Alvin Rogal, Founder Of HRH, Dies

Alvin "Al" Rogal, one of the founders of Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company, died Nov. 6, his company announced. He was 84.

The cause of death was reported as complications from a brief illness.

Mr. Rogal's firm was originally started by his father as The Rogal Company in the early 1940s. Along with Bob Hilb and David Hamilton, Mr. Rogal founded HRH in 1982. He was a driving force throughout HRH's evolution, especially in HRH's Pittsburgh office, the Richmond, Va.-based firm said.

In addition to serving for many years on HRH's board of directors, Mr. Rogal was president of HRH's Pittsburgh office from 1982 to 1987, when he handed the reins over to his son Andy Rogal. At that time, Mr. Rogal became chairman of HRH's Pittsburgh office, a position he held until his retirement in 2007.

A graduate of Cornell University, Mr. Rogal served as a U.S. Naval officer in the Pacific theater during World War II.

In Pittsburgh, where he was born, Mr. Rogal was active in various leadership roles within the city's academic, health care and philanthropic communities.

Mr. Rogal is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ann; his son Andy, who served as HRH's CEO from 1997 to 2003; his son Jim, who administers HRH's charitable foundation; and five grandchildren.

"I am personally honored to have known and worked with Al Rogal," said HRH Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Martin L. "Mell" Vaughan III in a statement. "He was not only an exceptional businessman, [but] as a dedicated citizen of Pittsburgh and tireless philanthropist, he made a lasting difference in the community in which he was born, worked and lived. Al will be missed greatly by those who were fortunate enough to get to know him."