In Memoriam: Robert T. Herres

During his 36 year Air Force career, Bob T. Herres served in fighter-interceptors, technical intelligence, the Flight Test Center and Space Systems before tours as a wing commander in Strategic Air Command. Later, he was commander of Air Force Communications Command, the Eighth Air Force, and as the Joint Staff J-6, was promoted to general to become commander of NORAD and the first commander of US Space Command. He ended his active duty career with a three-year assignment as Vice Chairman of the JCS, the first to hold that position.

Following his military career, Robert joined the management of USAA Insurance, becoming Chairman and CEO of the company in 1993. After leading USAA through its expansion to serve enlisted members, he retired in 2002.

He then joined the board of Luby’s, Inc., a NYSE listed, San Antonio-based cafeteria style restaurant enterprise, and served on its personnel and compensation and audit committees. He subsequently was elected chairman of the Luby’s board and served until retirement at the end of the company’s 2003 fiscal year. He was most recently a member of the board of United Educators, a mutual insurance company specializing in liability protection for educational institutions. He was also a Trustee of LMI, Inc., a non-profit enterprise in Washington, D.C., which provides analytical services to governmental organizations.

During his business career, Robert chaired the boards of several nationally based industry organizations; prominent among them were the National Association of Independent Insurers, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Insurance Information Institute, and the Property and Casualty Insurance CEO Roundtable. He also served on the Fannie Mae Advisory Panel, and the boards of the Financial Services Roundtable and the Insurance Institutes of America.

Robert was involved in numerous philanthropic, educational and public service organizations and was a member of the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America, and a trustee of both Trinity University and the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

A Colorado native and Naval Academy graduate, Robert held Master’s degrees in electrical engineering and public administration, and an honorary doctorate from the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. In 1957 he was married to Shirley Jean Sneckner of San Antonio.

At approximately 9:15 PM CDT on July 24, Robert passed away. He is survived by his wife, three married children, and ten grandchildren.