The Gilbert Insurance Agency is in its fourth generation of family ownership — and its fourth generation of a husband-wife team working for the business.

G. Austin Gilbert and his son Clyde started the business in 1936, along with their wives, Luella and Geraldine, respectively. Clyde’s son Dick joined the operation in 1954 along with his wife, Jo Ann. Both continue to work at the agency today, along with their daughter Pam and her husband, Bill Anderson.

“We used to have people ask us how we can work together every day, but it’s never been an issue,” Bill Anderson said. “It’s always been enjoyable.”

“We have three and four generations of customers, too,” Pam Anderson said. “We are customer- and family-oriented and I think people like that.”

Dick Gilbert explained that his grandfather (G. Austin Gilbert) had retired from the American Can Company when he decided to purchase the insurance agency. The office was initially located in the Rentschler Building on High Street, but moved to its current location at 401 Park Ave. in 1979.

“I grew up around it and I just always had a propensity to sell something,” Gilbert said of his interest in joining the family business. “It’s a great feeling to have family follow me into the business too. It is the reason I have stayed active as long as I have.”

Gilbert said the markets and types of insurance have changed drastically since he started in the business 58 years ago.

“As society changes, so do coverage options,” Bill Anderson said. “A lot of things like property and liability coverages have stayed constant, but there have to be new coverages to adapt to society.”

Technology has made a huge difference as well. Anderson explained that what once took maybe half an hour in quoting rates for a customer now takes minutes.

“From the day-to-day operation, technology has really streamlined things,” Anderson said. “But the bottom line is people still want good, personal service.”

“We have families that have been insured here since the beginning,” Gilbert said. “That tells me we’re doing something right.”