Sigma Chi - University of Missouri

THE TIGER SIG Fall 2017 Page 3 In May of 2015, Duncan brought his family from California to Mizzou to introduce them to the campus and our renovated Chapter House. They were amazed at the beauty of both. O n May 12 of this year, Duncan Matteson '56 entered Chapter Eternal. Although absence can make the heart grow fonder, distance frequently ebbs the dedication and emotional attachment of our alumni to our Chapter. This was never the case with Duncan. Spending most of his adult life in California, his heart remained with Xi Xi. Duncan came from Kansas City, Mo. to MU as a freshman in 1952. He graduated as third in his class academically, was a Metropolitan All-Star in football, basketball and track and, due to his brother George being a Beta at the University of Pennsylvania, he was headed for that house down the street from us on College. During recruitment week Duncan saw the light and, also influenced by his close friend Dick Jensen '56, who became Consul in 1956, he pledged Sigma Chi. A t M i z z o u , D u n c a n c o n t i n u e d h i s achievements. He played varsity basketball, was number two on the MU golf team and was elected pro consul as a sophomore and consul as a junior. This was a time when seniors normally held these offices. A moment still remembered by his brothers came at the intramural track meet when Duncan, as relay anchorman, came from behind to win the race, the meet and the Seven Year Trophy for our Chapter. A Beta finished second. Duncan was named the Intramural Athlete of the Year. Duncan was one to set his own path. He neither smoked nor drank (making him a minority of one), but never missed a Chapter party. As scholarship chairman, he guided the Chapter to a top five finish academically for the three years of his tenure. At that time the kiss of death was for a chapter rep to be called to the office of the dean of students, properly known as "Black Jack." Duncan consistently volunteered and argued each case admirably. E arly this past summer, in the midst of a heavy storm, the oak tree at the north side of the Chapter House took a direct hit by lightning. To give you an idea of what happens in a direct hit, the heat of the lightning is so intense that it boils the sap, expanding it greatly. The sap explodes and blows the bark off the tree in sizable chunks. At least the tree took the destruction of the lightning and not the Chapter House. We called in a tree company, which called in the city arborist. His diagnosis was that the tree's chance of survival was slim, but possible. Since the oak has stood guard on the Chapter House for almost a century, we gave it a shot with treatment for insects and fungus and also a dose of fertilizer and growth inhibitor, which allowed the tree to use all its remaining energy to repair itself. It didn't work. The tree died rapidly. We removed its remains shortly thereafter. At least one of our alumni is using the branches for firewood, so it still is contributing within the fraternity. He also will make a ring count to see how old the tree actually is. Besides removal, we took out the stump and much of the root system so we were able to replant this fall. Our plan is to put in as large a replacement as is practical. For those of you who plan to live another 100 years, you will see the "new" oak in all its glory. That is unless lightning strikes twice. THE SUN STOPS SHINING ON THE SIGMA CHI OAK AN EXTRAORDINARY SIGMA CHI LEAVES US Remembering Duncan Matteson '56 Continued on page 4

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