Page 2 - Gamma Tauk - Spring 2015

Remembering: SPECIAL EVENTS KIRK LANDoN by J. Gregory Robbins ’68 Gentlemen, less than Miami, Barry university, month ago - Kirk or Florida International Landon ’50 passed university - the major away suddenly – and schools in the Miami we lost a Gamma Tau area. He decided FIu brother who will be was the best option – – and deserves to be he was on the Board – long remembered and the administration in the history of the was receptive. They Chapter. Brother had a Greek system but Landon was proud no Greek houses. Kirk to be a Gamma Tau thought a fraternity needed a chapter house if it Corporation the confdence to spend money on FIJI and a Georgia Tech graduate. He did many was going to be more than a social club, so he a feasibility study and to start the campaign good things over the years – for his employees, gave $1.4 million in 2001 to build the new house process. his community, his fellow FIJI’s and Ga. Tech – (and helped arrange a mortgage for the rest). I remember my last visit to his Coral Gables and he said it made him happy. He set a good But even with his focus on South Florida, offce in early 2012. Brother Bill Miller ’66 was example for the rest of us, even if we can only do Kirk did not forget his roots - he was a generous with me. I told Kirk the good news was we didn’t it on a much smaller scale. donor both to Ga Tech and Phi Gamma Delta. His need any more money – from him – for the campaign In working with Brother Landon, you quickly most notable contribution to Ga Tech was as the to be successful (although we would gladly accept realized several things: 1) he wanted to get things lead donor for the R. Kirk Landon Learning Center it) but the bad news was it would be four more years done fast – he hated to waste time, 2) he always only 5 blocks from here on Tumlin Street for the before we collected enough in pledge payments to had ideas on how to do things better, and 3) he beneft of the children of Ga Tech students and start construction. You could see his face drop and listened closely and treated everyone as being just faculty, and the people of Home Park. The facility he said, “I am almost 83 years old – I would really as important as himself. was dedicated in 2003 and our own Gamma Tau like to see this done in my lifetime – what can I Kirk began college at the university of brother – Ga. Tech President Wayne Clough ’64, do?” I told him if he would give us a bridge loan Virginia after graduating from the Hargrave Military presided at the ceremony. (which we would repay with pledge payments) we Academy. After a year at uVA, he transferred to Kirk was a signifcant donor for the could start construction in 2012. He asked, “How Ga. Tech, majored in Industrial Management, and much will it take?” I told him I wasn’t sure but was a Navy RoTC cadet. Graduating at the end of Kirk with the children at the $1 million would probably get it done. He thought 1950, he went into the Navy as an ensign. After Ga. Tech R. Kirk Landon about 5 seconds and said “Let’s do it!” During the three years of service, the Korean War was winding Learning Center Dedication next few minutes we worked out the details and that in 2003. down, and he was discharged. His father, Kirk was it. A. Landon, had started a property and casualty Remember Brother Kirk Landon – insurance company, was stricken with cancer, and may he never be forgotten! Kirk, as the only son - was allowed to come home to help with the family business. “Brother Landon was a role model for achievement, After Brother Landon returned from the Navy, education, community service and philanthropy. he became Assistant to the Chairman, and his father His encouragement and leadership at Gamma passed away. Kirk inherited a successful company, Tau will positively impact the lives of many future run by experienced executives, and he probably could generations of Fiji brothers. I am very thankful for have chosen to coast through life very comfortably - my brief association with Kirk and his generosity but that was not Kirk Landon. In the ’80s he decided to our chapter.” - Scott Fogle ’87 to create a “home away from home” for his American construction of Creighton-Vail Hall in the “Brother Landon’s vision and generosity has been Bankers Insurance Group employees and included a early 60’s, and he was the major donor for the instrumental to our chapter’s success, both before cafeteria, tennis courts, a ftness center - and a day chapter room addition in 1996. In 2006, he our new house was built and during our campaign. care center, which was practically unheard of in attended a meeting of graduate brothers who Upon donating to our new house campaign his those days. Several years later, taking advantage were interested in renovating or rebuilding inspiration to us was to match the already best house of a provision in Florida law he built an elementary Creighton-Vail Hall. Kirk said he would support on campus for brotherhood with the best physical school, K-5, exclusively for ABIG employees and the project and gave the challenge that the “best house. We could not have done it without him and contracted with the Miami-Dade school system to run chapter on campus” should also have the “best I am proud that his legacy will live on in Landon- it. The school is still operating today, and is offcially chapter house on campus.” That gave the House Nelson hall.” - Alex Demestihas ’05 known as the Assurant Satellite Learning Center, or locally as, Cutler Ridge Elementary. Kirk sold ABIG to the Fortis Group in 1999 and Gamma Tau Ad Astra retired and set up two foundations and gave most of his money away during his lifetime. He concentrated most of his charity efforts on improving the lives of We are saddened to have learned of the passing of our the people in his adopted home of South Florida. He Gamma Tau Brothers. Our sympathies to their friends and family. focused mainly on healthcare, education, and the arts. He gave tens of millions, perhaps hundreds Claude Swift ’48 of millions, to hospitals, cancer research, nursing schools, universities, and arts organizations. R. Kirk Landon ’50 Kirk decided that South Florida needed a FIJI chapter. There was no chapter at the university of Edmond Miller ’55 2