Eldon Beresford was described as a pilot’s pilot. Considered to be a quiet, caring, gentle man, he took his last flight just two weeks ago. He also shared his passion with many people, including underprivileged Chicago children in the Young Eagles Program. The program is run by the Experimental Aircraft Association, of which he was an active member. Mr. Beresford, 72, died of cancer Tuesday, Sept. 14, in his Huntley home. Mr. Beresford grew up in Iowa, attending a one-room schoolhouse where his mother was the teacher. As a teenager, he would wash planes at a local airport in exchange for flight time, said his son-in-law Robert Mayer. He was a United Airlines pilot for 38 years. After his retirement in 1991, Mr. Beresford continued to fly as often as he could. He owned a single-engine aircraft that he sometimes flew to Alaska, where he would fish and hunt. He also owned a military observation aircraft from World War II, which he flew each summer to the Experimental Aircraft Association’s air show in Oshkosh, Wis. Mr. Beresford established a culinary scholarship program at Elgin Community College in the name of his late son Donald, who was a chef. Mr. Beresford was a Marine Corps veteran and a member of the Huntley American Legion. Before moving to Huntley five years ago, he lived in Sleepy Hollow for 20 years. He was planning to celebrate his 50th wedding anniversary Saturday with his wife, Jonetta. Other survivors include two sons, Dean and David; two daughters, Jody and Jan; and six grandchildren. Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Friday in St. Mary Catholic Church, 10307 Dundee Rd., Huntley.
