It is with great sadness that NASBP announces the loss of our NASBP colleagues Wayne Lauwers, Charles Brian Schmalz, and Kyle Scott Wilson. We extend our deepest condolences to their family and friends.
WAYNE LAUWERS
March 24, 1955 - August 26, 2018
NASBP activist Wayne Lauwers, 63, Surety Manager of Dawson Insurance, a Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC Company of Fargo, ND, passed away on August 26, 2018.
Wayne began his insurance career in 1981 and started at Dawson Insurance in 1996. He had specialized in surety since 1988 when he held a position as a surety manager and office manager. In his role at Dawson Insurance, he continued to specialize in surety and also obtained the CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) designation.
He worked at Hoiness LaBar Insurance in Billings, until 1988 when he and his family moved to Fargo, ND. He worked at First Insurance in Fargo until 1995, at which time he moved to Dawson Insurance in Fargo. He was the Surety Manager at Dawson Insurance until the time of his death.
Nick Newton, President of Newton Surety Services, LLC dba Newton Bonding, said, "I met Wayne Lauwers early in my career, nearly 30 years ago. Our industry is a small community, full of extraordinary people, yet Wayne stood out. He was consistently known for his kindness, professionalism, and dedication to his clients and our industry. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”
Wayne was quoted on his firm's website saying, “The best thing about my job is having the opportunity to work in an environment where hard work and dedication are recognized."
A strong advocate for the industry that he served, Wayne was involved in industry leadership through his roles as secretary and treasurer for the Associated General Contractors of North Dakota, as the president of the Fargo Moorhead Builders Exchange, and as president of the Independent Insurance Agents of North Dakota. In addition, he was involved in his local community through his participation in the Adopt-A-Highway program.
Wayne was born on March 24, 1955, in Harlowton, MT, to Mandell and Barbara Lauwers. He graduated from Billings West High in 1973. He married his high school sweetheart, JoAnn Reinhardt, on July 19, 1974. He received his B.S. in Business and Accounting from Montana State University in 1978.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, JoAnn; children, Matt and Brian (Sadie); grandchildren, Lexi, Gavin, Madison, Austin, and Rowen; siblings, Ron (Allyson), Dave (Cindy), Debbie (Loren) Herlyn, Tom (Margie), and Sandy Ogden.
Visitation and funeral were held in August at Hope Lutheran Church of Fargo, ND.
In lieu of flowers, memorials donations may be made to Life 97.9 Christian Radio or the Red River Valley Zoo.
An obituary for Wayne can be found at the Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home of Fargo website.
Consider posting a tribute or condolence at the tribute wall in Wayne's name.
CHARLES BRIAN SCHMALZ
July 14, 1943 - August 27, 2018
NASBP activist Charles Brian Schmalz, 75, passed away August 27, 2018, in Boulder, CO, at the end of a long illness.
After getting out of the Marine Corps, Brian attended a career event in Saddle Brook, NJ, for officers. At this event, Seaboard Surety conducted a quiz asking what “surety” meant. Brian had never heard of surety previously and had no idea he would spend his whole career in a business that he loved. Brian joined Seaboard, and his employment with Seaboard took him to Chicago, Honolulu, and New York. Brian spent time in the Seattle area with Reliance and in Philadelphia, Brian was President and CEO of Reliance Surety, President of Kemper Surety, and Senior Vice President of Surety for Arch Insurance Group.
Brian was active in promoting the surety industry. He was a member of the Surety Association of America and served as Vice Chairman from 1998-1999 and Chairman from 1999-2000.
He was born on July 14, 1943, to parents Charles and Dorothy Schmalz in Poughkeepsie, NY, where he grew up. Brian attended and graduated from New Paltz State College in New York. It was here he met his wife, Sandra, walking off the soccer field after a championship game. When Brian graduated, he joined the Marine Corps as an officer. Sandra and Brian married before he went to Vietnam for a 13-month tour of duty. Upon returning, they were stationed in Key West, FL.
Brian and Sandra enjoyed retirement in Naples, FL, and Boulder, CO. Brian loved climbing the 14ers mountain peaks of Colorado (peaks with elevations of at least 14,000 feet), with his son; exploring the West; gardening; walking family dogs; and last, but not least, eating ice cream. He was a very private person, but a generous and faithful friend.
Phil Forker, Partner at Anchor Insurance & Surety, Inc., said Brian was a mentor who advanced hundreds of people’s surety careers. "Brian was an all-inclusive personality; he could be a boss, mentor, and best friend and still keep you focused," said Forker, who worked for Brian and had Brian as his best man in his wedding. "He could give you encouragement and criticism; you would be accepting of both and likely take his criticisms and own them, because he was such a credible person."
"Brian was a servant leader and had many loyal followers," said Maureen O’Connell, Western Regional Director – Surety at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. "He made you think, he made you work hard, and he helped you grow your career. We were blessed that he touched our lives and we will miss him."
Brian was a well-respected industry representative. "He was a force; a lot of contractors identified with him," said Forker. A contractor once asked a group of surety professionals, which included Forker and Brian, if any one of them would bond him for $50M dam project. Forker described how Brian instantly said "no, I don't know you well enough." The contractor liked Brian's honest and simple statement. "As a result, we ended up getting the account," Forker said, adding, "Brian knew that a candid, simple comment was more valuable at that moment than any of our other expressions of bond underwriting."
Forker said he was glad that he helped organize a celebration for Brian at the 2007 NASBP Regional Meeting, "I hope there will be more leaders like Brian for others advancing in our industry."
Jim Sommerville, Director and Manager of CNA Surety Corporation, said, "Of all of Brian’s leadership qualities, I think his kindness rose to the top. He had that special quality that made everyone he came in contact with feel as if they were the most important person to him at that very moment–a truly unique gift."
His wife, Sandra; daughter, Leslie; and son, Eric, survive him. He also is survived by his sister, Darrell, and brother, Jeff. His mother, father, and brother, Stephen, preceded him in death.
A memorial donation can be made to the Humane Society of the United States.
An obituary for Brian can be found at the Neptune Society Funeral Home website.
Consider expressing your condolences or leaving a memory message for Brian's family and friends.
KYLE SCOTT WILSON
August 23, 1982 - October 6, 2018
NASBP activist Kyle Scott Wilson, 36, a Bond Producer in the Fresno office of the central California branch of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., passed away suddenly on October 6, with his family by his side. Kyle had worked for Arthur J. Gallagher for 11 years.
Kyle was born on August 23, 1982, in Santa Maria, CA, to Scott and Maureen (Stettmeier) Wilson. Kyle's success as a baseball player at Righetti High School in Santa Maria, CA, earned him a baseball scholarship to Cal Polytechnic University San Luis Obispo. After Kyle played baseball for Cal Poly, he would go on to play baseball for Fresno State University and to play in the minor leagues for the Colorado Rockies after he was taken into the 2004 Minor League Baseball draft. The minor leagues took him to Casper, WY; Tucson, AZ; Asheville, NC; and Modesto, CA. During his time in professional baseball, Kyle made time in the off season to earn his degree in economics from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
After playing in the minor leagues for three years, Kyle settled down in Clovis, CA, married his wife, Chelsy (November 2007), began working for Arthur J. Gallagher and soon became one of the top producers in Arthur J. Gallagher’s office.
Jim Buckley Northwest Regional Manager at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Insurance Brokers of California, Inc., said: "His death has been difficult to process for many of us, in part due to the great impact he had in his 11 years at Gallagher as part of the Northwest team and the broader Western Region. Our hearts go out to Kyle’s family during this difficult time. He will be missed greatly by his family, friends, and, of course, his Gallagher family. He embodied the Gallagher Way and was a great example of hard work and perseverance."
NASBP Past President Susan Hecker, Director, National Contract Surety Area Executive Vice President at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. said, "In his brief 36 years, Kyle made a lasting impression on those of us who were fortunate enough to be his colleagues. He loved the bond business and was committed to representing his customers professionally and with skill. He will truly be missed."
Kyle is survived by his wife, Chelsy; his children, Kellen, and Finley; his parents, Scott and Maureen Wilson; and his brother, Blaine Wilson. He is also survived by his in-laws: Curtis and Renee Thompson; Matt, Regan, Keegan, and Josi Poston; Kyle, Colby, Elle, and Nixon Jamierena. He is also survived by his aunts, uncles, and cousins: Barry, Janie, Bridget, Claire, and Cate McGowan; Michael, Lisa, and Hanna Mahoney; Robbie, Don, Mallory, Kirsten, and Brett; and his grandfather, Robert Wilson.
Services for Kyle were held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on October 18.
Friends and family of Chelsy, Kellen and Finley, have set up a GoFundMe account to help them during this difficult transition. The GoFundMe link is: https://www.gofundme.com/our-hearts-are-with-the-wilsons.
An obituary for Kyle can be found at the Dignity Memorial funeral home website.
Consider sending a condolence message to Kyle's family.