Obituary: Theodore H. Black, Former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Hamilton, Bermuda, June 29, 2006—Theodore H. Black, former chairman, president and chief executive officer of Ingersoll Rand, died yesterday evening after a brief illness. He was 77 years old.
Black joined Ingersoll Rand in 1957 and served in a variety of sales and senior management positions across the company's businesses until he was elected chairman, president and chief executive officer in October 1988. He retired in October 1993, and continued to serve on the company's board of directors until 1997.
Black served with the United States Marine Corps, 2d Marine Division, from 1946 to 1949, received an appointment to and graduated from the United States Naval Academy, and continued his service with the United States Marine Corps Aviation, 2d Marine Airwing, from 1953 to 1957. He achieved the rank of captain and Naval Aviator status.
Black was a knight in the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and served numerous other philanthropies, including the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut; Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; March of Dimes; United Way; Boy Scouts of America; and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. He was an avid sportsman, and enjoyed tennis and golf.
A 25-year resident of New Canaan, Connecticut, Black was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, children, Deborah Coldwell of Katonah, New York; Susan Black of Boulder, Colorado; Zelda Cahill and Carol Bates of Nantucket, Massachusetts; Brian Foy of Houston, Texas; and 11 grandchildren. He was predeceased by his children, Marilyn Gray and Theodore Black, Jr.
"We mourn the passing of Ted Black, who during his tenure as chairman and chief executive officer successfully guided Ingersoll Rand through the extended recession of the early 1990s to deliver solid financial and operational performance," said Herbert L. Henkel, chairman, president and chief executive officer. "He was a true leader in service to the nation, to our communities, and to our company, and he established a legacy that we are proud to carry forward."
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