Robert Elder

Robert Everette Elder, ninety years of age and a resident of Elkridge, Maryland, passed away on November 25, 2025.

He was born on August 26, 1935, to the late Mick Everette Elder and Virginia Richmond Elder.

Mr. Elder was a faithful member of Burtonsville Baptist Church. He proudly served his country as a member of the Navy Seabees and Reserves from 1955 to 1963. He retired in 2010 from MetlFab Inc. after thirty-two years of dedicated service. By trade, Mr. Elder was a highly skilled Machine Tool and Die Maker and Carpenter, possessing the ability to construct or repair nearly anything with his hands.

He is survived by his children: Rebecca Runyen and her husband, Darrell; Deborah Elder; Mary Elder; and Roberta Passiglia and her husband, Eddie. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Melissa Landa Solano and her husband, Juvenal; Katelyn Charnock and her husband, Ray; Brooklyn Goddard; and Samantha Goddard; as well as his great-grandchildren: Angel Jones, Carlos Rodriguez Jr., Jaxon Charnock, and Cali Rodriguez. Furthermore, he is survived by his brother, Franklin Elder and his wife, Betty, and his nieces and nephews: Rick Helmick, Mike Helmick and his wife, Sue, Mick Elder and his wife, Jennifer, and Keli Davis and her husband, Josh.

Mr. Elder was preceded in death by his parents, Mick Everette and Virginia Elder; his wife, Ruth Elder; his daughter, Virginia Goddard; his grandson, Dakota Goddard; his sister, Carole Helmick; and his brother-in-law, Orlan Helmick.

Mr. Elder had a deep appreciation for the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and tending to his garden, finding contentment simply by being outside. He particularly cherished teaching his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren the joy of fishing. He spent countless weekends over the years on the lakes in his boat and walking the trout streams with his brother, nephew, and children. In his spare time, he engaged in leather work and was an avid reader.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 30, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Donaldson Funeral Home of Clarksville, P.A. (12540 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD 21029).

A Funeral Service will take place on Monday, December 1, at 11:00 a.m. at Donaldson Funeral Home of Clarksville, P.A. Interment will immediately follow the service at Columbia Memorial Cemetery, Clarksville, MD. Following the interment, family and friends are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship at Hope Baptist Church (8801 Stephens Road, Laurel, MD 20723).

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be considered in Robert Elder’s loving memory to:

• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/donate/
• Tunnel to Towers Foundation at https://t2t.org/donate/
• Just In Power Kids at http://justinpowerkids.org