May 29, 1931 – September 10, 2015
Family and friends joined together for memorial services for Robert George Beneke earlier this week. Public Insurance adjusters nationwide should all take a moment and tip their hats to a man who was trailblazer and advocate for policyholders. After serving as a supply sergeant in United States Air Force, Bob joined is father’s public insurance adjuster company, A.C. Beneke and Company, in New York. By 1965, R.G. Beneke & Company was formed in Richardson, Texas. This was the first public insurance adjusting company in the Southwest. Bob did not limit his services- his firm became known as a national company that handled claims with integrity and excellence.
Bob was at the forefront of the effort to get licensing for public adjusters in Texas, beginning in 1979. Along the way, he fought numerous battles against the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee of the State of Texas, and other industry groups determined to stop the growth of the public adjusting industry.
Bob was long time leader in the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters and a founding member for the Texas Association of Public Insurance Adjusters. Dedicating his career to assisting policyholders on property damage claims, Bob connected and made a collaborative effort with the nation’s elite public adjusting firms to form Adjusters International.
Bob’s son, Jim Beneke, will continue to represent policyholders with Adjuster’s International and Jim gave us some of the details of Bob’s work:
Dad organized the first joint venture of public adjusters from around the country after Hurricane Celia in 1970. According to those who participated, it was quite a memorable experience, and is still discussed at NAPIA meetings.
Fellow adjuster, Pat Bickford will fondly remember and appreciate that it was Bob Beneke that allowed him to purchase Adjuster’s International’s Texas Operating Agreement. Pat said that Bob’s efforts and contributions were greatly appreciated through all of Adjusters Intentional and remembers Bob was a shrewd negotiator.
Bob took great pride in his family and in his work. Notably, Bob’s legacy extends to a fourth generation in the family, Blair Beneke. Bob took great pride in her decision to join Jim’s firm a couple of years ago.
Bob is survived by his wife Joanne and a loving blended family: Kaye Beneke; Jim Beneke and wife, Janet; Traci Hodges Milliner and husband, Riley; and Kelli Hodges. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Blair Beneke; LauraLea Terlaak and husband, Parker; Jennifer Bingham and husband, Brad; Hailey Bohanan; Joel Hodges; Lori Milliner; and Mike Moody. Bob delighted in great-grandchildren Liam Bohanan, Emily Bingham, and Shiner Moody. He is also survived by his sister, Evelyn McCaffrey, and numerous nieces, nephews, and their families. Bob’s brother, Al Beneke, preceded him in death.
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http://www.legacy.com/guestbooks/dfw/bob-beneke-condolences/175817206?cid=full
