Preview
Award Date
1993
Major
Insurance
Award Description
Howard R. Fricke started in the insurance industry with State Farm Insurance while attending IWU. With Horace Mann Insurance Companies in Springfield, Ill., Fricke became senior vice president and chief administrative officer by 1963. In 1972 he served two years as Illinois State Secreatry of Commerce and in 1976 he became president of American Health and Life insurance company. In 1985, Fricke completed the advanced momangement program at Harvard Graduate School of Business. Since 1988 Fricke has acted as president and CEO of Security Benefit Group of Companies, a $4 billion diversified finiancial services organization based in Topeka, Kan. In September, the Points of Light Foundation honored SBG for its excellence in community service programs, which were initiated by Fricke. Some of Fricke's involvment in Topeka community affairs include: chair of United Way of Greater Topeka; YMCA treasurer; chairman of Kansas Insurance Education Foundation; president of Kansas life Association; and trustee of the Menninger Foundation. Fricke and his wife, Sharon Linton Fricke '60, have three children, including two (David '85 and Karen '81) who are graduates of Illinois Wesleyan. \