Einer Ostedgaard

E.A. OSTEDGAARD, of North Little Rock, a business and civic leader died Saturday, May 12, 2012. He received his BSC degree from the University of Iowa at age 20 and became associated with Aetna Life Insurance Company in 1947. He succeeded Gordon Campbell and Foster Vineyard, his Mentors, and was General Agent of the Little Rock Agency from 1962-1982. His organization specialized in Retirement Plans, Estate and Financial Planning and Investments, ranking No. 1 with Aetna nationwide on actual results for nine of his last ten years and was among the top twenty Financial services firms in the industry. He introduced Estate Planning on a broad, effective basis at age 25 in a manner now practiced nationwide. In 1982 he and his son, Greg, left Aetna to work independently and actively manage the investments of his clients with outstanding results, and continue to do Estate, Financial and Retirement Planning through Financial Professionals Incorporated. He organized the first Investment Club in Arkansas at age 25. As a prominent civic leader, he was President of the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, Founding Director of the Foundation Fund at UAMS and on the Board for 20 years, Boss of the Year for the Arkansas Business Women's Association, member of Research Agencies Group, President of the Little Rock Life Underwriters Association and organized the first Life Underwriters Training Course in Arkansas. He was a Chartered Life Underwriter. A catalyst, hard worker and motivator, the Arkansas Democrat paid tribute to him one Christmas Day in an editorial, by Robert McCord, for his United Way work, saying: "HEART MAKES THE DIFFERENCE." "This season of giving shouldn't be allowed to slip away without taking note of a remarkable example of it turned in by the chairman of the United Way drive, E.A. Ostedgaard of North Little Rock. It was the best organized drive in history. It raised the most money any drive has ever produced. And for the first time in history, the goal was reached by the deadline, which traditionally has had to be extended by weeks and even months. In fact, in two recent years, the goal never was reached. That it was reached so promptly this year is significant because with inflation, persons certainly were tempted to overlook or at least slight, charity. Although many of his 5,400 workers also turned in fine performances, most of the credit has to go to Ostedgaard. He's a great salesman-one of the leading in the nation. And he is superbly organized-so much so that people have been known to set their watches by his arrivals and departures. But Ostedgaard gave more to the drive than his skill and good habits. He gave his heart. Ostedgaard knows what it means to be poor and to need a friend. As he told it in several speeches, his father died when he was 14, and he had to go to work. He credits all his success to people who gave him jobs, advice and help when he needed it. Ostedgaard could bring a warmth-and consequently, success–to the United Way drive because he's been on the receiving, instead of just the giving, end." He had held many offices in First Presbyterian Church, Lakewood United Methodist Church and St. James United Methodist Church. He was a member of Lakewood United Methodist Church. He and Janice loved to travel in their R.V. They traveled the world with their children and grandchildren. He was a true Razorback fan and will be greatly missed by his family and loved ones. Survivors are his wife of 65 years, Janice McNeill Ostedgaard; son, Gregory Ostedgaard (Cindy) of Greenbrier; daughter, Cheryl Ann Widder (David) of Blacksburg, Virginia; four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. The family would like to express a special thanks to Dr. Joe Bissett and Dan Crossett at UAMS. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Lakewood United Methodist Church, 1922 Topf Road, North Little Rock, Ark. 72116. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m., Wednesday at Lakewood United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Rest Hills Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 12 to 1 p.m., Wednesday at the church. Arrangements by North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., 758-1170. Online obituary and guest registry at www.nlrfh.com.