NAIFA is saddened by the news that association Past President Robert B. Hughes, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF, LIC, recently passed away. A Senior Agent with Principal Financial Group in East Lansing, Michigan, before he retired, Hughes first became a NAIFA member in 1962 and served as national President for the 1983-1984 term. He was the President of NAIFA-Michigan in 1977-1978.

Hughes was a strong supporter of education and professional development in the industry. He served as Chair of the Life Underwriter Training Council and was a moderator of courses in the LUTCF designation program. He taught pre-licensing life and health insurance courses at Michigan State University and was on the Agent Education Advisory Council for the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

About his decades of service to NAIFA, Hughes said in an interview while he was national President, “I’ve always been very much aware of the many people who have given me a boost along the way. To reciprocate in kind to others seems to me to be one of the most meaningful legacies we can leave.” A primary focus during his term as President was growing NAIFA membership “among a more diversified life underwriter fraternity.”

“My dad cared so much about this industry and about helping others succeed in insurance and financial services,” said his son, Robert L. Hughes, LUTCF, RECB, himself a NAIFA member since 1985. “He was the first to roll up his sleeves and get down to work to benefit NAIFA and his fellow agents, whether it was speaking on behalf of the industry, promoting the LUTCF, or advocating politically. I have very fond memories of our family attending NAIFA events as I was growing up and as I began my own career.”

Close friendships were formed from Hughes’ NAIFA connections, his son said. These friends included Arthur Abramson, CLU, ChFC, Jack Bobo, CLU, FLMI, Michael Keenan, CLU, ChFC, Kirke Lewis, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF, Mac McManigal, CLU, CPCU, LUTCF, David Woods, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF, and others. They would keep in regular contact and their families would get together at NAIFA and other industry events around the country, the younger Hughes said.

Hughes served on the boards of the Parkwood YMCA, Greater Lansing Estate Planning Council, and Red Cross Development Committee. He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Lansing. He was also a past Chairman of the Board for the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce and a past Chairman of the Board for Sparrow Specialty Hospital.

He graduated from Michigan State University, where he was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity as well as the varsity track and field team. Later, he was a 400-meter champion in the Michigan Senior Olympics.

Hughes was a life qualifier of the Million Dollar Roundtable and passionately urged other agents to achieve MDRT membership and participate in the organization. He also was a 33-year recipient of the NAIFA Quality Award. Hughes was inducted into the Michigan Insurance Hall of Fame in 2011. NAIFA offers our sincere condolences to his family and many friends.