Membership Information
Dear RMC Members,
It is with a sadness that I share the news that former RMC member, John Begley, passed away on Saturday, October 11th. He is survived by his wife Margaret "Peggy" (Coffey) Begley. They were married 53 years.
He retired as a managing partner. John was active in many professional organizations during his career with New York Life, including serving as past president of the Scranton Association of Life Underwriters, The Northeastern Pennsylvania chapter of CLU and ChFC, The Estate Planning Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania and Scranton Rotary.
The funeral was held on Saturday, October 18th at 10:00 am at Our Lady of the Snows Church, 301 S. State Street, Clarks Summit with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated. Interment to follow at Hickory Grove Cemetery, Waverly Township. The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday from 4-7pm at Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Service, Inc., 111 Colburn Avenue, Clarks Summit.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice of the Sacred Heart 30 ED Preate Dr. Moosic, PA 18507 or Our Lady of Snows Church 301 S. State Street, Clarks Summit, PA 18411.
You may read his obituary here...
In Remembrance,
Morris
RMC President
Dear RMC Members,
It is with a sadness that I share the news that Kulbhusan (K.B.) Sareen – legendary former Managing Partner of the Greater San Francisco office – passed away on Saturday, August 3.
K.B. is survived by his wife Shashi, his daughter Tanya and her husband Joel Adolphson, and his granddaughter Jade, whose father Taj, a Major in the Marines, was killed in a fighter jet crash in 2015.
Born in Calcutta, K.B. arrived in America in 1980 and was, by his own words, “determined to make it.” After brief stints in the restaurant industry – working as a dishwasher, busboy, waiter, and bartender – K.B. became an agent with New York Life in 1984.
Between 1984 and 1987, K.B. qualified for Council three times. He then moved into management and quickly up the ranks, becoming the Managing Partner of the San Mateo office in 1990. Under his leadership, the office captured several trophies, including the 1994 Chairman’s Trophy. K.B. was also elected by his peers to represent them on the Managing Partners Advisory Committee (MPAC).
In 2002, he became the Managing Partner of the Greater San Francisco office, where his office once again won several trophies. He also helped develop the Chinese and Vietnamese markets in the Bay Area. In 2012, K.B. became a Lifetime Member of the Partners Round Table.
K.B. was known to all for his warm nature and sense of humor, as well as his passion for helping agents, clients, the South Asian community at New York Life, and those around him in the broader community. He was also part of a study group with several longtime New York Life Managing Partners for many years. The impact he made on them and so many others at New York Life will continue to be felt for a long time to come. He was an active member of our club for many years and served on the board of directors.
In his spare time, K.B. was also an owner and breeder of thoroughbred horses in California, claiming several wins in significant races. Many of you may remember the presentation he made for us at an annual reunion.
Condolences to the family may also be sent to rememberingkb@gmail.com. Please keep K.B.’s family and loved ones in your thoughts during this difficult time.
In Remembrance,
Georgia
RMC President
Dear RMC Members,
I am sorry to report that RMC member, Steve T. Kattke, age 77, of Hopkins, Minnesota passed away on April 22, 2024, after a brief illness. Steve was hired as an agent for New York Life in 1972, at the South Dakota GO. He became a Partner in 1974 and was promoted to Managing Partner in 1978. In the years that followed, he served as Managing Partner in several offices including West Texas, South Dakota, Oklahoma City, and Minnesota.
In 1982, Steve and the Midland office won the Chairman’s Trophy, the top honor awarded to a General Office. He also qualified for the Partners Round Table four times.
Steve was known as a real gentleman and generous soul, always putting family, friends, faith, and country above all else.
Steve is survived by his wife of 52 years, Vicki; daughter Gretchen (Philip) Baker; and son, Jon (Jocelyn) Kattke -- along with his 5 wonderful grandchildren: Graham, Charles, Henry, Hunter, and Cru. You may read his obituary here...
In his memory,
Georgia
RMC President
Dear RMC members,
I am very sorry to report to you that we have learned George Trapp passed away at the age of 75 on February 9th, 2023, Metuchen, NJ. I did not know George, but I am sure many of you did. George was a member of the club up until about 10 - 12 years ago.
George retired in 2003 as Executive Vice President and Corporate Secretary of New York Life, after being employed for 30 years. He also retired as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the New York Life Agents and Employees' Pension and Profit-Sharing Plans. George served as a Director of the New York Life Foundation.
You may read his obituaries here and here
In Remembrances,
Georgia
RMC President
Dear RMC Friends,
It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that our RMC Past President and member Anita Ingegerd Bergsten, CLU, ChFC, passed away peacefully at the age of 86 on July 13, 2023 at Silverado Rolling Hills in Torrance, CA. She was surrounded by her loving husband, Mons, and friends from their Swedish church.
Anita began her career with New York Life as an agent in the Torrance, CA office in May of 1976. She moved through the field management ranks in the Torrance, Wilshire and Los Angeles offices and was appointed the General Manager of the Pasadena Office in March of 1986. She retired as Managing Partner of the Pasadena Office after her stellar 26 year career with New York Life in 2002. Anita earned numerous company and industry awards during her tenure with NYL culminating with the prestigious Partners Round Table and the Vice Chairman’s Trophy awards. She was also a trailblazer for women in management in the company and industry.
Anita continued her leadership even in retirement as the first woman President of our Retired Members Club and served tirelessly in that capacity in 2010 and 2011. She and Mons were able to exercise her other passion beyond New York Life and traveled the seven continents of the world together.
A celebration of her incredible life is planned for Friday, August 4, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. at the Church of Sweden Los Angeles, 1035 S. Beacon Street, San Pedro, CA. 90731. Anita’s wish for donations in her memory are to this church, and made be made at https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/7519729.
She is survived by her much loved spouse and partner in all her NYL endeavors, Mons Bergsten, along with three of her grown children and two step-children, 6 grandchildren, one great-granddaughter and numerous loyal friends.
She will be forever missed and never ever forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time.
Warm Regards,
Georgia
RMC President
Dear RMC Members,
I just learned from RMC member, Wayne Bragg that long time member, Fallon Williams died on March 1, 2023. He was 85 years old. Fallon started his New York Life career in Chicago and moved to Los Angeles as Managing Partner of Los Angeles Center GO, then on to Covina Valley GO and retired as MP of San Fernando Valley GO in 1990. He is survived by his wife Veronica, his son and granddaughter who live in California. Condolences may be sent to Veronica at:
238 Farnsleigh Ave.
Bluffton, South Carolina 29910
Funeral Services were held at The Church of the Cross on April 22, 2023. The church is located at 110 Calhoun Street, Bluffton, South Carolina. For more information, you may visit here...
Warm Regards,
Georgia
RMC President
Dear Friends of RMC,
I am sorry to let you know that former RMC President, Frank DellaPenna passed away on Sunday, February 19th, 2023, surrounded by close family members. He was 88 years old.
He was born to parents Rocco and Anna Della Penna, on Sunday, October 14th, 1934, in Devault, Pennsylvania. Frank graduated from Tredyffrin-Easttown High School, Class of 1952, and went on to attend Penn State University, where he boxed, played football, and was a member of the Sigma Pi fraternity, graduating in 1956. After college, he went on to build a thriving career at New York Life where he retired in 1991 after 37 years of impeccable service. During his tenure with New York Life he was a managing partner in the Washington DC and Maryland area. He was very well known and respected among his peers.
Frank is survived by Nancy Marie Stauffer, the love of his life and wife of 66 years, his four children, Greg, Scott, Lynn, and Beth, as well as a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Known for his love of all-things Penn State, a life-long golfer, and a man of great Faith, Frank was admired by everyone and had a way of making new friends everywhere he went. Former RMC President Jules del Vecchio recalled, I was just a young pup at NYL and Frank always looked out for us and was open to share his wisdom and always gentle and kind - May he rest in peace.
A memorial gathering was held on Wednesday, March 1st, 2023, followed by Catholic Mass, taking place at Saint Raphael Catholic Church, located at 1513 Dunster Road, Rockville, MD 20854.
In lieu of sending flowers, the family asks that people make donations in support of Saint Raphael Catholic Church (at the address above) and/or the Dementia Society of America.
He will be forever missed and never ever forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.
Warm Regards,
Georgia
RMC President
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