TRIBUTES are pouring in for a former resident, respected banker, businessman and Rotarian who died in the US earlier this month.
American Robert Ainey, who had made Bahrain his home for over 20 years though he conducted business extensively throughout the GCC, India and north and South Africa, died on August 11 in Pennsylvania. He was aged 73.
Mr Ainey had more than 30 years of banking experience in the Gulf and the US, primarily in financial technology.
In Bahrain, he worked with the Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait in the 1980s and was later also the chief executive of Bahrain Association of Banks (BAB).
In 1988, he started his own business focusing on financial technology. The successful business of 18 years which spread across the GCC, India and Africa, was instrumental in mentoring and training several Bahrainis in various fields especially that of banking and finance.
In 1988, he started his own business focusing on financial technology. The successful business of 18 years which spread across the GCC, India and Africa, was instrumental in mentoring and training several Bahrainis in various fields especially that of banking and finance.
He left Bahrain and returned to Pennsylvania in 2016 and moved into the real estate sector, first with the Weidel Real Estate in New Hope and then with Addison Wolfe Real Estate, according to his post on LinkedIn.
“He was a great contributor to the BAB and during the long term that he served he made a difference,” BAB chairman Adnan Ahmed Yusuf told the GDN.
“Robert did what he was supposed to do, as chief executive of the BAB and he also was a regular contributor to the Bankers’ Magazine.
“We regret his loss and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and pray for the departed soul.”
An alumnus of the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied history, Mr Ainey did his post-graduate studies in information technology, accounting, law, sales and marketing, and management.
He was also active on the social front, as a member and former president of the Rotary Club of Manama.
Several Rotarians had fond memories of the “mentor, guide and hard-working volunteer”.
“We lost a good man; he was my mentor,” remembered businessman Bob Thaker.
“He was a dedicated Rotarian, with deep understanding of Rotary laws and processes. He mentored several Rotarians, including myself, and he was a man who loved Bahrain and Bahrainis.
“He led several community service projects in Bahrain, which will be remembered.
“His death is a great loss.”
Senior Bahraini Rotarian Fareed Bader recollected moments that he spent volunteering with Mr Ainey, especially when fixing smoke alarms in labour accommodations in Manama after the 2013 fire tragedy which killed 13 people.
The project was highlighted by Mr Ainey as one of the three that were close to his heart as a Rotarian while in Bahrain; the other two being contributions to efforts of the Rotary Club International to eradicate polio in India and to the prosthetic limb clinic in Sri Lanka.
“He was a true Rotarian and a great friend and we worked together on many projects. When he was the president, I was a community director,” reflected Mr Bader.
“We used to go every Friday to Bangali galli (Al Mukharqa) in Manama fixing smoke detectors in labour accommodations.
“He was very compassionate and a great mentor, he created leaders and was ever so down-to-earth; a soft heart when it came to helping unfortunate people.”
Rotary Club of Salmaniya vice-president Faisal Juma said Mr Ainey inspired him to be “the best person” he could be.
“He was always helpful and kind to all he met, representing what it means to be a true Rotarian,” he added.
raji@gdnmedia.bh
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