On Sunday, January 11, 2015, Sigma Phi Epsilon lost a brother to a senseless act of violence. In downtown St. Louis, Robert “Bobby” Christman III, Southeast Missouri State ’17, was robbed at gunpoint while parked in a vehicle with his little brother and girlfriend. A struggle for Bobby’s girlfriend’s purse ensued, and in an effort to help her, Bobby struggled with the gunman. During the scuffle, the gunman shot Bobby in the head. After hours of fighting for his life in the hospital, and countless visits from family members, fraternity brothers, and friends, he died later that evening.

Bobby incorporated the values of Virtue, Diligence and Brotherly Love into his everyday life. He would be the first in line to protect the ones he loved, worked diligently to better himself and those around him, and lived a life of integrity.

He quickly became a brother who many looked up to. Just two months prior to his passing, Bobby was made recruitment chairman. There was no better candidate to reflect what it means to be a SigEp than Bobby, and he represented the Fraternity as well as anybody.

Bobby’s will to live for others did not end after his final breath, however. He was an organ donor, and following his death, Bobby’s pancreas, kidneys, liver, lungs and heart were all successfully transplanted to patients throughout the nation. Because of Bobby, five other people received a second chance at life.

While it is a selfless, honorable act, those who knew Bobby could not be surprised. His flair for life, love for others, passion, and courage will live on forever. Bobby showed us that brotherly love doesn’t have to end at death. Organ donors save lives every day.

Bobby left us with that example of unselfish love, not only for his family and fraternity brothers, but for everyday people whose lives were saved by his generosity in death. Bobby epitomized the sound body ideal; this made him an ideal organ donor candidate. Every SigEp should consider doing the same.