THEODORE D. LUSSEM

Standard setter. Designation extraordinaire. Mentor. Good neighbor. All of these words and phrases have been used to describe Theodore (Ted) Lussem. Ted began his insurance career in 1955 and is currently the president of Brooks­ Lussem Insurance, an independent insurance agency in Des Moines. He holds the unique distinction of being a CPCU and holding all 17 designations conferred by the Insurance Institute of America. Ted has taught many of these courses for more than 20 years. In 1998, the Iowa CPCU Chapter announced the creation of the Theodore ”Ted” Lussem Achievement Scholarship to be awarded annually to a Drake University insurance student.

Ted is active in the community. He has donated over 12 gallons of blood to The Blood Center of Central Iowa, serves as a library attendant for the Iowa Genealogical Society and is chairman of the library board for that organization. He has received an honorary membership from the Insurance Association of Greater Des Moines, and has served as the president of both the Independent Insurance Agents of Des Moines and the Iowa CPCU chapter.

Ted lives the golden rule. On February 28, 1994, a competitor’s agency was destroyed in a fire. As president of Brooks-Lussem Insurance, Ted called the owners and offered the use of extra space in his agency. The owner of the other agency described Ted best, “This neighborly act is one of true kindness and generosity.”