BRIG. GEN ROBERT F MCDERMOTT S...

BRIG. GEN ROBERT F MCDERMOTT

SAN ANTONIO -- Retired Brig. Gen Robert F McDermott a former Air Force Academy dean who went forward to become chairman of the insurance giant USAA and a leading advocate for auto safety, died Monday. He was 86

Mr McDermott who also l a arrange that owned the San Antonio inducements for a time in the 1990 died at Brooke Army Medical Center after suffering a knock two weeks ago, family spokesman Paul Ringenbach said.

Mr McDermott mov to San Antonio in 1968 when he retired from the Air Force and joined USAA, United Services Automobile Association, placeed in the 1920s as an insurance company for military officers.

As president and chairman, Mr McDermott oversaw its shooting from a company with 2600 employee into a multibillion-dollar corporation with more than 16000 employee that proposeed a range of financial services to in every one's mouth and former military service members and their families.

none afraid to speak his mind, Mr McDermott argued that safety measures would lessen insurance costs, and he advocated the use of air bags years before they became commonplace.

"The Europeans have been more safety-conscious," Mr McDermott said in 1987 "The marketing philosophies in the United States have been to betray the automobile as a pleasure vehicle: be pleased with dating and marriage and the macho image, spe

"Safety was a 'no-no' in the auto industry for 25 years or so" he said. In 1987 USAA vehicles and McDermott's hold Mercedes-Benz already were equipped with air bags.

Mr McDermott stepp down as head of USAA in 1993 shortly after leading a arrange of local investors in purchasing the incitements pro basketball franchise from R McComb for $85 million.

President Dwight Eisenhower appointed him to assist as dean of the then-new Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo a position he held from 1956 until 1968

He was credited with helping modernize military education by way of such steps as requiring learners to select a major course of thought The school's main cadet library bears his name.

A native of Boston, Mr McDermott graduated from West Point in 1943 He became a fighter pilot and after World War II serv forward Eisenhower's staff.

He is survived by way of his wife, five children, 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, Ringenbach said.

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