Theta Xi - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

www.alpha6294.com Alphabet from Troy in Woodstock, New York, with his two sisters, Jean and Jane. While attending Kingston High School, Ken had already begun working in construction. When an advisor noted his high math scores, he started looking at engineering schools to further a career in the building industry; it wasn't long after that he began classes at RPI. He, along with 18 other freshmen, was initiated into Theta Xi on April 19, 1959. Ken made the most of life while at RPI and formed lifelong friendships in the process, even while continuing to do some work in construction during those years. Aside from his studies in building science, he played for the RPI lacrosse team for a year or two alongside other Theta Xis. At that time, Alpha Chapter was one of the top jock houses on campus with many brothers on the school's sports teams, so Ken fit right in. He also became a member of the (in)famous Campus Club as well as the sports manager for the chapter for a time. Ken even helped with Frosh Orientation, no doubt a boon to the house's recruitment efforts. He enjoyed playing basketball. As for that nickname, well, Ken picked that up along the way while at RPI. As Ken would say, he was a "people person." Bob Nilsson '63 (A984), himself a Marine, recalled that he helped convince Ken to join the Marine Corps after graduation. After being commissioned a second lieutenant in November 1964, Ken headed overseas the next year as the US military's presence in Vietnam began to expand greatly. Whether you lived through those times or only read or heard about them, know that Brother Wilson was involved in the training and deployment of the initial Marine "tunnel rat" teams in the I Corps Tactical Zone (I CTZ) in South Vietnam during the war. As Bob noted, "Tunnel rats are the toughest, craziest bastards in the Marine Corps." When not mine-sweeping roads or directly supporting infantry, Ken's Marines would often be called upon to hop on a helicopter to investigate tunnels as encountered by US forces in the I CTZ to deal with the enemy, gather intelligence, and come up with suitable means to destroy or render unusable the sometimes- sizable tunnel complexes discovered. Ken was very proud that he never lost a single man on these missions, called one of the most dangerous during the war. For his actions, Ken received the South Vietnamese Medal of Gallantry with Silver Stars and the Bronze Star with the Combat "V" which, at its awarding, it was noted that he had "personally led or directed numerous tunnel operations." After Ken's completion of distinguished service as a decorated Marine captain, Bob Nilsson caught up with him after returning stateside and convinced him to pursue work with Turner Construction. By February 1968, he was working in Turner's Cincinnati office as, in Ken's own words, "a field engineer… using a transit and level" and progressed from there, primarily through field assignments of increasing responsibility. Ken was promoted to operations manager in 1985 for the Cincinnati region, which was becoming a leader in hospital construction, and oversaw operations in Texas and Nashville as well before becoming an officer of the company in 1986. Ken's door was always open, and he treated the new company recruits as important members of the Turner family, mentoring and developing them into successful employees. Loved by all, Ken retired from his position as vice president and senior operations manager in January 2002. This only gave him more time to indulge in his passion for freshwater fishing as well as gardening, bird watching, and traveling with family. In a radio interview some years after retiring from Turner, he spoke of his time in the Marine Corps as having a positive impact on him, particularly when it came to developing leadership skills which carried over later to his time at Turner. Ken was "damn proud of my Corps." He talked about "doing what's right," "taking care of your troops," delegating, and communicating as keys to success in his career. Of course, the effect that his fraternity brother and fellow Marine, Bob Nilsson, had on his life did not go unremarked! Brother Ken notably assisted in pulling together and organizing Theta Xi reunions. In recent years, classes from the 1960s would come together over a weekend from time to time to catch up and reminisce. The most recent reunion this past August was only weeks before his passing. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marjorie, of 37 years, and sons Carl and Russell Wilson. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca, daughters Brandi Yu and Tonya Kline, and grandchildren Sophia Mancini, Hannah Mancini, and Stevie Wilson. For those who wish to honor Ken, please consider a memorial contribution to the 100 Entrepreneurs Foundation Inc., at 100entrepreneurs.org or the Audubon Society of Ohio at cincinnatiaudubon.org. Thank you, Brother Wilson, for your service. Ken Wilson '63 (A973) Personified Brotherhood (Continued from page 1) Ken "Rabbit" Wilson '63 (A973) with his wife, Becky, at the TX reunion in 2019. Alpha Chapter in 1961. First row: John Hester '62 (A965), Ken Wilson '62 (A973), Bob Nilsson '63 (A984), Joe Panepinto '62 (A977), Fred Sanchez '62 (A980), and Bob Kiefer '61 (A953). Second row: John Torello '62 (A968), Gerry Cote '62 (A971), Dick Molnar '61 (A951), Dick Lundgren '62 (A976), Ray Rettberg '62 (A983), and Jim Anderson '59 (A927). Third row: Pete Bordas '62 (A969), Al Martel '63 (A991), Walt Costello '63 (A979), Dani Bolognesi '63 (A988), and Rod Quirk '63 (A985). Fourth row: Gary Garofalo '62 (A960), Bob Campbell '63 (A962), Dick Tolmie '62 (A975), and Charles Byington '63 (A987). Clockwise from left: Bill Gutheim '63 (A982), Gary Peterson '62 (A964), Ray Rettberg '63 (A983), John Torello '62 (A968), James DiCarlo '65 (A1012), Dick Kelton '65 (A1023), Paula Kelton, Lucy Van Gelder, John Van Gelder '64 (A999), Ken Wilson '63 (A973), Becky Wilson, and Bob Nilsson '63 (A984). Brothers and guests at the TX reunion in August 2021 (counterclockwise beginning with Bob in the orange shirt): Bob Nilsson '63 (A984), Frank Fischer '64 (A986), Paula Kelton, Dick Kelton '65 (A1023), Becky Wilson, John Van Gelder '64 (A999), Ken Wilson '63 (A973), and Lucy Van Gelder.

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