Bob Trippe

In the Atlanta Journal Constitution obituaries I noticed a longtime friend Bob Trippe had passed away in Clearwater, Florida. I met Bob early in my Chubb career when I was sent to Atlanta in 1968 on a month-long temporary assignment in the Personal Lines Department. Bob was an underwriter in that department and we became quick friends as I had never previously been in Atlanta. The assignment stretched in several months and while I thought a permanent transfer would be nice, I was sent back to continue my training in New York. In late 1970 one of the other Atlanta PL underwriters was promoted, and I was offered a transfer; it was a good opportunity so I jumped at it. Bob was still there, and we continued hanging out together.

Many a night was spent at The Red Dog Inn (later Clarence Fosters and now a Chick Filet site). We enjoyed drinking, good music, and shared a quirky sense of humor. We enjoyed pulling multiple pranks on fellow Chubb employees. One I remember was when Bob and I were assigned to design department work flow charts. After we completed the project we then designed different wacky versions and distributed them to some gullible unsuspecting employees--it was hilarious. When Chubb merged with/acquired Pacific Indemnity, the Atlanta branch of each company shared office space. Relations got strained at times. In an effort to lighten things up Bob and I prepared a pamphlet titled "Analysis of the Chubb & Pacific Indemnity Merger." When you opened it the first page was a photo of 2 rhinos having intercourse with the "make love not war motto" below. The Chubb branch manager laughed, but warned us not to show it to PI staff. Of course we showed it to the PI branch manager and his response was "you don't know what it's like down below." Another time I grew a mustache much to the chagrin of our department manager. When I refused to shave it he suspended me from traveling or conducting agency seminars I had helped design. Bob was instrumental in convincing our manager that was a stupid policy and he ultimately relented. 52 years later I still haven't shaved it.

In late 1972  I was offered a career expanding opportunity in Chubb's home office. While I wound up in NJ, LA and CT, Bob remained in Atlanta, ultimately becoming the regional Personal Lines Manager. Fast forward 10 years and Bob was named the branch manager of Chubb's Charlotte office, and I was promoted into Bob's regional position. Even though we were in different cities we frequently interacted at numerous Personal Lines meetings and some home office activities. Bob and also spent time together planning and establishing a personal lines underwriting presence in Charlotte.  

I left Chubb in 1988, and Bob ultimately wound up in Tampa as the branch manager so the friendship faded over time. I often thought about our friendship. Like many of my Chubb friends it became harder to keep in touch once I left. That was one my regrets about leaving a 20 year career. I have managed to maintain contact with a few of them. I wish Bob had remained one of them

Godspeed, Bob Trippe.