Orem O. Robbins

Carlson School of Management, May 17, 2001

Orem O. Robbins graduated with distinction from the University of Minnesota in 1936 with a bachelor's degree in business administration and began his professional career as a business office representative and service engineer for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company. Following his military service during World War II, Robbins resumed his professional life where he left off, working first at Northwestern Bell, then moving to the Savings Bond Division for the State of Minnesota. By 1948 he earned his law degree and by 1956 he founded Security Life Insurance Company of America, the first publicly owned life insurance company in Minnesota. He served as president of the company for 24 years, and has been chairman of the board since 1980. The roster of organizations to which Robbins has contributed is almost as vast as the many ways in which he has helped them. It includes numerous professional, military, educational, religious and community services, including the Hamline University board of trustees, Methodist Hospital, Goodwill Industries, the American Legion and Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church. He has spent a lifetime serving family, country and community with the utmost compassion and integrity. The All-University Honors Committee enthusiastically endorsed the awarding of an Outstanding Achievement Award to Orem O. Robbins from the University of Minnesota.