In Memoriam: Robert A. Sajdak
Sajdak, who came out of retirement to open the Credit Union Trust in 2018, dies Dec. 7.
Robert A. (Bob) Sajdak, who helped found the Credit Union Trust, passed away of natural causes on Dec. 7, the company announced.
Sajdak came out of retirement to establish the Farmington Hills, Mich.-based Credit Union Trust in 2018, a limited purpose bank that provides trust products and services to credit union members and the public. He guided the organization through its successful launch before retiring this past spring.
“Bob was a remarkable person, a very good friend and a visionary in the trust industry whose talents were many,” said Barry Babbitt, who has served on the Credit Union Trust board of directors since its founding and was Sajdak’s colleague for more than 40 years. “His reputation was stellar, and his legacy goes far beyond his business successes. The impact of his integrity, his kindness and his dedication to helping others will have a lasting effect on colleagues and friends, especially those of us in the industry who had the opportunity to work with him and share his vision.”
Prior to joining the Credit Union Trust, Sajdak developed a consulting business serving banks and trust companies. Two of those clients, Union Bank of California and Reliance Trust Company of Delaware, hired him as an employee to implement the plans he developed.
He gained his personal trust experience and industry leader role during his more than 25 years at Comerica Bank/Manufacturers National Bank of Detroit. He served as SVP, group business manager, private fiduciary services at Comerica Bank before leaving it in 2012.
Sajdak created the Strategic Alliance Program, providing broker-dealers nationwide with trust services. During his career, he was responsible for business planning, strategy, national business development, operations and risk management.
“It was my honor to come into the organization at the time of Bob’s retirement,” Jordan Summers, president/CEO of the Credit Union Trust, said. “Bob did a terrific job of getting Credit Union Trust up and running and couldn’t have been more dedicated to making sure the transition was a smooth one for employees, clients and our credit union partners.”
Funeral arrangements are pending.