JOHN A. ORB

John A. Orb, 1919 to 2010, former chief executive officer of Smith Barney and pioneer in retail sales and investment banking, died in San Francisco Saturday, June 26, surrounded by friends and family. He was 91. He died after a long illness, his family said. Mr. Orb was born in Chicago, IL, on February 9, 1919. Mr. Orb attended The Taft School in Watertown, CT. He graduated from Yale University in 1941. Mr. Orb joined The United States Army Air Corp flying program. In 1942, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in The United States Army Air Force and earned his wings. During World War II, Mr. Orb rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery leading a formation of B-26 planes suffering intense anti-aircraft fire to demolish a bridge near Roccasecca, Italy. After the war, Mr. Orb returned to his native Chicago. He became an account executive at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith and rose to become Manager and Group Vice-President in Chicago. In 1968, he transferred to the NY office where he eventually became Executive Vice-President and Director. Mr. Orb was responsible for the sales, investment banking and marketing divisions. He retired in 1974. Mr. Orb came out of retirement to join Smith Barney, the investment banking and brokerage firm and the principal subsidiary of the holding company Smith Barney Inc., in 1975 as executive vice president and a director. He was elected President and Chief Operating Officer in 1977. In 1982, Mr. Orb served as Chief Executive Officer of both Smith Barney Inc. and Smith Barney, Harris Upham, the twelfth senior partner or chief executive in the firm's 114-year history. In 1983, he became chairman of both companies. Mr. Orb entered Smith Barney during a crucial period in the company's long history when the firm sought to add a retail brokerage structure to its primarily institutional brokerage business. Through the years, Mr. Orb instrumented the firm's expansion to a full-service organization by building its product line and marketing efforts. He pioneered a new era with the well-known marketing campaign, "Smith Barney makes money the old-fashioned way. We earn it," which became renowned in marketing and advertising history. John's talent, belief, and persistence altered the course of the firm as it entered a new era of retail sales and investment banking. Mr. Orb attributed much of his success to his experience at The Taft School. The school acknowledged his years of contribution with a Citation of Merit in May of 2010. Mr. Orb also served on the Board of Trustees of Outward Bound and as President of the Bond Club of New York. In his later years, Mr. Orb enjoyed fly-fishing, hunting, golf and traveling. Mr. Orb is survived by his beloved wife, Susan C. Orb, of Sun Valley, ID. He is predeceased by his former wives, Elizabeth Nevins Orb, Jean "Teel" Tennant Orb, and Phyllis McKee Orb; and three children, Joan Orb Garrison, Thomas Derek Tennant and John Chadwell Tennant. His loss impacts his entire family including his children from his first marriage, Linda Orb Drake and John Alexander Orb IV; the members of his second family, Julie Tennant Sargent, Tracy Tennant Isham, A. Foster Tennant; the extended family of his third marriage, Charlotte McKee Worcester, Catherine McKee Donovan, Joseph Vincent McKee, and Charles Russell McKee; and by the members of his later family, George Robert Carter IV and Anne Strong Carter. Mr. Orb is survived by 22 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. John's strong moral integrity and his inherent optimism contributed to an abundant family, numerous friends, and admiring colleagues all of whom will greatly miss him. A Memorial Service is planned for the Fall in Sun Valley. Details to be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Orb's honor can be made to "The John A. Orb Merit Scholarship Fund," The Taft School, 110 Woodbury Road, Watertown, CT 06795-2100; Outward Bound, P.O. Box 62121, Baltimore, MD 21264-2161; or The Isabel O'Neil Studio, 315 E. 91st Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10128-5301.