Erb, former Eller president, dies

Capt. Arthur E. Erb, former president and chairman of the board of the stevedoring company Eller & Co. Inc., died April 19 after a long Illness.

Erb, who began his career with Eller in 1956, was president of the company from 1971 to 1984, a period in which Eller expanded from its Florida home base to as far north as Norfolk and as far west as Texas, said Erb's son, Steve.

Today, Eller's operations are concentrated in Florida with headquarters in Port Everglades, operations in Port Canaveral and Tampa, and a joint venture with Ports America in Miami.

Erb, who lived in Plantation, Fla., is survived by his wife Jeanne, daughter Priscilla of St. Louis, and two sons who followed him into the shipping business -- Steve, vice president of Florida for Ports America, and Peter who works in the Jacksonville office of the non-vessel-operating common carrier Aqua Gulf.

Erb was a graduate of the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, and the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the school's alumni foundation.

A viewing will be held at T.M. Ralph Funeral Home in Plantation, 5 to 8 p.m. April 25. A funeral Mass will be said at St. Gregory's Catholic Church at 10 a.m. April 26. 

Source: American Shipper