Kenneth Erdman, chairman of the Honolulu-based PacRim Marketing Group Inc., who had won many awards over his 40-year career in marketing and public relations, died Saturday at Montgomery Hospital outside Philadelphia. He was 75. PacRim Marketing chairman
dies at 75Kenneth Erdman / 1926-2001
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By Treena Shapiro
tshapiro@starbulletin.comErdman, a part-time Honolulu resident for the past 25 years, won two Clios, an Echo, several Golden Pyramids and the Golden Mailbox Award during his career.
In 1999 he received the Bess Cohn Memorial Humanitarian Award for dedication to the welfare of others.
"He was just a magical person, full of energy, an absolute giver, and he loved Rotary very much," said his friend Wally Amos, who met Erdman through the Rotary Club. "Because he was a servant, he did very well in Rotary. It allowed him to just give, give himself away."
Erdman's dedication to service began during his college days when he helped charitable organizations by writing copy to help them increase donations. In 1954 he joined the Rotary Club.
Because of his strong interest in humanitarian work, Erdman served for several years as Rotary International's representative to the United Nations.
Erdman is survived by wife Sue, sons Larry and Dave, daughter Beth Bauer, sister Willye Mae and five grandchildren.
Services will be held today in Pennsylvania.
Donations can be made to the Rotary Foundation in memory of Ken Erdman and sent to the Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunrise at P.O. Box 17040, Honolulu, HI 96817; or the American Diabetes Association Hawaii Chapter at 1500 S. Beretania St., Suite 111, Honolulu, HI 96826.