“We remember those who have gone before us and are reminded of the rich legacies they have left for us to continue. Their good works, kind deeds, encouraging words are now ours to pass to future generations – to our families, our Fraternity, our communities and country. We are bound to them and to those who follow us by our vows, oaths and commitments … May they not just pass into memory but, knowing they have been woven into our very being, continue to live on in and through us.” – Father Ray Ackerman, Oklahoma ’77, National Chaplain 

The following is a partial listing of SigEps by state of the member’s home chapter who have passed away in recent months. It is our chance to remember those brothers who, through their death, have reminded us that life is transitory.

To inform the Fraternity of the death of a member, submit the form here.

VIPs
Robert M. Cheney, Auburn ’54 (’99 OGH and ’86 Distinguished Alumnus)
Douglas C. Engelbart, Oregon State ’48 (’89 Citation)
Byron M. Rankin Jr., Texas-Austin ’50 (’81 Citation, Foundation Life Trustee, Past National Director)
Roy C. Tribbett, Ball State ’55, (Founding Father of Indiana Gamma Chapter)
Rick A. Staley Jr., Tennessee Tech ’08 (AVC President)

California
Ronald B. Broadwell, Southern California ‘56

Colorado
Kenneth P. Makowski, Northern Colorado ‘58

Florida
Carl M. Adams Jr., Stetson ‘63
Richard J. Dominica, Stetson Renaissance
Paul D. Kelly, Tampa ‘65
Paul H. Kohmescher, Stetson ‘80
Wilton R. Miller, Florida ‘62

Illinois
Nelson T. Potter Jr., Monmouth ’61
Jason R. Vander Woude, Northern Illinois ‘93

Indiana
Thomas E. Battle III, Indiana ‘70
Michael J. Chittum, Ball State ‘68
Jay A. Denny, Trine ‘71
Glen A. Kingseed, Trine ‘75
Volney E. Lamb Jr., Indiana State ‘59
Michael M. Packard, Indiana State ‘66
Roy C. Tribbett, Ball State ’55 (Founding Father of Indiana Gamma Chapter)
Richard M. Worthman, Ball State ‘56

Iowa
Donald R. Rochau, Iowa ‘59

Kansas
J. Paul Duffendack, Kansas State ‘67
Robert D. Gibson, Kansas ‘48
John A. Moorhead, Kansas ‘50
Karl M. Ruppenthal, Kansas ‘41

Kentucky
E. Wayne Botner, Kentucky ‘55
Robert C. Yantz, Louisville ‘52

Massachusetts
H. Russell Iwanowicz, Massachusetts ‘70
James C. Staples, MIT ‘51
Gary E. Tenczar, Massachusetts ‘65

Michigan
George N. Bokos, Central Michigan ‘90
Grayson Damron II, Western Michigan ‘65
Paul D. DeWolf, Grand Valley State ‘10
Johnny M. Edmonds, Ferris State ‘81
Keith Robertson, Western Michigan ‘60

Missouri
L. Samuel Allen, Southwest Missouri State ‘12
Albert M. Plourde, Washington in St. Louis ‘54
Richard J. Spokas, Culver Stockton ‘66
Jerry C. Swank, Missouri-S&T ‘61

Nebraska
Patrick E. Maginnis, Nebraska ‘84
Royce H. Tonjes, Nebraska ‘55

New Jersey
Col. Timothy J. Kelly, Stevens Tech ‘72

New Mexico
Michael E. Nowlin, New Mexico ‘84

New York
Robert A. Capell, SUNY-Buffalo ‘68
Michael D. Pieri, SUNY-Fredonia ‘83
Raymond M. Rogers, Syracuse ‘56

North Carolina
James J. Williams, Davidson ‘59
Elton D. Winstead, Barton ‘60

Ohio
David L. Ballard, Miami (Ohio) ‘61
Mearl R. Guthrie Jr., Bowling Green State Renaissance
Kenneth R. Judkins, Ohio State ‘50
Harold W. Look Jr., Ohio Wesleyan ‘53
Gene A. Slaymaker, Ohio State ‘52
Samuel F. Wendt, Toledo ‘54
Joseph C. Worley Jr., Miami (Ohio) ‘58

Oklahoma
Lawrence C. Jernigan, Oklahoma State ‘52
David L. Quillin, Oklahoma ‘66

Oregon
Stephen G. Cardwell Jr., Oregon State ‘86
Gordon E. Hartley, Oregon State ‘42
Donald F. Serres, Oregon State ‘56

Pennsylvania
Harold C. Griesing, Lehigh ‘53
Thomas M. Simbeck Jr., LaSalle ‘11

Tennessee
Keith A. Caudill, Austin Peay State ‘02
Rick A. Staley Jr., Tennessee Tech ’08 (AVC President)

Texas
Donald R. Frosch, Sam Houston State ‘92
John C. Jewett, SW Texas State ‘84
Robert F. Teague, Texas-Austin ‘61

Virginia
Edward A. Carson, Virginia Tech ‘86
Andrew J. Johnson Jr., Randolph-Macon ‘59
Howell S. Lewis, Richmond ‘52
Joseph N. Novielli III, Randolph-Macon ‘07
Kenneth W. Williams, Radford ‘86
William E. Witcher Jr., Longwood ’81

Washington
Rodney C. Ingham, Washington State ‘53

West Virginia
Thomas W. Mitchell, Charleston ‘77
Brian J. Salerno, Davis & Elkins ‘57

Wisconsin
Dr. Franklin N. Dukerschein, Wisconsin ‘49
Vernon R. Haack, Lawrence ‘50
Arthur L. Kull, Wisconsin ‘42

Undergraduates
Nicholas A. Allen, Eastern Illinois ‘15
Samuel Berenbeim, Colorado State ‘14
James A. Braband, Texas-Austin ‘13
David K. Spyke, Ohio ‘15

Bios

Robert “Bob” Cheney, Auburn ’54
1928-2013

In 1999, SigEp honored Cheney with the Order of the Golden Heart. At the time, he had already spent more than two decades serving as a chapter counselor. He also founded two chapters, Alabama Zeta at Huntingdon College and Alabama Epsilon at Auburn-Montgomery, as well as serving the Grand Chapter as a district governor. Throughout his life he donated generously to the SigEp Educational Foundation.

As his induction at the 1999 Conclave said of him: “Loyalty. Leadership. Creativity. Those are the nouns that describe you and your actions over the nearly 50 years of service to Sigma Phi Epsilon.”

Douglas Engelbart, Oregon State ’48
1925-2013

Douglas Engelbart was a visionary and believed that technology would allow men to do good at a faster rate than ever before. Engelbart’s most recognized invention was the computer mouse, but his peers regarded him as an innovator who paved the way for personal computing and the Internet.

A lifetime of hard work, diligence and dedication to his vision led to an age in which mankind can leverage the power of computers to achieve everything from exploring the stars to connecting with loved ones online.
In 1989, Engelbart was issued the Sigma Phi Epsilon Citation. In 2000, he was awarded The National Medal of Technology, the highest award in its class in the United States.

B.M. “Mack” Rankin Jr., Texas-Austin ’50
1930-2013

Mack Rankin began a highly successful career in the oil and precious metal industry soon after serving in the Army.

Rankin invested substantial time in training the next generation of oil industry professionals and gave generously to the institutions he believed in.

He also gave generously to SigEp, serving on the National Board of Directors and as a Life Trustee of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation. In 1981, SigEp honored Rankin with the Sigma Phi Epsilon Citation. Rankin inspired others by his character and his service.

Gary Griffith, Texas-Austin ’70, said, “Those of us who had the privilege of working with him on local chapter issues, National Board issues and SigEp Foundation issues always knew where he stood and, most importantly, why.”