Page 4 - Rhomer - Spring 2014

4 THE RHOMER April 2014 Brian “Boots” Blackburn - All-Time Great Quarterback Brian “Boots” Blackburn ’83 passed ducted into the Indiana Fastpitch Soft- into the International Software Con- away suddenly and tragically on Sun- ware Hall of Fame, and the City of gress Hall of Fame, The Israel Soft- day, January 5, 2014. He leaves a lov- Hammond Indiana All Sports Hall of ball Hall of Fame, and the Southern ing wife of 29 years, Dawn Marie, and Fame. His brother, Dave, was inducted California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. three loving and devoted kids, Katherine, Taylor, and Laura. He was in the Rho Chapter Class of 1983 and became an active in 1980. His older brother, Dr. Jay Blackburn, was Rho Chapter Class of 1974. Boots was one of Rho Chapters all-time great quar- terbacks in Frat Blue competition. At the University of Illinois, Champaign – Urbana Campus. Brian earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engi- neering, majoring in Integrated Circuit Design. As a member of Sigma Alpha Mu, Brian excelled on the Intramural football playing fields. This success cul- minated in his being selected to be the Fighting Illini starting Quarterback at the first ever Extramural football clash. The game pitted Northwestern and was played at Memorial Stadium in Brian “Boots” Blackburn fires another Touchdown for Sigma Alpha Mu, Champaign. It was held Fall 1982 and where he Quarterbacked the House Team in the Fall of 1980, 1981, & Brian lead the Fighting Illini to victory 1982. over the Wildcats. In his professional career, he applied his Engineering skills in the three industries of Medicine, Aerospace, and Automotive Safety. While working in the automotive safety field, he was part of teams that autho- rized dozens of air bag related patents. These patents were primarily in the complex realm of transitioning from analog to digital sensing systems, for the deployment of air bags in motor vehicle accidents. Countless thousands of lives were saved through these so- lutions. Boots came from an athletic family, as his father, Ernie, was in- Brian “Boots” Blackburn (Upper far right standing) with his fellow ’83 and ’83-50 pledge Brothers in an “old school” Chicago Gangster class photo. Let’s Hear from you! Let the other brothers know what News Notes com. you’re doing. The RHOMER pro- Joshua S. Cowin ’04 lives at 1006 Chapter Eternal vides a way for you to communicate Chaucer Ln., Highland Park, IL 60035. your whereabouts and latest activi- ties to brothers you may not have Marvin “Skip” Hecht ’43 resides Since publication of our last edition seen for years. It also allows you to at 4876 Pineview Circle, Delray Beach, of The Rhomer we have learned of the renew old acquaintanceships. It will FL 33445-4363. deaths of Robert Moldafsky ’43, only take a minute for you to drop Edwin P. Rosen ’47, Harold D. us a line. So do it now, and mail it to Bernard Weiner ’54 works for Lasser ’48, Dick Gottsegen ’61.5, The Editor, The RHOMER, Sigma Weiner Insurance. He and his wife, Brian “Boots” Blackburn ’83, Bra- Alpha Mu Alumni Association, P.O. Libby, reside at 9290 E. Thompson Peak dley P. Balson ’84 and Ray J. Cohen Box 2403, Champaign, Illinois 61825. Parkway, #434, Scottsdale, AZ 85255. ’59. We extend our condolences to their His e-mail is bernie@weinerinsurance. families and friends.