Retired General, Former USAA Chairman Dies at Age 86

Retired Brig. Gen. Robert F. McDermott, a former chairman of San Antonio, Texas-based insurance giant USAA and of the San Antonio Spurs, died Aug. 28, a family friend said.

McDermott, 86, died at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio after suffering a stroke two weeks ago, said Paul Ringenbach, a family spokesman.

McDermott was known to many by the nickname “McD” and long was considered one of the most influential people in San Antonio.

He moved to the city in 1968 when he joined USAA, United Services Automobile Association. McDermott became president and chairman of the company and oversaw its growth from a firm with 2,600 employees that insured automobiles for military officers into a multibillion-dollar corporation with more than 16,000 employees that offered a range of financial services.