Theta Xi - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

www.alpha6294.com 150 YEARS OF THETA XI: ALPHABET SOUP Kenneth L. Wilson '63 (A973) stays in touch with many of his eta Xi brothers. "Particular kudos to Bob Nilsson '63 (A984) and his tremendous assistance to wounded veterans with his non-profit entrepreneurs!" Ken lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. Email: wilsonken@ymail.com William F. Fredericks '76 (A1154) retired this year as a pilot with American Airlines. He and his wife, Annemarie, live in Mattapoisett, Mass., and have two children, Bill and Kate. He reports, "Annemarie and I got together with Joy and Mike Lyden '78 (A1173) to observe a harbor race of the Volvo Ocean racing yachts in Newport, R.I., in May. It was followed by a great lunch as their guests at the New York Yacht Club. Great fun and conversation!" Email: airborne1715@gmail.com Anthony Campos Jr. '09 (A1595) and his wife, Caroline, live in Forest, Va., and welcomed their daughter, Lilia, in January 2017. "She's been a blessing and has kept us on our toes." In February 2018 Anthony le engineering to pursue a career in sales and is loving it. He is now ItC sales manager for Framatome Inc. He says, "Life in southwest Virginia has been pleasant and I couldn't ask for much more." Email: anthonycamposjr.gmail.com Chapter Eternal Kenneth J. Mackenzie Jr. '45 (A665) passed on to Chapter Eternal on June 24. He served in the Navy during WWII, then returned to RPI and earned a master's degree in chemistry and later a Ph.D. in organic chemistry at Cornell University. Kenneth spent the bulk of his career with Celanese Corporation (later Hoechst-Celanese). He established and directed the Film Research Center for Hoechst-Celanese in Greer, S.C. He served as vice president and technical director of the Film and Fiber Division, retiring in 1991. Kenneth served on the board of directors of the Greenville Urban League, the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority, and as chairman of the Neighborhood Housing Corporation. He also served on the Industrial Advisory Board for the Mechanical Engineering Department of Clemson University. He was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Ruth. He is survived by his four children, Barbara, Nancy, Douglas, and Andrew, seven grandchildren, and eight great- grandchildren. Joseph F. Mansfield '52 (A780) passed on to Chapter Eternal February 16. He was 87 years old. He was a very active member of the class of 1952, organizing and participating in RPI reunions until very recently. He entered the U.S. Navy upon graduation and served as a junior officer aboard the destroyer USS Daly during the Korean War. Aer leaving active duty, Joe began his long and successful career as an investment banker, consultant and venture capitalist. During this time, he obtained his MBA from New York University. Joe married his beloved wife, Grace, in 1958 and moved to Morristown in 1963 with their growing family. ey enjoyed an active life and traveled the world until Grace's death in 1991. Joe was a parishioner of the Church of Christ the King for over 50 years and an usher for more than 35 years at the Sunday mass, always wearing a vast assortment of what is fondly called "Joe's fancy pants." He is survived by his children, Robin O'Connell and husband Sean, Kristin Dunn and husband Chris, Joe Jr. and wife Susan, Kelly Brown and husband Allan, and Megan. He will be greatly missed by his 11 grandchildren. Eric K. Weber '53 (A788), 86, passed on to Chapter Eternal April 29. He worked as a consulting engineer for firms in New Jersey and Pennsylvania before joining the firm of Rummel, Klepper & Kalh in Baltimore, Md., becoming a partner in 1979. He was active in numerous professional associations, including American Society of Engineers, Maryland Society of Professional Engineers, Society of Brother Reunited with Lost Class Ring—30 Years Later B rother Ron Simpson '64 (A998) has a tale to share of recently recovering his RPI class ring—aer losing it over 30 years ago. "It was probably the summer of 1988. I lost the ring climbing Mount Washington [in New Hampshire] up the Great Gulf trail with my wife, Robin. It's a very steep trail with lots of hand-over-hand rock climbing at the last part. inking I would damage the ring, I hid it in a stone wall where I thought I would find it on my return. It started raining as we were going up the Great Gulf headwall and continued through our time on the summit and all the way, sliding down rocks, back to our tent, mostly via headlamps. Rain continued much of the night, was running under the floor of our tent, and the headlight batteries were dead. I was never so glad to see sunrise. ere was a huge flood the next day. e stream below our tent was a raging river that had risen to 12 feet away. I searched extensively and never found the ring." Fast forward to May 2018 when Michael Bergmann contacted David Fowkes '89 (A1275) via email to inquire about an RPI and Alpha Chapter alumnus who may have lost a 1964 RPI class ring. With a few emails traded about the ring's inscription, Ron's name came up and he was put in touch with Michael, who was just happy to have the ring returned to its rightful owner. Ron says, "Sounds like Michael found it four or five years later. Said he stopped to rest and found it under a fern. is summer while vacationing with my family in Rye, New Hampshire, my daughter Siobhan asked, 'Dad, when did you start wearing that ring again? I haven't seen it for many years. You used to wear it all the time!'"

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