SALISBURY — David Henry Elwell of Salisbury, passed away on Sept. 21, 2024, at his home in the town he loved dearly.
He was born on March 27, 1935, in Mineola, New York, to Richard Derby Elwell and Ethel Olive Elwell.
David led a distinguished life driven by his passion for architecture. He received his engineering degree from Yale University before serving as a naval officer on a destroyer in the Mediterranean. Following his military service, he transferred to pursue architecture at Cambridge University, United Kingdom. He then completed his master’s degree in architecture at Princeton University. David’s professional career began at Philip Johnson’s office, where he oversaw the building of the Bobst Library in New York. For 35 years, he served as a Professor of Architecture at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with countless students.
David is survived by Bonner Elwell, his loving wife of 55 years, his nephew, Blake Cabot and his wife Elizabeth, and his great-nephews, Quincy and Jack, with whom he often shared his love of toy sailboats, balsam planes and Blockus. His legacy lives on through the family he cherished, and the students, colleagues, and friends he dedicated himself to.
A memorial service will be held at a future date in Salisbury. Further details will be announced by the family.



















