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Arizona Beta – Arizona State University
Gregory M. Calvert ‘99
Mississippi Alpha – University of Mississippi
Thomas T. Lindley ‘47
California Delta – University of Southern
California
James H. Harmon ‘60
Nebraska Alpha – University of Nebraska
Michael E. Barber ‘60
William W. Wright ‘60
Dwight H. Fritts Jr. ‘51
California Epsilon – University of California,
Los Angeles
John P. Ruby ‘34
California Gamma – University of California,
Berkeley
Darrell J. Theobald ‘52
Georgia Alpha – University of Georgia
Joseph E. Lowe IV ‘95
Illinois Beta – University of Chicago
Dr. Jack E. Kahoun ‘41
Indiana Delta – Purdue University
Don C. Osborne ‘65
Indiana Beta – Indiana University
Walter P. Helmke ‘47
Kent C. Owen ‘58
Indiana Delta – Purdue University
Harry E. Reasner ‘46
Paul W. Smeltzer ‘45
Indiana Gamma – Wabash College
Richard S. Ringlespaugh ‘75
Iowa Alpha – University of Iowa
Thomas L. Chadima ‘51
James A. Sangster ‘48
Iowa Beta – Iowa State University
Robert W. Sackett ‘54
Kansas Alpha – University of Kansas
Thomas I. McIntire ‘59
Robert A. Mercer Sr. ‘47
Michigan Beta – Michigan State University
Gary S. Bracken ‘71
Minnesota Beta – University of Minnesota,
Twin Cities
Michael A. Bosanko ‘49
Nebraska Beta – Creighton University
Rev. John P. Schlegel ‘79
New York Alpha – Cornell University
John W. Hosie Jr. ‘46
New York Beta – Syracuse University
Joseph W. Weber ‘43
Ohio Eta – University of Toledo
Delos M. Palmer Jr. ‘50
Ohio Lambda – Miami University
Robert A. Bayless ‘72
Oklahoma Alpha – University of Okalahoma
Richard H. Chauncey Jr. ‘51
Scott P. Snethen ‘78
Oregon Alpha – University of Oregon
Jerry A. O’Callaghan ‘40
Dwight A. Caswell ‘41
William K. House ‘41
Robert S. Walter ‘42
Keith B. McGillivary ‘43
Cecil P. Drew ‘43
Robert S. Reed ‘46
Calvin A. Pihl ‘47
Paul A. Thalhofer ‘49
Duncan E. Liston ‘49
Throdore F. Cooley ‘51
Richard D. Hilton ‘54
Oregon Beta – Oregon State University
Frederick J. Dryer ‘48
Pennsylvania Alpha – Washington &
Jefferson
George W. Krebs ‘53
Pennsylvania Beta – Allegheny College
Elwood T. Hughes Jr. ‘55
Pennsylvania Epsilon – Gettysburg College
Henry S. Belber II
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Pennsylvania Gamma – Bucknell University
James A. Carlson ‘56
George E. Meyers ‘55
Pennsylvania Lambda – Pennsylvania State
University
Andrew G. Krause ‘38
Tennessee Epsilon – University of Tennessee
Alfred A. Burzese ‘78
Virginia Alpha – University of Virginia
Peter J. Schedler ‘95
Virginia Beta – Washington & Lee University
Frank A. Parsons ‘50
West Virginia Alpha – West Virginia
University
Robert B. Pierce ‘39
Donald L. Shotts ‘51
Texas Alpha – University of Texas
Dr. William P. Fitch III ‘62
Michael E. Barber
Nebraska Alpha ‘60
Robert A. Bayless
Ohio Lambda ‘72
Michael Edward Barber (74) died peacefully at his Libertyville,
IL, home on September 29. The cause was melanoma,
which Mike faced for eight years with the straightforward
and optimistic view that he brought to life overall. Mike was
born on September 6, 1941, in Omaha, NE, the second of
Bernice and Delbert Barber’s three children. He grew up in
Omaha, enjoying hunting and fishing with his father, brother
and friends. During Mike’s childhood, family vacations to
Minnesota and South Dakota revolved around extended
family and more fishing. Those happy early years inspired
Mike’s lifelong love of the outdoors and natural lands.
In 1964, Mike married Kay Sparck with whom he had
two children, Alisa and Matthew. The couple divorced
in 1979 but remained on good terms as parents and
grandparents. In 1980, Mike wed Mary Morris, who
survives him. Together, he and Mary had three sons,
William, James and Samuel. A graduate of Omaha
North High School, Mike earned a B.A. in Economics
from the University of Nebraska in 1963. He served
six years in the U.S. Army Reserves while beginning his long
and successful career in insurance claims management. In
more than 30 years with Aetna, Mike was posted in Omaha,
Los Angeles, Chicago and Hartford, CT. After retiring as
a claims director from Aetna, he continued his career as
director of regulatory affairs for CCC Information Services,
a Chicago-based provider of information and technology to
the auto insurance industry. Mike retired from professional life
in 2010. Mike’s love of the outdoors remained a constant in
his retirement. He enjoyed fishing in Minnesota and Ontario,
and served as a prairie restoration volunteer with the Lake
County Forest Preserves. In the final few years of Mike’s life,
he and his wife Mary spent as much time as possible at their
retreat in northwest-lower Michigan’s beautiful Sleeping Bear
Dunes country. Mike also dedicated many hours of volunteer
service to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.
Mike is survived by his wife Mary and his five children: Alisa
(A. Daniel) Leleika of Aurora, IL; Matthew (Robyn) Barber of
Grayslake, IL; William Barber of Raleigh, NC; James Barber
(partner Kendall Ramai) of Chicago; and Samuel Barber
(partner Kathleen Roxas) of Chicago. Mike is also survived
by his sister, Kathryn (James) Morley, of Blair, NE; and his
brother, Robert (Juliet) Barber, of Monroe, GA. Survivors also
include six grandchildren, five nieces and nephews, and ten
grand-nieces and nephews.
Robert A. “Bob” 63, of Springfield passed away unexpectedly
Wednesday morning, November 11, 2015 as the result of an
auto accident. He was born in Springfield on August 19, 1952,
the son of the late Wilbur “Russ” and Renie (Runyan) Bayless.
Bob was a 1970 graduate of Springfield North High
School and a 1974 graduate of Miami University. While
at Miami University, he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi
Fraternity. He worked as area sales director for Holland
Freight for over 20 years. Bob coached swimming at
Shawnee High School and Springfield YMCA for
several years. He enjoyed playing his guitar and
golfing. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Gretchen
S. (Brening) Bayless; his son, Zachary Bayless of
Beavercreek; sister, Sherry (Gary) McCoy of Jacksonville,
Florida; brother, Rusty (Susan) Bayless of Springfield; many
nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Henry S. Belber II
Pennsylvania Epsilon ‘48
Henry Belber II, of Malvern, PA, passed away on December
25, 2014, at the age of 88. Belber was a prominent custom
homebuilder and developer of several communities in Eastern
PA. Hank, as he was affectionately known, was in the building
business for over 60 years as President of Trico Construction.
Hank was influenced by the style of R. Brognard Okie, known
for his magnificent Pennsylvania farmhouses.
Hank was raised in Lower Merion and was the point guard on
the Lower Merion High School basketball team, leading them
to two consecutive state championships in 1942–1943.
Following high school, Hank served as a signalman in
the U.S. Navy for a year and then enrolled at Gettysburg
College on a GI Bill of Rights scholarship. While at the
College, Hank continued his accomplished basketball
career and was cocaptain of the team his senior year.
Hank graduated in 1951 with a degree in economics.
His athletic accomplishments were recognized when
he was added to the Gettysburg College Hall of Athletic Honor
in 1992. The Hall of Athletic Honor citation describes Hank
with the following:
“With the calm, cool, precision of a well-trained
athlete, Hank stormed the gymnasiums of the
East Coast to become one of the finest two-hand
set shot artists in Gettysburg history. He was one
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of the most consistent players of his day, not only
because of his scoring ability, but because of his
ball handling and defense.”
In addition to his Hall of Athletic Honor induction, Hank
remained connected to the College by serving as a member of
the Board of Trustees for 12 years, and was named a trustee
emeritus. Hank and his wife have enjoyed the last 30 years
together, spending much of their time with family and many
friends in Dorset, VT, and in Hobe Sound, FL. Hank was a
longtime member of the Main Line Builders Association and
was honored with Builder of the Year on numerous occasions.
Hank is recognized as the force behind the development of
Applebrook Golf Club and was one of the founding members
of the club, where he served as president for 15 years, until
retiring in 2014.
Michael A. Bosanko
Minnesota Beta ‘49
Bosanko, Michael Arthur Age 86, of Bloomington, passed away
peacefully January 20, 2016. Preceded in death by his loving
wife of 60 years, Sally H. Bosanko, parents, Paul and Blanche
Bosanko and sister, Anne B. Green. Mike was a lifelong Twin
Cities resident and graduate of Blake School, where his father
taught world languages. He graduated from the University of
Minnesota with a B.A. in Education and a M.A. in American
Studies. He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. Mike
began his teaching career in Redwood Falls, followed by
a short stint at Breck School. He taught Social Studies for
the next 28 years in Bloomington, primarily at Penn Junior
High School. He was active in the Bloomington Teachers
Association, serving as vice president and president. He was
a passionate environmentalist throughout his life. Mike was a
member of the Bloomington Natural Resources Commission
founded in 1965, serving as its first chairman and then as
vice chairman. During this time, the Commission received the
National Wildlife Federation’s Conservation Organization of the
Year award (1967) for its groundbreaking efforts in protecting
the environment. Mike was a member of the Metropolitan Parks
and Open Space Commission for 17 years and served
as both a board member and president of the Friends
of Minnesota Valley. This organization was instrumental
in the creation of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife
Refuge in 1976. In his later years, Mike served in
important positions in the Parks and Trails Council of
Minnesota and the Lake Minnetonka Association. Mike
was also active in the Republican Party, Common
Cause of Minnesota, and in many philanthropic endeavors. He
was an ardent tennis player, playing until age 81 and serving
as captain for senior tennis teams. He was an enthusiastic
sports fan, music lover, history buff and world traveler. Mike
and Sally enjoyed attending OLLI senior classes, and were
great supporters of the Guthrie Theater and the University of
Minnesota School of Music. Both he and Sally loved spending
summers with family and friends at the family cottage on
Lake Minnetonka. Michael is survived his children Michael D.
(Marge) Bosanko, Paul D. Bosanko and Margaret B. (Taylor)
Werness; grandchildren Christine, Nicholas, Brendan, Raina,
Aidan, Rory, Quinn and Elise; and many beloved nieces,
nephews and longtime friends.
Gary S. Bracken
Michigan Beta ‘71
Gary Scott Bracken, age 62, passed away unexpectedly
on Saturday, October 18, 2014 surrounded and embraced
by his loved ones. Gary’s love & laughter, smile, kind
heart & gentle soul as well as his warm, supportive nature
made him a dearly loved relative and friend to many.
Left to cherish Gary’s memory are his soul mate and wife
of 42 years, Julie Kay Vermilya Bracken (62); three
children, Jennifer Lynn Bracken (38), Kathryn Jean
Bracken Harris (34), and John Austin Bracken (28);
Kathryn’s husband Robert David Harris (38); three
grandchildren, Matthew Scott (14), Liam Morgen
(5), and Emma Kaylin (2). Gary was the beloved
son of Dodie Whitley Bracken and older brother to
Jeff & Andrea Bracken and Laura Jean Bracken.
Gary is also survived by: Bracken nieces and nephews
Gillian & Eddie Soulliere, Kelsey & Adam Murray, Hal
Bracken, and their mother Nancy Kelley Bracken. Maternal
cousins Sue Ross, daughters Amy and Laura; Scott &
Trisha Wartenberg, son David & Jenna; David & Cheryl
Wartenberg, sons Andrew and Tim, Frank & Pat Johnson,
Jim Johnson. In-laws John & Ruby Vermilya; Jean & Burm
Misenar, son Steve, children Andy and Cheri, children Dakota
and Hailey, son Eric & Kristen, sons Blake and Max; Jane
& Stan VanDyke, son Noe & Michelle Klumpp, children
Kylie & Aaron Kohrs and Michael, daughter Michelle & Joel
Mills, son Shawn; Janet Tiefry, children James and Martha.
Dear friends Aunt Nonie Franz, Cynthia Shattuck, The
Gosch Family, Cheryl May, Roxanne & Sam Muhlmeister,
Nelle Carlsmith, and many dear Aetna co-workers.
Gary was predeceased by his father, Harold Austin Bracken;
maternal grandparents Ray Whitley (PopPop) & Kay Johnson
Whitley (MomMom); maternal aunt Judy Whitley, maternal aunt
and uncle Claire & George Wartenberg, paternal grandfather
Chet Bracken, paternal grandmother Sadie Austin Bracken
& step-grandfather Art Egan, and nephew Tim Misenar.
Gary was born March 10, 1952 in Santa Monica, California
and lived in Anaheim and Yorba Linda before moving to
Franklin, Michigan in 1963. He played Little League Baseball
in California & Michigan. In 1970, Gary graduated from
Groves High School in Birmingham, Michigan where he
was a star pitcher. As freshmen on the campus of Michigan
State University in East Lansing, he met his future wife Julie.
Gary was also a member of Phi Kappa Psi at Michigan
State and would later graduate with a Bachelor of Science.
Gary and Julie moved to California in 1975 where their three
children were born and Julie was a much-loved teacher with
Valley Center Public Schools for 25 years. Gary retired from
Aetna in 2012 after 19 years of service as a marketing analyst
and moved to Chesapeake, Virginia to spend more time with
his family and grandchildren. Prior to working in the health
care field, Gary worked in the auto industry, started his own
computer desktop publishing company and graphic design
businesses, and was ahead of his time as a stay-at-home dad.
Gary was a true Renaissance man with a wide range of
talents, abilities and interests. He was a naturally gifted
athlete who shared his love of baseball, football, and other
sports. Gary was incredibly creative; he was an artist,
a designer and a craftsman. He was also mechanically
inclined and loved everything about cars; conception, design,
models, racing, auto shows and rebuilding a car with his
son, John. Gary loved to help everyone and his ability to
tackle Honey-Do lists will be dearly missed. He gave the
best hugs and always shared his love of life with family &
friends. The simple things mattered most: time with his wife,
children, grandchildren, family, and friends; cooking his
famous quiche & omelets or grilling in the backyard, seeing
his favorite movies, watching TV, reading, working in the
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yard & on cars, playing the guitar, listening to his favorite
music, sharing stories and his endless thirst for knowledge.
Gary will be remembered as a devoted son, brother, husband,
father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend.
Alfred A. Burzese
Tennessee Epsilon ‘78
Anthony Burzese Jr., 56, of Rogersville, Ala., formerly of
Chattanooga, died May 14, 2015, at Vanderbilt University
Medical Center, Nashville. He was born March 4th, 1958
in Sewickley, Pa. He was a 1976 graduate of Notre Dame
High School, Chattanooga, earned a BS Degree in Chemical
Engineering from University of Tennessee in Knoxville
and MS Degree in Health Physics from Georgia Institute
of Technology. He was a member of St. Josephs Catholic
Church, Florence, Ala., and the Knights of Columbus.
Tony was retired from Tennessee Valley Authority. An avid
Tennessee Vols fan, he loved fishing, golfing, gardening,
cooking and traveling. He was survived by his wife of 27
years, Amy Ezell Burzese of Rogersville; son, Matthew
Burzese of Huntsville, Ala.; parents, Al and Phyllis Burzese
of Chattanooga; brothers, Vince (Val) Burzese of Spring City,
Tenn., Steve Burzese of Chattanooga and Kevin Burzese of
Chattanooga; and a nephew, Micah Burzese.
Gregory M. Calvert
Arizona Beta ‘99
Gregory Michael Calvert, a Director at eXelate Corporation,
passed away after an apparent heart attack on Wednesday
morning, December 31, 2014. He was 35 years old.
Greg grew up in Burlington and was a graduate of Burlington
High School Class of 1997 where he was a member of the
Wrestling and Lacrosse Teams. He then went onto to earn
his degree in Marketing and Psychology from Arizona State
University. He was a proud Alumni of the University and
Phi Kappa Si Fraternity. He was an extremely selfmotivated and a gregarious individual and found a
career in Digital Marketing. He had lived the past 10
years in New York City and later Hartsdale New York,
Greg worked for a number of companies, before
becoming Director, Platforms at eXelate Corporation.
He was well respected by his peers and clients.
Greg had everything going his way. He was lovingly married
to his wife of three and a half years, Kathy. They moved
from the city and purchased a home in Hartsdale New York.
He was extremely handy around his home and took great
pride in the improvements he had made on the property.
Whenever he had a project or repair, he would look to the
internet, rather than the yellow pages, to find a “How To”
guide so he could complete the task himself. Despite living
in New York for so long, he remained a faithful Boston
sports fan. He will be remembered by his family, friends, and
coworkers for the love he shared, dry sense of humor, ability
to connect with everyone, and the many accomplishments
he achieved in his 35 years. He will be never forgotten.
Greg was the loving husband of Kathy (Nguyen) of Hartsdale,
New York. He was the loving son of Richard and Marilyn
Calvert of Burlington. He was the brother of Jennifer
Maldonado & her husband Thomas of Reading, Danielle
Miranda & her husband Ivan of Ayer, and Katrina Boschetti &
her husband Brett of Burlington. He was the uncle of Solana
& Dylan Maldonado and Teddy Miranda.
James A. Carlson
Pennsylvania Gamma ‘56
Jim Carlson, the beloved father of Kymm Carlson
of Washington, DC and brother of Kenneth Carlson
of Easton, MD passed away on New Year’s Day.
Jim was born in Oil City, PA and grew
up in idyllic Kane, PA where he was an
accomplished football and basketball player.
He attended Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA
where he studied Business Administration and
was the President of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.
In addition, he completed ROTC and joined the
United States Armed Forces upon graduation and
was commissioned to First Lieutenant in Germany.
Following his service in the Army, Jim launched his esteemed
career in Human Resources with General Electric in Chicago.
Jim was an excellent athlete and gracious sportsman.
He enjoyed tennis, golf, squash, racquetball and dancing
and was thrilled to compete in the Equitable Cup at the
US Open in Flushing, NY with his daughter, Kymm.
Jim was an avid animal lover and humanitarian. He
supported causes such as AISES, Save the Children
and Bucknell University among other organizations.
He is survived by his daughter Kymm, brother Kenneth,
nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
Dwight A. Caswell
Oregon Alpha ‘41
Occidental, California, died April 12, 2015. The Eugene
native parlayed his research on microwave technology for
the military and aerospace industries into one of Silicon
Valley’s earliest technology firms, forming Cascade Research
in a Los Gatos warehouse in 1953. He was born in 1921
into an academically accomplished family. Both his parents
were Stanford University graduates, and his father, Albert,
was the dean of the physics department at University of
Oregon, where Dwight earned his undergraduate degree
in physics. He met his wife, Helen, in high school, and they
married right before the war when he was 21. After he joined
the Navy, Dwight was reassigned to the Naval Research
Laboratory in Washington, D.C., where he worked on
the development of sonar and hydroacoustics, critical
technologies for submarine warfare. After his service,
he studied physics at Stanford, earning his master’s
degree. He worked on an early version of Stanford’s
linear accelerator. He considered completing his Ph.D.,
but with two kids and a third on the way, he figured he
needed to earn a better living for his family. So he went
to work for the Hughes Aircraft Co. in Santa Monica.
After a few years, he decided to strike out on his own, locating
his new company in Silicon Valley because of its proximity to
the area’s aerospace firms. He later sold Cascade Research
and started another company, Caswell Electronics. During
this period he experimented widely, obtaining several patents.
But the company struggled and later went bankrupt. The
family moved from Saratoga to Occidental in the early 1980s,
and he started a third company in Forestville, called Sonoma
Scientific. An industry veteran at that point, Dwight partnered
with a younger microwave engineer just as the field of mobile
phone technology was emerging. He later sold out to his
partners and retired, devoting his time to family, hiking, and
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church, all of which meant a great deal to him. Unlike some
scientists, Caswell never viewed his work as being at odds
with his faith. “My father always took the view that all science
was a description of the wonders of creation,” Philip Caswell
said. In addition to his wife of 72 years, Caswell is survived by
four of his five children: Dwight, Philip, Mary Walsh, and John.
His son Chris, a noted Celtic harpist and luthier, died in 2013.
Thomas L. Chadima
Iowa Alpha ‘51
Thomas L. Chadima, 85, went to be with Jesus on Aug.
28, 2015. Friends may pay their respects to the family on
Tuesday, Sept. 1, from 4 to 7 p.m. at 150 N. Troy Rd., Robins.
Funeral service will be held Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 11 a.m. at
First Assembly of God, Blairs Ferry Road NE, Cedar Rapids.
He is survived by his wife, Kaye. He is also survived by his
children, Carla (Dan) Taylor of Cedar Rapids, Scott Chadima
of Santa Barbara, Calif., Coleen (Lou) Maglio of
Westlake, Ohio, Caroline Chadima of Denver,
Colo., and Candace (R. Scot) Warder of Robins.
Grandchildren are Joe Taylor of Cedar Rapids, Peter
Taylor of Akron, Ohio, Sarah (Preston) Smith of
Wheeling, W.V., Zachary, Christian and Joe Maglio
of Westlake, Ohio, Michael Nodurft of Cedar Rapids,
Daxton Nodurft of St. Augustine, Fla., and Nathen,
Joshua, Katie and Elijah Warder of Cedar Rapids; and
great-grandchildren, Brenna and Rebecca Taylor and Caleb
Smith. Kaye’s children are Shelly Wilder, Dorinda, Derdre,
Deinea and John Rodriguez.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Richard
W. Chadima.
Tom was born July 5, 1930, in Cedar Rapids, to Harry Joseph
and Elsie Hajek Chadima. He graduated from Franklin High
School in 1948, attended Carleton College and graduated in
1952 from the University of Iowa with a major in history. He
was a member and past president of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.
He married Joanne Mieras on Oct. 26, 1952. They divorced in
1978. He married Kaye L. Rodriguez on Oct. 10, 1992.
Tom started in the family business, Hubbard Ice and Fuel,
at a young age hauling blocks of ice from the Cedar River
and delivering them to homes and businesses across the
city, eventually becoming treasurer of the company. He was
later treasurer of family owned Hamilton Seed Co., owner of
Pioneer Plastics and for many years a Realtor with Skogman
Realty.
Tom was proud of his city, community, his Czech heritage and
being a Bohemie. He was involved with the Junior Chamber
of Commerce, Thursday Noon Optimist Club, where he was
a past president, and was a loyal member of the Republican
Party. Tom was the “go to guy” when people wanted
something organized. From 1995 to 2005, he was chairman
of Rover’s Run, which benefited the Cedar Valley Humane
Society and Cedar Rapids Animal Control.
Tom loved the game of golf and passed his love of the game
on to many of his grandchildren. He was a member of the
1948 state championship golf team from Franklin High School.
Holidays, especially Christmas, were made magical because
of his kindness, creativity and generosity. One of his greatest
joys was Christmas caroling with his family, in four part
harmony for friends and neighbors.
He was an amazing story teller and prolific letter writer to
family and friends.
Tom enjoyed fishing, hunting the elusive morel mushroom,
making “Chaddy’s Choicest” pickles, and baking strawberry
rhubarb pies.
Theodore F. Cooley
Oregon Alpha ‘51
Theodore F. Cooley, ’51-451, of Tacoma, Washington,
passed away January 26, 2015. Born in 1930 in Longview,
Washington, Ted attended Central Washington University on
a music scholarship, and later University of Oregon for two
terms. When the war in Korea broke out, he served in
the Air Force at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi.
While there, he played his first game of golf, and was
hooked forever after. After the war, he graduated from
Washington State University and started his career in
live radio and television broadcasting in Yakima, Pasco,
and Tacoma. This led him to a 27 year career with
Clover Park Vocational Technical Institute, where Ted
provided live television production, public relations, and
career counseling services to thousands of young people. He
volunteered for more than 35 years with Washington Junior
Golf Association, traveling around the state to mentor kids
and manage golf tournaments. In retirement, he played golf
every possible moment, loved traveling to places of natural
beauty, and felt blessed in his 7 year marriage to Deanne. He
is survived by his wife; children, Jennifer Cooley Williamson,
Chris Cooley, Heidi Keller, and Gretchen Robinson; and
six grandchildren. He was also a wonderful stepfather and
grandfather to Dede’s children, grandchildren, and great
grandchildren.
Cecil P. Drew
Oregon Alpha ‘43
Cecil P. Drew, ’43-337, a lifetime resident of Klamath Falls,
Oregon, died March 9, 2009, on his 86th birthday. In 1945,
Cecil and Evelyn were united in marriage; they worked
together in retail and real estate investing, retiring in 1976. He
was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the Klamath
Falls Kiwanis Club, and the Toastmasters. He enjoyed snow
skiing, flying, fishing, hunting, bicycling, card playing, and
traveling. He was preceded in death by Evelyn, his daughter,
Susan, and his brothers, Greer [’35-209], Frank [’36-223], and
Lloyd. He is survived by his daughters, Carol Cavanaugh and
Debby McGeary; a son, Neil; and eight grandchildren.
Frederick J. Dryer
Oregon Beta ‘48
Frederick “Jay” Dryer 89, went to be with his Lord January 2,
2016. Jay was born January 4, 1926 in Omaha, Nebraska
to Earl and Louise Dryer. He graduated from Franklin
High School in Portland, Oregon in 1943. He enlisted
in the Army Infantry and served in Europe and the
Philippines during World War II. After the war, Jay
enrolled at Oregon State University in 1946 where
he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. After
graduation in 1950, Jay was employed with Shell Oil
Company in Portland, Oregon. Jay met the love of his
life Betty in Portland and married on November 25,
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1950. Jay and Betty moved with Shell Oil numerous times
over his 37 year career before finally arriving in Dallas, Texas
in 1976. Jay was a faithful member of First United Methodist
Church of Richardson and a Master Mason. Jay enjoyed
woodworking, square dancing with Betty and travelling. Jay
was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Louise Dryer.
Survivors: Jay was survived by his beloved wife of 65 years
Betty Dryer, daughters Janeen Farmer, Leanne Huff and
husband Jack, Linda Ford and husband Kevin, grandchildren
Blake Farmer and wife Jillian, Keith Farmer, Grant Huff and
wife Alison, Adrianne Holland and husband Bowie, Victoria
Ford, Allison Ford and Matthew Ford.
Dr. William P. Fitch III
Texas Alpha ‘62
Ex-Students Association.Dr. Fitch was an energetic man who
had a curious mind and many interests. He grew up hunting
and fishing with his grandfather, father and brother in South
Texas. He and his wife traveled extensively and enjoyed
many years skiing, hiking and fly-fishing in Crested Butte,
Colorado, with their daughters. A baseball fan, he coached
several little league softball teams. In 1981, Dr. Fitch and his
wife purchased a cattle ranch in Falls City, Texas, where he
spent weekends and vacations working with his friend and
foreman, Marcos Arenas.
Dwight H. Fritts Jr.
Nebraska Alpha ‘51
Dr. William Pilcher Fitch III, beloved husband, father and
grandfather, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family
on Sunday, November 29, 2015. He was preceded in death
by his parents, Lula Watkins Fitch and William Pilcher Fitch,
Jr., and brother, Gary Welford Fitch. Dr. Fitch is survived by
his wife of 44 years, Kay; daughters, Lara Fitch and husband,
Ted Lazarus, Dr. Erin Foster and husband, Dr. Alex
Foster, and Katie Free and husband, Graham Free;
sisters, Linda Holland and Susan Fitch; grandchildren
May and Phineas Lazarus, and Atticus and Kate Foster;
and dear nieces and nephews.Born in Lubbock, Texas,
on May 6, 1943, Dr. William P. Fitch was a graduate
of Alamo Heights High School, the University of Texas
at Austin (Phi Kappa Psi) and Tulane Medical School.
Dr. Fitch served in the United States Air Force as a
flight surgeon from 1968-1972. He was stationed at Brooks
Air Force Base where he met his wife Kay, a nurse in the
Air Force, and spent one year in Saigon at Tan Son Nhut Air
Base. During his service in the Republic of Vietnam, Dr. Fitch
provided medical care to U.S. airmen and worked in villages
caring for Vietnamese patients on MEDCAP missions. Dr.
Fitch was awarded a Bronze Star Medal, an Air Medal and
the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.Dr. Fitch
returned to San Antonio with his wife, Kay, and after finishing
a Urology residency at U.T.H.S.C.S.A., he opened Urology
Consultants with Dr. Lynn Banowsky. He practiced there for
over thirty years and then became a partner at Urology San
Antonio. Dr. Fitch was at the forefront of the diagnosis and
treatment of sexual dysfunction as a clinical researcher. He
pioneered the use and application of many early treatments,
both pharmaceutical and surgical. Dr. Fitch cared deeply
about his patients and their families. He belonged to many
professional organizations including the American Medical
Association, the American Urological Association, the
International Society for Sexual Medicine and the American
College of Surgeons.A lifelong resident of San Antonio, Dr.
Fitch was an active participant in many civic organizations.
He was an early member in the Leadership San Antonio
program, a delegate for the Bexar County Medical Society
and a member of the San Antonio Country Club. Dr. Fitch
was most grateful for the education he received at Alamo
Heights schools and served on the Alamo Heights I.S.D.
school board, as his father and grandfather had before him.
He was a member of Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church for over
40 years and served as a Sunday School Teacher and a
Vestry Member. He took several mission trips to Belize and
Honduras with the church. A passionate Texas Longhorns
fan, Dr. Fitch served on the board of the University of Texas
Dwight H. Fritts Jr., 83, of Waterloo, died Saturday, Dec. 26,
2015, at Lakeview Landing of Friendship Village.
He was born Sept. 15, 1932, in Omaha, Neb., son of Dwight
H. Sr. and Hazel Fritts. He married Barbara Dunn, and she
died in 1969. He married Jan Stevens in 1973 in Waterloo.
Dwight graduated from Omaha Central High School in 1950.
He attended the University of Nebraska/Lincoln and graduated
in 1954. He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. He
participated in ROTC while in college and served in the U.S.
Army.
His career as an insurance agent began with Royal Globe
Insurance and continued as co-owner of Fritts and Turner
Insurance, retiring in 1997 from PDCM Insurance. He was
a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, serving as
trustee, deacon and elder.
Survived by: his wife Jan; two sons, Dwight (Jane) Fritts
III of Cedar Falls and Mark (Chance) Stevens of Dubuque;
four daughters, Debra (Michael) Buckner of Waterloo, Dawn
(Craig) Miyashita of The Woodlands, Texas, Lisa (Tom)
Lynn of Malvern, Pa., and Diane Kolb of Jefferson City, Mo.;
nine grandchildren, Blake Marshall, Katie Marshall, Michael
(Cassidy) Fritts, Rachel Fritts, Brandon Lynn, Kenna Lynn,
Regan Stevens, Carter Stevens and Sommer Kolb; three
great-grandchildren, Kennedy, Sophia and Renee Fritts; a
niece, Karen Hollingsworth; and a nephew, Geoff Kent.
Preceded in death by: his parents; and his sister.
Dwight was past president of Kiwanis Club, a member of the
Jaycees, Elks, an Ambassador with the Waterloo Chamber
of Commerce, past secretary of the Waterloo Black Hawks
and a high school hockey referee. He was a board member of
Waterloo Memorial Park Cemetery and Salvation Army and a
member of the Masonic Lodge and Sunnyside Country Club.
James H. Harmon
California Delta ‘60
Jim Harmon was born June 17, 1940 in East Los Angeles to
James C. and Ruth Harmon. He attended elementary
school at Lorena St. School. Jim attended Rosemead
High School where he was elected Student Body
President. Jim also played basketball and tennis in high
school. He graduated with honors and was admitted to
the University of Southern California. He was active at
USC and was elected President of his class and played
freshman tennis. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree
cum laude in 1962. He stayed on at SC and earned his
law degree in 1965. Jim served a brief stint in the Air Force
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Reserves, followed by employment in the offices of Los
Angeles and Riverside County Counsels. He was particularly
happy when he landed the job as Deputy County Counsel
for Imperial County in 1968. Within a year he was named
County Counsel and became the youngest person (29 years
old) to hold such a position in the state of California. Jim was
voted President of the California County Counsel Association
and remained actively involved with this elite group for many
years. In 1983, he left county service to enter private practice
with William Byrd and Patrick Pace. With the encouragement
of his wife Mary, Jim successfully ran for judge in 1988. He
served for 15 years until complications from Parkinson’s
Disease forced his retirement in 2003. It is believed that Jim
was one of only two local attorneys to actually present a case
before the United States Supreme Court. (The late Reginald
Knox also shared this distinction.) A summary of landmark
cases handled by the County Counsel’s office, under Jim’s
supervision, are contained in his book “A Former County
Counsel’s Collection of Cases and Controversies.” (Pub.
2008.) Jim was a member of the Sunrunners Car Club. He
enjoyed water color painting, 50’s memorabilia collecting and
was an avid supporter of his family’s various activities. Jim
was preceded in death by his parents and son, Steven. He is
survived by his wife of 32 years, Mary Wavra Harmon; sons,
James (Angie), Jonathan and Matthew; granddaughters,
Cora, Greta and Annie Harmon; sisters, Linda Harmon and
Bonnie (Bob) Boyd; brother, Tom (Kathi) Harmon.
Walter P. Helmke
Indiana Beta ‘47
Walter P. Helmke, a former Allen County prosecutor and
state senator and father of former Mayor Paul Helmke, died
Wednesday at his Lake James home surrounded by three
generations of descendants. He was 88.
The Helmke name is well-known in Fort Wayne, especially
in political, business and legal circles. Helmke’s career
path seemed to follow in the footsteps of his father, Walter
E. Helmke, known by many as “Mr. Republican.” Walter E.
Helmke is said to have been one of the founders of
Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, and
a memorial library at the college bears his name. Both
father and son were Allen County prosecutors-the
father during the days of prohibition, the son during
the politically tumultuous 1960s era.
After serving eight years in the County prosecutor’s
office, Walter P. Helmke, also a Republican, set his
sights on the state Senate and won. While there, Helmke did
something typically uncharacteristic of his party; he helped
pass a bill that regulated abortion. The stance may have cost
him politically. In 1974, Helmke was the Republican nominee
for the U.S. House of Representatives, but lost the election.
Born in Fort Wayne on Dec. 28, 1927, Helmke practiced law
in Fort Wayne for 62 years with the same firm, now known
as Helmke Beams LLP, including 23 years with his father,
Walter E., and 18 years with his son, Paul, before retiring on
Oct. 1, 2014. He served as Allen County prosecuting attorney
from 1963-1971 and Indiana State Senator from 1971-1975.
He later served as Gov. Otis Bowen’s liaison to the Indiana
Senate in 1975-1976 and was active in the community,
serving as president of many local civic groups, including
the Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, Allen County Bar
Association, Parkview Hospital and Leadership Fort Wayne.
He was a strong supporter of IPFW and received the
university’s Ralph E. Broyles Medal. He also received the
Allen County Bar Association’s first Lifetime Achievement
Award in 2013 and the Fort Wayne North Side Distinguished
Alumni Award in 2015.
Paul Helmke, also a Republican, served as Fort Wayne’s
mayor from 1988 to 1999 and didn’t really have a choice.
Public service was in his blood, embedded in his DNA from
his grandfather.
“Politics has its pitfalls. It was always clear to me; there was
a financial cost to it” Paul Helmke said in a 2000 NewsSentinel article. “My father gave up a lot of productive time
and years by getting involved in politics. [M]y father was . . .
not as financially healthy as his peers who focused on a legal
practice or on a business profession.”
“He epitomized what public service should be about,” Paul
Helmke said Thursday. “He loved people and encouraged
them to get involved. He worked to increase respect for the
law and Fort Wayne’s history.”
Walter Helmke was a graduate of North Side High
School, receiving his B.A. degree from Indiana University
(Bloomington) in 1950 and his law degree from Valparaiso
University in 1952. He received honorary Doctor of Laws
degrees from Indiana Tech in 1989 and from Purdue in 1992.
He is survived by children Paul (Deborah) Helmke of Fort
Wayne and Bloomington, and Marsha Shirk of Oriental, N.C.;
seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and and one
sister, Carolyn Helmke Stoltz. He was preceded in death by
his wife of 67 years, Rowene, who died Dec. 24, 2015, and
son Mark, a former News-Sentinel reporter and aide to Sen.
Richard Lugar, who died in November. 2014.
Richard D. Hilton
Oregon Alpha ‘54
Richard D. Hilton, ’54-522, of Oak Harbor, Washington,
passed away on April 1, 2014. Born in 1935 in Klamath
Falls, Richard joined the Army in 1955 for two years,
one spent in Korea. He graduated from U of O with a
Bachelor’s degree, and worked as a banker for more
than 35 years. He moved to Bellingham, Washington,
in 1963, joined the Rotary Club, and met and married
Judy Simenson. They have one daughter, Helen.
John W. Hosie Jr.
New York Alpha ‘46
Loving husband of Sylvia Kilbourne Hosie. Devoted
father of Cynthia Hosie Gorman (Skip), John W. Hosie,
III (Maureen), Daniel Kilbourne Hosie (deceased, 1997),
Jane Hosie-Bounar (Khaled), Nancy Hosie Pierce
(Keith). Grandfather of Matt (Eileen) and Bitsy
(Steven); Willie, Katie (Ashlea), Josiah, and Jerry;
Maya and Anya; Amanda, Colin, Cameron, and
Parker. Great grandfather of Bridget and Ellis.
Bill arrived at Cornell University 70 years ago in 1945,
where he majored in physics and math. However,
“chemistry” became an important subject soon after
his arrival on campus when he met Sylvia Kilbourne,
who first became his dance partner, and then, on September
4, 1948, his life partner. As a friend of one of their children
remarked, “As a kid, I always felt how nice it was that these
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two grown-ups loved each other like people in a movie script.
As a grown-up, I see their marriage as the biggest miracle
I know.” At Cornell, Bill was a champion diver, undefeated
in dual competition two years in a row. After receiving his
B.S. in 1949 at Cornell, where he was a member of Phi
Kappa Psi Fraternity, Bill earned his Master’s in Education at
Columbia University. He got his first teaching job at Northport
High School in 1950, where he remained for 38 years.
As a teacher at Northport High School, Mr. Hosie’s approach
to physics not only taught even the most reluctant student
that “fiziks iz phun,” it probably also had English teachers
wringing their hands. And he left a lasting impression. As
one student remembers, he would stand on a turntable
with a spinning bicycle tire held over his head to show the
effects of centrifugal force. Another adds, “I still remember
him demonstrating gravity by jumping off the front lab bench
and asking if we noticed the earth moving slightly up to meet
him. Mutual attraction.” Still another writes, “A truly great
teacher… I send … greetings from my research position in
computational physics at Argonne National Laboratory.”
During his 64 years as a parent, “Pop” made life fun. From
buying and hiding arrowheads on his property for his young
sons to find, to doing flips to delight his children while walking
along the beach, to riding his bicycle backwards, he shared
his humor with all five children, while also teaching them
about responsibility and hard work, and about devotion to
family. He went on to show the same joie de vivre when he
was with his grandchildren and great granddaughter, and they
all adored him for it. He built the house his children grew up
in and surrounded it with beautiful flower gardens. He built
furniture for that house. He built wooden toys for his children
and grandchildren. But most important, along with his wife
Sylvia, he built a family.
William K. House
Oregon Alpha ‘41
William K. House, ’41-297, of Walnut Creek, California, died in
2014 at age 92. His wife, Sylvia, also died in 2014. Initiated in
Oregon Alpha Chapter, William later transferred to California
Gamma at UC-Berkeley.
Elwood T. Hughes Jr.
Pennsylvania Beta ‘55
Dr. Jack E. Kahoun
Illinois Beta ‘41
Jack E. Kahoun died on August 4, 2015. He was born in
Chicago to Vlasta & John Kahoun on Jan 3, 1923. His
growing up years were spent in Berwyn, Illinois near Chicago
and his extracurricular activities included acting in children’s
programs on the radio.He attended the University of Chicago
for his undergraduate work and also for medical school. He
married Janice Goode in 1944 and they had three children:
Bruce, Laura & Susan. After his internship at Mare Island
(near Vallejo, CA) he was assigned from the Navy to the
Marines in Hawaii in 1945 for two years. He did further work
at UC in San Francisco and then settled with his family in
San Mateo, CA, establishing his medical practice there.
He subsequently married Ruth Reifsnyder in 1977.He had
many interests aside from his medical career, from which
he retired in 1973 due to medical reasons. He was quite
family-oriented and planned many of his activities around
his family members, such as camping, baby-sitting and
always taking photographs of birthday parties. He enjoyed
sailing in SF Bay with the Ratcliffes; he liked piloting small
planes; he liked to build appliances such as TVs; he was
an excellent photographer, including developing the film; he
was always curious about things mathematical, astronomical
and scientific; he loved bicycling; he became involved with
computer activities and was a source of help to others, the
local League of Women Voters among them. He enjoyed
attending lectures at Stanford and participating in such
groups as CISAC and peace groups. He is survived by his
wife, Ruth, and his children: Bruce Edward Kahoun and his
wife, Erica; Laura Louise Corben and her husband, Greg; and
Susan Jean McKenna and her husband, Michael; his sister,
Jean Moody and her children Paul and Jo; grandchildren:
Euphoria Marie Sorensen; Bethany Foster; Jessica Stiles and
her husband, T.J; Patrick McKenna; Elizabeth McKenna; and
Kevin McKenna; and great-grandchildren: Jennifer Sorensen,
Iris & Gavin Ferretta; Jane & Cate Hamilton; and Dillon &
Sasha Stiles. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter
Rachel Ann Foster Hamilton.
Andrew G. Krause
Pennsylvania Lambda ‘38
Age 79, on Tuesday, November 3, 2015 from complications
of MDS. Beloved Husband of Barbara (Webb); Loving Father
of Robert and Christopher (Kristen); Adoring Grandfather of
Coby and Cameron Hughes and Bryan McGrath; Cherished
Brother of Sally Coune. Born in Rochester, PA to Sally G.
and Elwood T. Hughes, Woody was raised in Beaver,
PA where he graduated from high school. He enrolled
in Allegheny College where he joined Phi Kappa Psi
Fraternity. After graduation, he was inducted into the
US Army and spent two years in the Army Intelligence
Corps, which was extended for four months when
the Berlin Wall was erected. After discharge from the
service, he returned to Pittsburgh, married Ann Conger,
and took a job with Aetna Casualty where he began a long
and varied career in the insurance industry. Woody was an
usher, an elder, a teacher, and an active leader at Bower Hill
Community Church.
Andrew G. Krause, 97, passed away on Tuesday, November
3, 2015, in Hospice Care in Andersen, S.C., following a brief
illness. He was the loving husband of Paula Swigart Krause
for 75 years. He was born in Lebanon, the son of the late
Katharine Boyer Krause and George F. Krause.He graduated
from Penn State University in 1939 with a degree in electrical
engineering. In college, he was a member of the Phi Kappa
Psi fraternity and a member of the Penn State lacrosse
team. After three years of employment at Safe Harbor
and Holtwood Pennsylvania power plants, he joined
RCA Corporation in Lancaster, where he served in a
number of management positions for 38 years until his
retirement in 1980.In retirement, his favorite pastime
for seven years was as a volunteer making metal,
wood, and plastic devices for use in the Physical and
Occupational Therapy departments of the Lancaster
St. Joseph’s Hospital. He also fabricated equipment for
the S. June Smith Child Development Center in Lancaster.
Another favorite project was moving a seven bay barn from
the former McGrann farm in Lancaster to a hill north of Lititz to
create a family home. Since 1988, he and his wife Paula have
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lived in Vero Beach, Fla.While living in Lancaster, he was a
member of Bethany Presbyterian Church, the Media Heights
Golf Club, the Willow Street Boy Scout Troop Committee,
The West Lampeter Planning Commission, and the Willow
Street Lions Club, where he served as president.Surviving,
in addition to his wife, Paula, are three children, Andrew S,
husband of Nancy T. Krause of Ronks, Thomas J., husband
of Carol A. Krause of Lititz, and Katharine Krause Diamant,
wife of Harry Diamant of Andersen, S.C. He is also survived
by six grandchildren, Dereck Krause, Marcus Krause, Jami
Krause Buhler, Amber Krause Cookey, Lauren Donohue, and
David Diamant; seven great-grandchildren; and his sister,
Louise Krause Koons of Lebanon.
Thomas T. Lindley
Mississippi Alpha ‘47
Thomas Taylor Lindley, 89, died Saturday July 18,2015, at the
Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo after a short illness. He
was a member of the First Baptist Church in Baldwyn. He was
a retired federal employee having worked in the Department
of Defense. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy.
He was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity at Ole Miss
and a 1950 Ole Miss graduate. He loved everything Ole Miss.
Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, July 23, at Kesler Funeral
Home Chapel in Baldwyn with Bro. Stanley Huddleston
and Jack Hancock officating. Burial will be in the Baldwyn
Masonic Cemetery. Kesler Funeral Home is in charge of the
arrangements. Survivors include one daughter, Anne Galway
of Northern Virginia; three sons, Thomas T. Lindley of Bruce,
James M. Lindley of Northern Virginia and John T. Lindley
(Patsy) of Huntsville, Ala.; one sister, Anna Lee Goss of
Brandon; a special dear friend, Nancy Nunley of Saltillo; and
eight grandchildren.He was preceded by his parents, James
Lucian and Louise Lindley; one brother, James William
Lindley; and his dearest friend, Blanche Parker.
Duncan E. Liston
Oregon Alpha ‘49
Duncan E. Liston, ’49-424, longtime Chico, California, resident,
died May 19, 2013. He was born in San Francisco in 1929,
and graduated from Chico High School and the University of
Oregon. After serving in the Air Force, he returned to Chico to
work in the family’s agricultural businesses in Durham. He is
survived by three children, several grandchildren, and many
friends.
Joseph E. Lowe IV
Georgia Alpha ‘95
Athens, GA May 24, 1977 - Nov. 19, 2015 Joseph Ernest (Jay)
Lowe IV, 38, passed away Thursday, November 19, 2015.
Born May 24, 1977 in Winston Salem, NC to Joseph
Ernest Lowe, III and Moye Hinds Lowe, Jay graduated
from St. Leo’s Catholic School and Mount Tabor High
School in Winston Salem. Jay subsequently graduated
from The University of Georgia with a Bachelors of
Journalism degree in 1999. As an undergraduate, Jay
pledged Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. He continued his
education at UGA, earning a Masters of Education in
2000. During his college years, Jay had opportunity
to work for The University of Georgia Athletic Association.
This early opportunity opened the door to a career in college
athletics, a career Jay was very passionate about. In roles
of successively greater importance, Jay’s career took him
from UGA to Wake Forest University, to Northern Illinois
University, to Vanderbilt University, and to Miami University
(Ohio). Ultimately, Jay’s career brought him back to where
it began, The University of Georgia, the place where he felt
most at home. Most recently, Jay began work as a Director
of Major Gifts in the College of Pharmacy. Jay was preceded
in death by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph James
Hinds of Gastonia, NC and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph E. Lowe,
Jr. of Raleigh, NC; and an uncle, Joseph James Hinds, Jr.
of Barnesville, GA. He is survived by his wife, Courtney
Alexander Lowe and two daughters, Arabelle Martha and
Josephine Emery Lowe. Also surviving are his parents of
Winston Salem; a sister, Marian Lowe Kennedy and her
husband, Darryl Ross Kennedy of Winston Salem, and their
daughters, Alice Moye and Marian Gray Kennedy; his in-laws,
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Truman Alexander, Jr. of Buford, GA
and Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Emery Olin of Flowery Branch, GA;
his sister-in-law, Claire Margaret Alexander and son, Chance
Kevin, and daughter, Piper Eve Alexander.
Keith B. McGillivary
Oregon Alpha ‘43
Keith B. McGillivary, ’43-333, of Eugene, died December 9,
2014. Keith was born in Clatskanie, Oregon in 1924. During
his freshman year of high school, his family moved to Klamath
Falls. At Klamath Union High School, Keith was a threeyear letterman in basketball, and he was elected the class
president. Upon graduation from high school, Keith attended
the University of Oregon. His studies were interrupted
by World War II, and he enlisted in the Navy, serving as a
midshipman and gunnery officer aboard an assault landing
craft in the Pacific. His ship shot down an enemy
plane, survived a typhoon, and then helped transport
Chiang Kai-Shek and his family to China. After the war,
Keith graduated from the University of Oregon with
a BS in Chemistry and Science, and then graduated
from University of Oregon dental school. Returning
to Eugene, he practiced dentistry for 37 years at
his office on Oak Street. He married his high school
sweetheart, Dory Lea Weinberg, in 1948. They were
married for 52 years until Dory’s passing in 2000. Keith’s
second wife, Trish, passed away two years ago. Keith was
an accomplished musician who played the drums, piano,
accordion and bagpipes. At the age of 11, he won the Oregon
State drumming contest. Upon moving to Eugene in 1953,
Keith founded the Eugene Highlanders Pipe Band along with
his good friend, Hector Smith, and the band continues today.
Keith also played jazz piano at numerous events throughout
his life. Keith served on the state board of dental examiners
and as the President of the Lane County Dental Association.
Keith also served for many years on the Board of the Oregon
Festival of Music, an organization that he dearly loved for its
efforts to bring world-class music and musicians to Eugene
and to promote music throughout the community. Keith was
also a longstanding member of the American Archeology
Association. Upon retirement at the age of 65, Keith travelled
to Cyprus and participated in an archeological dig that was
performed under the auspices of the University of Arizona.
Keith was one of the founders of the Raymond Carver Festival
in Clatskanie. The Festival celebrates the life of America’s
greatest short story writer, and includes a writing competition
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for students. Keith loved tennis, and played in leagues and
tournaments throughout his life. He continued to play tennis
through his 86th birthday. He is survived by two of his children,
Kristina Hansen and Greg McGillivary; two grandchildren; and
his brother Philip.
Thomas I. McIntire
Kansas Alpha ‘59
Thomas I. McIntire, 75, of Overland Park, Kan., passed away
Aug. 7, 2015, at his home. Tom was born May 20, 1940, in
Oregon, Mo., one of four children of Harry L. and Violet M.
(Holstine) McIntire. Tom graduated from Oregon High School
and received his Masters degree from the University of
Kansas. On Sept. 1, 1962, Tom married Ann Milne in Oregon.
They became parents of two children and made their home
in Overland Park since 1963. Tom worked as a CPA for Pete
Marwick, Western Auto, and Object Technology Solutions Inc.
Preceding him in death were his parents. Survivors include
his wife of 52 years, Ann of their home; favorite son
and daughter-in-law, Mark and Tracey McIntire of Las
Vegas, Nev.; favorite daughter and son-in-law, Melinda
and Chris Nedbalek of Olathe, Kan.; brother and sisterin- law, Mason and Judy McIntire of Mound City, Mo.;
sisters and brothers-in-law, Kay and Bob Simpson of
St. Joseph, Mo., and Marilyn and Bill Schulte of Los
Angeles, Calif.; six grandchildren, Cooper Thomas,
Morgan Nedbalek, and Brandey, Arias, Candyze and
Cameron McIntire; two great grandchildren, Ella and Audrey
McIntire; and numerous nieces and nephews. Tom enjoyed his
work, and his life was centered around his family. He was an
avid runner, enjoyed the Lake of the Ozarks, KU basketball and
loved Ann’s fruit pies. He was an active member and volunteer
at the Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, Kan.
Robert A. Mercer Sr. [FLAG]
Kansas Alpha ‘47
Bob was born on August 9th, 1926 to Clifford H Mercer and
Mary Robinson Mercer in Newton, Kansas. Growing up
he participated in boy scouts and rose all the way to rank
of Eagle Scout. He attended high school in Hutchison,
Kansas. Bob was a gifted athlete lettering in football,
basketball, baseball, and tennis. While playing tennis he
won the state doubles title. After graduating from high school,
he immediately enlisted in the navy to serve his country in
World War II. After basic training, Bob’s aptitudes led him
to become a signalman responsible for relaying messages
ship to ship or ship to shore. His children remember him
years later telling them how words could be spelled out in
Morse code. After graduating from signalman’s training, he
was sent to the Pacific where he served for the remainder of
the war. After his naval service ended, Bob attended Kansas
University and was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.
He graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in economics. It
was at Kansas University that Bob met his wife Sis and they
were married not long after he graduated. After graduation
he went to work for Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation
in the Oil Field Supply Division. He started in a field office
and with talent, hard work, and perseverance worked his way
up to the executive ranks of the company. His work took him
to some interesting places including several trips to Japan.
After retiring from work, he volunteered for the Northwest
Assistance Ministries. He drove a bus that picked up the
elderly and took them on day trips. He also did volunteer
work for the Northwest Assistance Ministries Pantry providing
food to those in need. During retirement he enjoyed playing
tennis. He would meet to play with a group of seniors two to
three times a week and continued to play well into his 80’s.
Bob was a devout Christian with strong moral principles. He
will be remembered as a man who always put family first and
loved his immediate and extended family very much.
George E. Meyers
Pennsylvania Gamma ‘55
George Edward “Whitey”79, of Belleair, passed away
peacefully, surrounded by his loving family Tuesday, Jan. 24,
2016 after a short illness. Born Jul. 28, 1936 in Pittsburgh,
PA to Jean and George A. Meyers. Whitey graduated from
Bethel Park High School in 1954 where he was selected for
the statewide award of Boy Governor of Pennsylvania. He
graduated from Bucknell University in 1958 with a degree
in finance and often spoke fondly of his Phi Kappa Psi
fraternity brothers. Whitey is survived by his loving wife of 55
years, Sandra Bradley Meyers; daughter, Donna Kauffman
(Charlie) of Jacksonville; son, Bradley Meyers (Kristi) of
Tampa, grandchildren, Sara Kauffman Todd (Colby), John
and Caroline Kauffman, Stuart, Smith, Bradley and Carter
Meyers. ; sister, Susan Aiken (Jim). Whitey was preceded
in death by his parents. A 23 year career with NCR in data
processing system sales led the family to the Tampa Bay
area after residing in Pittsburgh, Muncie, Dayton and Miami.
The climate and proximity of the Gulf of Mexico influenced the
family’s decision to put roots down and settle in Belleair
in 1971. After NCR, Whitey worked with several
firms including North American Financial Systems,
Sunshine State Systems, NSS Corporation, FiServ
and ClearData. Whitey concluded his career with an
18 year partnership with his son Brad in a Tampa
commercial finance company, Leasing 2, financing fire
trucks nationwide. He was considered an icon in the
fire industry and loved by many for his gentlemanly
manner. Whitey loved sailing and spent most of his (and
his family’s) free time racing and cruising sailboats along
the west coast of Florida. Though Sandy’s favorite boating
activity was arriving at the dock, she went along creating
memories the family still enjoys reminiscing about. Whitey
loved music, especially jazz and big band. Whitey loved food
and was famous for claiming “this is the best ___ I have ever
tasted!” Whitey loved his Savior. He came to faith in Jesus
Christ in his early 50’s and for several years started and led a
bible study for at-risk boys at Pinellas Marine Institute (PMI).
Whitey loved People. Whether family, friends or strangers he
was able to connect instantly with his genuine interest in their
lives. Everybody loved Whitey! He also enjoyed reading and
following college and professional sports. He and Sandy were
members of Carlouel Yacht Club and Casado Dinner Club.
Jerry A. O’Callaghan
Oregon Alpha ‘40
Jerry A. O’Callaghan, ’40-278, of Bethesda, Maryland, died
February 27, 2015 at age 93. Jerry and his late wife,
Florence, were parents of Jane Edwards and Susan
Davis, and have three grandchildren. According to Mac
Epley [’47-382], “Jerry was a senior when I pledged in
spring 1947. He got his BS in history from UO, and his
PhD in history from Stanford. His published Stanford
study of the Oregon and California (O&C) Forest Lands
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is a standard history reference for that important program,
which is disappearing under current administration processes.
After Stanford, Jerry moved to Wyoming to teach, but ended
up for some years on the staff of Wyoming Senator Joseph
O’Mahoney, and then moved on to the U.S. Department of
the interior. Over the years, Jerry and his brother, Maurice
[’47-379], both from Klamath Falls although several years
ahead of me, ended up quite close to the Epley family. In
fact, I set up the Maurice O’Callaghan Oregon Alpha Phi Psi
Scholarship, and Jerry provided the initial seed money. They
were great and precious friends. I think I met Jerry in 1937,
when I was still in grade school.
Don C. Osborne
Indiana Delta ‘65
D. Christopher Osborne, 68, of Greenfield, passed away
June 25, 2015, at Hancock Regional Hospital. He was born
Nov. 27, 1946, to Donald and Lola (Sanderson) Osborne
in Springfield, Ohio, where his father was a professor at
Wittenberg University.
He spent much of his childhood in Libertyville, Ill.,
graduating from Libertyville High School in 1964. Chris
received degrees from Purdue University (1968) and
Ohio State University (1971), and went on to work in
the then-emerging field of computer technology. In
1985, he received his J.D. from Indiana University,
eventually opening his own legal and consulting
practice in Noblesville, Ind.
He served for a combined 30 years in the Ohio and Indiana
National Guard. During his service, he graduated from the
Command and General Staff College and the Army War
College, and retired at the rank of lieutenant colonel in 1998.
Chris was a member and past president of Greenfield Kiwanis
and an active member of Bradley United Methodist Church.
He was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather who
loved his family dearly, a friend to many in the community,
and a staunch supporter of the Purdue Boilermakers.
Chris is survived by his loving wife, of 46 years, Dianne
Osborne; sons, Gregory (Charissa) Osborne of Indianapolis,
David (Angie) Osborne of Lake Wylie, S.C., and Thomas
(Jessica) Osborne of Honolulu; daughter, Elizabeth (Richard)
Kurkowski of Libertyville, Ill. and grandchildren, Nathaniel and
Elijah Osborne, Davyn and Adley Osborne, Courtney and
Vanessa Kurkowski.
The family wishes to extend its sincere appreciation for the
outstanding care provided by Brandywine Golden Living and
Hancock Regional Hospital.
Kent C. Owen
Indiana Beta ‘58
Kent Owen, 77, died Dec. 5, four months after suffering a
traumatic brain injury in a fall.
He was the son of Herbert T. and Mary Ellen (Yarling) Owen.
Proud of his seven-generation Hoosier heritage, he was born
Jan. 30, 1938. His first Indiana home was Spencer. He then
lived in Rochester, Shelbyville, and Huntington. He has lived
in Bloomington since 1968.
He attended Huntington High School, Culver Naval Summer
School, Amherst College, and Indiana University. At IU,
where he earned two degrees, he was president of the
Interfraternity Council, chairman of the Organized Party, and
a member of the GE College Bowl team that appeared on
national television.
Although in the present day he called himself an
“agnostic Republican,” he once was on the Republican
primary ballot for state senate and for mayor of
Bloomington. He then limited his political activities to
private conversations and occasional articles.
He worked for the original Saturday Evening Post its
last year in Philadelphia when he titled an article about
Columbus, In., “Athens of the Prairie,” a tag line that
remained for many years. He taught literature and
writing at Albion College, Earlham College, and Indiana
University. He also worked as a “wordsmith” at the Agency for
Instructional Television, and was published in the.American
Spectator and the Wall Street Journal.
He was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, which he
served nationally as Mystagogue, and was co-author of its
Creed in 1964. He also wrote the history of the IU Greek
system and edited “The Bicentennial Report on the American
College Fraternity in the Year 2000.”
His community activities included the boards of the Society
of Indiana Pioneers, Public Health Nursing Association, the
Monroe County Public Library, and MCPL Foundation. He also
was alumni representative on IU’s Union Board, Republican
precinct committeeman, and a member of Bloomington
Rotary, where for many years he asked the “last question”
of the speakers. He also contributed to WFIU’s “Speak Your
Mind” and was a panelist in WTIU’s “Pro and Con.”
He was known as a true gentleman who spoke eloquently,
smoked a pipe, and wore bow ties.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Suzann Mitten Owen;
daughter Marianne Mitten Owen of Lafayette; son Jordan
Yarling Owen (Laura Brown) of Traverse City, Mi.; and brother
John W. Owen of London, England, and his children.
Delos M. Palmer Jr.
Ohio Eta ‘50
On November 23, 2015, Del left his family on earth and went
to be reunited with his long departed son, Doug, in heaven.
Del was born in Toledo, OH on October 19 to Dean Delos
M. Sr. and Christina (Jarvie) Palmer. He grew up in Ottawa
Hills, OH and attended school there and later Thomas A.
DeVilbiss High School. Del attended the University of Toledo
and was a member of the Army ROTC and Phi Kappa
Psi Fraternity. He earned a B.S. degree in Mechanical
Engineering.Unfortunately a diving incident in his
teens left Del with a hearing loss and also the loss of
his commission. He was drafted during the Korean
Conflict and served for two years at the Ordnance
Depot at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.Following his
Army separation he returned to Toledo and became
associated with Palmer Associates - Consulting
Engineers, eventually becoming CEO of the business. He
was active in Toledo and Ohio consulting organizations and
was named Toledo Engineer of the Year in 1983. He also
served as President of the Rotary Club of Toledo and was a
Paul Harris Fellow.His two favorite pastimes were golf and
sailing. He played at several clubs in the Toledo District and
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raced his sailboats from LaSalle, MI to Buffalo, NY and all the
islands in between. The cold Ohio winters and his bionic hips
brought him to Naples in 1986 and more golf.Del is former
member of The Toledo Club, Highland Meadows Golf Club,
Toledo Country Club, North Cape Yacht Club, Olde Florida
Golf Club, and presently the Country Club of Naples. He is
also a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church where he
served as an usher for many years.Del is survived by his
wife, Anne (Oehler), daughters - Deborah Bentley (Andy),
Jenifer Slonaker (Dr. Charles) and grandchildren Kathryn
Coleman (Jason), John Slonaker, Jarret Slonaker, and Sarah
Bentley. He was preceded in death by a son, Douglas Mark,
his parents, and sisters Grace Ross (James) and Dorothy
Gravengaard (Philip).
Frank A. Parsons
Virginia Beta ‘50
** This message is a Notice from the President of The
University **
I write with the sad news that Frank Parsons ’54, who worked
in multiple areas of the administration at W&L from 1954
to 1999, died yesterday, Jan. 28, in his home at Kendal at
Lexington. He was 87.
It’s hard to know where to begin when describing exactly what
Frank did during his 45 years here, because Frank did just
about everything. Here are some of his titles, as taken from his
“Top 10 Job Descriptions” in the Summer 1999 issue of
the alumni magazine: Director of publicity. Assistant to
President Fred Cole. Director of institutional research.
Director of planning and development. Assistant to
President Bob Huntley. University editor. Executive
assistant to President John Wilson. Coordinator of
capital planning. Director of special communications
projects. Coordinator of facilities planning. In addition,
he directed public relations and information, sports
information and the news office.
His multifaceted career encompassed the integration and
coeducation of the student body, both of which enriched
W&L, as well as the improvement and expansion of our
facilities. It’s remarkable to think of all the positive changes
Frank shepherded and of his devotion to W&L. His legacy will
endure for many generations to come.
Frank Arthur Parsons was born on May 26, 1928, in Staunton,
Virginia. He served in the Army from 1945 to 1948 and 1950
to 1951. While in the service, he wrote for the Pacific Stars &
Stripes.
After the military, he worked as the managing editor of the
Clifton Forge (Virginia) Daily Review (which he called the
“world’s smallest daily newspaper”) from 1949 to 1950 and
during the summers of 1952, 1953 and 1954, while he was an
undergraduate at W&L.
Frank graduated from W&L in 1954 with a B.A. in political
science. He belonged to the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.
Frank came to work at W&L on Sept. 1, 1954. During his
45 years, he oversaw the fraternity renaissance of the late
1980s. He served on the Coeducation Steering Committee
that prepared the university for the arrival of women
undergraduates in the mid-80s. The road that leads to the
sorority houses is named Frank Parsons Way, which will
give you an idea of his role in that important project. The
Lenfest Center took shape under his oversight. He oversaw
the publication of the wonderful book “Come Cheer for
Washington and Lee: The University at 250 Years.” He hired
Sally Mann as the university photographer and encouraged
her budding career.
You can see why President Huntley told the alumni magazine
in 1982: “In every success which the school has achieved
in the past 15 years, Frank has played a vital and usually
essential part.”
In addition to an unbelievable work ethic, Frank had a waggish
sense of humor, as exemplified by what became known
as “The Squirrel Memo.” In 1974, when plans for Leyburn
Library were underway, he filled out an application for federal
assistance under the Higher Education Act. In convoluted
bureaucratese, the form asked several questions about the
effects of the library’s construction on wildlife. Frank replied in
a matter-of-fact yet tongue-in-cheek way about those animals.
“They have no apparent difficulty in adjusting to relocations
brought on by non-federally supported projects,” he wrote.
“The library would appear to have no capacity for affecting the
squirrels’ or other animals’ genes.”
President Huntley soon received a reply from the bemused
director of the office within the Department of Health,
Education and Welfare. “I salute Washington and Lee and
the application preparer anonymous. . . . The mountain
of paperwork which confronts me daily somehow seemed
much smaller the day I read about the squirrels in Lexington,
Virginia.”
The Wall Street Journal picked up the story from a W&L news
release, writing approvingly in an Oct. 24, 1974, editorial of
Frank’s memo and HEW’s sense of humor. W&L, in turn, gave
Frank two one-of-a-kind honorary degrees: M.S. (Master of
Squirrels) and a D.F.A. (Doctor of Federal Aid).
For his contributions to the university, Frank received honors
from the students, with the Ring-tum Phi Award, and from
alumni, with the Lynchburg Citation from the Lynchburg
Alumni Chapter. When he retired in 1999, the city of Lexington
issued a proclamation of thanks and appreciation to Frank “for
his sensitive and loyal service to both Washington and Lee
and to the City.”
In 2003, Sally Mann and her husband, Larry Mann ’70,
established an endowment in Frank’s honor that helped fund
the first studio art program in photography at W&L.
At W&L, Frank belonged to the academic and leadership
honor societies of Phi Beta Kappa, Beta Gamma Sigma and
Omicron Delta Kappa. In Lexington, he was an active member
of the Fortnightly Club, That Club and the Pub Club.
Frank’s community service included the Lexington Chamber
of Commerce, the Rockbridge Area Conservation Council, the
board of Lime Kiln Arts and the Whetstone Pond Association
of Abbott Village, Maine. He served as a deacon of the Manly
Memorial Baptist Church. After retirement, he directed the
restoration and rebuilding of the Lexington Presbyterian
Church following the devastating 2000 fire.
His wife, Henrietta “Henny” Hoylman Parsons, died in 1997;
their son, Gregory, passed away in 1973.
Kim and I send our deepest condolences to Frank’s daughter,
Laura Parsons, and to his many friends.
A tribute to Frank will appear soon on the W&L website, as
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well as information about his memorial service. Pending plans
are for that service to be held in Lee Chapel on Saturday,
Feb. 6 at 1:00 p.m. with a reception to follow in the Hotchkiss
Alumni House, but that has not yet been confirmed by Frank’s
daughter, Laura. Please check the website for more news.
Robert B. Pierce
West Virginia Alpha ‘39
Robert B. Pierce, 94, died Wednesday October 28, 2015 at
the Osprey Health Care Center in St. Petersburg, Florida
following failing health and kidneys.
He was born in Thomas, West Virginia on March 12, 1921,
to parents Robert R. Pierce from Cumberland, Maryland and
Marie B. Pierce from Elk Garden, West Virginia. They
moved to Morgantown, WV just before his birth. Robert
lived most all of his life in Morgantown. He received
his degree in pharmacy at West Virginia University in
1942. Due to having polio as a child, he was unable to
serve in the armed forces during WWII. Instead, with
his strong background in chemistry, he worked at US
Rubber in Detroit, Michigan to aid the war effort. While
living there, he met his wife, Yvonne J. Pierce, and
they married in 1946. They returned to Morgantown and he
began his career as a pharmacist.
After he retired in 1983, they moved to Deep Creek Lake,
Maryland and spent summers there and winters in St.
Petersburg, FL. In 1997 they moved to Florida full-time.
Robert and his father owned and operated several pharmacies
in Morgantown. Pierce’s Pharmacies were in business in the
city for 62 years. When Robert closed his store, he continued
being a parttime pharmacist in Oakland and Friendsville,
MD, as well as Petersburg and Moorefield, WV. He also
remained active with the WVU School of Pharmacy and
pharmacy organizations. In Florida, he worked as volunteer
pharmacist with the St. Petersburg Free Clinic and the BethEl Farmworker Ministry.
Robert served on numerous committees, and was very
active with many pharmacy organizations throughout his
career. Among them were: The American Pharmaceutical
Association (a past President), The National Association
of Retail Druggists, West Virginia Pharmacists Association
(President in 1974), WVU School of Pharmacy Visiting
Committee, and the WV Department of Finance and
Administration’s Commission on Pharmaceutical and Related
Matters. Additionally, he was a consulting pharmacist for
the Sundale Rest Home, and assisted teaching pharmacy
students at WVU School of Pharmacy.
He also served on numerous committees, and was very active
in several fraternal and social organizations, including Phi
Kappa Psi Fraternity, Rotary International Club (Morgantown
President in 1967), the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in WV
and FL, the Suncrest Garden Club, and the WV Botanic
Garden.
He was a Deacon and member of the Session of the First
Presbyterian Church of Morgantown. Robert is predeceased
by his sister, Virginia Geyerhahn of Portland, ME. He is
survived by his wife, Yvonne of St. Petersburg, FL; three sons
– Daniel in Tomkins Cove, NY, David in Lake Oswego, OR,
and Rick in Clearwater, FL; three grandchildren – Jennifer,
Kristen, and Stephen, all living in eastern Maryland.
Calvin A. Pihl
Oregon Alpha ‘47
Calvin A Pihl, ’47-375, of Wilsonville, Oregon, died February
8, 2015. Born in Eugene in 1924, Cal graduated from Eugene
High School in 1942 and became an Eagle Scout. While
attending the University of Oregon, he was drafted in May
of 1943. Following training, he was commissioned as
Ensign in the U.S. Navy Reserve in March 1945. He
served in the Pacific and was released to inactive duty
in June 1946. Returning to the University of Oregon, he
graduated in 1947. Subsequently, he was recalled to
active duty in March of 1951, during the Korean War.
He was released from active duty in February 1953.
He worked as a C.P.A. for Price Waterhouse, and later
controller for Wadham’s and Co. and its successor
until 1984. During retirement, Cal enjoyed fishing, hunting,
boating, travel, and time spent at Crescent Lake and Sunriver.
Cal is survived by his wife, Irene, and daughters, Cheryl and
Nancy. He was a member of OSCPA and AICPA.
Harry E. Reasner
Indiana Delta ‘46
Harry Edward Reasner, 91, formerly of Tipton was born
August 15, 1924 in Greenfield, Indiana to Harry Reasner, Sr.
and Crystal Reasner. He passed away November 8, 2015 at
his home in Sarasota, Florida.He was raised in Greenfield
where he graduated from Greenfield High School. In the fall
of 1942, Harry entered General Motors Institute as one of four
co-op students with the Allison Division of General Motors
Corporation. When Pearl Harbor was attacked and marked
his country’s entry into World War II, he applied for
Aviation Cadet Training in the Army Air Force. Harry
flew a P-47 Thunderbolt as a World War II fighter pilot.
After being discharged from the AAF on September 29,
1945 he attended Purdue University on the G.I. Bill and
graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering.
While at Purdue, he became a member of Phi Kappa
Psi fraternity. Following graduation from Purdue,
he began a career at Midwest Plating and Chemical
Corporation.In 1950, engaging his entrepreneurial sprit and
seeing opportunity in the food business, Harry bought the
Polar Bear Frozen Custard in Tipton. In 1964 he opened his
first Jim Dandy restaurant which was the beginning of the Jim
Dandy chain and J.D. Restaurants, Inc. The first Dairy Queen
was added to the company in 1988, and today the company
has a total of 15 restaurants.Harry is survived by his wife of 20
years, Susie Garland Reasner; children David Reasner (wife
Cheryl) of Carmel, Rebecca Cleveland (husband Peter) of
Indianapolis, and Brent Reasner (wife Donna) of Noblesville;
stepson Christopher Lowther of Bloomington, Indiana. Also
surviving are grandchildren Ryan Reasner (wife Christine),
Elaine Reasner, Wesley Cleveland, Brent Cleveland, J.
Paul Reasner, Carly Reasner Fitch (husband Gabriel),
and great-granddaughter Claudia Christine Reasner.Harry
was preceded in death by his parents Harry and Crystal
Reasner, his first wife Rheba Grishaw Reasner, his brother
Richard Reasner and sister Joanne Reasner Strubbe.Harry’s
greatest love was his family. He also enjoyed his time at
Lake Wawasee, his passion for flying his private aircraft and
building his business. He was a life-long member of the Elks
Club and the Air Force Association, and a former member
of the Columbia Club. Beginning in 1973 Harry proudly
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served on the advisory board which helped create Purdue
University’s School of Restaurant, Hotel and Institutional
Management. He had also served on the Tipton School Board.
He was a member of the Indiana Restaurant Association
since 1964, and served as its President from 1988-1990.
He had the honor of being one of the first members of the
Indiana Restaurant Association’s Hall of Fame. He was also
a member of the Wawasee Property Owners’ Association, the
Aircraft Owners’ and Pilots’ Association and the Siesta Key
Chapel in Sarasota.During his career, Harry mentored many
young people in their careers in the food service industry and
he displayed his strong dedication to his family, his business,
his employees and his community. Following retirement Harry
split time between homes on Lake Wawasee in Syracuse,
Indiana and Sarasota.
analytics. After departing Powerway, Rick co-founded
Waypoint Global in 2005 where he developed commercial
relationships with more than 100 Asian companies. Before
founding Powerway, Rick held a senior management position
with DataMyte Corp., a division of Rockwell International. He
also was a senior member of the executive team at Clark
Witbeck Co., an industrial distributor in upstate New York, and
a regional manager with Wheelabrator-Frye Corp.
Robert S. Reed
Oregon Alpha ‘46
Survivors include his daughter Carly, Indianapolis; his son,
Benjamin Ringlespaugh, Elkhart, Ind.; his fiancée, Stefania
Strelow, Indianapolis; his mother, Carole Ringlespaugh,
Fishers; two brothers, Dan (Alison) Ringlespaugh,
McCordsville, and Tim (Mary) Ringlespaugh, Fishers; one
sister, Lora Ringlespaugh Deane, Indianapolis; and many
nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his
brother, Mike, who died in 2006, and his father, Gary, who
died in 2007.
Robert S. Reed, ’46-342, of Winter Park, Florida, passed
away January 6, 2015. He was born in 1928 in Kansas City,
Missouri, and graduated in 1949 from the University of Oregon.
In 1957, he married Judith Ann Benton; she passed away
in 2005. He is survived by his children, Ann Reed Scileppi
and Robert Benton Reed, and four grandchildren. He is also
survived by his second wife, Diana Walker Reed, her children
and grandchildren. Bob spent more than 50 years working
for newspapers around the country. For 20 years, he was
President, CEO, and Chairman of Tribune Media Services
(TMS), a subsidiary of the Chicago Tribune Company. He
helped make TMS into a major seller of information products
and services in the newspaper syndication business.
He was instrumental in bringing “Little Orphan Annie” to
Broadway (1977) and “Dick Tracy” to the movies (1990). After
retiring from TMS in 1992, he started Reed Brennan Media
Associates (RBMA), with partner Tim Brennan. They were the
first to change the way newspapers produce the comic pages
through digitalization. He served as President of Newspaper
Features Council, Interlachen Country Club, and Winter Park
Public Library. In 2005, he was inducted into the University of
Oregon School of Journalism Hall of Achievement. He was
a member of Wildcat Cliffs and Interlachen Country Clubs,
and All Saints Episcopal Church. Bob enjoyed playing golf,
traveling, time spent with family and friends, and a good
Manhattan.
Richard S. Ringlespaugh
Indiana Gamma ‘75
Rick S. Ringlespaugh, 59, died Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, after a
brief illness. He was a beloved father, son, brother and uncle
whose presence and guidance will be greatly missed.
Rick was a 1974 graduate of Wes-Del High School in
Gaston and attended Wabash College. He graduated
with a Bachelor of Science degree from Ball State
University in 1979, where he also received a master’s
degree.
Rick was an executive and co-founder of Powerway,
a global software firm with offices in North America,
Europe and Asia, where he provided leadership in
sales, marketing, operations, services, investor relations and
business development. He later joined Expense Reduction
Analysts, providing critical analytical services to make
companies more successful through finding additional nonlabor margin. Rick specialized in energy cost reduction
He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi. While a student, he was
active in marching band and theater. As a father, he was avid
follower of his daughter’s golf team, show choir and theatrical
pursuits.
Rick was a car enthusiast and enjoyed collecting cars and
attending auto shows. A music lover, he also enjoyed golfing
and sailing. He also loved to cook.
John P. Ruby
California Epsilon ‘34
November 8, 1915 - December 25, 2015 “Preston”, born
in Grinnell, Iowa passed away peacefully in Irvine, Ca.
on Christmas Day shortly after his 100th birthday. He was
predeceased by his wife Margaret Jane in 2013 and survived
by his three sons John, James, Jeffrey and his sister Allison
Gardner of Carlsbad, Ca. He attended Los Angeles
High School and UCLA where he was a member of
Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and where he met Margaret.
He served in the. 3rd Army in Europe under General
Patton during WW2 where he became a Major and was
awarded the Bronze Star. After WW2 he began a career
with Shell Oil Co. and moved to San Marino and later
to Palos Verdes Est.Calif. In 1954 he transferred to Shell
Chemical Co. in Torrance, Ca. where he was Personnel
Manager. He ended his career with Shell’s contribution of the
personnel function to THUMS, a consortium of several oil
companies to develop the Long Beach oil field by building the
artificial islands in Los Angeles harbor. After retirement, he
and Margaret moved to Corona del Mar and Irvine, Ca. where
he enjoyed golf and getting together with his 5 grandchildren,
7 great-grandchildren and many friends. He was a devoted
husband, an outstanding role model for his 3 sons and a true
and respected friend to all who knew him.
Robert W. Sackett
Iowa Beta ‘54
Robert Wilson “Bill” Sackett was born on November
20, 1933 as the third of Wilbur Wilson and Edith
Murphy Sackett’s five children. Bill attended school in
Spencer, Iowa and was a member of the first Spencer
High School Basketball team to make it to the state
tournament in 1952. Bill managed the delivery of the
Des Moines Register throughout high school and
graduated in 1953.Bill went to Iowa State College on
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a track scholarship and graduated in 1960 He graduated the
same year from Drake Law School and returned to Spencer to
join his father’s law firm. Pocahontas lawyer Rosemary Shaw
had first remembered meeting Bill at a Young Republicans
convention in Des Moines in 1958, where he was named vicechairman. It wasn’t until 1964 that they were setup on a date
and were married the same year. Rosemary joined Bill and
Wilbur in the Sackett Law Firm. Bill and Rosemary practiced
together for twenty years, while raising five children, until she
was appointed as a judge to the Iowa Courts of Appeals in
1983. Bill’s practice included time as Clay County Attorney,
city attorney for Spencer, Peterson, Sioux Rapids and Okoboji.
Bill loved being a lawyer and held the title with great pride and
respect for the rule and spirit of the law. His career as a lawyer
lasted 50 years many his clients became life long friends.
Bill’s other great passion was his community, as an active
civic leader he was member of the Board of Governors of the
Iowa State Bar Association, Clay County Bar Association,
the Iowa Bar Foundation, President Sacred Heart School
Board, President Spencer Hy Noon Kiwanis, Milford Kiwanis,
Farmers Savings Bank Board of Directors, Commodore
Okoboji Yacht Club, President Dickinson County Tax Payers
Association, Parker Historical Society, Iowa Student Loan
Liquidity Corporation, Board of Counselors of Drake University
Law School, President University of Iowa Parents Board and
many more through out the years. He was a devout Catholic
and a third degree Knight of Columbus. He never missed any
of his children’s sporting events. Bill could be heard cheering
on his children’s teams from all corners of the events.Bill was
drawn to the waters of Lake Okoboji and his love endured
as was exemplified by his service as a long-term treasurer
and board member of the Okoboji Protection Association. He
was president of the Okoboji Yacht Club Sailing School and
had a primary role in the establishment of the current facility.
Bill sailed in the weekend races with his friends into his late
70s and instilled the same love of the lake in his children and
grandchildren.Bill is survived by Rosemary, his wife of over
51 years, his five children and eleven grandchildren: Murphy
Sackett (wife Leslie and child Maggie) of San Diego, CA;
Morgan Sackett (wife Lara, children Sam and Sophie) of Los
Angeles, CA; Barry Sackett (wife JoAnne, children Kwanele,
Nokubonga, Tahoe and Venice) of Okoboji, IA; Frank Sackett
(wife Kris, children Luna and Sadie) of Santa Monica, CA;
and Mary Sackett (husband Shawn Hartje, children Albert and
Sara) of San Rafael, CA. He is survived by his three sisters
Elizabeth Fleming of Bloomington, MN; Sally Eick of Traverse
City, MI; and Mary Carson of Scottsdale, AZ. His brother John
died of the flu in early childhood.
James A. Sangster
Iowa Alpha ‘48
James Allan Sangster, died peacefully at home, surrounded
by his family, on Saturday, March 21, 2015. Jim was born
on February 3, 1929 in Austin, MN. He was the son of Earl
Y. and Margheritta McCoy Sangster. He graduated from
Iowa City High School in 1947, where he was President of
the freshman class, a member of the American Legion Boys
State, and President of the Student Council. He lettered in
football, basketball and baseball and was All-State two years
in football and one year in basketball. Jim was one of only
three City High athletes to be a starter on State Championship
football and basketball teams. Jim was a Nile Kinnick
scholarship recipient and played quarterback and safety at
the University of Iowa. During that time, he was the president
of the Intercollegiate Iowa Lettermen’s Club. Jim always said
the most important thing that happened in his life was meeting
his wife, Jackie, who he married in Iowa City on June 8th,
1951. After graduating from the University of Iowa in 1952, he
served 2 years in the United States Air Force as a lieutenant.
In 1954, Jim & Jackie returned to Iowa City where Jim started
his career at First National Bank. He became a Senior VicePresident and was on the Board of Directors. Jim retired after
40 years with First National, in 1994. Jim served as President
of Noon Optimist Club, Iowa Varsity Club, Monday Morning
Quarterback Club, Iowa City High School Booster Club, and
the Johnson County Bankers’ Association. He was Founder
and first President of the City High Alumni Association,
serving on the board for over 20 years. Jim served as
Treasurer of numerous organizations, including terms
as Iowa City Treasurer, Iowa City Schools Treasurer,
and the Iowa Scholarship Fund, Inc. He also served on
the board of the Chamber of Commerce, Citizens for a
Better Iowa City, the Iowa City Library Board and Parks
and Recreation. Jim was on the original board of the
Iowa Transfer System which developed the statewide
ATM system. He was a member of University of Iowa
Presidents Club and the Congregational United Church of
Christ, where he served on several boards and as church
treasurer. His love of athletics continued throughout the
years when he coached numerous Little League and Babe
Ruth teams and served as a volunteer football coach at City
High. He was a supporter and friend of City High School and
rarely missed a game or event. Jim was involved in some
way with City High for most of his life. Jim worked tirelessly
for his beloved City High, working on fundraising campaigns
including Stand Up For City High, the City High School Tower
Restoration Project, Infield of Dreams, and most recently, the
Go To Bat For City High Campaign. Jim was always proud
to call himself a Little Hawk. Jim was the father of 3 children:
Patty Grabinski (Ken), Jim Sangster (Renee’), Bob Sangster
(Rhonda) and 5 grandchildren: Zach Grabinski (Brandy),
Whitney Johnson (Scott), Stephanie Grabinski (Joe Graf),
Ryan Sangster, and Lindsay Gates (Chad). He was the
proud great-grandfather of Jackson and Hayes Grabinski,
Zachary, Nash and Cruz Johnson, and soon-to-arrive twins.
Jim lived his life with integrity, discipline and humility with
an everlasting devotion to his family. Whether he was your
father, grandfather, friend, banker, coach, mentor or biggest
supporter, his loyalty was undying and his friendship was true.
He was most often the leader of his teams-be it his family,
his beloved City High class of 1947, the teams he played on
and coached, or the peers he worked with. With each day,
his philosophy of life was: “This above all, to thine own self
be true.”
Peter J. Schedler
Virginia Alpha ‘95
Peter Joseph Schedler, 39, passed away unexpectedly
Saturday, December 12, 2015, in New York City. He was born in Greenwich on August 30, 1976 to
Judy Hamilton Schedler and the late Spencer Jaime
Schedler, arriving into the company of older brothers
Ryan Edmund Schedler and Spencer Hamilton
Schedler.
Pete’s exuberance, enthusiasm and generosity of
spirit was only surpassed by his keen intellect, graduating
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from Greenwich High School with a near perfect score on his
SATs. He turned down an Ivy League education to attend the
University of Virginia, where he graduated with distinction in
mechanical engineering. Most formative during his college
years was his beloved Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, where he
gained many life long friends.
Upon graduation from UVA in 1998, Peter started his
business career as an investment banking analyst with J.P.
Morgan & Co. After working for J.P. Morgan and Eureka
Broadband, he earned his MBA from the Wharton School
at the University of Pennsylvania in 2006. Peter’s love and
dedication to music shaped the rest of his life as he was
able to weave his passions for both business and music into
a career in the music industry. Peter would go on to work
as a senior executive for Live Nation, Warner Music Group,
and Sony/ATV Music Publishing, among others. His greatest
pleasure came from working with artists, songwriters, and fan
organizations on strategy and new business opportunities.
Along with his gift of natural intelligence, Peter was known
for his friendly, outgoing and overwhelmingly positive
personality. He possessed extreme loyalty to his friends
and became a friend to anyone he met with his smile and
ever-available laugh. Peter was always up for an adventure,
traveling extensively across six continents. In addition, he
frequently traveled to music festivals and concerts across
North America, including the Burning Man festival in both
2014 and 2015.
Peter is survived by his mother, Judy; his brothers Ryan
(Sally) of Dallas, TX, and Spencer of Brooklyn, NY; a niece
and nephews Audrey, Spencer Charles & James (all of
Dallas).
Peter will be remembered for being passionate about
whatever he set his mind to and his big ideas. There was
very little that he did not hold a strong opinion on. He certainly
lived his life to the fullest during his 39 years, with a wide
network of friends from all walks of life. His outgoing, loyal
and friendly personality will be immensely missed.
Donald L. Shotts
West Virginia Alpha ‘51
Donald L. Shotts was born on August 4, 1932 in Fairmont,
West Virginia and passed away on December 8, 2014
in Tualatin, Oregon. He was the son of Ralph and
Jeanette Shotts of Fairmont, who owned a heating and
roofing company at the time. Life in the town of Fairmont
offered him the opportunity to develop both deep roots
and a strong sense of community – vital components
upon which he would draw for the remainder of his life.
He attended West Fairmont High School and was a graduate
of the class of 1950. From the time he was a young boy, Don
loved music. For many years he played the saxophone and also
lent his booming baritone voice to the many choirs he enjoyed
singing with throughout his life. He was a gifted basketball
player known for being a “scrappy forward” for West Fairmont
and led his 1950 team to the all-state basketball championships.
Growing up in the shadow of World War II and the uncertain
era of the Korean War, Don was a man who truly reflected his
family’s hard-working values, love of community and country,
and service to others. It was no surprise, then, that after his
high school graduation he attended West Virginia University in
Morgantown as part of the Air Force ROTC program. He was
commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and began the customary
flight and navigation school training required by the Air Force.
In 1955 he married Stella Annette Riheldaffer whom he met
in the fourth grade at Butcher School in Fairmont. Stella’s
family lived on the other side of the alley behind his house
during the years her father was deployed to Europe during the
Second World War. The newlyweds made their first home in
Cheyenne, Wyoming while Don finished procurement training
school. For the next 21 years Don served with distinction in
the Strategic Air Command (SAC) during the height of the
Vietnam and Cold War eras. He was given five stateside
assignments and three overseas assignments to Morocco,
Holland, and Spain. Unlike many around them, Don’s
family was able to deploy with him – a rare opportunity that
provided incredible family stability during uncertain times.
Following his retirement from the Air Force as a Lt.
Colonel, Don worked at Northrop Aircraft Company in
California for 13 years until 1988. Then he retired from
Northrop and they moved to Oregon where he continued
to serve God and his community. He was a man of few
words, but let his actions speak for him, and they did! His
life and legacy reflect his deep commitment to God, family,
community, and the many friends he met along the way.
Don Shotts was commissioned by the military to serve his
country and by God to serve others, doing both with distinction.
He is survived by Stella Shotts, his wife of 59 years: his
children; Sandi Wise (Kellye), Randy Shotts (Rhonda),
and Donna Tallman (Bob); his grandchildren; Alyssa Wise,
Kendra Vollstedt (Shea), Emily Shotts, Matthew Polichetti
(Quanah), Bryant Tallman (Jodie), Philip Tallman (Amanda),
Steven Tallman, and four great-grandchildren.
Paul W. Smeltzer
Indiana Delta ‘45
Paul W. Smeltzer, 90, of Elkhart, died Sunday, October 25,
2015 at home.
Paul was born on July 10, 1925 to Don and Treva
(Myers) Smeltzer in Elkhart. On October 2, 1949 he
married Joan M. Carrell in Hammond. She survives
along with three children Carol L. Habegger (Rich),
Winston Salem, NC, Mark D. Smelzer (Cheryl), Bristol,
and Gail L. Kaiser (Ed), Rochester, NY. He is also
survived by a brother, Dean F. Smeltzer (Marjorie),
Brewster, MA, 5 grandchildren, Luke, Leigh, Nikie,
Alaina, Megan and 1 great-grandson, Luke Grayson
Habegger.
Paul was a lifelong resident of Elkhart, having graduated from
Elkhart High School and later from Purdue University where
he was a member Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. He was employed
as an engineer for most of his working life and retired from
Reese Products in 1990 where he managed the Goshen
IN plant. Paul was a past member of Kane Lodge, F & AM.
During and after WWII, he spent three years in the US Navy,
being discharged as an Ensign.
He enjoyed golf, playing cards, and traveling before and after
his retirement.
Scott P. Snethen
Oklahoma Alpha ‘78
Brother Scott P. Snethen, Oklahoma Alpha ’78, passed away
on January 12, 2016, at the age of 55 in Chino, California. He
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is survived by his parents, his brother and sister, their spouses
and numerous nephews and nieces and extended cousins.
Scott was born on April 27, 1960, in Los Angeles. At Chino
High School he was Drum Major and played saxophone in
the marching band. In his senior year he was nominated to
represent Chino High School in a visit to the White House.
He is remembered as an excellent student and gifted writer.
Scott attended the University of Oklahoma where he pledged
Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity and initiated as a member in 1978. He
graduated with a degree in Accounting. He earned his CPA,
worked for PwC in Houston and Los Angeles and enjoyed
assignments on accounts of high net worth individuals and
entertainment personalities.
In addition to being a CPA, Scott was helpful to his family,
known for his can do attitude, and developed skills in home
building, remodeling, auto repair, and cooking.
Scott was largely uninvolved in Phi Psi alumni activities until
one evening in early 2014 on a conference call with Chapter
Alumni, Scott volunteered to undertake a writing assignment
for the House Corporation. His writing ability was so evident,
he was asked if he would accept the assignment as chairman
of the House Corporation History Committee. The objective
was to write a Centennial History of Oklahoma Alpha in
preparation of the Chapter’s 100th anniversary in 2020.
Scott’s can do attitude shone brightly. He did a prodigious
amount of research and collected hundreds of pictures. In
2014 he attended the GAC in Phoenix. A skilled interviewer,
he developed great friends with those he talked with. One
alumnus wrote: “We have a lot of people we get to know
over the years but few really touch our lives. He did mine.”
Unfortunately, with his untimely passing from cancer, Scott
was not able to finish his masterpiece.
In addition to his research and writing, Scott was committed
to educating Chapter pledges on etiquette and traditions he
learned while he lived in the house as an undergraduate.
He was also committed to restoring historical items that had
been lost over time and from a house fire in 1983. Scott gave
numerous gifts to the Chapter. Most significantly, he had the
Chapter charter, lost in the 1983 fire, recreated and presented
to the Chapter on Founders Day in 2015. Scott never wanted
public credit for these deeds, instead stating the gifts were
from “the Alumni”.
Brother Snethen will be remembered fondly. His wish was
that when friends and family thought of him, it would bring a
smile to their face. His can do attitude was exemplary, and
for his Fraternity he accomplished much in such a short time.
Paul A. Thalhofer
Oregon Alpha ‘49
Paul A. Thalhofer, ’49-416, of Troutdale, Oregon, passed
away on February 13, 2014. Born in Klamath Falls in 1927,
Paul was raised in Prineville, where he was high
school student body president and varsity basketball
team captain. After service in the Navy, Paul
graduated from the University of Oregon and Oregon
Law School. He made the Ducks football team, but an
early injury ended his playing. Paul made Troutdale his
home for many years working as an insurance agent,
Paul built a distinguished civic leadership record
that included 10 years as a city councilman and 16
years as mayor. Paul helped start the Sandy River Lifeguard
Program, helped save Edgefield Manor from demolition, and
was instrumental in relocation of the sewage treatment plant
away from downtown. A founding member of the Troutdale
Chamber of Commerce, he helped bring FedEx to town,
was active in downtown redevelopment and beautification,
including construction of the Imagination Station playground
in Columbia Park. Paul was preceded in death by his former
wife, Elizabeth. He is survived by his fiancée, Sally Burger;
sons, Paul, Stephen, and Mark; four grandchildren; and a
great-granddaughter.
Darrell J. Theobald
Californian Gamma ‘52
Darrell Joseph (Joe) Theobald passed away January 2, 2016
at the age of 84 years and 6 months. He was born June 24,
1931 to Darrell L. and Laurette Theobald in Bloomington,
Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers
Michael and David. He is survived by his beloved wife of 32
years, LaDonna (nee Fryer); sons Darrell M. and William;
daughters Maureen Wellard (Wade), Anne Chavers (Homer),
and Margaret (Molly) Theobald. He is also survived
by stepsons John C. (Stefania Vigarani), Thomas
(Andrea), and Stephen (Kelly) Sopinski; grandchildren
Taylor Chavers, Lauren McGrath, Kelsey and Sam
Wellard; Max, Jackson, Alexander and Madeline
Sopinski. Joe was a graduate of Merced, California
High School and the University of California, Berkeley
(BS 1954), where he was a member of Phi Kappa
Psi Fraternity. He received an MBA from Rockhurst
University in 1980. After serving in the US Army from 1954 to
1956 he began a career in California with Joseph T. Ryerson
and Son, where he worked in Northern California for 12
years before moving to Kansas City, where he was general
manager of the Ryerson plant for 13 years. In 1981 he was
called to the general office in Chicago as a Vice-President,
where he served for 10 years before retiring. Joe was an avid
golfer, and while living in Kansas City was a member of Blue
Hills Country Club. After moving to the Chicago area, he was
a member of LaGrange Country Club for 25 years. He also
made a number of trips to the British Isles, where he played
many famous courses. Upon retiring, in order to play golf year
‘round, he and LaDonna spent winters in Tucson, Arizona,
where they have enjoyed many new friends, activities, and
the beauties of the Sonoran Desert. He was an usher for 22
years at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Tucson.
Robert S. Walter
Oregon Alpha ‘42
Robert S. Walter, ’42-310, of Napa, California, died June 16,
2015. Born in 1922 in Los Angeles, he spent many happy
summers with his siblings on the beaches of Pacific
Palisades at the Bel-Air Bay Club, which his father
co-founded. He harbored a passion for the sea and
boats throughout his long life. While he was studying
at the University of Oregon the Japanese attacked
Pearl Harbor. Bob volunteered for active service,
enlisting in the Navy and serving on the USS Colorado
in the Pacific. In 1963, he wed Marjorie Ohrbach.
They welcomed AnnaBelle to the family three years
later, and moved from Newport Beach to the Santa Ynez
Valley. He loved the experience of ranch life: raising cattle,
riding horses and cultivating the land. He enjoyed a lengthy
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career as an investment advisor with Bateman Eichler, Hill
Richards (ultimately as Vice President). Later the family
moved to Montecito, where his favorite pastimes included
boating, swimming at the Coral Casino, lunches at Harry’s,
and barbecues at the Yacht Club. Three years ago, Bob
and Marjorie moved to Napa to be close to their daughters.
He is survived by his wife, Marjorie; daughter, AnnaBelle;
stepdaughter, Caryl Hart; and granddaughter, Reya Hart. A
daughter, stepdaughter, and granddaughter predeceased
him.
Joseph W. Weber
New York Beta ‘43
Joseph W. Weber, 94 years old of Toms River passed
away September 3, 2015 at home. Joseph was born in
Rochester, NY. He retired in 1984 from Morris School System
after 20 years of service to the district as Administrative
Assistant to the Superintendent and as Assistant Principal at
Frelinghuysen Junior School. Mr. Weber was a high school
studies teacher and Guidance Counselor before becoming a
school administrator. He taught at North Syracuse High, North
Syracuse and was a Guidance Counselor at Solvay Middle
and High Schools in Solvay, NY before joining the Morris
School System. Mr. Weber was a 1939 graduate of Edison
Technical High School in Rochester and a 1948 graduate
of Syracuse University and earned a masters degree in
1949 from the University. In both High School and College
he played baseball, basketball and soccer. He was Head
Coach of baseball at Assumption High School and Christian
Brothers Academy in Syracuse where both his teams won
city championships. He later coached soccer and baseball
at LeMoyne College in Syracuse. His soccer team won the
school’s very first game in the college’s history. He also served
as head soccer coach at his alma mater. In 1976 Mr. Weber
umpired the Army-Navy baseball game. He received a 30 year
baseball Umpires award in 1995. Mr. Weber served in the
armed forces from 1943 to 1946. Following the war he played
professional baseball at Hamilton, Ontario and Watertown,
NY. He lived in Greenbriar Woodlands, Toms River before
his death and was instrumental in organizing its Golf Club.
He served as the first secretary and third golf president in
1990. He participated with the renowned Sam Snead at the
Opening of the Back Nine Golf Course at Greenbriar. He
was predeceased by his daughter Judy Weber. Surviving are
his wife Lillian, Three daughters Susan, Dorothy and Nancy.
Two grandsons, Brian and Andrew. Sister Evelyn Miller,
nieces, nephews and step children Robert, Nancy and David
Breitbarth.
William W. Wright
Nebraska Alpha ‘60
Brother William (Skibotch) Wayne Wright MAJ (RET) USAF,
74, died September 24, 2015 from injuries sustained in
Motorcycle accident August 9, 2015 in Melbourne, Florida. A
teenage driver turned left in front of him at an intersection. He
was born February 2, 1941 in Omaha, Nebraska to parents
Paul and Rena Wright. After graduating from Omaha Westside
High School he received an appointment to the United States
Military Academy at Annapolis. He soon realized he was not
interested in a Navy career so he transferred to the University
of Nebraska where he graduated in 1964. He was initiated
into Nebraska Alpha chapter Phi Kappa Psi in 1960. He
loved motorcycles and drove one while a student. He was in
Air Force ROTC 4 years and was commissioned a Second
Lieutenant upon graduation. He entered Active Duty April 4
1964 where he completed pilot training. He loved flying and
turned down promotions in order to remain an active pilot.
He served 3 tours in Viet Nam. The first tour was flying L19
spotter planes, and the latter two tours were flying B52’s. He
finished his career flying Air Force 2. Among the dignitaries
he flew were Mrs. Ronald Reagan and Queen Elizabeth. He
experienced many incredible adventures during his flying
career. He contributed several chapters to a book about fliers
in Viet Nam. He retired from the USAF June 30, 1984 after a
20 year career as a pilot. After a brief stint flying commercial
charters and commuter flights, he retired to Melbourne where
he purchased a home on a golf course. For the next 28 years
he played golf every day except weekends when the course
got “too busy.”
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