Lambda Chi Alpha - University of Oklahoma

lambda Chi alpha page 2 Pearl Level ($5,000 and above) Dr. Adam B. Smith, ΓΡ 1013 Gold Level ($1,500 to $4,999) Green Level ($500 to $1,499) E.T. Laird, ΓΡ 468 William E. Pitts, ΓΡ 603 Greg N. Tomlinson, ΓΡ 1226 Dr. Kevin M. Hook, ΓΡ 1427 Purple Level (Up to $499) Jim L. Litton, ΓΡ 290 George E. Orr, ΓΡ 295 Herbert B. Dalton, ΓΡ 310 Robert H. Alexander, ΓΡ 369 Ronald C. Elkins, M.D., ΓΡ 393 Richard C. Geis, ΓΡ 395 John T. Van Loon, ΓΡ 410 Charlie Snider, ΓΡ 627 James R. Dodd, ΓΡ 636 Robert C. Parrott, ΓΡ 646 Dr. Harold Ray Kerbo, ΓΡ 725 James O. Wood III, ΓΡ 864 Jeffrey F. Hermen, D.D.S., ΓΡ 992 D. Oliran Johnson, ΓΡ 1140 Matthew W. Hamilton, ΓΡ 1168 Greg S. Diehl, ΓΡ 1362 Travis J. Carter, ΓΡ 1422 M. Scott McCoy, ΓΡ 1966 Blake T. Rambo, ΓΡ 1971 Kyle R. Bertholf, ΓΡ 2018 W e have received donations from 25 generous alumni totaling $3,675 so far in 2019. These funds support our capital campaign efforts for the Chapter House and cover the expenses of the alumni tailgate. Supporting these opportunities helps us continue Gamma-Rho Zeta's legacy at the University of Oklahoma. Donors are listed in their cumulative giving level. JOIN YOUR BROTHERS IN BUILDING THE FUTURE Support Gamma-Rho Zeta Today Catching Up with Bill Pitts, ΓΡ 603 I went through Lambda Chi recruitment in 1962 and was interested in academics and campus activities. Roy Sikkink, ΓΡ 623 was in my class, and he was pledge master when my little brother Doug Conn, ΓΡ 659 joined. We were three of the many Lambda Chis who were in ROTC who wanted some control over our military futures during the Vietnam War. Tragically, Roy and Doug were both later killed there. As new members, we had mandatory study hall at the Chapter House during finals week. Lambda Chi also provided good leadership and life training opportunities. I was treasurer for two semesters, and I found that we had been paying our previous month's expenses with our current month's receipts. We fixed that. Living for three years with 65 brothers with shared values and aspirations was of great benefit to me. There were many good times at Lambda Chi, but these memories stand out. One day senior Jim Dicus, ΓΡ 537 said to this freshman, "Bill, I'm going to OKC to look at new cars. Want to go with me?" He took me with him just to spend some time together. He also bought a 1963 Buick Riviera that day. My sophomore and junior year roommates, Bill Hodde, ΓΡ 589 and Don Henline, ΓΡ 616, both now deceased, were very funny people. David Ramsey, ΓΡ 615 was more subtle but just as entertaining. He has been married to his Chi Omega wife for 50-plus years. My Chi Omega wife of 50-plus years and I introduced them. Another brother's Chi Omega wife of 50-plus years also arranged my first date with my wife. I have not lived near Oklahoma since graduation. However, in 2011, some local brothers hosted a reunion of 1961 through 1964 member classes in Norman. We came from all over, and we simply picked up with them where we left off 50-plus years ago. My Lambda Chi experience provided the framework for a 17-year-old boy to mature into a young adult. Many of our brothers who came before knew how to pay it forward, and it is our turn now to do the same for those who can benefit from it in the future. I would offer to those about to begin their careers that they don't have to find their perfect jobs in their perfect fields immediately. I, and many of my 1960s peers, went straight into the military as ROTC-commissioned officers as an honorable way to avoid getting drafted. I had no idea that I would make the Air Force a career. After getting my MBA and an Air Force commission in 1967, I was assigned to Moody Air Force Base (AFB), Georgia, Randolph AFB, Texas, and then Williams AFB, Arizona, where I was the base procurement division chief. There I realized that I liked the Air Force but wasn't enjoying my desk job. I was able to stay there and complete pilot training. I then was assigned to Robins AFB in Warner Robins, Georgia, as a B-52 copilot, eventually upgrading to aircraft commander. I returned to the procurement field in 1980 at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio, in the B-1B bomber program. In 1985, I was assigned to McConnell AFB in Wichita, Kansas, to establish and lead the B-1B Site Activation Task Force. Retiring from the Air Force in 1988, I went to work for an engineering and management services company back in Dayton. I moved back to Warner Robins in 1990 to open and run an office supporting the Air Logistics Center there. My last seven working years were spent as a self-employed consultant, where I was able to earn half the money in a fourth the time, set my own schedule, and enjoy life a lot more. I fully retired in 2009, and Jan and I decided to stay in Warner Robins, where we have three- and-a-half seasons and almost no snow. I was asked to say what I consider to be my most significant accomplishments. I would say that being a B-52 aircraft commander, running the B-1B bomber site activation task force, and starting an engineering and management support office and growing it to 100 people are my main career accomplishments. However, Jan and I have two adult children and two grandchildren, and we share a conference call every Sunday afternoon. All seven of us are active Christians, which we believe to be the most important aspect of our lives. I am humbled to be included in the group of brothers who have been spotlighted in past issues of the Gamma Rhover.

• Cover