Former St. Paul's Chairman Carl Drake Dies At 89

Carl B. Drake Jr., chairman of St. Paul Companies Inc. from 1977 to 1984, died on July 24 in St. Paul, Minn. He was 89. His death was announced by St. Paul-based The Travelers Companies Inc.

His death resulted from congestive heart failure, according to the Star-Tribune of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Services were held Wednesday.

Mr. Drake began his career with St. Paul by working summers while in college. In 1941, he started full time with the automobile underwriting department, the company said.

He was the great-grandson of Charles Bigelow, who headed the company when it was St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Co.

After serving in World War II as a naval officer on a destroyer, he held various field and underwriting leadership positions with the company before being elected secretary in 1960.

He became president of St. Paul Fire and Marine in 1969. He was elected president and chief executive officer of The St. Paul Companies in 1973. Four years later, Mr. Drake was elected chairman. In 1978, he relinquished the presidency but continued as chairman and chief executive officer.

In 1984, Mr. Drake retired from the position of chairman and chief executive officer but remained on the board of directors as vice chairman.

As vice chairman, Mr. Drake was an active member on the boards of several research, educational, charitable and corporate institutions. He retired from The St. Paul's board in 1987.

The St. Paul Companies merged with Travelers Property Casualty Corp. in 2004 and the combined company is now known as The Travelers Companies Inc.

"Carl's distinguished leadership has left an indelible mark on our company," said Jay Fishman, Travelers chairman and CEO. "All who knew Carl remember him for his integrity, courage, strong convictions and for his many business and community achievements. Carl was a good friend of the company and a good friend of the community."

A life-long resident of St. Paul, he graduated from the St. Paul Academy and Yale University. Mr. Drake was a strong supporter of his home town, helping to found the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul, and with his firm provided backing for the construction of the Metrodome sports arena in Minneapolis.

He is survived by a brother, three children, three stepchildren, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Widowed twice, he was married for 32 years to the former Frances Boynton and for 29 years to Charlotte Hannaford Day.

The family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Minnesota Public Radio or The Ordway Music Theatre.