Pi Kappa Alpha - Oklahoma State University

Page 3 Gamma Chi Chapter Pi Kappa Alpha N eal Patterson '68 was a person you considered yourself lucky to meet. The middle son of tenant farmers, Neal spent his early life working wheat fields along the Oklahoma-Kansas border. Here, he developed an intense work ethic, experienced many tough life lessons, and learned how to bounce back after a failure. His life was defined by hard work, perseverance, and purpose until the day of his passing into the Chapter Eternal on July 9, 2017, at the age of 67. Neal's hard work and determination continued into his college career from the moment he stepped on campus. It was the summer of 1967, just before Neal arrived on campus, when the existing Pike house caught fire and was burned beyond repair. Following in the footsteps of his older brother, Kent '65, Neal was not deterred from membership in Pi Kappa Alpha and instead, spent the next two years living in subpar housing. Before his passing, Neal recalled his Pike experience, saying "Without a doubt, my time as a Pike helped me develop. I think the hard times magnified my experience. We had a blast and we held our heads high, but we also were somewhat left on our own to figure out how to survive. I was treasurer of the chapter for my last two years and learned more about business, organization, and people from that experience than I could have learned in any classroom." As most Gamma Chi brothers know, Neal would go on from OSU to make an enduring mark in business and healthcare. Earning a degree in finance and a master's degree in business administration, Neal began his career with Arthur Andersen as an information system consultant. In 1979, with two colleagues, Neal co-founded Cerner, which today is the world's largest independent health information technology company. "Neal's impact can't be understated. He valued people with opinions, ideas, a plan, and the confidence to take action. But mostly, I'll remember Neal for his uncompromising drive and sheer passion for his work," childhood friend, fraternity brother, and colleague Shad Williams '90 said. "I owe my career to Neal. He made a bet on me early in my time at Cerner. Fortunately, I was able to have some success, but without his belief in me, I'm not sure how my story would go." Despite all that had changed in those 40-plus years since living at the Pike house on Lincoln, Neal remained committed to Gamma Chi. When the initial plans were laid out for a new house at 221 South Lincoln, Neal pushed the group to imagine something greater, and then supported the project through to its completion this spring when the new chapter house opened its doors. "Neal was the driving force in the effort to build the new Pike house in Stillwater. Without his efforts, it would not have happened," Gordon Eubanks '65 said. "Neal was the quintessential entrepreneur. Driving, positive, strong leadership skills. He built one of the premiere software companies in the world and then led it for decades." Neal was diagnosed with cancer in 2016 and continued working through his initial treatments and again after the cancer returned this year. Neal and his wife of nearly 30 years, Jeanne, lived in the Village of Loch Lloyd, Mo. The mark Neal left on Gamma Chi Chapter will never be erased. He was an integral part of the chapter's operation and the lives of our brothers and will serve as an example to future generations. He will be greatly missed by all. The Legacy of Neal Patterson '68 Imprinted on Gamma Chi The contributions from generations of alumni have built a facility that stands unparalleled among Greek houses at OSU. The chapter house now has a dedicated dining room for brothers to dine and host in, featuring Founders' photos and original artwork by Brother Daniel Dillon '02. Brothers tour the house's sports court and fitness center, amenities that will attract top students and allow space for brothers to connect. The chapter house, named for Brother Neal Patterson '68, exhorts undergraduate members to a standard of excellence as they lead Gamma Chi into this next era.

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