Arnot was born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan on September 18th, 1918.
In 1937, at the age of 19, Arnot was recruited into the insurance industry by his sister, Jean, and joined the firm of L.E. Yingst in Regina. Arnot left Yingst for a brief period in the late 1930s, but rejoined the brokerage in 1943. That year, he became office manager and earned a salary of $150 a month. He took over as general manager in 1966 and held that position until 1991 when he was succeeded by his son Neil.
Arnot was active in the insurance industry and at Yingst until he was in his 80s. In recent years, he would visit the office and tend to the books of three different companies. Colleagues say he would scoff at the thought of using a calculator to balance the books, preferring to write them by hand on paper and add them up manually.
Arnot passed away in Regina on March 30th, at the age of 90. He is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Lois, son Neil, daughters-in-law Pam and Chris and many friends and family across the country.
Steve Hawrishok, ILScorp founder worked with LE Yingst in Regina from 1982 to 1985. He told us today about the high regard he had for Arnot McGregor and was saddened to learn of his passing from his son, Neil.
He said that Arnot always demonstrated total respect for everyone who worked at LE Yinsgt and he was similarly respected by all who knew him ...including associated insurers and producers from over 300 brokerages in Saskatchewan who were a part of the LE Yingst family.
Steve says he will remember Arnot as being the true embodiment of a gentleman's gentleman. And there are not many people who have served their industry so well for so long, he said ...a total of 72 years! Steve sends his condolences to Neil, his mother Lois and all other members of the McGregor family.