Lambda Chi Alpha - Oregon State University

Fall 2020 Newsletter

Alpha Lambda Chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha at Oregon State University

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Page 7 Donald H. Swartz '47-528 of Walnut Creek, CA, passed away on July 6, 2019, at the age of 92. A native of Fresno, California, Don graduated from Fresno High School and served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. After his military service, he attended Oregon State and was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha. He graduated in 1950 with a bachelor's of science in industrial engineering. In 1955, he married Nancy Linser of Fresno. They had two daughters, Karen Marie and Katherine Lynn. Don's career in industrial and related engineering began with IBM. During that time, he had an assignment in Japan as liaison to the U.S. military and secret service operations in the Far East. He later joined Bechtel's computer division during the construction of BART. He worked for the USPS Postal Data Center as program development group manager for online processing. Late in his career, he formed an association with a former IBM associate to supply specialized equipment for main-frame computers and installations. In 1980, Don married Susan Temple. They traveled and enjoyed family milestones with their blended families. In 2000, they moved to Rossmoor in Walnut Creek. There Don enjoyed playing golf and bocce ball. He was active in the Rossmoor Woodshop, the Men's Exercise Group, and the Golden State Club. He is survived by Susan; daughters Karen Cawthorne and Kathy Jacobson; three grandchildren; three stepchildren, Rebecca Bloxham, Mark Temple, and Genny Gorski; and six stepgrandchildren. Alpha Lambda Remembers Oregon State's Bill Toole brings the ball up court against Indiana's Bob Leonard on December 22, 1953. The Beavers defeated defending NCAA Champions Indiana by a score of 67 to 51. It was Indiana's first loss of the season, breaking their 11-game winning streak. Umatilla Club was the father of Les's wife-to-be. Les looked up to all these men when he was younger, remembering them as strong, outstanding men. This heritage was very precious to Les and reinforced his special bond with the fraternity. "The continuity was not apparent at first at Lambda Chi, but it shown through," Les said. The long line of Lambda Chis before him is why this fraternity legacy is so important. Les loved the community and purpose of Lambda Chi and Oregon State. Both stayed on track with teaching topics that were pertinent both morally and economically. "It not just aids in building maturity; Alpha Lambda builds character and keeps you grounded to the real purpose of why you are at Oregon State, to be diligent in your studies and career," Les said. Les was always impressed by his brothers' seriousness and dedication to their passions and careers. "Of course, with any group like that you had lifelong friendships. It was a good atmosphere to mature," Les said. Lambda Chi Alpha forges lifelong friendships through shared experiences, shared joys and defeats, and all the real-world things. "Some of your lifelong best friends are the ones you go on adventures with together," Les shared. His Alpha Lambda best friends enjoyed over 30 years of camaraderie as they met every year on the Oregon coast to catch up with each other and their families. Les's fraternity life was shared just as much with his Kappa Kappa Gamma wife, Marylou. Following in yet another precious Lambda Chi and Carter family tradition, Les married a Kappa just as the men he grew up with had. The heritage of Lambda Chi runs deep within Les and his family, and with the opportunity to be a part of the fraternity's future, Les said "I want in," and graciously made a donation. Les always had "very good guidance and I was personally impressed by the tenaciousness of those alumni ensuring the chapter stayed on the straight and narrow." With his gift to Lambda Chi Alpha, he joins these alumni in ensuring a successful future for Alpha Lambda. Les can be reached at lesnlou@comcast.net. The Continuity of Lambda Chi (Continued from page 1) William F. Toole '52-620 passed away in Corvallis, OR, on August 20, 2019, at the age of 86. He was born on June 17, 1933, in Hermiston. Bill was a humble man who put others before himself and never bragged about his abilities. In high school in Klamath Falls, where he graduated in 1951, Bill had quite an athletic career. He won the state title in both the 100- and 200-yard dash in track, was named to the all-state tournament team in basketball, and played halfback for Klamath Falls in the Shrine football game. Attending Oregon State, he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha along with his brother, Joe Toole '48-550. Beaver basketball fans will remember Bill as a starting guard for Slats Gill, and a near-upset of the Bill Russell and KC Jones led San Francisco Dons for a spot in the national semi-finals. Amazingly, he was also drafted by the New York Giants of the NFL, despite not playing football in college. You would never know any of this by talking with him because he always wanted to know about you. He met his wife, Connie, at OSU and they were married in 1956. He graduated from OSU with a degree in electrical engineering and was one of the first 50 employees hired at CH2M Hill, where he worked for over 40 years. Later, he worked for CH2M's IDC Division and traveled the world to design industrial facilities, specifically in the microelectronic industry. His family was his pride and joy, and he worked hard throughout his life to support all of them. He is survived by Connie, his wife of 63 years, three daughters, one son, eight grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

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