It’s no secret that insurance professionals – and insurance agents in particular – are an older bunch. The average age of an agent today is 59, and most offices struggle to bring on younger employees.
Even by that standard, however, Pennsylvania insurance professional Don Ruschak is in his golden years.
The 85-year-old who opened Ruschak Associates Insurance & Real Estate nearly 60 years ago still wakes up each morning at 6AM and heads into the office. Even though Ruschak turned over his business to his sons years ago, he says he just can’t keep away.
“I love helping people, especially those who are going through a difficult time,” Ruschak told the Herald-Standard, which covers local news in Ruschak’s Charleroi, Pennsylvania hometown. “That’s what attracted me to the insurance business initially, and that’s what keeps me going today.”
Ruschak didn’t start out in insurance, however. Like many other industry professionals, he came into the business rather by accident.
After serving in the Korean War, he earned his degree in teaching at California State Teacher’s College and began teaching English and history at Bethlehem-Center High School. Shortly after taking this position, he bought a car – but had trouble finding coverage for it.
“I couldn’t find anyone in Charleroi to write a policy for me. I had to drive to Donora to find someone to help me,” he said. “That’s when it occurred to me that there was a need in Charleroi. And someone had to fill that need.”
When he began thinking about a career change, the memory stuck. Ruschak eventually earned his insurance license and started selling insurance policies for a small agency during his summer breaks from school. After 11 years, he decided to take it full-time.
Learn how to obtain an insurance license for agents and brokers in this article.
His wife, Betty Jane, was concerned that he was giving up an established teaching job to enter a new field, but Ruschak was sure of his decision.
“I wanted to be my own boss,” he said. “And I wanted to live my dream.”
In 1957, he opened Ruschak Associates Insurance & Real Estate in downtown Charleroi. The agency grew quickly and Ruschak earned a reputation for caring, efficient customer service. Betty Jane eventually earned her licenses as an insurance agent and real estate broker, and began handling the agency’s bookkeeping. Sons Don Alan and David also became certified as insurance agents, and went on to become co-owners of the business.
It’s certainly a busy operation. Since it was launched 59 years ago, Ruschak Associates Insurance & Real Estate has expanded from selling home, auto and life insurance to selling business and surplus lines insurance. The agency also appraises and sells homes.
And Ruschak is still involved at every level.
“Age doesn’t hold me back,” he said. “I still go out and inspect homes, and I help with appraisals. Working helps me to stay youthful. I tell other seniors to keep working as long as they can. The longer you work, the better you feel.”
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