A neighbor who just happens to sell insurance
Bob Hamby to be honored for 50 years of service
If you sit with State Farm Insurance agent Bob Hamby and try to get him to sum up a 50-year career — a legacy, if you will — in the insurance business, don’t bother bringing multiple notebooks and writing utensils.
You won’t need them.
“I love the people,” he said last week.
And it really is that simple for Hamby.
He’s the same gentleman today as he was 50 years ago when he traded in his banking job to become an insurance agent.
“It was the same when I was in banking,” he said. “I just enjoyed talking with people.”
Hamby will be honored at a reception from 1 – 4 p.m. Friday, March 15, at his office at 1115 Charles Seivers Boulevard — just one day (March 16) of 50-years as a State Farm agent.
“My wife (Karen) asked me what I wanted to do when I retired,” he said.
Hamby grew thoughtful, nodded, then grinned, “Go to the office,” he finally said.
“It’s the people,” he said, smiling.
“Sure, it takes a lot of stuff to do that (be in business for 50 years), but the people you get to know, the relationships you make — it’s like we’re all part of a family.
“I don’t have a job. Not really.”
Hamby downplays his role in the community, his commitment and support.
It’s just not in his nature to brag about himself or what he’s accomplished or how he been a part of the community for 50 years.
“Sure, you’ll see the name out there, but that’s why we do it,” he said. “Just to have the name out there.”
Nah, it’s not about supporting community endeavors.
He missed work for the better part of the last three months because of health issues.
And he means it: He “missed” work.
Once he got back on his feet and was out and about he witnessed first hand how much “work” missed him.
Eating breakfast one morning he said, “There must have been 50 people who came up and greeted me.
“I almost didn’t get to eat,” he laughed.
And you can tell by the quick grin and chuckle that he loved every minute of it.
After all, he was talking with people.
