Sigma Chi - Montana State University

3 Beta rHo's Vision for 2025 H aving graduated from college more than 40 years ago, Jim Darfler '76 still vividly remembers his first impression of Sigma Chi at Montana State University. "When I was a senior in high school, my parents and I traveled to Bozeman to attend a Mother's Day dinner at Sigma Chi Fraternity. My brother, Ed Darfler '73, was a Beta Rho pledge at the time. I was amazed at the number of people who attended, how everybody was dressed up, and how the actives and pledges interacted with me and my family. When I went through recruitment, I saw strong camaraderie and unity in Beta Rho and wanted to be part of that," he says. Jim attributes much of who he is today to this sense of camaraderie and unity he shared with many of the brothers in Beta Rho, particularly the invaluable bonds with Ed and his cousin, Bob Matthews '75. "I had a lot of friends in college, but Ed did so much to show me the ropes of college and the fraternity and provided insight, all while going to school, training, and competing for the Bobcats in cross country and track and field. Bob was also a great friend and we did a lot together during college. He was always there to give me a hand and even chauffeured me everywhere when I injured my knee," Jim says. "The true level of my enjoyment in Beta Rho became more apparent after I graduated and began the next chapter of life. I now carry with me many fond memories of my undergraduate experience at Sigma Chi." These memories have lasted Jim a lifetime, and for this reason he is committed in his support for the Honoring Our Past 100 Years campaign. Jim says, "There is no way I would have had the opportunity to know the many brothers I lived with, learned from, experienced so much with, and called friends had I not been a member of the fraternity. The common thread for all brothers was the teachings of Sigma Chi, most of which took place at 722 South Willson. The house has served the fraternity well, but it is definitely showing the effects of 50-plus years of wear and tear and physical altering. The renovation and remodeling project of the house is a major undertaking, requiring a significant amount of money and many contributors. I truly hope brothers realize this and contribute. This important project should definitely not be one where a few end up doing the work of many." As a bank examiner in Helena for the State of Montana, Jim has enjoyed a rewarding 40-year career; all of which were with Bob Fitzsimmons, Beta Rho '77. Prior to taking a position in the Helena office, Jim traveled across Montana and was fortunate to visit many of the brothers he went to college with. "I have enjoyed my job, and all the challenges and intricate situations that it involves," he says. Jim and his wife of 31 years, Leslie, have three children: Matt Darfler, Beta Rho '14, Talor, and Brooke. Both Talor and Brooke are Chi Omega alumnae. Jim says, "All of our children graduated from MSU and held the position of consul/president of their respective fraternity/ sorority. Quite an accomplishment." Jim can be contacted at jandldarfler@aol.com. unmatched Camaraderie inspires Jim darfler '76 to give back to beta rho Celebrating 99 Years of beta rHo! n ovember 2, 2016, marked 99 years since the chapter of Beta Rho was chartered. If you are interested in reading a little about the history of the founding of Beta Rho, it can be found on our website at www.bobcatsigs. org/about/founding-beta-rho. In other news, as a chapter we had a pledge class of 26 men who worked hard with the new P4B program in preparation for initiation last fall. Sadly, Brother Bill Grabow '50 entered Chapter Eternal on October 18, 2016, at the age of 92. Brother Grabow was a good citizen, a fine soldier, and a great Sigma Chi. Being one of the only architects in Bozeman in the 1960s, Bill's monumental project was the Sigma Chi chapter house in 1961. Below is a link to his obituary if you would like to read more about the life of Bill. All honor to his name. http://billingsgazette.com/lifestyles/ announcements/obituaries/william-e- grabow/article_0ee997cb-4ab8-5e87-b20e- 6e4072ce8858.html?utm_medium=social&utm_ source=email&utm_campaign=user-share Congrats to all Beta Rho brothers on the continued success and we look forward to what the future has to bring! All honor to the names of those who are no longer with us in our long lasting brotherhood. In Hoc Signo Vinces, Brady Anderson '19, Tribune (307) 690-6724 / bradycanderson1@gmail.com Thad Lampson '17, Kustos (650) 207-2853 / thadlampson@gmail.com aluMni uPdate CHApTER ETERNAL Sherman G. Burke '50 entered Chapter Eternal as a resident of San Clemente, Calif. Howard T. "Beaver" Gilroy '65 entered Chapter Eternal on October 26, 2016, as a resident of Camano Island, Wash. Beaver valued the memories and friendships he gained in Beta Rho and will be missed greatly by his fraternity brothers. Thomas F. Frisby '69 entered Chapter Eternal on June 13, 2016, at the age of 68. In college, he was a member of the U.S. Army ROTC and earned a bachelor's degree in commerce, after which he was deployed to fight in the Vietnam War. After returning stateside, Tom became a computer (Continued on page 4) The Darfler Family: Brooke, Matt '14, Talor, Jim '76, and Jim's wife, Leslie.

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