Page 5 - The Illinois Sig - Winter 2008-09

ALUMnI UpDATeS

’40s ’50s I was 65 years old, I now have two great

David Horner ’43 Julian Collins Jr. ’50 grandchildren who are the apple of my eye.

(1904 Tremont Ct., Columbia, MO 65203- (3225 Willow Brook Rd., Oklahoma City, ’70s
5467) In the fall of 1942 (give or take a year), OK 73120-5339) Still kicking here in
Brother Rodney Wolford and I decided to Oklahoma, I am wishing that could get back Matthew T. Keeley ’79
enter the Inter-Fraternity Doubles Tennis to Champaign more often. It is truly hard to (564 Mayfair Lane, Naperville, IL 60565)
Tournament. There were 56 fraternities on believe that it has been 62 years since I first I visited Travis Murphy ’78 at his palatial
campus then and 128 teams entered. In the saw 410 E. John, but it has been and it was home in Minneapolis. Travis and his lovely
quarter finals, we defeated two guys who a great bunch that pledged that year. “Nifty wife, Laurel are longtime friends of my wife
played on the varsity tennis team. It was one Fifty” we called ourselves, and those of us that Susan and I. Travis remains loyal to Illinois
of those days when we could do no wrong... are still around can still outbrag everybody despite resurgence of the Golden Gophers!
overhead smash of a lob, etc. We barely who says we weren’t the best!
survived the semi finals. Then in the finals we ’80s
met two of our own freshmen: Jack Clatfelter James Pardieck ’50 Dr. John Dreyzehner M.D. ’85
’45 and Ben Fisher ’48. I particularly (1435 SW Greens Pointe Way, Palm City, FL (22622 Red Wolf Drive, Abingdon, VA
remember Clatfelter because he was serving 34990; pardick@hotmail.com) My wife and I 24211-5593; john.dreyzehner@vdh.virginia.
and we had two match points against them. have booked a 30-day cruise to the Hawaiian gov) My wife, Jana (a U of I Class of ’85 Chi
Jack had an iron nerve and we ended up Islands and French Polynesia. Omega and Illinette that I didn’t manage to
losing. We went back to 410 for supper rather meet until our first day of medical school) and
quietly. I guess we were happy that a Sigma Alan Macdonald Jr. ’50 I are coming up on our 20th anniversary. We
Chi had won the tournament, only not very (27101 Lost Lake Lane, Bonita Springs, FL live and practice in the Blue Ridge Mountains
happy, if you know what I mean. 34134-2635; amacdonald01@usa.net) Social of Virginia in a small historic town called
activities include visits to the doctors. My wife Abingdon; a stones throw from the North
Benjamin Fisher ’48 of 58 years passed away two years ago. Two of Carolina and Tennessee lines, where we’ve
(5118 Cammack Dr., Bethesda, MD 20816- my 11 grandchildren are in China and one in been blessed to raise our two sons: ages 17
2902; ben.fisher@pillsburylaw.com) I have Cambodia. and 14. Recently we stopped in at the Sigma
been a board member of the Sigma Chi Chi house during a visit with our oldest to
Foundation for over 15 years and am now a Jack W. Ullemeyer ’59 the University of Virginia where he plans to
board member emeritus. I am also proud to (1506 32nd Avenue, Rock Island, IL 61201- apply. I said, “If you decide to go Greek, you
be a Constantine Sig. I’m just now retiring 6129; ullmyr@mchsi.com) I recently attended might take a look at this house.” We’ll see.
from law practice. a four-day defensive handgun training class at Two chances.
Front Sight Firearms Institute near Las Vegas,
James C. Nelson ’48 NV. The training was outstanding, and my ’90s
(617 Seventh St., Boulder City, NV 89005- goals were reached [and exceeded] with great Thomas Van Winkle ’90
2947; gymnelson@aol.com) At the Illinois vs. satisfaction. I highly recommend this type of (220 Southcote Road, Riverside, IL 60546-
Indiana basketball game on January 10, 2009, training, as it increases one’s awareness and 1602; tvw1344@yahoo.com) I left corporate
the 1948-49 Illinois basketball team will be may at some point help to save a life. America a few years ago to pursue a career
honored at halftime. I was senior manager of that was very important to me. Since then
the team that year. ’60s I have been the Executive Director of the
Keith Miller ’60 Animal Care League in Oak Park, IL - a not-
Neal O. Hammon ’48 (c/o M. Barrington Corp., 12080 Corporate for-profit animal shelter. I have been married
(139 Fox Run Rd., Shelbyville, KY 40065; Pky., #140, Mequon, WI 53092-2600; for 13 years and have an 11-year-old daughter.
nohammon@earthlink.net) At my age, no golfmashie@aol.com) After waiting until
news is good news.

In MeMoRy

“My father, Bob Bills, a nifty '50, passed associations, Sigma Chi being very high Sigma Chi in our family. My grandfather,
away on March 22, 2008 after a short on the list. My mom, Joyce Rose Bills, a Frank Bills, was a Washington U. Sig. My
fight with pancreatic cancer. There were Theta Upsilon, passed away in 2004. They uncle, Tom Rose, my Mom's brother, was a
many joys to reap near the end of his life, met while dad was a waiter at the sorority. KK Sig. I am a KK Sig.
especially from his service to Jacksonville, Typical of the age, they had to negotiate His steady temperament, kindness,
IL and from friends and family, both near around the house mother, because dating of generosity and sense of humor are very
and far. the waiters was forbidden. much missed.”
He was very proud of his many He was also proud of the legacy of - Bob Bills Jr. KK '76

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