Robert J. Hoefer
1926–2012
The brokerage community has lost a true moving force in the development of the insurance brokerage business as we know it, with the passing of Robert Hoefer, retired principal of Brokers Clearing House, Ltd., a West Des Moines brokerage general agency.
An honored U.S. Army veteran of World War II, Bob began his insurance career as an agent with Prudential in 1955. While with Prudential he became the first million dollar producer in the state of Iowa.
In 1966 he and his brother Bill started The Administrators, a TPA and health insurance provider. They, with their sons, built the business into a multi-million dollar premium operation, insuring school districts, municipalities, businesses and associations. In 1975 he purchased Brokers Clearing House, building the agency on product, service and underwriting expertise.
Bob was a tireless advocate for the betterment of the life brokerage industry. He was a member of the original organizing committee that met to discuss the founding of the National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies (NAILBA) and worked diligently within that organization for many years. He was a lifelong NAIFA (NALU) member, a past president of LIFE, Inc., a founder of LifeMark Partners, Inc., and a life and qualifying member of MDRT.
Bob was always active in his community, instrumental in raising funds for numerous organizations and a long-time political activist.
Bob left behind a son, Mark Hoefer, three daughters—Barbara Crowley, Gail Merritt and Sara Silverberg, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Dorothy.
Bob was a man of integrity, honesty and confidence, whose diligence and dedication to his craft allowed him to prosper, following his passion for the brokerage industry and the people in it. The brokerage industry owes a debt of thanks to Bob Hoefer (as does Broker World) and a fond farewell.
Rhonda L. Hagelman
1955–2012
The Broker World family has lost one of our dearest friends with the passing last month of Rhonda Hagelman, wife of Broker World columnist Ron Hagelman, Jr. Rhonda leaves behind daughter Ashley Hagelman, sons Ron Hagelman III and Jeffrey Hagelman, four grandchildren and many other loving family members and countless friends.
Rhonda began her insurance career in 1984 as a Penn Mutual agent and spent years in personal production as well as assisting Ron in many of his business endeavors. In 1999 she acquired Opportunity Management, Inc., a brokerage general agency in New Braunfels, TX, serving hundreds of life, health, annuity, disability income, long term care and group accident agents in Texas and beyond. In the early 2000s she formed her own small marketing group, IPA, with friends Leo Corsetti and Russ Bock. She became a board member of a larger marketing group, Diversified Marketing Group, or DMG, in 2004, and had served as treasurer of that group for the last six years.
A mainstay at long term care insurance conventions and conferences, Rhonda traveled with Ron throughout the country helping spread the message of America’s greatly underserved lifetime need—LTC insurance. In brokerage circles they were known as one entity—“Ron and Rhonda.”
Rhonda was active in the New Braunfels business community and sidelined as the facility coordinator for The Best Darn Barn, a special events venue owned by the Hagelmans. She was an expert dealing with bridezillas and their mothers (according to Rhonda, the moms were typically the more “challenging” of the two).
Memorial donations may be made to Hope Hospice of New Braunfels.
Rhonda was a dear personal friend, as well as a great example of the caring dedication necessary to serve our industry well and ultimately make a difference in the lives of countless families. She will be long remembered and sorely missed.
