John Francis Solon, 72, Had Taste For Adventure, Talent For Insurance

All the policies in the world probably wouldn't have covered insurance broker John Francis Solon as he jumped into that bullring in Spain.

In their motel room that morning, Mr. Solon had told his wife, Olite, he was wearing his bullfighting clothes that day. She thought he was just joking until he later climbed over the fence for a quick lesson in bullfighting at the farm they were visiting.

So, with shaking hands, Olite Standley Solon snapped some pictures to record the unusual event. Their 1970 Christmas card featured the daring insurance broker on yet another holiday adventure, his widow said with a laugh.

Mr. Solon, 72, died at his Seattle home last Friday of cancer. He had retired last December after 50 years in the insurance business because of illness, but continued as a consultant until his voice failed him.

"He finally had to call up his office and whispered, `I can't do it anymore,' " said his daughter, Patricia Solon. "He had wanted to work until he was 85 years old."

At his retirement, Mr. Solon's five decades in the insurance industry won praise from Dick Marquardt, Washington state insurance commissioner. "I can think of no single person in the insurance industry who has earned the respect of his peers and of our office more than John Solon," Marquardt said. "His ability to understand the intricacies of insurance coverages and his concern for his customers has earned for him the title of `Mr. Insurance.' "

Mr. Solon was born in Mill Valley, Calif., graduating from the University of California at Berkeley in 1941 with a bachelor's degree in mathematics. He met his wife there when they both participated in theater productions.

He began his career as a fire-insurance underwriter in San Francisco. In 1946, the Solons moved to Mercer Island, where Mr. Solon worked for insurance companies based in Oregon and Washington. In 1955, he joined LaBow Haynes Co. Inc., a company that merged with Sedgwick James in 1990. His specialty was commercial property insurance; he retired as senior vice president at Sedgwick James.

He also was a technical editor for Pacific Northwest Underwriter and wrote a column for Insurance Week under the pen names "Day Lee" and then "Lee's Lip." Both were puns based on names used for insurance reports.

Mr. Solon taught evening classes at Edison Technical School (now Seattle Central Community College) and was a charter member of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Society of Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters.

He served as president of that organization, and also as president of the Independent Insurance Agents of King County. He was vice chairman and chairman of the Far West Agents Conference and worked on the Risk Retention Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of America.

Mr. Solon's trademark was a bow tie, which he wore exclusively after the early 1950s. Olite Solon remembers that when her husband was inaugurated as president of the insurance agents' association, his fellow agents - including the women - wore bow ties to the formal dinner to honor him.

"John got up to make his speech and did a double-take at all the bow ties," said Mrs. Solon. "He took his bow tie, pulled the knot apart and then retied it, daring the others with, `Let's see you do that.' "

Mr. Solon was active with St. Joseph parish, Holy Names Academy, the Archdiocese of Seattle and the Holy Name Society. He worked with the Capitol Hill Community Council and was an active supporter of Seattle Opera, Seattle Youth Symphony, Seattle Repertory Theater, A Contemporary Theater and Intiman Theater.

Besides his wife of 51 years, Mr. Solon is survived by a son, Michael of Vallejo, Calif.; daughters Patricia of Seattle, Jeanne Oliphant Anshutz of Mountlake Terrace, and Mary (Migs) Nelson of Kittitas, Kittitas County; sister Suzanne Irvine of Corte Madera, Calif., and five grandchildren. He also was foster father to Gary Hess of Seattle and Candace Hess Bustanoby of Bellevue, and "grandpa" to the three Bustanoby children.

A vigil Mass was celebrated yesterday.

The family suggests remembrances to the Rainbow School Coalition, Catholic Community Services or a favorite charity.