Eric S. Handford

Eric S. Handford, of Chester MD, died unexpectedly on June 14, 2014. He was 68 years old. Born in Providence, RI, on May 15, 1946, to the late Stanley Wing Handford and Elizabeth Shortall Handford, he grew up in Camp Lejeune NC, Egypt, England, and Silver Spring, MD. He attended high school in England and college at the University of Maryland, College Park. A master technician, Eric owned two businesses, H&I Automotive and Solar Enterprises, before starting his career at Volkswagen Porsche Audi and then Land Rover North America. Eric joined Land Rover North America in 1986 when the company established its new headquarters in Maryland. As an early team member, Eric created the systems and organization needed to train and support dealer technicians. As Manager of Technical Service, Eric delivered highly effective “hands-on” training to thousands of students throughout the U.S. and Canada. Eric was known for his high energy and extraordinary technical expertise. Throughout his twenty-one years with Land Rover, Eric was called upon to help with a variety of new initiatives. When Land Rover launched its pioneering Land Rover Centre retail concept, Eric worked with dealers on the brick and mortar details of facility design and construction. During his final years with Land Rover, Eric played a key role at Land Rover University, an innovative training operation located in Lanham, MD. After retiring from Land Rover, Eric started Cox Creek Services, his mobile marine business. He prided himself on providing excellent customer service and high quality work at a fair price. His friends and colleagues describe him as gifted, generous, brilliant, patient, a great man and teacher, wonderful friend, and a technical wizard. Eric enjoyed working on his three classic cars, boating and fishing, and spending time with his family and dogs. Mr. Handford is survived by his wife, Suzanne; daughter, Kristen Edsall and her husband Mark of Centreville; son, Robert Handford and his wife Michele of Greensboro; grandchildren, Elizabeth Edsall and Ian Handford; and brother, Peter Handford of Silver Spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Animal Welfare League of Queen Anne’s County.

Eric S. Handford

May 15, 1946 - June 14, 2014