Delta Kappa Epsilon - Colgate University

MU CHAPTER OF DELTA KAPPA EPSILON | COLGATE UNIVERSITY | VOL. LVI, NO. II FALL 2020 Yon Clarion Bell NEWSLETTER OF THE MU OF DKE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, INC. In This Issue: Alumni Spotlight 2 Mystic Circle 3 DKE Statement on Racism 3 W hen Kenny Seyffer '43 was a freshman at Colgate in 1939, he didn't need much convincing that Delta Kappa Epsilon was the right Fraternity for him. His brother, Howie Seyffer '40, was a senior at the time, and he had another good friend, Joe DeBragga '43, who was interested in joining. Some 80 years later, Kenny and Joe are the oldest living Mu alumni and still remain in touch. "Joe DeBragga is a true gentleman and an avid Mu alumnus. Every phone call we have had over the years refers back to the Temple," Kenny said. "We always mention Paul MacDonald '43, a Marine lost on the final day of the Battle of Tinian Island. That made a tremendous impression on Joe because our class was always so close." Joe and Kenny remember some of the experiences they had with their brothers like they happened yesterday. The pitch games 15 minutes before lunch every day, house parties, late-night sneaks to the Temple for meetings, and even studying together were just a few of the things that made the bonds of the brothers in their class special. It was important to Joe to stay connected with Mu as an alumnus. "After graduating and after the Army, I moved to New York and was a member of the Yale Club," Joe said. "I went back several times for Mu reunions quite a while ago. I cherish the memories of those days in the Chapter very much." Kenny added, "The Temple has always been in my thoughts because of all the good friends I had there and memories that are too many to relate. There was and always will be a bond that stays with me." Kenny enjoyed a successful 23-year career as a banker and served as vice president of Shawmut Bank in Springfield, Massachusetts. He was the mentor of John LaWare, who later was a member of the Federal Board of Directors. Joe's industrial film career with CBS took him to 31 countries. He also considers himself fortunate to meet famous Deke alumni like Gerald Ford, Omicron '35, and Dan Quayle, Psi Phi '69. Joe's and Kenny's active lifestyles were something they enjoyed for many years, even in retirement. Kenny ran every morning for years and now keeps his mind fresh by reading at least four or five biographies a month. He's also the proud patriarch of the Seyffer family, which includes his four daughters, nine grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. Joe was a national award-winning master gardener and avid bicyclist, riding his bike until his 96th birthday. He also enjoyed keeping tabs on Mu, and then discussing the happenings of the Chapter and many memories over the phone with Kenny. "The moving of the Temple was another favorite subject," Kenny said. "Joe was so involved with that and Mu that it would always be a joy to talk to him on the phone for me to get information about was going on. Our Fraternity friendship goes back about 80 years; you don't give that up easily." A DYNAMIC DEKE DUO Friendship of Kenny Seyffer '43 and Joe DeBragga '43 Transcends Time Paul MacDonald '43 Kenny Seyffer '43 Joe DeBragga '43 Joe DeBragga '43 and brothers.

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