Page 4 - Theta Chi - Georgia Tech - Summer 2018

HOUSE AND HIVE

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Knapp, Inc. After graduation, he found work in the How do you stay in touch with your fellow Alpha in August 2016. Be proactive and make lifestyle
automated material handling systems industry. His Nu brothers today? changes now—the “pain” of doing this is nothing
BIE degree has kept him at the same company since Living in Wisconsin for over 30 years, I lost when compared to living with cancer.
1984— though the company name has changed a few contact with Alpha Nu, especially when my kids What advice can you give the alumni and actives
times having been Harnischfeger, HK Systems and did not enroll at Tech. My eldest daughter was
Dematic. He is working in project management and a NCAA Division 1 swimmer at the University of about leadership?
has managed project implementations for numerous Northern Iowa, and was not recruited by Tech and, It’s quite different today than when I graduated.
companies throughout North America in a variety while I tried with my other daughter, she chose the Young professionals are changing jobs much more
of industries, including newspapers, automotive, University of Alabama for her EE degree. frequently, so it’s critical to show them the value
distributors, 3PLs and university libraries. In July Where do you see the future of the automated of longevity with one company and how it plays a
2016, Barry was diagnosed with colon cancer after material handling system industry going? factor within achieving their career goals. I focus
a routine colonoscopy and is thankfully recovering With the continued growth in e-commerce, 3PL’s, on three items - 1) Adapting to the changing work
well. He and Gayle have been married for nearly labor hiring challenges and need for reduced delivery environment, 2) listening and being less authoritative
30 years and have two daughters, Natalie (25) and to customers times, demand should continue for and, 3) providing challenging opportunities earlier in
Meredith (22). In his free time, Barry enjoys hiking, many years. As an example: automation is moving their careers.
cycling, traveling, and watching the Green Bay from the warehouse right to your local grocery store.
Packers.
What brought you back to the Atlanta area? As a cancer survivor, what can you share about
There was the opportunity to join a company your experience to help raise awareness?
experiencing tremendous growth in an industry I I had no symptoms prior to my colon cancer
have been involved in for 30+ years. Being on the diagnosis, so getting a colonoscopy is essential.
forefront of making North America operations a There is too much to live for to let a half of day
standalone subsidiary from the Austrian home office of “preparation” be an excuse for not having one.
was a challenge I could not pass up at this point in Because I had mine, I was very lucky, as my cancer
my career. was caught very early on, and I have not had
chemotherapy or further complications since surgery Barry and family at commencement.

NEVER FORGOTTEN: A TRIBUTE TO DON WEAVER ’77

Don Weaver Jr. ’77, age 62, of Blairsville, Georgia, passed away surrounded by his loving family on
Thursday, December 21, 2017. Don graduated from Georgia Tech with a C. E. Degree and retired in
2014 after an accomplished career. He spent his retirement focusing on enjoying the great outdoors,
including hiking to the base camp of Mount Everest in 2014—a cherished moment in his life. His wife,
Bonnie, was the perfect partner and they shared an adventurous life together. Don was also incredibly
proud of his two wonderful children: his son, Alex, and daughter, Jeanne. He was a good husband,
father, son, friend, and a great fraternity brother. He will be missed by many, but not forgotten.
“Don was taken way too early and will be missed dearly. I am so grateful that I was able to share some
fond memories with him.” —John Hodges ’80
“The campfire experience will never be the same without him!” —Gary Wetherbee ’71
“I’ll always remember his laugh and how he could be all opinionated and belligerent one moment, and
then laughing the next.” —Mike Riordan ’79
“March 1976: Having watched a solemn, ceremonial planting of a new dogwood tree across the street
on the Pi Kappa Phi front lawn, Don, on behalf of the Theta Chi Midnight Landscape Service, transplants
said tree onto the TKE front lawn. The next morning, Don sits on the front porch and, smiling as Don
always smiled, watches the Ping Pongs and TKEs go to war. I, for one, will dearly miss seeing Don and that
warm, genuine, smile at Homecoming.” —Harold Smith ’77
“I was the active chapter president when we built the new fraternity house in 2003. I remember it well,
Don always being the greatest advocate for us undergrads—making sure that the architect and contractor
were doing what was in our best interests. Don’s passion for our brotherhood was always clear.”
—David Mann ’04
“Terrific guy, great brother, true friend. I’m glad that I got to spend time with him around the campfire
(while trying to keep both of us from falling in) at the last camping trip.” —T.G. Pinckney ’80

“Don was the perfect fraternity brother—also my favorite person from Pennsylvania!”
—Turner Plunkett ’82
“My little brother. The Weave. Don was such a great brother, friend, and, as we all know, a truly unique
character. Everybody has a Weaver story. Too many to tell. ‘Hey, Buddy, P. A.!’ ‘Yeah, Steelers!’ He was
always a star at the campout. He had such a big personality. When Weave committed to something, you never
got halfway-Weave, you got all-in-Weave. Yes, he will be greatly missed. The Colonel, Cecil, Chiebe, Farrell,
and now Weave. Sadly, they just about have a quorum up there. But then I think about what kind of stuff
they’re getting into together, and I smile just a little...” —Nat Hughs ’77

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