John E. Fisher, chief executive of the Nationwide group of insurance companies in the 1980s and who directed its national expansion, died Tuesday of cancer. He was 68.
Mr. Fisher expanded the company, now known as Nationwide Insurance Enterprise, far beyond its traditional territory in the East. He also greatly increased life and commercial insurance sales while maintaining the company’s strong base in auto and homeowners’ policies.
In addition, he took the company into the fast-growing business of variable annuities, which combine insurance and mutual funds, selling them not only through Nationwide agents but through banks and brokerage houses as well.
Mr. Fisher had lived in Vero Beach and Worthington, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus, where Nationwide has its headquarters.
When Mr. Fisher took charge of Nationwide in late 1981 and began planning a series of acquisitions, the company had $6 billion in assets and revenue of $2.8 billion. When he stepped down as chief executive in late 1992, the company’s assets had grown sixfold to $37.5 billion, and revenue had risen to $13.7 billion.
Now one of the nation’s leaders in auto and homeowners’ coverage and in the sale of variable annuities, Nationwide has assets of more than $83 billion. Revenue in 1997 reached nearly $23 billion.
Eager to improve highway safety — at least partly because fewer, less serious crashes would mean fewer, less expensive claims — Mr. Fisher campaigned for highway guard rails, signs and lighting that have decreased damage and injuries, mandatory seat belt laws and the installation of air bags.
Though Mr. Fisher never graduated from college, he encouraged employees to study for professional certification and university degrees at company expense. One of the colleges he attended, Franklin University in Columbus, named him its outstanding alumnus in 1979.
Mr. Fisher joined Nationwide in 1951 as a trainee reviewing insurance applications after working as an apprentice boilermaker and door-to-door furniture salesman. He retired 43 years later in late 1994, as chairman.
Mr. Fisher headed the boards of several civic organizations including the Chamber of Commerce in Columbus and Children’s Hospital.
Survivors include two sons and two daughters.
