At 76 years old, he’s not ready to retire

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Jessica Jackson

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June 20, 2009

Jessica Jackson The Stillwater News Press Sat Jun 20, 2009, 07:23 PM CDT

Freeman Dilbeck, 76, is living the good life, enjoying what he considers his retirement: owning and operating Dilbeck Agency, an insurance and real estate business.

“I don’t know anything I’d want to do more. I have my property and my grandchildren and my farm ... what else would I do? I’ve got it all right now,” Dilbeck said. “I wouldn’t be satisfied retiring.”

Dilbeck opened the insurance agency in 1961 in Stillwater and expanded to include real estate a year later.

“I was dealing with it in that the fact that part of my job was to make sure any subcontractors were insured,” he said. “I love working with people and finding property ... It’s rewarding.”

He said he probably prefers the real estate business to insurance because insurance can deal with a lot of little details.

After being relocated to Illinois and not liking it, Dilbeck moved to Stillwater, a place he’s called home for almost 50 years.

“It’s just a great atmosphere we have here.” he said. “Every time I leave and come back, I’m glad I live in Stillwater.”

Dilbeck Agency is a family business, with Dilbeck’s grandchildren working alongside him. He has three children and seven grandchildren, two of whom currently work in the agency.

“I learned a lot about to real estate business,” granddaughter and office assistant Mackenzie Hawkins said. “It’s interesting to listen to his crazy ideas, and then you have to tell him what the idea should really be.”

She said her grandfather is an understanding boss.

““It’s not like working for most people,” she said. “He’s more understanding.”

Another granddaughter and office assistant Jessica Dilbeck said she enjoys the family, but she and her grandfather tend to argue a lot.

“It’s fun having family around,” she said. “People tell us we’re so much alike, we bump heads a lot.”

Even with all the family around, Dilbeck said, there’s no immediate successor for the business. He said some of his grandchildren have mentioned an interest.

“But you know how kids are,” he said.

He suggests people become homeowners, rather than renting. He said a lot of parents of college students have come to him for advice when their children attend Oklahoma State University.

“It is advantageous to buy property for or with your children as co-owners, and they will have more responsibility and maintain upkeep of the property,” he said.

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