awards for
architectural work; like WVIT
Most beautiful, functional
library in W. Va. for 25+ years.
He served on W. Va. Board
of Architects 13 years, many terms.
- was WW II Navy
Communication office serving in Pacific.
- was a traveler: many
times to Europe, developing a import business with associate in Germany. They
sailed Baltic Sea.
He: snow skied in
Switzerland, Italy, CO, WA, PA, water skied
W. Va. He circled US &
Canada twice on railroad ! ^ -
- - top of page
Dad died very peacefully Saturday morning - he was living at my home in his last month. (notes by son Ted Elden) He spoke to me. "Thank goodness you are up. Help me to the toilet." We got up about 4 am to go to the bathroom, but he just expired in my arms as I was helping him. Very peaceful. He lived very well right to the end. Nice meal the evening before, Occasional conversations. He'd been out to visit his friends in homes & nursing homes a few times in weeks before. He was
comfortable living with Ted in last month. It was very convenient for me
to be with him, talk, eat, etc. Many friends, even near contemporaries, were always glad to see & chat with him. When I got him on the phone with his friends, he would light up to be the center of curiosity & charm. He had some
funny dreams recently about old architectural projects. I went to
feed him one evening at his home. He said I tried to
explain there were no plates lying around in his living room and I did not think that
strangers came in to feed him. He was annoyed that I did not believe him. |
We had generally found peace, knowing where we disagreed & leaving that unspoken. We dwelt in the areas where we agreed. He did stretches with me, tried to eat fruit & healthy food like me. Before caring
for Dad, I'd never really cared for anyone, My dog Grace died in recent years. I did not realize she died, I only thought she'd drifted into a coma or something. Grace died beside me in my bed. Then Bozo, my
calico cat, broke her leg. She was old. So when my
father grew quiet and stopped breathing My pets had taught me the face of death. I had not expected Dad to die, but I recognized it when it came. Everything is
very peaceful here in Charleston. |
Dad was active: skiing, travel, construction inspections. He had a few mishaps, but he just dusted himself off and laughed. Henry Elden hosted the
Thanks for visiting !
web site by his son |
'92 '09 |