Sigma Chi - University of Virginia

Alumni Update Chapter Eternal Francis K. "Smokey" Williams '50 entered Chapter Eternal on July 17, 2013. Smokey was always proud to be a University of Virginia graduate and a Sigma Chi. He was 90 years old and is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and his three children. Joseph E. Burlas Jr. '56 entered Chapter Eternal on August 27, 2012. In 2001, he was inducted into the Army Public Affairs Hall of Fame and between 1981 and 1984 served as commander and editor‑in‑chief of the Pacific Stars and Stripes newspaper in Japan, overseeing the writing and printing of 40,000 copies each day. While at the Pentagon, he was also credited with modernizing the publishing of all Army newspapers. Joe received numerous medals and honors, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, two Bronze Stars, The Legion of Merit, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. He is fondly remembered by his family and friends as a man with wit and a teasing good humor. His greatest joys were his wife of 55 years and his three children. John "Jack" Melnick '58 entered Chapter Eternal on August 21, 2013, at the age of 78. In 1971, two years after Republicans swept all four House of Delegates seats in Arlington,Va., Melnick was part of a Democratic counterpunch that won all but one of those seats back and saw the return to Richmond of Mary Marshall, a beloved figure in county Democratic politics. Melnick served three terms in the General Assembly, then in 1977 launched a bid for the Democratic nomination for attorney general, but fell short. Jack is survived by his wife, Majory, and their four children. George C. Salley '58 entered Chapter Eternal on November 16, 2012, in Middlesex County Va., He led a renaissance life and was intrigued with all things mechanical. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children and five grandchildren. Bryan W. Heath '94 entered Chapter Eternal on August 4, 2013, at his home in Birmingham, Ala. Bryan loved the outdoors, enjoying sports, hunting, and fishing. He was genuinely kind and shared his love for youth by coaching youth baseball and football in his community. Bryan was dedicated to his family and friends, especially his two children, James and Ellie, whom he loved dearly. Bryan is leaving a heritage of integrity, hard work, and love for his family and friends. Alumni News Ralph T. Waldrop '50 was named a Knight of the Legion of Honor by the French government in 2010. He turned 91 in June and enjoys time with family and friends. E‑mail: ralph.waldrop@ trifectasres.com Psi Chapter of Sigma Chi at the University of Virginia P.O. Box 442100 Lawrence, KS 66044-2100 Address Service Requested Homecoming 2013 Join Psi Brothers on Saturday, October 26, at noon for the Annual Pig Roast at the Sigma Chi House as part of Homecoming weekend. E-mail Locher Grove '13 at lmg3j@virginia.edu with any questions. James R. Palmer '60 is still running his own business in Springfield Va., while enjoying life with his 15 grandchildren. William P. Schofield Jr. '68 retired from the Foreign Service. He and his wife, Pat, live in Washington, D.C., and are in touch with several Psi alumni. Bill does some part-time work at the State Department and continues learning to play tennis. E‑mail: wmschofield@aol.com Steven G. Walther Sr. '71 gets together with fellow Brothers from the class of '71 every year in October in Charlottesville. "We'd love to have more Sigma Chi alumni!" He currently lives in Rochester, N.Y. E‑mail: swalther@ waltherealtors.com William O. Reeside Jr. '77 and his wife, Sandy, recently took a medical mission trip to the Dominican Republic. They provided eye, dental, pharmacy, and general medical care to about 2,000 people. They are especially appreciative of two Psi Brothers, Jeff Mintz '77 and Jim Evans '00, who helped finance the trip. Bill said, "Psi of Sigma Chi gave me a solid base on which to build a wonderful life—which has many more years of service to go." The couple resides in Fort Mill, S.C. E‑mail: liberty76@ comporium.net Gregory L. Beach '93 attended the 20th reunion of the class of '93 in Charlottesville with Kevin Boyce '93 and Jeremy Doyle '93. He lives in Centreville, Va. E‑mail: gbeach@ atlanticexhibits.com Thomas B. W. Hall '02 and his wife, Sarah, welcomed a daughter, Martha Weatherly, on May 31. They currently live in Washington, D.C. Thomas K. Plofchan III '10 resides in Sterling, Va., and after he graduated, he moved to Cairo, Egypt, to continue studying Arabic and work on his master's in Middle East studies. In 2011, he began working for CNN. He now works for Deloitte Financial Advisory Service, working mainly in network mapping. E‑mail: tom.plofchan@gmail.com

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