Robert P. Briggs, who served as Commissioner of the Financial Institutions Bureau from 1968 through 1973, died at his home in Elk Rapids on September 3, 1998. Mr. Briggs was 95. A memorial service for Mr. Briggs will be conducted on September 14, 1998, at 10 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Elk Rapids. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the University of Michigan Payton Fund.

"Robert Briggs was a highly talented gentleman and the FIB was lucky to have had the benefit of his leadership," remarked Patrick M. McQueen, current FIB Commissioner. "Mr. Briggs left a significant and lasting legacy to the Bureau." Governor Romney appointed Robert P. Briggs on June 1, 1968. Commissioner Briggs earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Michigan, and served a long and distinguished career in both the public and private sectors.

Before being appointed Commissioner of the Financial Institutions Bureau, Mr. Briggs was executive vice president of Consumers Power Co. and a member of the Board of Regents for the University of Michigan (1964-1968). He served as a Director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago (1956-1964) and was the founding president of the Michigan State Chamber of Commerce (1959-1961). Mr. Briggs was a member of the State Board of Accountancy from 1938 through 1944, and served as vice-president for business and finance at the University of Michigan from 1945 through 1951.

The Michigan Financial Institutions Bureau is the primary regulator of Michigan's state-chartered banks, credit unions, savings banks, and over 4000 other licensed lenders.