Robert Neil Stein, Sr.

Robert Neil Stein, Sr. Insurance-Stockbroker Mulberry- Mr. Robert Neil Stein, Sr. died on June 15, 2012 at his home of cancer. He was born 6/1/27 in Galveston, Texas, the youngest of eight children of Adolph and Katherine Ruth Stein. He was baptized August 1927 at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Galveston and has remained an Episcopalian during his lifetime. He served as Senior Warden of All Saints Episcopal Church in 1970. Mr. Stein was a graduate of Ball High School in Galveston. He joined the Navy at age 17 and served with the Seabees on Pearl Harbor and Okinawa. He then attended North Texas State University graduating with a degree in Business and major in Insurance. Mr. Stein was employed by the Hartford Insurance Group for 14 years in various capacities over the southeast. He moved to Lakeland in February of 1966 as Executive Vice President of Jefferson-Bishop Insurance Agency which he later merged with the Allsopp Agency to form Jefferson-Allsopp. He later spent seven years with the Anchor Insurance Agency and eight years with his own agency after which he served as Risk Management Director of the Polk Schools. After retiring from the school system, he again operated his own Insurance and Stock Brokerage business as well as joining his wife, Ann, in the formation and operation of Florida Mortgage Centre. Mr. Stein was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and member of the Egypt Shrine Temple. He was a Kiwanian for over 30 years and served on the Boards of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, Heart of Florida Girl Scouts, Boys club, as well as many other civic activities. He was a member of Lone Palm Golf club and the Lakeland Yacht Club for over thirty years. He served as President of the Lakeland Association of Insurance Agents, Polk Association of Insurance Agents, of which he was the principal founder. He served on the Board of Directors of the Florida Association of Insurance Agents and the Membership Committee of the National Association and as President of the Florida Educational Risk Managers Association. He was the Democratic nominee for the House of Representatives in 1996. He was predeceased by his parents, Katherine Ruth and Adolph Stein, brothers, Ernest, David and Adolph and sisters, Ruth, Katherine, Eleanor and Marjorie. He is survived by his wife, Ann B. Stein, of 33 years, son, Robert N., Jr. (Toni), Lakeland, FL daughters, Constance Ruth Stein Upshaw (Charles), Raleigh, N.C., Mary Katherine Stein Hicks, Axtell, Texas, Carol Jane Stein Locarro, Woody Creek, CO, stepdaughters Gretchen Grahn Hitchcock (Norman) of Middletown, R.I and Stephanie Grahn Krantz (Arthur) of Sugar Grove, IL, eleven grandchildren, six great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Memorial Services will be held on Thursday June 21, 2012 at 4:00 pm at Heath Funeral Chapel with a reception following the service in The Tribute Center. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to All Saints"" Episcopal Church, 209 S. Iowa Avenue, Lakeland, Fl 33801. Service: 06/21/2012 Heath Funeral Chapel 328 South Ingraham Avenue, Lakeland, Florida 33801