Theodore Black, former chairman, president and CEO of Hamilton, Bermuda-based Ingersoll Rand, died last week 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 CEO 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 and achieved the rank of captain and Naval Aviator status.

Black served numerous philanthropies, including the Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn.; 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, Conn., Black was born in Jersey City, N.J. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, children, Deborah Coldwell of Katonah, N.Y.; Susan Black of Boulder, Colo.; Zelda Cahill and Carol Bates of Nantucket, Mass.; 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 Henkel, chairman, president and CEO. "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."