SALEM- Eliot P. “Batch” Batchelder, age 101, husband of the late Elizabeth P. “Lib” (Fitz) Batchelder, formerly of Salem, died Friday afternoon, May 30, 2003, at the Devereux House in Marblehead following a long illness.
Born and raised in Salem, he was the son of the late Albert W. and Annah L. (Lee) Batchelder. He resided in New York from the mid 1930's to the late 1970's, when he returned to Salem. He had been a resident of Marblehead since 1997.
He attended Salem schools and was a graduate of Cushing Academy in Ashburnham in 1919. He attended the Bryant & Stratton School and received his degree in 1929 from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. For the following three years, Mr. Batchelder did post-graduate work at the Massachusetts Art School in Boston.
His first commercial work was in 1932, when he was commissioned to paint a life size likeness of Christopher Columbus. Following a trip to Spain and Italy where Mr Batchelder researched and even visited the birthplace of the explorer, he first drew a picture and then completed a twelve foot by eight foot painting which was presented to the Knights of Columbus and still hangs in the library of the Veragua Council No. 76, Knights of Columbus, in Salem.
He worked for 25 years as a free-lance colorist, specializing in light illustration and commercial comics until his retirement due to the loss of his sight when he developed cataracts in both eyes.
After successful eye surgery, Mr Batchelder regained his sight and started out on a new career as a watercolor landscape and seascape artist. His watercolors have been shown in many national and regional exhibits, including at the De Young Memorial Museum in San Francisco with the Society of Western Artists: and in Dallas, Texas, under the auspices of the Allied Artists of America. His works have been displayed in one-man shows at Abbot Public Library, Marblehead, and at the Old Town Hall in Salem.
Over the years, he has won awards for his work in a number of well-known art shows, including those conducted by the American Artists Professional League, The Salmagundi Club of New York, the annual WCSH Art Festivals in Portland, Maine and the Marblehead Festival of The Arts.
In 1968, he was elected a member of the American Watercolor Society. He was a Member Emeritus of the Salmagundi Club, member of the American Artists Professional League, the Marblehead Arts Association, the Veterans of the 7th Regiment and the Veteran Corps of Artillery, both of New York City.
He is survived by three nieces, Annah B Dupuis and Mary Lee Goodwin, both of Marblehead, Lois G. Ricker of Tacoma, Washington and one nephew, John H. Batchelder of Northwood, NH. He was predeceased by two brothers, Ernest A. Batchelder, Walter L. Batchelder, and three sisters, Elizabeth Birchard, Mary Emma Goldthwait and Izette Gordon.
At his request, funeral services are private. Arrangements are under the direction of the Full-Spychalski Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square East, by Salem Common, Salem. For those who desire, donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice. For guest book and other information, visit www.SalemFuneral.com.