Pi Kappa Alpha - Missouri State University

THE ZETA CHI PIKELINE Spring 2020 ZETA CHI CHAPTER OF PI KAPPA ALPHA AT MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY REMEMBERING DAVE STEWART '72 David Keith Stewart '72, a.k.a. Stew, Footgas, Stew Meat, Beef Stew, Stewie, e Minister of Excess, and a host of other names that might be unsuitable in this publication, pledged Pi Kappa Alpha at Zeta Chi during the fall semester of 1972. Although he was part of one of the chapter's largest pledge classes, he always stood out as one of a kind—a little louder than loud, prone to telling slightly off-color jokes, and as we all soon discovered—he was all in, all of the time! Stew liked to point out that he was born on a military base in Germany, and that he had lived on an Army base in Japan before his parents moved to Washington, D.C., where his dad worked in military intelligence. His father, Keith, was a decorated war hero, who achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before his sudden passing—when Dave was just 13. His older brother and only sibling, James Whitmore Stewart, a.k.a. Jeb or Lumpy as Dave called him, was away at military school when Dave and his mother, Joan, moved back to her hometown of Marshfield, Missouri, where Dave went to high school. (Stew liked to point out that Senator Roy Blunt was his history teacher there.) Jeb was six years older than Dave, so Stew learned early in life how to hold his own with bigger guys. He competed ferociously in intramural football. He drank heartily during T.G.I.F. gatherings, which our chapter was famous for hosting during the 1970s, and he loved being a part of something bigger than its parts—he loved being a Pike. Soon aer graduating in 1976, Dave married his Dream Girl, Jane Hammett, on October 16—the day before his birthday. ey enjoyed a great life together until her passing in 2011. ey have two children, Kelley and Ryan (no, not the talk show hosts) and four grandchildren. In the wake of Jane's death, Dave told his children that they must choose to be happy. Dave loved being on the river. He made it his mission to float and fish whenever, wherever he could. ere were years during which he floated every week. True to his own all-in self, he floated through the Gates of Lodore on the Green River in Colorado during September of 2019 with friends, including Brothers Roger Osborne '74 and John Ruck '71. He attended one last Fall Float Trip—always the second full weekend in October since 1974—where brothers sat by the fire and reflected fondly on times shared and lives well lived. Per his request, we will scatter Dave's ashes in his Heavenly place, Swan Creek, as soon as the weather and the creek allow. Rest in peace, dear brother. Your loud voice is hauntingly quiet and you are sorely missed, but rest assured: We will never forget you. Written by Jim Crowell '72 All Zeta Chi alumni are encouraged to attend Missouri State's Homecoming, scheduled for the weekend of October 16-17. Zeta Chi Alumni Association will have its annual meeting on campus during this weekend. For information about the association and upcoming events, please visit www.zetachipikes.com. Save the Date Homecoming 2020 October 16-17 T he Alumni Association has reorganized our officer structure to align with the structure recommended by Pike headquarters. We have also merged our young alumni coordinator role with the director of membership role. I am very excited to bring in some new perspectives and to continue the Zeta Chi journey with new alumni leaders. We are seeking a volunteer for the director of fundraising and philanthropy position. is is a critical role that we need to fill immediately. If you would like to be a part of this award-winning team, please email alumni@zetachipikes.com. Elected Officers President Jeff Counts '90 Vice President Tom Inman '92 Treasurer Bron Launsby '91 Appointed Positions Director of Membership Ethan Johnson '16* Director of Communications Jay Nicholson '75 Director of Events Eric Delaney '12* Director of Fundraising and Philanthropy Open (Tom Inman acting) *Recently appointed ank you, brothers! New Alumni Association Structure Established Volunteers Needed

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