Sedgwick Founder Robert "Bob" Young,pictured here, died on Feb. 20, 2020, at the age of 83. (Photoprovided by Sedgwick)

It was 1969 when Robert "Bob" Young founded the companythat would become Sedgwick, a leading global provider oftechnology-enabled risk, benefits and integrated businesssolutions.

Under Young's leadership, the business grew from "a small claimsservices company" to 500 employees. Since his retirement in 1996,Sedgwick has grown even further, now boasting 27,000 employees in65 countries.

Bob Young died on Feb. 20, 2020, at the age of 83, according toa statement from Sedgwick. President and CEO Dave North said theloss will be felt by many within and outside the company.

"His passion for life was unmatched," North said in a pressrelease. "An extremely dedicated and honorable man, Bob left anindelible mark on the insurance industry."

Voices sounded off around the insurance and claims spacehonoring Young's influence and impact.

MarshSenior Vice President Sara Paul said she was always impressed bywhat Sedgwick "brought to the table."

"The focus Bob Young put on the professionalism of third-partyadministration, bringing in people with the right skills to handleclaims and treating those making a claim as a person rather than ajob was refreshing," Paul said via email. "His vision of what a TPAcould be drove Sedgwick forward to be an innovative partner withtheir clients leading to long term relationships… This raising ofthe bar led to both carriers and other third party administratorsraising expectations within their organizations in order tocontinue as viable competitors."

JC Beckstrand worked with Young about two decades ago and stillthinks of the executive fondly.

"What a great guy," Beckstrand, senior vice president andpractice leader at WillisTower Watson, posted on LinkedIn in response to an announcementabout Young's passing. "[We] worked side by side for many years andhe was a man of character, integrity and a drive for excellence,"he said.

Mary Anne Medina, vice president of business development atField Pros Direct, commented on Young'slegacy.

"Bob has left a legacy that will be remembered forgenerations," she said. "He is proof that you can start small andwork hard to achieve success while taking care of thosearound you and realizing a dream," she said.

Is was Young's vision, Medina added, that fueled Sedgwick'sclimb to becoming a leading global provider of TPA services andrisk solutions.

North also applauded Young's leadership and compassion.

"The establishment of our organization is widely regarded ashaving a seismic impact on the global insurance industry," theSedgwick CEO said in his prepared remarks. "Bob's leadership andlegacy encouraged innovative product development, organic businessdevelopment, strategic acquisitions and more — all of which allowSedgwick's offerings to continually evolve beyond claims processingto meet the current and future needs of our clients. We have BobYoung to thank for where we are today."

See also: 

• Sedgwick announces senior leadership changes withgrowth strategy in mind
• New partnership assists military families affectedby Calif. earthquakes
• Sedgwick acquires York Risk ServicesGroup