Obituaries and Memories
Death of Howard R. Alter,
Jr.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
ALTER
- It is with great sadness that Theta Chi Fraternity announces the death
of Brother Howard R. Alter, Jr. on May 9, 2009 at his
home in Plum Borough, Pennsylvania.
Brother Alter was a 1941 graduate of Pennsylvania State University, where he became a member of the Omega Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity and served as chapter treasurer and president.
Howard was appointed a Regional Counselor in 1955 and served in that capacity until his election to the Grand Chapter in 1960. He was twice elected as National President (1962-1966). Following his service on the Grand Chapter, he was appointed as Executive Director of Theta Chi Fraternity January 1, 1968. Brother Alter retired in June of 1984, and was appointed Executive Director Emeritus.
The Howard R. Alter, Jr. Award for Chapter Excellence was created by past Field Representatives to commemorate Brother Alter’s retirement as Executive Director. The award is the highest honor bestowed on a chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity. The Alter Award was first presented in 1985.
Following his retirement Brother Alter continued his service to the Fraternity by serving on the National Board of Trustees from 1984 to 1994. He also served on the boards of both foundations in our Fraternity — the Foundation Chapter and Theta Chi Funds for Leadership and Education, Inc.
Brother Alter has been honored with every award in Theta Chi Fraternity, including the Distinguished Service Award, the Fraternity’s highest honor, and the “Theta Chi for Life” Award. In 1993, the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) bestowed upon Brother Alter the NIC Gold Medal, the highest honor in the fraternity world, for his interfraternal service. That service included serving on the NIC Board of Directors from 1985 to 1993, and serving as president for the Fraternity Executives Association (1978-1979).
His lifelong and selfless work on behalf of Theta Chi Fraternity and the interfraternity world serves now, and will continue to serve, as an example for all to follow.
Brother Joe Politi Passes Away in New Jersey
January 17, 2007
POLITI
- Joseph on January 17, 2007 of Montvale, N.J. formerly of Fort Lee, NJ
age 59. Beloved husband to Beth (nee Kukkonen). Devoted father to Andrew
and Joseph Politi. Loving son to Maria Politi. Dear brother to Anthony
Politi. Funeral from the A.K. Macagna Funeral Home 495 Anderson Avenue
Cliffside Park, NJ on Friday, January 19, 2007 at 9:30 AM thence to St.
Nicholas R.C. Church Palisades Park, NJ where a Funeral Mass will be
offered at 10:30 AM. Interment Fairview Cemetery, Fairview, N.J.
Visiting hours Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 PM.
Published in The Record and Herald News on 1/18/2007.
___________________________________________
Dear Brothers and Friends of Theta Chi,
It is with deep regret and a heavy heart that I sadly relate the news
that our Brother, Joe Politi passed away last evening.
Joe's wife, Beth called me a little while ago and asked me to convey
this sad news to the Brothers. As many of you know, due to kidney
failure following a surgery some time ago, Joe was on dialysis. Related
to that, Joe suffered a massive heart attack last night and joined the
Chapter Eternal.
As is our custom, we will purchase a memorial brick to be placed in Joe's memory in the Pathway of Brotherhood at the International Headquarters of Theta Chi Fraternity, Inc. in Indianapolis, Indiana. Suggested donation is $25.00. The brick and the rendering which we will present to Joe's family costs $150.00. Total donations above that amount will be contributed to the Fraternity's endowed, Leadership Fund in Joe's name and memory. The Leadership Fund is used to underwrite the cost of providing the Fraternity's educational and leadership programing activities to our undergraduate Brothers throughout the year, i.e.: The Deranian Presidents Conference, the Mid-Year Leadership Challenges, Chapter Leadership Conference and the School of Fraternity Practices. I think this is something Joe would want us to support in his memory.
If you desire to contribute, please issue a check to: "Foundation Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity, Inc.", and in the Memo section write: "Joe Politi-Memorial Brick." Please send the checks to me, and I will collect them and forward them on to the IHQ.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Beth, their sons, Joe and Andy and the entire Politi family.
Thank you, Brothers and friends.
Fraternally and Sincerely,
Jim Moylan
Margaret “Poogie” Dawes, Wife of Brother Steve Dawes
Saturday, April 15, 2006
‘Poogie' was a longtime volunteer and philanthropist
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Steamboat Springs philanthropist and civic volunteer Margaret "Poogie" Dawes, 55, was found dead at her home Friday afternoon. The death is under investigation, but Steamboat Springs police Capt. Joel Rae said foul play is not suspected. Routt County Coroner Rob Ryg ordered an autopsy that will be performed today or Monday at the Jefferson County Coroner's Office. Dawes' husband, Steve, found his wife at their home on Redwoods Drive and called 911. Rae said the call was at about 3:40 p.m. The Daweses have two teenage sons, Jeff and Matt.
"Steve and Poogie quietly go about making this community a better place," family friend John Kerst said. "So many will miss her so much. She was involved. She cared. She cared enough to make a difference."
One of Dawes' sisters gave her the nickname "Poogie" after a character in a children's book. "No one calls me Mrs. Dawes," she once told a reporter. "I prefer ‘Poogie.' The children and adults are more comfortable with it."
A native of New Jersey, Poogie moved to Steamboat in 1974 after graduating from the University of Arizona. She and Steve met and married in Steamboat. Throughout the years, the Daweses have been involved in numerous philanthropic efforts, both as donors and fundraisers. They helped raise funds for Yampa Valley Medical Center and for the expansion of Howelsen Ice Arena. A self-proclaimed "hockey mom," Dawes volunteered countless hours for the Steamboat Springs Youth Hockey Association. She also was a longtime volunteer in the school district.
"Poogie touched a lot of people's lives in this community," Kerst said. "My heart and my love go out to Steve and their boys.
By Scott Stanford From the Steamboat Pilot
Sherry Stoop Brinton, Wife of Brother Ron Brinton
Sunday, January 15, 2006
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Sherry Stoop Brinton, 60, died peacefully at her home in Chapel Hill after a courageous 21-month battle with brain cancer.
Born in Shamokin on May 29, 1945, Sherry was the daughter of the late Jesse and Beatrice (Patrick) Stoop. She graduated from Shamokin High School in 1963, and from Goldey Beacom School of Business in 1965. She married W. Ronald Brinton Jr. on July 2, 1966, in Shamokin, and enjoyed 39 wonderful years of marriage. Sherry and Ron traveled widely and lived throughout the United States before retiring to Chapel Hill in 2002. Family was Sherry’s greatest love, and her grandchildren, in particular, brought her tremendous joy.
She is survived by her husband, Ron; a father-in-law,
W. Ronald Brinton Sr. of West Chester; a son and daughter-in-law, Ron
and Teresa Brinton of Cary, N.C.; a daughter and son-in-law, Heather and
John Parker of Falls Church, Va.; three grandaughters, Samantha
Beatrice, Mara Brinton, and Hannah Parker; two sisters, Grace Hornberger
and Mary Jane Kuhns, both of Shamokin; her “sister,” Cynthia Stoop of
Farmingdale, N.J.; three brothers, Franklin Stoop of Houston, Texas,
Richard Stoop of Pennington, N.J., and Jesse Stoop of Farmingdale, N.J.;
a brother-in-law, Richard Hornberger; a sister-in-law, Barbara Stoop;
and many nieces and nephews.
From Newsitem.com
Brother Paul Wallace Passes Away in Orlando
January 29, 2003
Letter From JJ Moylan:
Brothers,
It is with an extremely heavy heart that I forward the news from Brother Brad Condo that our Brother, Paul Wallace joined the Chapter Eternal last night. Those of you connected with Gamma Lambda receiving this e-mail, I am requesting that you forward this message on to your respective listservs, so the news is disseminated as widely and as quickly as possible.
I am alerting Dave Westol, our Executive Director and El Ahlwardt, Director of Development and editor of "The Rattle" at the IHQ of Paul's passing as well. Dave will remember Paul's presentation at the Brotherhood event during the Orlando Convention, which many of the national volunteers still talk about. If Dave could forward this e-mail to the Official Family of Theta Chi Fraternity, I would appreciate it. El, this is for The Chapter Eternal write-up in the upcoming edition of "The Rattle". Perhaps, we could embellish it a bit by reference to Paul's Orlando Convention presentation.
Brother Wallace is at rest. He will be sorely missed and fondly remembered.
Fraternally,
Jim Moylan
___________________________________________
Letter From Al Moll:
Brothers,
My first trip to California was in 1968-69. Paul, Kevin Moylan and I set out in my Ford Torino to find Chris Reade in Carmel. I'm not sure if we were invited, Paul inspired the trip and got us going.
We took the southern route, nearly drove off of the rim of the Grand Canyon the first night while trying to find a place to sleep. We didn't realize it 'til morning when we saw that the car was aimed directly toward the canyon, stopped about 25 feet from the edge. Paul was moved by my apparent disregard for life (especially his) and actually punched me! It didn't hurt and I forgive him.
The next night we slept on the public beach in Santa Barbara (until we were chased by the local police at 2:30 AM who suspected that we'd started the huge driftwood fire nearby (we hadn't ... honest!). Kevin's famous line when awakened in the penetrating beach fog: "Officer, I feel like I've been sleeping inside of a huge rigatoni". We were lucky they didn't search him.
We arrived in Carmel, water skied at Lake Naciamento - water temperature -22F - and saw the sights with Chris. The highlight was the trek through the redwoods up to Snow White's actual cabin at Big Sur, dropping in to each of the Seven Dwarfs' tree hollow homes along the way. Yes, we were under the influence of the California grass, but we would all swear to what we saw.
Paul was a classy guy. We are lucky to have known him and should all be inspired by him. His life should serve as a reference point for all of us when we think things aren't going our way.
Rest in Peace, Paul. If you see Snow White, flash the Peace sign for me.
___________________________________________
From the Orlando Sentinal:
WALLACE, PAUL HENRY, 53, of Orlando, passed away Jan. 29, 2003.
Paul Henry Wallace faced the world for the last 15 years as a ventillator-dependent quadraplegic. But this is not what defined him. He lived and died with a deep abiding faith in God and in his fellow man. He was a humorist and a lover of music; a patron of the arts and a world traveler. He was gentle and kind and quietly courageous. He deeply loved his extended family and friends. Talk to anyone who knew him, "He is such an inspiration..", "Its an honor to know him...". He had that effect on people. Born on September 20, 1949, in Manhattan, he grew up in Tenafly, NJ, under the watchful care of his wonderful parents, Henry B. and Ruth (Persson) Wallace. He was an avid skier, body surfer, a member of the church choir, and a gifted pianist. His favorite memories surround summers spent at "the shack" in Northport, Long Island, at the McFarland Ranch in Kallspell, Montana and in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. He went off to seek his fortune in Denver, Colorado where he graduated from Denver University with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration. During his years at Denver University, he was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity. He also served in the Army National Guard. Paul was recruited straight out of Denver University by Walt Disney World who brought him to Orlando. It was to be his home for the next 31 years. Paul's career with Walt Disney World began with the opening team of the Magic Kingdom as a Food and Beverage Manager in 1971. He moved to Convention Sales in and onto Marketing in 1982. He traveled extensively as a member of the International Marketing team and he was the first Magic Music Day Marketing Representative. On his way to Paris for the Company, Paul stopped in Vail, CO for a few days of skiing. That was 15 years ago.... He never let his disabilities stop him. After extensive rehabilitation at Craig Hospital in Colorado, he returned to Walt Disney World where he continued to work five days each week until his death as the Walt Disney World Marketing guru approving collateral materials including logos, photos and copy for convention groups and meeting planners, among others. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 1, at 2PM, at the First Presbyterian Church, Reformation Chapel, on the corner of Magnolia Avenue and Church Street in downtown Orlando. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Paul H. Wallace Memorial, Craig Foundation, 3425 S. Clarkson, Englewood, CO 80110.
Published in the Orlando Sentinel on 1/31/2003.