He began his insurance career as an agent in 1945, following graduation from The Ohio State University, where he played third base for two years on the baseball team. Schiff retired in 2004 from the boards of Cincinnati Financial and its four insurance subsidiaries. At that time, he also retired from Schiff, Kreidler-Shell Inc., a large, Cincinnati area insurance agency that he had served as chairman since 1991 and president from 1984 to 1991. He formed Schiff, Kreidler-Shell in 1984 after leaving his position as senior vice president of Cincinnati Insurance to expand his agency business, according to company officials.
“Over Bob’s 59-year career as an insurance agent, he epitomized the professionalism and personal involvement that independent agents bring to the table,” said John J. Schiff Jr., Schiff’s nephew and Cincinnati Financial chairman. “Bob always spoke loud and clear on behalf of the people and businesses his agency served, and this customer perspective continues to contribute to the success of our company.”
“Bob believed that independent agents had personal relationships in the community and unique local knowledge that could lead to prosperity for an insurance company - a belief that led to one of the company’s enduring competitive advantages,” said Kenneth W. Stecher, president and chief executive officer of Cincinnati Financial.
In March 2007, Fairfield-based Cincinnati Financial Corp. was the largest private employer in Butler County, employing more than 2,900 employees. Since then, however, its employee levels have remained stagnant and the company has now been surpassed by AK Steel, with 3,100 employees between its Middletown and West Chester Twp. operations, according to statistics from the Butler County Department of Economic Development.
Schiff is survived by his wife, Adele; their two sons, Dr. James A. Schiff (Beth) and Dr. Robert C. Schiff, Jr. (Dawn); and six grandchildren.
Visitation will take place Tuesday, Jan. 12, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., with services on Wednesday, Jan. 13, beginning at 1:30 p.m., both at Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church.
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2843 or jheffner@coxohio.com.
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