| Notes |
- MHR note: Bert served In WWI he was in the 13th Regiment US Marines; Corporal of A. E.F.; 1st Lieut. US Marine Corps Reserves (1925-1935); Sec. General Director "The Sunflower Boys", Sat of American Legion, Department of Kansas.
He received at A.B. degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana in 1916. He was manager for Business Men's Assurance Co of America. Had a professional degree C.L.U United Congress. Church; past president of the Lions Club; past president of the University Club; American Legion (past commander); 40 aet 8; Teta X; Kappa Delta Pi; Phi Delta Kappa; on board of directors of the public museum.
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- Bert A. Hedges Taken by Death
Insurance Executive Ill for Two Years
Bert A. Hedges, 59, of 164 South Fountain, nationally known as an insurance executive, died Monday morning at Wesley hospital. He had been in failing health for the last two years but his condition had been critical for the last month.
In addition to insurance groups, he was active in many civic organizations, including the local UNESCO. Because of his work in the development of the latter organization, he was named an honorary citizen of Orleans, France, Wichita sister city under the UNESCO plan. He was Kansas chairman of UNESCO.
Hedges had been a resident of Wichita 20 year.
Taught School
A graduate of the University of Illinois in 1916, he served as a public school teacher and superintendent in Illinois before entering the life insurance business.
He was a national president of the American War Dads, a post commander of the American Legion and president of both the Wichita Lions club and the University club. He formed the Kansas Association of Accident and Health underwriters and served as its first president in 1940.
Among insurance activities he was a member of the executive board of the International Association of Accident and Health underwriters and national chairman of the general agents and managers committee of the National Association of Life underwriters. He also served as chairman of numerous national committees in these organizations.
Wrote Two Books
Hedges was the author of two books, “Selling Accident and Health Insurance” and “Let’s Sell Life Insurance.
In 1952 he was named winner of the Harold R. Gordon memorial award, presented by the Chicago Accident and Health association at Asbury Park, N.J. This award is the “Oscar” of the insurance business.
He entered the insurance business at Champaign, Ill. He later served as general agent at Decatur, Ill., and then was associated with his brother, Herbert, in the insurance business in Kansas City. He was appointed director of field services and sale training in the home office of the Business Men’s Assurance company in 1929. In 1932 he was named branch manager for the firm in Kansas, Northern Oklahoma and Southern Nebraska, with headquarters in Wichita.
Developed Business
Beginning with only three or four salesmen, he developed a force of 45 agents.
Hedges at one time was president of the Soldiers Home board of managers for the state of Kansas.
He was with the U.S. marines during World War I, serving overseas. He had always planned to visit Orleans, France, of which he was an honorary citizen, but never got to make the trip. One of this twin daughters, Edith, visited Orleans, officiating at the presentation of the train provided children of the French city by the children of Wichita.
Born in Nebraska
Hedges was a member of the Plymouth Congregational church. He was born Dec. 2, 1893, in Ansley, Neb.
Surviving are his wife, Edith, of the home; a son, Robert, of Champaign, Ill; three daughters, Mrs. Virginia Aldendifer of Indianapolis, Ind., Mrs. Elaine Stevens of Detroit, Mich., and Edith Hedges of Pittsburgh, Pa. He also is survived by his father, T.A. Hedges of South Haven, Kan.; three brothers and two sisters. One of the brothers, Arthur Hedges, lives at 1618 Fairmount.
Memorial services will be held at Plymouth Congregational church, probably Thursday afternoon. The family requests that friends send contributions to the cancer fund.
The body will be taken to Kansas City, Mo., for cremation.
Lahey mortuary is in charge of local arrangements.
The Wichita Beacon, Wichita, Kansas. Monday, 8 December 1952, page 5.
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1895 - 1952 (57 years)
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