Phi Kappa Theta - Iowa State University

PAGE 3 Robert J. Fitzgerald '52 lives in a senior living retirement home, Crane's Mill, in West Caldwell, N.J. Jerry Peltier '62 lives in Ames, Iowa. His wife, Ruth, passed away in 2013. Gregory L. Albert '74 is vice president of operations at Chevron Phillips Chemical. He and his wife, Bertha, have three children and live in The Woodlands, Texas. E-mail: alb3rtgl@gmail.com Michael L. Fahning '86 lives in Eden Prairie, Minn. He was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson's in 2002. He retired from the automotive business in 2012, which gave him the opportunity to spend more time with his three sons: Ben, Mitch, and Joe. Mike also volunteers with a local Parkinson's non-profit, Pedal and Roll for Parkinson's, which focuses on biking and Nordic walking. Contact him for more information on this organization. E-mail: mfahning64@gmail.com Kendall A. Griffith '92 is vice president of operations at M. A. Mortenson Company. He and his wife, Suzy, live in Plymouth, Minn., and have three children: Alex, Paige, and Ford. E-mail: ksap_griffith@msn.com Paul D. Peterson '01 married Lindsay Wegener on March 8, 2014, in Norfolk, Nebraska. They live in Waconia, Minn. Isaac J. Olsen '02 married Kari Moreno on May 17, 2014, in Ankeny, Iowa. E-mail: isaac.olsen@gmail.com Mitchell J. Gore '07 lives in Overland Park, Kan., and welcomed his first daughter, Larkin Marie, on November 12, 2013. E-mail: mitchell.gore@gmail.com ALUMNI NEWS Men of Phi Kappa Theta: Standing in the Gap S teve "Gapper" Polito '76 formerly of Moline, entered Chapter Eternal on March 12, 2014, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He earned his bachelor of science in urban planning from Iowa State in 1976. Steve also conducted graduate studies at Iowa State. Steve was an extremely dedicated member of Phi Kappa Theta fraternity and made countless friends during his tenure at ISU. He was a member of the freshman football team, the track team, and a cheerleader (Mic Man) for the Cyclones. He was also involved in numerous campus organizations. Three Phi Kap alumni—Mike Maloney '76, Mike Canney '75, and Kirk Thomas '76—recall their time with their fallen Phi Kap brother and reflect on the impact Gapper had on their lives. "Steve was a brother that crossed multiple generations at FKQ because of his split time at ISU," says Maloney. "Gapper had an ability to look at things on the bright side, truly a glass- half-full type of guy. This was true in college and carried forward to the end of his days as he was battling cancer and other ailments." "I spent a fair amount of time with him during the last few years of his life. He had an amazing memory for details and would often recall minutiae from college days that simply astounded me. As mentioned before, he crossed a couple of generations of Iowa Xi brothers and truly enjoyed the fact that he could connect older and younger members. He loved the rituals of the fraternity and took great care at the end of his life to understand how his Phi Kap pin and other jewelry should be displayed at his services. Steve's loves included his faith, his family, and his fraternity brothers." Mike Canney also recalls Steve's positive outlook on life. "I remember him being one of the men at Iowa Xi who was always encouraging others to do their best and, at times, offering the pontifications of his father, Hank. He spanned a decade at FKQ, and his presence touched many brothers, all for the good." A fond memory of Kirk Thomas involves New Orleans, a Pinto, and 20 pounds of shrimp. "Gapper, Mike Maloney, and I traveled to New Orleans in the summer of 1975 to attend the fraternity's national convention. As a group, the three of us proudly accepted the Founders Cup, which we then had to get back to Ames. So we all piled in my 1971 Ford Pinto (which at the time didn't have air conditioning) along with the cup and 20 pounds of shrimp in a squeaky Styrofoam cooler. It was a memorable event not because of the situation itself, but rather the journey. It's during that time you learn about someone's character, commitment, sense of humor, and dedication to the principles of Phi Kappa Theta. I'm glad to say I learned these qualities from Steve." Steve touched so many with his presence at Iowa Xi, and other alumni who have also passed on did their part through the years to make Phi Kappa Theta the outstanding fraternity it is today. Alumni like Dick Concannon '68, Steve Maloney '68, Chuck Anders '80, Tom Heither '73, and Paul DePhillips '77 are well-respected at Iowa Xi for their service and dedication to the chapter during their active years and as alumni. "Please give careful consideration to standing in the gap with us," said Canney. "We need the help of all alumni to maintain our Phi Kap legacy at Iowa State and see this project through to the end. Won't you join us by making a new or additional pledge? Our brothers who have passed on displayed kindness, leadership, and faith: all qualities taught by Phi Kappa Theta, and we have the ability to show today. It's our time to recognize these honorable men by giving back to the organization that gave us all so much." Mike Maloney '76, Kirk Thomas '76, and Steve Polito '76 were delegates from Iowa Xi at the 1975 Phi Kappa Theta National Convention in New Orleans. It was here that the Iowa State Chapter won its first Founders Cup.

• Cover