The former CEO of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, Dean W. Jeffers passed away on Wednesday. Jeffers is known best for helping increase the company’s growth in the 1970′s. He also played an important role in moving Nationwide Insurance to Columbus, Ohio.

Dean Jeffers was the Chief Executive Officer of Nationwide from 1972 until 1981. One of Jeffers’ traditions every single year while with the insurance company, was to shake all 5,000+ employees’ hands on Christmas to wish them a “Merry Christmas”. It would take him nearly 3 days to do. Before working for Nationwide, Jeffers was a teacher and principal in Ohio for 5 years. He also earned a purple heart as a Marine during World War II.

He passed away at the age of 94 on October 27, at Riverside Methodist Hospital. He was known as a great business man, and better person.