Ludwell Gaines

Ludwell Ebersole Gaines, Jr. Died peacefully in San Francisco on March 15, 2012. He was known fondly as "Eb" by his wide circle of friends and associates in his government and business careers. He was born April 21, 1927 in West Virginia, educated at the Lawrenceville School and graduated from Princeton University in 1951. He served in the US Navy aboard LST 636 between 1944-1946. In his business career he worked with the American Arbitration Association, Plax Corporation and Continental Can Company. In 1981 Eb was appointed by President Reagan as Executive Vice President of Overseas Private Investment Corporation, an agency of the US State Department, and later was appointed by President George H.W. Bush to be American Consul General to Bermuda where he served from 1989 until 1992. In 1956 he married Sheila Kellogg of Libertyville, Illinois and they raised four children while living in New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio, Illinois and Ketchum, Idaho before moving to Washington, DC. Sheila predeceased him in death in November of 1995. Their children Eb III, Leith, Kelly and Audrey, their respective spouses and three grandchildren, Riley, Chilton and Simmons, survive him, as does his long time close friend Ann Caen. Eb greatly valued friends and good times. He was a low handicap golfer and belonged to many golf clubs and social organizations including Cypress Point, Seminole, Rolling Rock, Mid-Ocean and Chevy Chase golf clubs, the Bohemian Club in San Francisco and The Links in New York City. He was an acknowledged raconteur, bon vivant and accomplished entertainer with his guitar medleys and his much appreciated Dancing Man musical act. His friends valued and returned his loyalty and constant good cheer. A memorial service will be held at 2pm, Friday, March 30, 2012 at St. Luke's Church, 1755 Clay St., San Francisco, CA. Reception to follow at the church. Parking will be available.