St. Anthony Hall - University of Pennsylvania

6 C aptain Crunch, Gorilla Man, Monkey Man, The Captain, Tiny Tank; Bambino, and T.J—The Top Bananas. Most post 1975 brothers will know these names from the picture hanging in the Bright Room or from the pledge quizzes, we cannot seem to forget. In one way or another, these names bring us back to Locust Walk. For the Top Bananas, 3637 still reverberates with laughter, shared memories, and the foundation of lifelong friendships. While each member has his own cherished memory of The Hall, Bradford W. Kling Δ'72, Alexander P. Lynch Δ'71, Roberto Martinez Δ'72, Archibald R. Montgomery IV Δ'72, J. Thomas Moore III Δ'73, and Christopher R. Phillips Δ'71 all agree that the bond they shared with Joseph "Gunner" Gaskins remains the most revered. With this in mind, the group has come together to ensure the strength of future generations of the Hall and to honor the man who took care of the brotherhood through some of their most impressionable years. "Our ability to contribute to the campaign is inadequate compared to all Gunner gave to us in love and respect, but it is done as a symbol of our respect and affection for him," Bob noted. When Arch first stepped foot inside Delta Chapter's Hall for dinner, he found himself seated next to members such as Eugene Clapp III Δ'69, a soon to-be United States Olympian, and fellow freshman, Bob Martinez. Little did Arch know, he had just met his subsequent roommate of three years at The Hall, best man at his wedding, and fellow Top Banana. Over the next few weeks, Arch met two more future Top Bananas, Alex and Chris. "The quality of the brothers in the class ahead of me, such as Gene Clapp, and the incoming class of new members, persuaded me that The Hall was the right place for me," Arch said. The name, Top Bananas, happened serendipitously after forming a team for the intramural touch football league. "We sat for some time at The Hall's dining room table after a meal, having difficulty agreeing on a name," Tom recalls. "Then Chris jokingly suggested Top Bananas from the Chiquita Banana commercial, as ironic humor, since we were terrible on the football field. It was so ridiculous in such a 'highbrow' way that it stuck." From then on, the Top Bananas would build a legacy as unique as their name. That said, the Top Bananas would not have been complete without their relationship with Gunner. According to Bob, Gunner was the glue that held the Top Bananas together. "He was one of the greatest people I have ever met and was essential to our wellbeing at The Hall," Bob remarked. Gunner, an esteemed World War II veteran, had high personal standards of loyalty and respect that created a quality foundation for The Hall in the mid- 1970s. He carried himself with The Bonds of Brotherhood Top Bananas Donate in Honor of Joseph "Gunner" Gaskins Left: The Top Bananas take Joseph P. "Gunner" Gaskins to his favorite restaurant, Bookbinders. Top row, from left: Christopher Reynolds Phillips Δ'71, J. Thomas Moore III 'Δ73, Roberto Martinez Δ'72, and Archibald R. Montgomery IV Δ'72. Bottom row: Bradford Walton Kling Δ'72, Joseph P. "Gunner" Gaskins, and Alexander Parsons Lynch Δ'71. Right: The Top Bananas proudly display the Joseph P. "Gunner" Gaskins trophy awarded at the annual reunion.

• Cover