Head of Utah food retail captive dies

The funeral of Gene A. Denning takes place this weekend in Millcreek, Utah. The former president of captive AFS Insurance passed away at his home on August 29 at the age of 80.

Denning was born in Salt Lake City and graduated from the University of Utah in 1969. In 1974 he became a Chartered Property Casual Underwriter. Beginning his career underwriting for CNA Insurance, he worked in high-profile roles, including vice president positions at health insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield of Utah and broker Johnson & Higgins, bought by Marsh & McLennan in 1997.

As President of AFS Insurance, he headed the captive for Associated Food Stores, an American retailers cooperative supplying 500 independently owned retail supermarkets throughout Utah. He also taught insurance courses for the Brigham Young University Extension Division and the Utah Surplus Lines Association.

Denning is survived by his wife, daughter, son and seven grandchildren.