Theta Xi - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

ALPHABET SOUP – SUMMER 2021 CHAPTER ETERNAL___________________ Bruce E. Knox '53 (A787), 89, of State College, PA, entered Chapter Eternal on November 2, 2020. Bruce attended RPI on a full Navy scholarship and graduated with a BS degree in Chemistry. After being commissioned a 2 nd Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps, he served in Japan and Okinawa as an instructor and practitioner in artillery. Earning a MS degree in Chemistry at Syracuse, Bruce went on to Penn State for a PhD in Fuel Technology and spent the rest of his career in the Materials Research Laboratory there before retiring as an Associate Professor in 1991. He and wife Susan enjoyed traveling the world, sailing, and scuba-diving in retirement. He is survived by Susan, three children, six grandchildren, and six great- grandchildren. D. Kent Hatch, Jr. '54 (A807), age 90, of Reno, NV, entered Chapter Eternal on November 13, 2020. Kent graduated from RPI with a BS degree in Construction and early in his career worked at Monsanto R&D; he had a hand in the development of auto safety glass, vinyl siding, AstroTurf, and many packaging products. Kent was vice- president of manufacturing for many years before retiring in 1996 and then became involved in real estate. Among his interests were designing and building land sailing craft, sailboats, and kayaks. He served as president of the North American Land Sailing Association for many years; his late wife, Pat, and he coordinated the Eagle Lake Regatta for over 30 years. Kent is survived by four children, nine grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Col. William G. Krause '54 (A814), 88, of Dallas, TX, entered Chapter Eternal on January 27, 2020. Bill joined the Navy after graduating high school and was then selected to attend RPI on an NROTC scholarship. After some time at school, he decided it was time instead to go flying and, in 1950, enlisted in the Air Force. He spent 30 years there, serving in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars and flying all sorts of aircraft; his last assignment before retirement in 1979 was as Director of Special Security for Air Force Systems Command out of then Andrews AFB. He finished up his MBA at Stephen F. Austin University in 1987 at the age of 57. He kept flying planes until the age of 85. Bill is survived by his wife of 65 years, Phyllis, three children, and nine grandchildren. Rev. Edwin M. Walker '54 (A818), 86, of Mt. Pleasant, SC, entered Chapter Eternal on November 11, 2019. He graduated with a degree in ElecE from RPI and a MS degree in ElecE from the Georgia Institute of Technology before working at Westinghouse Corporation in Maryland. Ed then took up a new calling with being ordained a priest in the Protestant Episcopal Church, serving communities in South Carolina, Florida, and South America. He also taught at Vanderbilt University and the College of Charleston. Among his interests were military history, ham radio, travel, and photography. Ed is survived by his wife of 62 years, Margaret, three children, and seven grandchildren. Douglas S. Barrie '55 (A841), 85, entered Chapter Eternal on May 9, 2018. Douglas graduated from RPI with a degree in ChemE, and, while at school, served as chapter president. He served as president of the international unit of the William Wrigley, Jr. Company before retiring in January 2000, following 28 years at Procter & Gamble. Douglas is survived by his wife of 62 years, MaryAnn, two daughters, and four grandchildren. Kenneth T. Hobson '57 (A871) of Coventry, RI, entered Chapter Eternal on September 22, 2004. Ralph W. Hasenbalg '57 (A873), 82, of St. Augustine, FL, entered Chapter Eternal on March 12, 2017. Ralph earned a degree in Engineering Management from the Institute and served as captain of both the basketball and golf teams while at RPI. After graduation, he served from 1958-1966 in the Air Force as a pilot with many missions in the Vietnam War. Following retirement, he and his family moved to St. Augustine, FL, from Saugerties, NY, after a 30-year career with IBM. Ralph is survived by his wife of 55 years, Francoise, five children, and nine grandchildren. Alexander C. Young '58 (A892), of Cincinnati, OH, entered Chapter Eternal on January 12, 2019. Alex graduated from RPI with a degree in MechE. His career path eventually led to his being named president and CEO of Rotex Global, LLC in 1988. He was appointed to the Executive Order of The Ohio Commodore, one of the state's most distinguished awards, by the governor of Ohio. A lifelong resident of Cincinnati, he generously supported many of the city's institutions as well as the May Festival Chorus, with which both he and his wife, Betsy, sang. Alex's long-time involvement with Rensselaer included holding the position of National Rensselaer Fund Chair, Alumni Association President, and Chairman of the Patroons of Rensselaer. In recognition of his efforts for "establishing the Heffner Alumni House as a campus focal point for alumni support," he was awarded the Albert Fox Demers Medal in 1991. Lt. Col. Samuel H. Stevenson '58 (A901), 83, of West Tisbury, MA, entered Chapter Eternal on February 15, 2020. After graduating from RPI with a MechE degree, Sam married his college sweetheart, Kathleen, who attended Russell Sage College in Troy. He became a 2 nd lieutenant in the US Marine Corps shortly after, serving 18 years in Okinawa, Japan, and Vietnam. Following a stint as a defense contractor in northern Virginia, he returned to the family home in West Tisbury and opened Stevenson

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