Alfredo Held Obituary

Alfredo Peter Held (Peter), husband of Ruth Margaret Held, passed away peacefully at home on September 6, 2025, at the age of 81. He was born on October 2, 1943, in São Paulo, Brazil, to the late Heinz and Tatiana Held. Peter came to the United States in 1961 as a high school exchange student at Strongsville High School in Strongsville, Ohio where he met Ruth, who would later become his wife of 55 years. He saw his future in this country and, upon returning home to Brazil, worked on a cargo ship to earn his way back to the United States. He attended Ohio University on a soccer scholarship where he double majored in math and physics. He later obtained his Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School. Starting his career with the Bank of Boston, Peter's work ethic and drive moved him into a successful career of corporate management. He and Ruth moved twice to São Paulo, Brazil, where Peter worked for both the Bank of Boston and Cooper Industries. He was Vice President of International Operations for the Cooper Hand Tools Division in Raleigh, North Carolina, beginning in 1980. In 1989, he assumed the role of Vice President and General Manager, International Operations of the Champion Spark Plug Division of Cooper in Toledo, Ohio. He and his family then settled in Columbia, South Carolina, where he became Vice President and General Manager of Cooper Power Tools, and ultimately President of Cooper Tools. Toward the end of his career, he served on the Board of Directors of Kennametal, Inc. Peter was proud to become a United States citizen in 1976 with a career that took him around the world, where he fluently spoke 6 languages. Peter's thirst for knowledge combined with his exceptional skills extended to his boundless hobbies and talents: carpentry, architecture and design, photography, model crafting, drawing, cooking and genealogy, among others. Peter had a solution for any challenge or problem. He loved working in his garage with his extensive tool collection, often applied to weekend projects. He also enjoyed entertaining with Ruth, including grilling, sharing his love of wine and chocolate, while telling jokes and fascinating stories! Above all, Peter's greatest devotion was to his family: his loving wife, his children, their spouses and his grandchildren. He cherished building memories with all of them, including trips to Europe, Australia, South America, the beaches of North Carolina and South Carolina as well as vacations to Disney World. He also loved supporting his grandchildren and nurturing their interests and passions, while sharing his words of wisdom. Peter is survived by his devoted wife, Ruth Held, his loving children, Steven Held (Mary) and Emily Farr (Ellis), and his cherished grandchildren, Will, Carter and Catie Farr. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his brother, George Dieter Held. A celebration of life service will be held at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road, Columbia, South Carolina, on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.