Dan Eddins Bellinger passed away peacefully at age 88 from natural causes not related to COVID-19 on January 22, 2021 with his family at his bedside. Dan was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He is survived by his wife, Barbara (Babs), his daughter, Tracy Clement, her husband, Gordon Clement, and three grandchildren, David, Fuller, and Belle Clement. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Len S. Platt (Margot); niece, Pam Platt and nephew, Bill Platt (Courtney). Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Burdette and Vera Bellinger and his sister, Barbara Bellinger Platt.

Dan was born in Tampa, Florida and spent his early years there, attending local schools, before finishing his secondary education at Cranbrook School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. As a boy, he raced small powerboats he had built, and as a young man, he raced many classes of small sailboats. He graduated from Duke University, where he had been a member of the Navy ROTC and Beta Theta Pi fraternity, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Following-college, Dan served 2 years of active duty in the Navy, based in California, and four years in the Naval Reserves. After active duty, he worked for Sikorsky Aircraft in Connecticut designing helicopters before moving back to Tampa and a job with Tampa Electric Company. There he met his wife through sailing, and they were soon off to the University of Michigan, where he earned a Master's degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.

Dan and Babs moved to Maryland in 1968 to enjoy the Chesapeake Bay and his work at Bethlehem Steel Shipbuilding, where he served in many capacities until he retired as Sales Manager. On the Chesapeake, he was able to go full steam ahead with his lifelong love of living on the water, fishing, and sailing.

Once retired, they spent many months each year aboard, Troubadour, a 54' ketch they commissioned to be built by Alden Yachts. They traveled from Maine to as far south as Venezuela with the seasons. He was truly at home on the water, a passion he shared with his daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. When not enjoying sailing here and there, he and Babs spent their time on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.

Recently, Dan and Babs moved to Ginger Cove Retirement Community where he stayed active on committees and was head of the workshop.

Besides being on the water, he also enjoyed reading. music, traveling, playing golf, and spending time with his family. He was a member of the Annapolis Yacht Club, the Mayflower Society, and the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. Past memberships include the Bald Peak Colony Club, in New Hampshire, Davis Island Yacht Club in Tampa, Greenwich Country Club and Indian Harbor Yacht Club in Greenwich, Connecticut, and Tampa Yacht & Country Club.

Due to the pandemic, the funeral will be for the immediate family only. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation at 6 Herndon Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401 (www.cbf.org), the Ginger Cove Foundation at 4000 River Crescent Drive, Annapolis, MD 21401 or a charity of your choice.