Sigma Chi - University of Florida

GAMMA THETA TIMES | 2 John Briggs '67 and Mike Coates '68 on one of their golf trips to Ireland 10-15 years ago. Mike was John's roommate in 1964, which was the first year the current chapter house was open. Mike is a retired plastic surgeon and is a pancreatic cancer survivor. Aer John's significant contributions to the Army aviation community, Hugh sponsored his induction into Army Aviation's Honorable Order of St. Michael. Following John's prestigious honor, and his life-changing three-year tour as a helicopter pilot, he was inspired to recognize his Gamma eta brothers who have also served in the military. It was that inspiration that led to the request for service information in the recently mailed alumni biographical update. "Prominent architect Mike Hug designed the Pi Kappa Phi house a couple of doors down from our house and we got a tour of it at one of our Gamma eta 2022 group meetings in Gainesville," John said. "ey had a large plaque in their common area dedicated to their members who had served. I found it very moving." John is the director of the recently formed Gamma eta 2022 group, which has some very exciting plans in the works to help shape Sigma Chi's future at UF for many years to come. He's drawn some inspiration from Mike Hug and his experience as a construction lawyer that have given him some ideas that can be implemented at Gamma eta. As the group refines those plans for Gamma eta, they'll be communicated with alumni. John practices as a mediator with Upchurch, Watson, White & Max in Maitland and has 25 years of experience as a civil trial lawyer in central Florida. He became a construction lawyer by accident aer getting hired by a professional liability carrier to defend the structural engineers who designed the original expansion of the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. He recalls that his own expert consultants refused to enter the construction site, as they were concerned the structure would collapse. "is case led to me getting more and more involved in construction and design litigation until I moved into full-time mediation work, where I primarily handle construction-related cases," John said. "And then there was a fun case when I represented a client named Jack Daniels in federal court, but I will save that for another time." Outside of his work and involvement with Sigma Chi, John enjoys playing golf, mostly with former roommate Mike Coates '68, who is a retired plastic surgeon and pancreatic cancer survivor. John also enjoys snow skiing, reading, traveling (especially with Viking), and spending time in the mountains of North Carolina during the summer. John has two sons. His youngest is a junior in high school and is looking to play lacrosse in college. John's oldest is a senior at Embry-Riddle and has followed in John's footsteps as a Sigma Chi with plans to become an airline pilot. You can connect with John at jcbmediate@gmail.com. If you have served our country, John asks that you mail back the biographical update form with answers to the military service questionnaire portion to you can be recognized on a plaque to be hung in the alumni room of the chapter house. DEDICATED TO SIGMA (Continued from page 1) CHAPTER ETERNAL Ronald Neder '56 passed on to Chapter Eternal on August 20, 2020. He leaves behind Arlene, his loving wife of 63 years; their children, Pam, Ronald, and Janet; four grandchildren; two brothers; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ronnie played on the freshman basketball team at the University of Florida. He was also proud to share Sigma Chi with his brother, George, and nephews, Riley, Joey and Ben. During his sophomore year of college, Ronnie joined the Army and was stationed in Alaska. Ronnie married Arlene on June 9, 1957, and graduated from UF in 1958. Following his graduation for UF, Ronnie worked for US Gypsum and became one of their top sales reps in Louisiana. In 1961, Ronnie returned to Florida and started his own business, Gainesville Hardware and Building Supply. He enjoyed many successful years in the building industry, especially impressive given his own admission that he didn't know one end of a screwdriver from the other. ALUMNI UPDATE Ronnie was passionately devoted to the Florida Gators, especially Gator basketball. He and Arlene hosted the 1970s Gator basketball teams many times. ree very special players, Tony Miller, Earl Findley, and Tim Fletcher, became their adopted sons. At a 2019 Gator basketball game, Ronnie was honored for his contributions to the basketball program. Ronnie and George, along with their wives, traveled to almost every Gator football game. He was also a Mason and a member of the Gainesville Homebuilders Association, the Quarterback Club, and the Lion's Club. Ronnie was a charter member and president of the Gator Touchdown Club and a charter member of the Gator Tipoff Club for basketball boosters. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Gainesville and became a charter member and Deacon of Christ Community Church. (Continued on page 4)

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