Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Illinois

5 I llinois Alpha lost one of its most loyal brothers in our illustrious history when Dick Rodgers '52 entered Chapter Eternal on August 15, 2020. Dick is one of three Illinois Alpha alumni to be honored as Order of the Golden Heart recipient. Along with being Illinois Alpha's historian, Dick stayed busy during his undergraduate days by playing varsity basketball, serving as the sports editor for the yearbook, and leading the university marching band as a drum major. Dick epitomized what it meant to be a Balanced Man after graduating from the University of Illinois. Throughout his successful marketing career, he worked with the likes of Coca- Cola, Home Depot, Honeywell, and American Airlines. He also acted as a consultant to the top men and women in various fields, including lawyers, doctors, and small business owners. While Dick worked tirelessly to promote many top brands and companies, he still put in countless hours toward making SigEp a premier fraternity. Dick was a founding member of Georgia Tech's Alumni and Volunteer Corporation (AVC). He served as Georgia Alpha's chapter counselor for 30-plus years and was the chairman of two of the chapter's capital campaigns. Last, but not least, Dick helped Georgia Alpha launch the Balanced Man Program in the early 2000s. At Illinois Alpha, Dick's personality positively impacted a multitude of brothers over the years. Vance Fraley '56, Shawn Dalgleish '81, and George Komer '73 shared some of their fondest memories of Dick with SigEp Headquarters and Illinois Alpha. SigEp Remembers Dick Rodgers '52 "Dick was a wonderful person and good friend. In his heart, he was a true SigEp. After he graduated, Dick worked for the alumni association, showing various important people around campus, including big band leader Woody Herman, who he brought by the chapter house for a meal. Dick was very proud of representing Illinois as the band's drum major and appearing in the 1952 Rose Bowl, which was the first nationally televised bowl game and the first nationally televised college game of any sport. Dick was also a private pilot and flew me and two other chapter brothers up to the 1956 Michigan football game; it was the first plane ride for all three of us! Dick would help anyone out, and he certainly deserved his Order of the Golden Heart. I was proud of him when he was so honored." — Vance Fraley '56 "With the passion that he led the famed Marching Illini Band as drum major in the mid- '50s, Dick came back 'home' one fall and brought that same enthusiasm as the Illinois Alpha Balanced Man Scholarship banquet keynote speaker. He extolled the lifelong value of getting involved with registered student organizations and stretching yourself beyond your comfort zone. His passion for life, service and development was evident in his effervescent charisma. Dick's picture, along with a copy of his OGH certificate, is displayed proudly in our chapter home's executive room." — Shawn Dalgleish '81 "Dick emailed me out of the blue in 2005 after I accepted a new position, with such a great comment that I had to contact him and get to know this guy. As both of us were SigEps from Illinois Alpha living in Atlanta, we became fast friends with great stories about our times at the chapter and the University of Illinois. If I had to summarize Dick in one sentence, it would be: Like all great teachers and leaders, his energy, enthusiasm, quick mind and always-positive demeanor made everyone around him a better person." — George Komer '73

• Cover