Do you know Frederick C. Philbrick ’11??

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filbrickOn September 29, 1975 William D. Krahling, Interim Executive Director of Alpha Tau Omega received a letter from Peggy Betts Richardson. This letter explained that Peggy’s uncle, Frederick C. Philbrick and aunt, Edna Betts Philbrick had left a significant bequest in memory of Frederick to the ATO Foundation. This resulted in the establishment of the Frederick C. Philbrick Scholarship to benefit Gamma Zeta ATOs which has awarded thousands of dollars to Gamma Zeta undergrads over the last thirty five years. The current value of the Philbrick endowment is over $75,000 and we’ll be awarding another $3,300 to a Gamma Zeta undergrad again this year. This was a wonderful gesture by the Philbricks and I’m certain that the recipients of these scholarships over the years have been extremely grateful.

Gamma Zeta has six other scholarships that we award each year, two in honor of Bob Simonds and at least one each in honor and memory of Matt Heldman, J.D. Sinnock, Rich Clausing and Dave Timson. The Gamma Zeta endowment totals nearly $500,000 and we award over $20,000 each year in scholarships. All of these other guys and their stories are well know to us but Fred C. Philbrick remains a mystery.

Here’s what we know. ATO records show that he initiated to Gamma Zeta in 1911. He appears listed as a Freshman in the 1912 Illio Yearbook in the house roster but not in the picture. There isn’t a single mention of him in the Illio or the Daily Illini archives after that. There is no mention of him in the Palm or the Gamma Zeta Newsletters that we could find. There were a couple of hits on his name on the internet but certainly no explanation for his large gift to ATO. All we really have is the brief letter from his niece that is included below.

Why would a guy who very likely only spent one year as an active member of Gamma Zeta donate that much money over 60 years later? We’d love to know more about this brother and what motivated him. If you have any information at all that you can share, please pass it on!

You’ll never look at the Chicago skyline the same again… Gamma Zeta’s impact on the Chicagoland real estate scene!!

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real estateEric Handley ’97 prompted the idea for a compilation of “Gamma Zeta impact on the Chicago Real Estate Scene” when he posted a link to an article about a project that he and his firm, William A. Randolph, Inc. built in Hyde Park called Harper Court (they built the hotel and LA Fitness). Bill Barry ’77 provided a graphic illustrating the buildings in the loop that he has financed as EVP of Draper and Kramer. I had visions of filling in that graphic with a blue and gold “Tau” on each of the buildings in Chicago that Gamma Zeta’s had touched as a developer, owner, contractor, engineer, lawyer on the deal, manager or some other influence. However, there was just too much. You could easily just paint the whole city gold and blue. Here is just a sampling of Chicagoland real estate activities impacted by Gamma Zetas. I’m sure this is just the tip of the iceberg!!Continue reading→

San Diego Gamma Zetas Get Together

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San DiegoOn Saturday, August 31, several San Diego area Gamma Zeta’s got together for lunch at Randy Jones Sports Bar in San Diego. The get together was prompted by Dane Luhrsen, Gamma Zeta’s Director of Alumni Relations visit to the area to watch his son’s Eastern Illinois Panther Football team play San Diego State (EIU won 40-19). Ed Ptacek ’54, Dr. Bill Mohlenbrock ’60, The Honorable Dick Murphy ’65, Brian Rawers ’78 joined Dane ’77 for lunch. This is just the tip of the ice berg of Gamma Zeta’s who have settled in San Diego and have lived in the area for years. Only Bill Mohlenbrock and Dick Murphy had known each other except for very recent ATO connections.Continue reading→

Volunteers needed for Gamma Zeta Alumni Kitchen Committee

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Early indications are that our decision to outsource facility management of Gamma Zeta to Alpha Management has been successful. We’re now taking a look at our kitchen and food service operation to see if there are better options than our current approach. We’re looking for a few interested alumni to form a committee to assess our current operation and take a look at some outsourcing options and make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees as to the optimum approach. We’re not looking for alumni to manage the kitchen long term… no grease traps to clean or dishes to wash… just some high level support for a decision around approach. This will probably result in a handful of conference calls and ideally at least one visit to the house. Please email Dane Luhrsen at dane.luhrsen@gartner.com if you’d be interested in helping out.

The Fastest Man in the House – Michael “Varr” Tolzein 1975

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Var laux“It was the fall of 1974 and we were sitting for dinner at our table of six in the ATO dining room. The custom at the time was for seniors to sit at each end of the table and the underclassmen to sit at the sides. DLux (Doug Laux ’75) was sitting at the head of the table and I was at the foot. I can’t remember who were at the sides this particular night but we would have likely had a couple of juniors, a sophomore and at least one Phrogue. Things were relatively slow that week.

We didn’t have an exchange planned. Continue reading→

Ralph R. Converse ’63

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Ralph R. Converse '63PEORIA—Ralph J. Converse, 71, of Peoria, passed away at 3:25 a.m., Sunday, June 9, 2013 at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home.

Ralph was born June 29, 1941, in Akron, OH, to Irving “Cotty” and Ethelyn “Jackie” (Smith) Converse. He married Jane Griffin Bodman on October 17, 1964, in Winnetka, IL. She survives.

He is also survived by his two children, Amy (Andy) Schlicksup and Ted (Kara) Converse, both of Peoria; four grandchildren, Georgia West, Janey Schlicksup, and Sophia and Kate Converse; two step-grandchildren, Jack and Jake Rieger; three brothers, Daniel of Costa Mesa, Calif., Dennis of Aurora, IL, and Roger of Hinkley, IL; his 97-year-old father, Cotty Converse of Ft. Myers, FL; and many loving sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his mother.

Ralph attended the University of Illinois, where he played centerfield for the Illini. Upon graduating with an engineering degree in 1963, he played semi-pro baseball for several years in Kane County and Evanston, IL. He remained a baseball fan and loyal Illini for over 50 years.

He had a distinguished career with IBM, where he worked for over 32 years before retiring as the Peoria Branch Manager. He also worked as President of Cullinan Properties, followed by nine years as Vice President and General Manager of the Peoria Chiefs.

Throughout his career, he traveled and lived in many places but chose to make Peoria his home. He loved this community and volunteered his time to serve on boards and chair fundraising campaigns for organizations such as the Peoria Zoological Society, United Way (founding member of the Pillars Society), The Salvation Army, Easter Seals, Boy Scouts, and the Economic Development Council.

Ralph was a member of First Federated Church, Country Club of Peoria, and Ventana Canyon Golf and Racquet Club. He was passionate about golf, tennis, baseball, skiing, traveling, enjoying friends and family, and spending time in Tucson, Arizona.

Ralph’s family would like to thank the caregivers at both UnityPoint Health-Methodist and OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and the special team lead by Dr. Olsson at OSF Hospice Home who helped us through the final days of his journey. Words cannot express our gratitude. Ralph’s warmth, wisdom and passion for life will be missed.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., on Thursday, June 13, 2013, at First Federated Church. Dr. Forrest Krummel will officiate. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at the church. An additional visitation will be from 10 – 10:50 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Wright & Salmon Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to United Way of Central Illinois, 509 W. High Street, Peoria, IL 61606 or OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home, 8630 N. Illinois, Route 91, Peoria, IL 61615.

Tributes and condolences may be submitted to www.wrightandsalmon.com.

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Stephen D. Stoddard ’50

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stevestoddardStephen “Steve” Davidson Stoddard, 88, died May 24, 2013. World War II veteran, “Battle of the Bulge”soldier, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Infantry Badge recipient, devoted husband and father, Ceramic Engineer Extraordinaire, Justice of the Peace, Los Alamos County Commissioner, three term New Mexico State Senator, Patriot, Statesman, Los Alamos Living Treasure, a friend to all, a connoisseur of fine scotch and a good cigar. Another member of the “Greatest Generation” has left our midst.

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Bill Forsyth ’86: Former Chief Illiniwek Sharing Opinions Based on Lifetime Experience

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bill forsyth chiefBill Forsyth, a Gamma Zeta alumnus graduated in 1986, served as Chief Illiniwek from 1984 to 1986. The Chief was banished from the university’s sporting events six years ago. He encourages you to read this article (http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/05/07/wisch-return-of-chief-illiniwek-proposed-and-ignored/) which discusses a “common sense compromise” put forth by the Council of Chiefs. If you agree, he suggests that you:

1. Forward it to any and all Illini you know, and;
2. Email the Chancellor (pmwise@illinois.edu) and the Board of Trustees (UIBOT@illinois.edu) voicing support for this “common-sense compromise.”

As the return of the Chief being brought up and ignored, a recent interview with Forsyth was conducted to reveal some of his personal experience serving as the Chief as well as his view on this particular issue. Click here to read the story.Continue reading→

Ed Ptacek ’51 on How Being a Leader in ATO Builds Confidence

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Ed Ptacek 2013Ed spent many years in the Information Technology industry. His work involved marketing/sales, as well as executive management and consulting. He lives in Solana Beach, CA with his wife Claudette. He has a son in Seattle, and a daughter nearby in Southern California, along with three grandsons ages 5, 11, and 23.

What were some of the best times at Gamma Zeta in the 1950’s?
I especially remember the Gamma Zeta Homecoming Decorations, the Spring Carnivals, which we staged with different Sororities, and many IM Sports. You played whatever contests you could. Some of us would even play water polo, ping pong or horseshoes — anything for those points! Of course, I have to mention the fellowship we enjoyed at Bidwell’s (no longer around) and Kam’s. There was no drinking in the House in those days , which led to our fair share of 35 cent quarts at these upscale establishments.Continue reading→