Quirk & Company’s Robert C. Quirk
San Antonio, Texas-based wholesale insurance broker, Quirk & Company, announced the passing of its president and CEO for the past 41 years, Robert (Bob) C. Quirk.
Born in 1946, Quirk graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1967 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with honors and was inducted to the Beta Gamma Sigma academic honor society.
In 1969, he became a licensed CPA and joined Haskins & Sells as a senior accounting assistant in Dallas, Texas. In 1974, he obtained his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas School of Law. That same year he was admitted to the State Bar of Texas.
Robert Quirk began working with Quirk & Company in 1961 in both full and part time roles. He became the manager in 1974 after his graduation from law school. To increase the markets with which Quirk & Company was dealing, he visited and contracted with Lloyd’s of London Underwriters to bind and issue several types of first party business. This contract has successfully remained in place for over 40 years.
As a well-respected leader in the wholesale insurance industry, he served as an advisor on insurance matters to the State of Texas during legislative sessions. His visionary work brought surplus lines into the limelight. With his help some of the first state legislation that paved the way for The Surplus Lines Stamping Office of Texas was drafted and became law.
His dedication to the industry included his involvement with various associations. He was the past president and chairman of the board of directors of the Texas Surplus Lines Association (TSLA). He served on the executive committee of the American Association of Managing General Agents (AAMGA). He was a member of the National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices (NAPSLO) Legislative Committee.
He also served, in an advisory role, as vice president and secretary of National Unity Insurance Company from 1984 to 1991.
As the chairman of Quirk Group Inc., he managed Quirk & Company, Mission Claims Service and Dragonflyware. His leadership contributed to the growth and prosperity of each subsidiary.
Quirk was born and raised in San Antonio and was an active member in his community. He served on charitable boards including: president and director of the Clarity Child Guidance Center of San Antonio; past president and director of US Friends of English National Opera Inc.; past director of San Antonio Opera Inc. and past director of the San Antonio Symphony.
His love of sports included both the San Antonio Spurs and all things Longhorn.
Quirk’s deepest and most cherished love was for his family. He is survived by his wife, Karen, his children, Colleen, Cathleen, Christopher, Reuben (Daniel) and Robert, and grandchildren, Griffin, Mairin, Taylor, Abaigeal, Caden and Ryland.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer charitable donations be made to Wounded Warrior Project or Doctors Without Borders, two of his favorite charities.
Acknowledgements for charitable donations can be mailed to Karen Quirk & Family, c/o Quirk & Company, PO Box 792030, San Antonio, Texas, 78279-2030.