Sigma Phi Epsilon History
The Baby Boomers Arrive: 1960-1973 - Notable Quotes
- Chuck Newburg '62: The greatest 3 years of my life. Keeping company with the likes of Bill Herington, Miss Bays and Dr. J. Leslie Pierce. I have had my share of medical problems, but was given the Gift of Life in September of l997 at the Mayo Clinic, being the recipient of a liver and kidney transplant. Great to be back to work and living in Rockford, Illinois.
- Blair Stanicek '62: So proud to be the President of the house in l962. Bill Herington was the only reason I even considered coming to Culver and that proved to be a great choice. Haven't been back in 30 years and got to retire at 57.
- Steve "Beanie" Walling '69: The friendliness and camaraderie of the Sig Eps was most evident and I developed some of the best friends one could ask. Did 30 years as the Senior VP for Waffle House, Inc and now working in a Sales and Leasing Franchise. Great to see Jim Carr on a number of occasions and I haven't been back to the Hill since my graduation.
- Ray Bucur '63: Just being in the house was a thrill; our frequent trips to Quincy were always an adventure and the lessons learned at Cliff and Norm's last a lifetime. I'm in private practice and haven't been back to the Hill since l997.
- Ron Carlson '65: I loved being part of a group that was well known and highly respected on the campus. Still am active and helped to organize a Chicago reunion every five years, but haven' t been back to the Hill since l995.
- Bob Cook '60: The highs and lows were purchasing 801 White in l959 and being part of its closing in l993. Dr. Franz, Dr. Messamore, Dr. John Sperry and Miss Olga Bays were significant players in my academic life. Still serving as an Adjunct Professor of History at Southwestern Illinois Community College and am active on their speaker's bureau. Was back in 2003 and will be there in 2004.
- Jim Farrell '63: Other than raising my two children, it was the best time of my life. Joe Hootman and John Sperry were tough, but fair and very inspirational. I'm now retired from General Motors Buick Motor Division and haven't been back since l968. Had suffered a concussion working in the summer and when I returned to my old room was greeted by 40 brothers--what a group! Even though I spent 3 years in the Navy during the Korean War, I was never closer to a group of guys than I was at the Sig Ep House.
- Tom Nilsson '65: Loved making the runs to Smitty's Truck Stop for Tenderloin Sandwiches; great times living in Moleland. John Bursewicz and Richard Holmes were most instrumental in my undergraduate activities. Not to mention some highly charged arguments with Coach Herington. 28 years with the Department of Defense has taken me to all parts of the world--Korea, Japan, Thailand, Scandinavia and Europe. Was back in l971 with some football recruits, but wasn't treated very well, so those guys went to places like Northwestern, Duke and Georgia. Enjoyed expanding Moleland to accommodate more guys and recall having many 50 cc Honda races in the backyard. Plus, where else could you use a phone with nothing more than a 3-digit number. Pauline Weatherby (Cookie) was great and we all enjoyed her presence. We were all grateful to Jack Ricci, who was instrumental in getting us through some tough financial times.
- Ken Kloos '61: Some of the best friends I have ever had. I remain the Director of Strategic Accounts for Air Liquid Corporation. Get to see Dick Miller quite a bit and I haven't been back since l962.
- Ron Leftwich '64: Life in the house was great! Joe Hootman, Dick Holmes, Lacey Leftwich and Carroll Range were instrumental in my early days. I spent a great career with Shell Oil and recently retired. Am honored to be a member of the Board of Trustees at Culver and am back frequently. Not bad for a kid from Elsberry.
- Norm Loveland '61: The best four years of my life - Golden Years, if you will. History professors John Sperry and Ford Messamore were truly inspirational. Retired after a good career in the insurance business and I also served in the Coast Guard Reserve for 36 years. I see Bob Cook, Bob Ripley and Dwaye Evans on a regular basis.
- Dick Miller '63: We were the kings of intramural sports and I also enjoyed the annual Greek Sing. Dr. Russell Grow was a great part of my undergraduate years. Was back in 2003 to look around. My pledge son, Ron Carlson, has been great to organize reunions.
- Emil Plecko '64: Significant memories of Hell Night and activation. No one really academically inspired me, which is why I left Culver. Lived with Sid Landon in housing known as "Little Bit of Heaven at the base of the hill." Its probably been 20 years or more since I have been in Canton.
- Dave McClintock '71: How proud I was to be a member of the house. Great pride in accompanying Mom Dunkin (who we took way too many liberties with) on the first five miles of the Gary Lee Brown Memorial Marathon in l970. Am active as a Real Estate executive in the Chicago area and see the likes of Bob Stone, Bill Weller, Dick Weir and Bill Overman regularly. Mr. Predmore was wonderful to many of us and we appreciated his presence.
- Dave Allers '66: Great times on the athletic field. Some homemade sangria in a 32 gallon garbage can, followed by an intramural game with the Hawks. Finished it, beat them and celebrated at Cliff's. See Rich Spokas on a regular basis and was back in 2003. Always remembered the famous words of Aubrey "Jake" Allen, encouraging us all to "never keep more than $5.00 in your pocket." Dr. Mervin Williamson also a great memory.
- Bob Ripley '59: That special friendship of being a part of the Sig Eps. Dr. Messamore and Dr. Leftwich were fine gentlemen that gave me a great foundation for living my life. I had a great 34 year teaching career and see Bob Cook, Norm Loveland and Don Shoemaker on a regular basis. Will be back in 2004.
- Dave Schattgen '61: Can't minimize the sports that we played, the parties that we hosted or the weekend dates we ended up with. Bill Herington was most inspirational in my undergraduate days. I retired in 2003 after a career as the National Sales Manager for Walsworth Publishing. Get to chat with Ed Cohn and Ken Carlson regularly and was back in 2003. (Editor's note: Dave was truly active as an alumni member of the Householding Corporation for many years and we counted on his wise counsel for many decisions.)
- Robert Smith '63: A great career as a residential and commercial loan consultant; can't minimize the presence of Bill Herington and Joe Hootman as supporters and mentors. Haven't been back since l963.
- Chuck Vehlow '62: Loved meeting Carl Sandburg when he was on campus; always enjoyed building the homecoming floats. Can't say enough about the impact of Dr. Leftwich, Dr. Messamore and Dr. Sperry. I was honored to receive an Outstanding Alumni Award from Culver.
- Don Wible '67: Great guys--our reputation was that of being jocks, great party guys and guys who would always find the company of a good woman. John Bursewicz, Professor of Biology, was so inspirational and I never met another professor who so enjoyed his work. While I quit college early, I made a great career in the plastics industry; see Pete Zakos and Ron Carlson regularly, but haven't been back on the Hill since l969. Don't know the answer to the bonus question, but it could be related to the number of Chi Omegas that we tried to date in one year.
- Jerry Wizorek '64: The Wiz. Greatest memory of our house was never knowing what was going to happen next. Great association with Bill Herington. Am a former teacher and principal, but now engaged in Real Estate in the Naperville area. See Ron Carlson and Dave Peradotti regularly and was back on the Hiil in 2002.
- Pete Zakos '67: The men of the house--best guys around. Loved the intramural sports and was inspired by Dr. Ethel Kaump and Dr. Joel Klimenhaga. I have spent the last 30 years in the Chicago Produce Terminal and see the likes of Carlson, Paffrath, Spokas, Allers, Voss and Templin on a regular basis. Was back in 2003.
- Ed "Beaver" Buckley '68: So many great memories. The generosity of Mary McReynolds and Joe Hootman. A tremendous career in education with so many Culver roots that culminated in my retirement in 2002. Was back in l999 and hope to be back soon.
- Mike Buckley '66: Bill Herington--the "Old Man"--was quite a guy. VP and GM for the Terminal Corporation and will retire soon. Was, as a student, paid to assist coaching the baseball team. In our era, the Sig Eps were always in trouble, but always found a person to assist them or tide them over. It is sad that the house is no longer an entity, since it holds some precious memories.
- Sam "The Bear" Cook '72: Richard Holmes holds great memories and inspiration over my time at Culver. Career educator for 32 years and the last 13 as HS Principal. Looking forward to retirement in 2005. In contact frequently with Bob Hibbard, Tom Cifaldi, Dan Schmelter and Kent Starkey. Was back on the Hill in 1994.
- Dar Cox '73: Currently MLB Scout for the Colorado Rockies. Inspired by the works of football coach Jack McBride and was the personal assistant for the late Jim Dudley, the CS Basketball Coach. Haven't been back since l982, but have been in touch with Jim Lipka, Mike Bruner and Mark Adams.
- Milan E. "Bud" Folkers '69: Derby Day still holds great memories, as does my pledge class of l966 beating the actives in IM Basketball. Brian "Willie" Davis and I still in good contact. Been through three airline mergers, but still a full time pilot for Northwest Airlines. Haven't been back since l996.
- Larry Gulotta '69: Jake Allen always inspired me. Graduated from the John Marshall Law School and Harvard University Law School. Remember well doing my Marcel Marceau impressions for Mom Dunkin. But, she always knew it was me. Still in touch with Vern Naden, and if for no other reason, someone has to play that role. Haven't been back since Nixon was President.
- Bob Heiser '69: The everyday banter between the guys developed a lifetime bond. Mary McReynolds and John Sperry always went out of their way to help students. That was rare at times. Was fortunate that the local police officer had a heart attack after a late nite at Bernies, or my CS career might have been cut short. Active in the family business in Hannibal and was awarded the Sam Walton Small Town Award for business leadership. Very proud of the Culver and Hannibal years.
- Greg "Python" Hutchins '69: Best friends I have ever had. Would stand behind you always. Professional in corporate relocation and am President of Carolina Relocation in Rocky Mount, NC. We never lost an IM footballl game during my entire undergraduate career.
- Vernon D. Naden '69: Retired in Waukegan. Glorious career in business. Always remembered as quite a swordsman with the other Sig Eps. Joined at the hip with Gulotta and remains in constant contact. Will be at Homecoming 2004. Says he is bringing coleslaw.
- Robert Karr '67: Flag Football we not only dominated, but intimidated every team before we ever got to the field. What a rush! Jake Allen, Coach Solberg and Joe Hootman great allies in my undergraduate career. Haven't been back since my graduation in l967.
- Jack Kanne '71 Recently retired from Paramount Home entertainment as their Executive Vice President. Rode a Honda 305 to the Wine Festival in Hermann, Missouri and had a great weekend. Then I forgot I had to ride back. We all learned a lot from those roadtrips, not to mention our annual trek to Bradley for the Sig Ep Basketball Tournament, which we won a couple of times. See you in October!
- George "Ashton" Lafferty '71: Currently a Science, Engineering and Technical Advisor contractor with Northrop Grumman TASK for the Office of the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon. Retired after a wonderful career in the USAF as a Bird Colonel. Flag football just a hoot; realizing that at 220 pounds, I was the lightest guy in my room at the house--had to sleep in the 3rd bunk. There was a wonderful aura in being a member of the Sig Ep house--it was pride and the rest of the campus knew it as well. Was last at Culver in l996 and will return in October 2004.
- Mike Libmann '73: Being a part of the house, particularly as a transfer student, was a great way to become grounded in the house and be a part of the activities. The training in the business department--thank you Joe Hootman, Mary McReynolds and Dave Predmore--has served me well as I continue my 20+ year career with MetLife Financial Services.
- Mike Benham '73: What a great part of the house, since I transferred in and was already married. A ready made group of friends. Got inventive during our initiation week and opened a can of chicken chow mien and cooked it on the heater in Moleland. Who knew? Was back as part of the Culver football team that was honored in 2000. Hope to see all in October.
- William J. "Plugs" Heyden '69: Wonderful combination of great guys, great athletes and super memories. My pledge father - Glenn "Goofy" Wedding was an inspiration. Football Coach Jesse Vail talked me into coming to Culver and I never regretted it. Tony's and the Barn in Quincy were constant sources of fun and entertainment, not to mention the get-togethers in various farm fields. Will retire from John F. Kennedy High School in Chicago in 2006.
- Jim Strickler '70: President of Gent-L-Kleen, the business that my family started and most proud of that. Was with Kanne on the 305 Honda to Hermann. Forgot, also, about the trip home. Was always close with Jack Kanne, as we both enjoyed boating and skiing on the Mississippi. Plenty of beer in our lives, but we handled it well. Plus, God Bless the late Mom Dunkin--she put up with a lot from all of us.
- Tony Vacek '69: Nothing beat stealing the TKE Bell just prior to homecoming in l967 with Crockett, Beaver and Newburg. Dave Predmore and Mary McReynolds were not only fine teachers, but great friends. Am now a Key Account manager for Commonwealth Brands and stay in touch with Tony Geraci and Craig Elste as much as I can. I actually have an account in Canton and was there in January. (Editor's Note: The affable Mr. Vacek was one of the few to get the bonus question correct, but he had to quote Ron Ori speaking to President Max Harding for the proper answer--we'll elaborate in October.)
- Kenneth E. "Gus" Williams '68: My career has been built on relationships and the ones at the Sig Ep House were the best. Though somewhat retired in Arizona, I built a wonderful career, first in education, and finally as a successful realtor with Coldwell Bankers. Am most proud that my football number at Culver was the first one ever retired. We were athletes, great friends and super supporters of each other. Wouldn't trade those years for anything.
- Thomas L. "TV TOM" Myers '70: The loyalty and support of the guys was the number one asset of the Sig Ep house. Dick Holmes, John Sperry, Ethel Kaump and Dave Predmore were instrumental in my preparation. I taught in Upstate New York for over 32 years and was proud to be a member of the Hall of Fame induction in 2000. My wife Ellen has heard many Sig Ep stories, although I don't think she believes most of them.
- Dan Schmelter '73: General Partner with Edward Jones and will complete my 28th year with the firm. Always enjoyed Dr. Sawyer's class first thing in the morning. The years in the Navy sort of prepared me, but the Sig Eps finished the job. Still am in touch with Joe Hogan, Steve Hall, John Tripp and Sam Cook.Was back a few years ago and will be there in the fall.
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