Pi Kappa Alpha - University of Texas

3 www.texaspikes.com Pi Kappa Alpha P ikes across Texas and the nation celebrated the election of Beta Mu initiate Brian Babin, DDS '68 to the United States Congress in November 2014 to represent the 36th District of Texas. The 36th District is a relatively new congressional district created following the 2010 Census. The District includes portions of southeastern Harris County and moves eastward to include Liberty, Hardin, Orange, Chambers and Newton Counties. Brian worked very hard in a 12-person Republican primary, securing the nomination in a runoff election and handily defeated the Democrat nominee in the November General Election. The 114th Congress includes 22 physicians and three dentists. Brother Babin was sworn in to the 114th Congress on January 6, 2015. Texas Pikes of Brian's era regard him fondly, particularly his prowess as a Golden Glove boxer who could also sing and play a mean piano. Mack McKinley '68 grew up in Beaumont with Brian, crediting him for his recruiting into Pike. "Brian and I were roommates in the Pike house in the fall of 1969; it was a great time. Texas Longhorn football of course dominated the social scene those years. We cheered on fellow Pike gridiron heroes like Cotton Speyrer '68. It's no surprise Brian aspired to public service. He is dedicated and intelligent and has given much in terms of community and public involvement, all the while being a terrific father, raising great kids with Roxanne." Brian spent several years at U.T., ultimately graduating from Lamar University and then going on to U.T. Houston Dental School. He served as an Air Force dentist and later practiced dentistry in east Texas for many years. A lifelong east Texas resident, Babin served as mayor of Woodville, was engaged with numerous civic organizations, deeply involved in east Texas water issues and has been active in Republican politics for many years. Roxanne and Brian Babin married in 1972 and have five children and 11 grandchildren. Congressman Babin's mailing address is P. O. Box 159, Woodville, TX 75979. DR. BRian BaBin '68 electeD to u.S. congReSS Pike Brothers Remember Dennis "Buffalo" McCleskey '77 O ne of Pike's most beloved 1970s-era members, Dennis McCleskey '77, passed away unexpectantly of heart failure on January 5, 2015, in his Carrollton home. Nicknamed "Buffalo" at a young age, he was indeed physically large, with an enormous sense of humor and a giant heart. Dennis grew up in north Dallas, attended Thomas Jefferson High School and then, after brief stops at SMU and U.T.-Arlington, made his way to Austin where he became a Pike. Among his childhood friends in the neighborhood were the Biskamp boys: Mark '77, Brett '78 and Eric '80. Buffalo was a natural leader and used this trait to guide him in his successful business life in sales and as a commercial real estate broker. Dennis' obituary, written lovingly by his family, mentions his love for U.T. and Pike: "Of his nickname Buffalo, it is a fitting nickname as Dennis lived his life according to his own rules with a degree of roaming freedom and joy we all wish for. He was his own man with a style that was unique, beautiful and unsurpassed. Dennis was a proud graduate of his beloved University of Texas at Austin. Who else but Buffalo would have an eight-foot-wide Longhorn steer mounted in their living room? He was also a ringleader at his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, and was the frequent chairman and organizer of a Pike golf tournament 'The Toad,' which has continued year after year since his college days. If ultimate power and success were measured by the love of friends and family, Buff would have ruled the world. Everyone who knew him loved him and he never met a stranger." A memorial service was conducted for Dennis on January 17 at Northway Christian Church in Dallas. More than 60 Pikes attended to pay their respects and to share some quite colorful stories. It was noted that Jay Lucas '76 was mentioned frequently in some of the tales. Among the many college and high school friends sharing remembrances as speakers in the service were Pikes Mark Biskamp '77, Dr. Bo Frederick '78, Jon Jones '77 and Tucker Graves '78. Gib Wood '79 played a harmonica solo of "Amazing Grace." Many other Pikes attended the memorial service or a wake later that evening at the popular Greenville Avenue watering hole, Stan's Blue Note. Pikes in Dallas for the farewell included Brian Banks '79, Keith Bellinger '79, Kenny Brown '78, Mike Calloway '78, Nino Corbett '79, Bob Dedman '78, Steve Dunn '73, Tim Fleet '78, Stuart Ford '76, Allen Gump '76, David Howell '79, Dr. Pat Jaeckle '77, Dr. Jim Harris '78, Jeff Hinson '74, Steve Hudson '76, David Jones '76, Ken Kangeiser '78, Russ Keene '80, Matt LaPasta '79, Jay Lucas '76, John Passero '79, Ross Vaughan '79, Dr. Tom Weber '78, Ben Weil '77 and Kirk Williams '80. Jon Jones '77, who offered a eulogy at the service, remembered Buffalo fondly: "Buff lived up to his nickname. He was larger than life and was well respected by everyone with whom he came in contact. We will certainly miss his infectious smile, his quick wit and loyal friendship. He was loved by many and left this earth too damn early." John Murray '74 shared a warm Facebook post following the funeral service: "The memorial service for Buffalo this afternoon was a moving experience as so many souls attended to say goodbye to a paragon of our youth. Dennis was a true friend, a subtle personality that was tastefully and amusingly boisterous." Pikes salute Buffalo McCleskey at Stan's Blue Note, a favored Pike watering hole in the 1980s. Back row from left: Buffalo McCleskey '77, Robb Stewart '76, Merritt Belisle '76 and John Scofield '75. Front row: Lil Sis Susan Bateman, Ken Kangeiser '78, Steve Johnson '77, Johnny Rathmell '76, Jon Jones '77, Randy Swope '75, Dr. Jimmy Smith '76 and Steve Harry '77.

• Cover