James Henry Robb

Jim was a third-generation native of Staten Island, NY, growing up in its Port Richmond and West Brighton neighborhoods. He graduated from Port Richmond High School in 1963 and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree from Wagner College where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma Alpha fraternity. He married Susan Bider in early 1968 and was immediately drafted to serve in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. As a staff sergeant in the Army’s 9th Infantry Division, he was deployed to Vietnam in May 1969 where he led infantry units in the South Vietnam/Mekong Delta area. His tour of duty ended in 1970, and he was awarded a Bronze Star with “V” device for heroism in combat.

Following his military service, Jim began a career in the then-emerging medical liability insurance field, initially working as a medical investigator for the Employers Insurance Company of Wausau. In 1975 he received a Master of Business Administration degree, again from Wagner College. His career continued with Donald J. Fager & Associates and the newly formed Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Company (MLMIC) which he helped build to become one of the largest medical liability insurance writers in the United States. Over 38 years, Jim rose to an executive position within the company, where he was an esteemed colleague, leader, friend, and mentor to many new professionals.

Jim is remembered by friends and family for his steady confidence and his humor—for his talent as a dinner party storyteller and his ability to make kids laugh. Grandson of professional NYC sign painter Sidney Weir, and son of artist Christine Robb (née Weir), Jim kept this tradition of visual art alive through his painting and wood carving. His art graces the homes of many friends and family members.

An avid fisherman since his childhood, Jim spent countless hours surfcasting for striped bass in the coastal waters off New York and New Jersey, fishing for flounder in the Long Island Sound, and stalking bonefish in the Caribbean. He imbued a love of the outdoors in his children and ensured that many of their best childhood memories were made at the beach.

Jim spent the final decade of his life in San Antonio, Texas, having moved there to be closer to family. His ashes will be interred at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Susan; daughter Jessica Massay (Sean); son Evan Robb; grandchildren Carmen, Luke, and Nina; sister Ellen Robb and brother Harry Robb; and many admiring nieces, nephews, and in-laws. He was preceded in death by his parents Christine and Henry Robb as well as his niece Kristen Montanaro, who died in the 9/11/2001 terror attack on the World Trade Center.

An audio recording of Jim speaking about his military experience is found at the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project: https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.31242/. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that charitable donations be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, https://t2t.org/ or the Alzheimer’s Association, https://www.alz.org/.