Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.
IndependentsJul 30, 2020
Bob McIntire, a Respected and Kind Executive, Dies at 52
Known for his professionalism and his sense of humor, McIntire spent 20 years running fine jewelry departments for Finlay before moving on to Asurion.
Robert “Bob” Dee McIntire spent two decades managing the fine jewelry sections of department stores for Finlay Fine Jewelry and is remembered for possessing that “rare balance of professionalism, humility and commitment.”
Dallas—Robert Dee McIntire, a longtime executive with Finlay Fine Jewelry known for both his professionalism and his sense of humor, died suddenly July 25 after going into cardiac arrest.
He was 52 years old.
Born Sept. 25, 1967 in Las Vegas, McIntire, who was known as Bob, grew up in Leonard, Texas with his sister, Stacey McIntire.
He graduated from Leonard High School in 1986 and went on to study business at Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth.
His widow, Michele McIntire, said Bob got his first job in the jewelry industry while still in college, working as a part-time sales associate in the fine jewelry department at Sanger-Harris (later Foley’s), which at that time was run by Finlay Fine Jewelry.
Michele and Bob married in 1990, and he stayed on with Finlay for the next two decades, managing fine jewelry departments at Foley’s and, later, Dillard’s stores, rising through the ranks to become director of stores for Finlay.
Michele said it wasn’t Bob’s lifelong dream to work in the jewelry industry but, “he just kind of fell in love with it.”
The McIntire family has an affinity for awards shows—the Oscars, Emmys, etc.—and she recalled how her husband would take copious notes of the jewelry the actresses wore on the red carpet because he knew the jewelry would be trending.
Bob stayed with Finlay Fine Jewelry all the way to the end—the company filed bankruptcy in August 2009 and shuttered for good the following year—then spent less than a year with Bailey Banks & Biddle before joining Asurion as senior business manager at the end of 2009.
In a statement emailed to National Jeweler, Rob DiRocco, Asurion’s senior vice president of client services and sales, remembered Bob’s “rare balance of professionalism, humility and commitment.”
“I am so grateful that I had the privilege to know him and work with him over the past 10 years,” DiRocco said. “Bob will be greatly missed by the many people he worked with at Asurion and our partners.”
Throughout his career, Bob remained active with Jewelers for Children. He served on the charity’s board for the past three years.
JFC Executive Director David Rocha called Bob “a true gem of a human being who always had a smile on his face.”
“He was extremely passionate about his involvement and never content to just be part of the group; he wanted to make sure
that he made a difference and was always one of the first to step up when help was needed,” Rocha said.
Outside of the jewelry industry, Bob loved cooking, and traveling to food and wine festivals.
Michele said their middle son, Tanner, also got his dad into indoor rock climbing, and Bob became a part of the little community of climbers who frequent the rock-climbing gyms in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
But what she would most like people to remember about her husband of 30 years is his sense of humor and his infectious laugh.
She recalled a story relayed to her by one of Bob’s former employees.
One day at work, he came by to check on her showcases and spotted a ring she had accidentally put back in the necklace section. Without a word, he leaned over and returned the ring to its rightful place, all the while humming the “Sesame Street” teaching classic, “One of These Things (Is Not Like the Other).”
“He treated everything with humor,” Michele said. “With our own kids, he would constantly tease them and hide things from them and play games with them. Their whole lives, their dad was the fun one.”
Bob is survived by his wife, Michelle; sons Greyland, Tanner and Jaxon; sister Stacey; nephews Kolten and Brandon (Misty) Hall; multiple aunts, uncles and cousins; two silver Labrador retrievers, Zeus and Ashe; and numerous dear friends and extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his father, Jim McIntire, and his chocolate lab, Shiner.
A celebration of Bob’s life will take place at 2 p.m. today (July 30) at Abundant Life Church in Grapevine, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jewelers for Children.
Outside of the jewelry industry, Bob loved cooking, and traveling to food and wine festivals.
Michele said their middle son, Tanner, also got his dad into indoor rock climbing, and Bob became a part of the little community of climbers who frequent the rock-climbing gyms in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
But what she would most like people to remember about her husband of 30 years is his sense of humor and his infectious laugh.
She recalled a story relayed to her by one of Bob’s former employees.
One day at work, he came by to check on her showcases and spotted a ring she had accidentally put back in the necklace section. Without a word, he leaned over and returned the ring to its rightful place, all the while humming the “Sesame Street” teaching classic, “One of These Things (Is Not Like the Other).”
“He treated everything with humor,” Michele said. “With our own kids, he would constantly tease them and hide things from them and play games with them. Their whole lives, their dad was the fun one.”
Bob is survived by his wife, Michelle; sons Greyland, Tanner and Jaxon; sister Stacey; nephews Kolten and Brandon (Misty) Hall; multiple aunts, uncles and cousins; two silver Labrador retrievers, Zeus and Ashe; and numerous dear friends and extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his father, Jim McIntire, and his chocolate lab, Shiner.
A celebration of Bob’s life will take place at 2 p.m. today (July 30) at Abundant Life Church in Grapevine, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jewelers for Children.
More on Independents
The Latest
SourcingMar 03, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & ScottThe American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
TrendsMar 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: AquatopiaThese aquamarine jewels channel the calming energy of the March birthstone.
Weekly QuizFeb 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
AGTA Adds Another New Category for SpectrumThe “Innovative Design” category and award will debut in the Spectrum division of this year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JVC to Honor Rebecca Foerster at Annual LuncheonFoerster is this year’s Stanley Schechter Award recipient.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JFC Names 2026 ‘Facets’ Honorees Sponsorships and tickets to the annual fundraising event, set for May 31, are available now.
CrimeFeb 27, 2026
Man Charged in Murders of Father, Son Jewelers in ChicagoChicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.
SourcingFeb 27, 2026
South African Diamond Mine Closes Amid Search for Missing WorkersOwners of the Ekapa Mine reportedly filed for liquidation about a week after a mudslide trapped five workers who have yet to be found.
MajorsFeb 27, 2026
Jewelers Mutual to Donate $10M to Savannah College of Art and DesignA 10-year alliance has also begun to address the shortage of bench jewelers through scholarships, enhanced programs, and updated equipment.
CollectionsFeb 27, 2026
Renato Cipullo Turns Gold into HardstonesThe “Splendente” collection has evolved to feature hardstone letter pendants, including our Piece of the Week, the onyx “R.”
AuctionsFeb 26, 2026
Noonans to Auction Lady Wardington’s JewelryThe jewelry collection belonged to “one of society's most glamorous and beautiful women of the mid-20th century,” said the auction house.
SourcingFeb 26, 2026
Anglo American CEO Gives Insight Into De Beers SaleThe update came as Anglo took its third write-down on the diamond miner and marketer, which lost more than $500 million in 2025.
ColumnistsFeb 26, 2026
Practical Ways Jewelers Can Leverage AI in 2026Emmanuel Raheb discusses the rise of “GEO” and the importance of having well-written, quality content on your website.
CrimeFeb 26, 2026
Three Sentenced in California Jewelry HeistEach received around four years for burglarizing a jewelry store and a coffee shop in Simi Valley, California, last May.
Events & AwardsFeb 26, 2026
GIA Names 2026 Jewelry Design Contest Winner, Retires Annual AwardCatherine Aulick, a GIA graduate, received the ninth and final Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.
TrendsFeb 25, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
EditorsFeb 25, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
PodcastsFeb 25, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
WatchesFeb 25, 2026
Private Equity Firms Write Down Value of Breitling, Report SaysThe Swiss watchmaker is battling declining sales amid a rapid retail expansion, according to a Financial Times report.
CollectionsFeb 25, 2026
Rahaminov Diamonds’ New Campaign Honors Its MatriarchThe campaign celebrates Giustina Pavanello Rahaminov, the co-founder’s wife and matriarch of the family-owned brand, for her 88th birthday.
Policies & IssuesFeb 24, 2026
IEEPA Tariffs Terminated, New 10% Tariff Already ImposedAfter the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs, President Trump imposed a 10 percent tax on almost all imports via a different law.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Yafa Signed Jewels to Open Store in MiamiThe vintage signed jewelry retailer chose Miami due to growing client demand in the city and the greater Latin American region.
