Robert “Bob" Earl DeWayne Harper, CPCU, CIC, retired shareholder at Rich & Cartmill Insurance passed on June 28, 2024 at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa with his two sons by his side.
Bob was born August 8, 1939 at St. Anthony hospital in Oklahoma City to Winifred Casey Harper. Bob's Dad (Thaddeus S. Harper, Jr.) was killed in an auto accident six months before Bob was born. It was the first of several life challenges Bob would overcome. Bob was the youngest of eight.
When he was in the 9th grade, his family moved to Chandler, OK. Bob always said it was one of the best things that ever happened to him. Bob was always proud to be a Chandler Lion! Bob was especially grateful to his speech teacher, Mrs. Marvel LaGere, who encouraged him to participate in Speech, Debate and Drama.
The principal at Chandler High School, Mr. Shelby Wyatt, pulled Bob aside his senior year and told him he needed to go to college. Bob attended Central State University (UCO) in Edmond and graduated from Okla. City University. The whole time Bob worked to pay his tuition.
In the fall of 1961 while walking through the Student Union at OCU, one of his professors introduced him to Charlie Doggett from the Travelers Ins. Company, who was on campus recruiting. Bob told him he had enlisted in the Navy and was leaving after the first of the year. He kept Charlie's business card.
Bob served two years in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Saratoga. He was on board the Saratoga in October of 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
After his enlistment was up, he returned to Oklahoma City and reached out to Charlie Doggett. He interviewed and was hired by the Travelers Ins. Co. He was a field rep. and traveled the state calling on independent agents. He and Charlie were friends for 60 years.
After four years with the Travelers, Bob joined Alexander & Alexander (now called AON) as an insurance broker. He enjoyed the work, but did not like working for a large corporation. He saw Jack Mandeville as they were leaving church and Jack invited him to come talk to Dick Teubner, Ed Bentley and him about joining Rich & Cartmill.
Bob began at Rich & Cartmill on Jan. 1, 1970. He would be there for 48 years. In that time, Dick, Ed, Jack, Bob and later Ron McCullough laid the foundation for where Rich & Cartmill is today. They were strong advocates of the independent agency system, and were always willing to share ideas with fellow independent agencies. Bob always felt R&C was more than just a place to work and talked often of the Rich & Cartmill Family. Up to the day he retired, he was always one of the first people to welcome a new employee to Rich & Cartmill.
Bob was Past President of the Ind. Ins. Agents of Tulsa, the NE Okla. Chapter of CPCU and served as President of IIAO in 1989-90.
For many years he taught classes at the IIAO – Norman School – with his good friends Ken McGranahan and Bruce Schutte.
Bob had a well earned reputation as a nice guy – because he treated everyone the same.
He is preceded by his first wife, Jane Sherry Harper, and his second wife Barbara Ann Harper. He is survived by his two sons, John and Mike and their families, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be Friday July 12 at 11:00 at the Church of St. Mary; 1347 E. 49th St.; Tulsa, OK. Reception to follow in the church hall. The service will also be livestreamed at www.churchofsaintmary.com.
To honor Bob, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution to the Tuition Assistance fund at Bishop Kelley High School – 3905 S. Hudson; Tulsa, 74135