Retires After 20 Years With AAA

Retires After 20 Years With AAA

A man who has distributed “several million dollars” in Ann Arbor during the past 20 years Saturday closed his office door for the last time with a cheery “So long.”

Harold R Lage, 65, of 2938 Park Ridge Dr.,assistant manager for the Ann Arbor division of the American Automobile Association, has been involved with the insurance claims of area motorists since 1942.

An Ann Arbor resident since 1936, Lage began his association with the Auto Club as a claims adjuster 20 years ago. He was promoted in 1945 to senior claims adjuster for Ann Arbor and was named to head the entire local claim program when the Auto Club decentralized its insurance payment activities to its division offices in 1946.

Lage became assistant manager in charge of claims for the Ann Arbor area in 1952 and in 1960 he took over the added responsibility of supervising senior claims adjusters in the Ypsilanti, Wayne and Plymouth offices.

Though exact figures are confidential, Auto Club officials say that Lage has been in charge of the payment of “several million dollars” in claims to area
motorists during his 20 years here.

He was feted at a party in the Holiday Inn last week that was attended by 50 top AAA officials. A separate reception and a party were held in his honor by members of the Auto Club’s Ann Arbor staff.

An ardent gardener, golfer and hunter, Lage plans to devote himself to his extensive gardens overlooking the Huron River and to continue his participation in a variety of outdoor activities.

A graduate of Holland High School, he had just registered at the University of Michigan Dental School when he was drafted to serve in the calvary during World War I.

Returning from duty in Texas, he sold automobiles before coming to the Auto Club.

A member of the Lions Club, he traveled from coast to coast with the Lions’ Band to help raise money for the club’s assistance to the blind projects.