Charlie & Melba Emerson
 I don't think I ever had the fortune of meeting Charlie - I'd surely
remember if I had. If memory serves me correctly, he was close to retirement
when I started in this field. But that doesn't mean I hadn't heard a
lot about him. From all reports, he made things at URMIA very interesting.
I've had a couple of conversations with him while getting this article
ready and, if there was ever an ardent supporter of URMIA, it was Charlie
Emerson. Something tells me life in retirement was as much fun as the
years leading up to it. Unfortunately, Charlie has passed away, but so
many still have his fond memory.
-- Larry Stephens
At age seventeen, I was cutting pearl buttons from mussel shells. It was
a two-week experience. Based on quality control and after paying for my
tools, I was 40 cents in debt.
Next, I was an early physician's assistant, sweeping out the office, washing
the car, and running errands. It was interesting but, more importantly,
paid $4.50 per week. After that, I took a job washing dishes on a dredge
boat - "pearl diving" - on the Ohio River. My skills were not unnoticed,
and I was soon promoted to head waiter for the captain's table. These jobs
prepared me well for the respect and salary expectations in higher education.
Seriously, the university has always treated me well, and I love and respect
my work experience there.
I
matriculated at Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Carbondale, Illinois, and finally received a Bachelor
of General Studies degree (fondly referred to as a "Bluegrass Special")
from the University of Kentucky in 1973. I had a scholarship at SIU for
performing in the college symphony and played in small dance bands for
my room and board. A full-time job before that was performing in a WPA
symphony.
In 1970, I saw a small ad in the Underwriter's Magazine about a new organization
- the University Insurance Management Association (UIMA). Response was
directed to the venerable Robert Beth of Stanford University. I hurriedly
mailed my $50 check and soon passed the scrutiny of Bill Ryan for membership.
I believe treating him to our cafeteria's luncheon special of the day -
liver and onions - did the trick. I feel privileged to have had membership
in URMIA, as it later became known, and my contact with the membership
is most memorable.
It was our pleasure to host the national conference of URMIA in 1977.
We introduced a new subject, a "Risk Taking Seminar," at Keeneland Race
Track in the afternoon. The seminar was well-received, and some members
learned to respect "Risk Avoidance" even more. One member had to be retrieved
from the track after dark. (Editor's note: Charlie is obviously no Joan
Collins. Now I wonder who it could have been...) We assumed her last bet
was a bit slow in coming in. There are so many wonderful people and experiences
we will cherish forever.
Our three grown children have given us eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
It is pure pleasure watching their growth and development. Melba's
passion is gardening and reading. I spend many hours tracing my family
history, trying to find at least one respectable ancestor. We hope any of
you who might visit Lexington will give us a call. We might
even buy lunch - liver and onions, of course. -- Charlie Emerson
Charles D. Emerson, Risk Manager Emeritus, died February 15, 1999,
in Lexington, Kentucky.
Charlie, through the University of Kentucky, was a member of URMIA,
having joined in 1970. He hosted URMIA’s annual conference
at Lexington in 1977 and ably served as URMIA’s 12th President
in 1980-81 when the annual meeting was hosted in New York City. He
was awarded the URMIA Distinguished Risk Managers Award by his colleagues
which was presented to him at a special ceremony in Lexington. Charlie
was admired and respected by his fellow risk managers in URMIA. A
loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, he was
a first class southern gentleman. He coined the phrase "family" as
applying to URMIA’s members and indeed treated us all as caring
family members. If you remember Charlie, you remember his warm smile
and never ending list of humorous stories. He and his wonderful wife,
Melba, opened their doors to any of us traveling through and opened
their hearts as well. Farewell Charlie, you leave us with a wealth
of good memories and an untold measure of love and respect.
--Truman Pope
Many of us have fond memories of Charlie and his profound influence
and service to both our profession and to URMIA. I recall being with
Charlie one evening while at an URMIA conference, when he turned
to me, in his wonderful rich southern accent, "Murray I just love
URMIA, don’t you?" What a challenge for all of us!
Charlie we will miss you.
--Murray Edge
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