I’m very sorry to report that one of our true Gamma Zeta legends Walt Kirk ‘47, passed away this past December 12. He will be missed.
Stewart D. Daniels III summed it up nicely – “What an incredible basketball pedigree- high school All State, All Big Ten, Team Capitan and Consensus All American at U of Illinois, 5 years in the NBA and coached by Red Auerbach, and then 34 years of coaching and mentoring – now that is some tall cotton !”
Walt’s son, Doug Kirk who is an ATO Continue reading
http://www.benoist.com/about/BudBenoist.aspx
Mt. Vernon, IL — Albert E. “Bud” Benoist, 92, of Mt. Vernon, passed away at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012, at his home in Mt. Vernon, surrounded by family.
Mr. Benoist was born on May 22, 1920, in Bridgeport, the son of the late Charles and Marie (Stein) Benoist. He is survived by his wife Marjorie (Risley) Benoist of 26 years and his younger sister Marjorie Davis of Hollywood, Fla.
Other surviving family members include his three children, Jack Benoist of Mt. Vernon, Jane Raney of Mt. Vernon Continue reading
How do you summarize the dynamic life of a man like Tubby Bacon? As his friend and former columnist of the Chicago Tribune, William Rice, noted, “Part Jimmy Stewart, part Jacques Tati’s Mr. Hulot, he is a talker, a man of endless enthusiasms whose obvious good will helps him overcome the handicap of being fated to mispronounce even the most rudimentary French phases.” Always unassuming, when asked of his most outstanding achievement, he took a pad and pen and scribbled, “Eagle Scout at 15.”
From the moment he first rushed Alpha Tau Omega, the fraternity stood out above all others and Donald Ainsworth ’42 knew it would be the fraternity for him. Now, some seventy years later, Ainsworth reflects fondly on his college years with the fraternity and continues to be involved with the organization as an alumnus.
“Being an ATO has been a tremendous plus in my life,” Ainsworth said. “If I could go back, I wouldn’t want to relive just one moment- I would want to relive all four ATO years.”
While reliving his college years is not a viable option, Ainsworth enjoys being able to stay active within the fraternity organization that he says has done so much for him.
“The best thing about my alumni experience has been the opportunity to stay in touch with many of my Illinois ATO brothers and to meet many ATO’s from other chapters via our monthly luncheons,” Ainsworth said.
The monthly luncheons are held on the third Tuesday of each month at the Greenbriar Hills Country Club in Kirkwood, Missouri. Ainsworth strongly encourages members to take advantage of opportunities such as these.
“I would encourage not only ATO’s, but members of all fraternities to make their fraternity membership a life-long experience,” Ainsworth said.
Ainsworth graduate from Illinois in 1942, after which he served as an FBI agent and a cryptographer for the U.S. Navy. He then graduated from the Washington University Law School and went into the insurance business, where he served as the insurance commissioner for the State of Missouri. In addition, he has served on the Kirkwood, Missouri City Counsel, as president of the Kirkwood Chamber of Commerce and various other boards and committees.
Why did you join?
Comraderie – word of mouth from hometown friends.
Tell us about your favorite memory of the fraternity
Odie. Frosty, our Samoyed mascot, and his amorous tendencies. Interaction among Pledge class.
What kind of influence has the fraternity had on your life since graduation?
Developed and enhanced my social/interpersonal skills so important in my life. Values to drive or evaluate behavior.
With whom do you still stay in contact? Who would you most like to find?Continue reading
Young Graduate Finds ATO Basis for Strong Friendships and Network Opportunities
Why did you join Alpha Tau Omega?
In high school, I had an opportunity to visit the house and meet some of the guys, when I was visiting the campus. Right away, I knew they were a good group of guys. They seemed to be very well rounded, in the sense that they had their acts together academically and socially. They were involved in campus organizations and intramural athletics. They just seemed like a real well rounded group of guys. They made me feel accepted as a pledge, and it just seemed like an exciting opportunity. They were a well respected group of guys on campus. And everything turned out just like I thought.
What is your favorite memory of the fraternity?Continue reading
The Former Chief Illiniwek
The days of exhibiting his Illini pride as the infamous mascot are long gone, but the memories and friendships created by Brother “Biff” Forsyth ’83 in the halls of ATO in the early ’80s are stronger than ever. We caught up with him and asked him to relive those days. We hope you enjoy this alumni profile.
Why did you join ATO?
I joined ATO because of camaraderie and commonality I experienced when I visited the Gamma Zeta Chapter during fraternity rush. The fraternity brothers took great pride both in the physical plant and the esprit de corps of the members, and that made a lasting impression on me.
Tell us about your favorite memory of the fraternity.Continue reading
Four Years of ATO Not Enough for Patrick J. Jensen ’98
“Alpha Tau Omega was a major piece of my life for four years,” says Patrick J. Jensen ’98. “It didn’t make sense to abandon that once college was over.” Patrick still stays active with ATO as House Corporation President. “A lot of alumni donated time and energy before me building the chapter to what it is today. I had a great experience in the house and want to make sure that continues for others.”
“Most brothers look back at their ATO experience as a great time, filled with memorable moments and outstanding friendships. As a member of House Corp., I want to keep the alumni informed on the chapter activities, the continued success of the chapter and to help make connections among alumni and undergraduates. We have a great team of people on the House Corporation who volunteer their time to continue the tradition.”Continue reading
Why did you join?
Was impressed with both the actives and the pledges. Beautiful facility
Tell us about your favorite memory of the fraternity
Outhouse scramble
With whom do you still stay in contact? Who would you most like to find?
No one. Mike Lindsay
Tell us about your family Have you married? Do you have children?
Q) Why did you join?
A) Good people
Q) Tell us about your favorite memory of the fraternity
A) Outhouse Scramble
Q) What kind of influence has the fraternity had on your life since graduation?
A) Meeting and evaluating people
Q) Tell us about your family: Have you married? Do you have children?
A) Married sandy (thornton) 4 children eight grandchildren retired
Q) Did you live in the house?Continue reading