Meet Lucy Jo Lane

What an incredible day! Today I met my five-day-old great-granddaughter, Lucy Jo Lane, for the very first time. She is healthy, beautiful, and already surrounded by so much love. 

Her mother and father are doing a wonderful job as new parents. It didn't take long for Lucy to steal my heart, and I know she will bring endless joy to our family in the years ahead.

Induction Ceremony 2025 Iowa Insurance Hall of Fame

My induction into the Iowa Insurance Hall of Fame was an unexpected but greatly appreciated honor. My family and friends suited up and showed up in numbers that exceeded my expectations. To have my children and grandchildren there made it an amazing experience. 

The hardest part for me was the speech. Not giving the speech but deciding on what to say. Each inductee is given five minutes which, after the obligatory thank yous, leaves very little time for a serious message. I had been on the IIHOF board for many years and attended over 20 events, so I have heard at least 80 inductee speeches. Some were awkward, some were polished, some were boring. The ones I remember best were funny, so I went with humor with a message. 

I was introduced by Abby-Jaye Larson a fellow CPCU with a personality that shines in the dark. She did a great job and set the stage for my speech. I had some notes printed out but I fumbled them on stage and winged it to the end.  Here is a link to a video of the event.

Besides the the people that attended I heard from friends from across the country. I heard how I had helped them, encouraged them to be their best, and a few that said I gave them a swift kick that they needed at the time. Much of what I heard were the nice platitudes that people say about the deceased at a funeral. I will alway be grateful for the experience.

The recognition was a wakeup call for me, as a senior leader in the local insurance community, to be sure to step up and nominate people that I know that should be in the IIHOF too. I am activity working on four at this time. 

Mazel Tov!

My grandson, Jackson, is a good person. That may be my highest compliment besides respecting those that are lifelong learners. 

Jackson was given the promise of a full ride scholarship to any University of Nebraska location when he was in 8th grade. He would forfeit the scholarship if his grades sagged or if he got into any trouble. I became concerned when he acquired a steady girlfriend, Cassidy, in 10th grade. 

Girlfriends, good grades and staying out of trouble are often mutually exclusive. Over the years that they dated I got to know Cassidy and was impressed with her kindness and character.

They continued to date through high school and entered University of Nebraska at Kearney together. Four years later they both graduated and then landed great jobs in Kearney. 

Jackson and Cassidy married and my heart is full of joy for them. They deserve each other and they are a blessing to their families and many friends. 

A Visit to Kearney

 A pleasant time was had by all.

2017 Goals

Bob's Goals:

• More time with grandkids in Kearney, NE.
• More contact and time with sibs.
• Finish the “Full Grassley”, i.e, visit all 99 counties in Iowa.
• Be more reflective and appreciative.
• Pass the general test to upgrade my amateur radio license.
• Continue to improve the agency and the Plan and make both independent of time and location.
• Gracefully exit groups and committees where I no longer have a great passion for their mission or I am doing too much of the work.
• Improve my work/life balance.

Debbie's Goals:

• Work less
• Look for a vacation home
• Travel more with my hubby

National Bike Month

I wish more people would ride their bikes to work or take the bus.  

Then the freeway wouldn’t be so crowded for me.

Jackson and Allison just fly their B-52.