Phi Kappa Theta - Iowa State University

PAGE 5 FKQ FKQ "In the ancient world, cities had walls surrounding them to provide protection from enemies. When the wall was breached, the city was vulnerable to destruction. The only way to secure it was for individuals to risk their lives by standing in the gap in the wall and fighting the enemy." T he quote from the book of Ezekiel is the inspiration for Iowa Xi's memorial program to honor those brothers who have entered the Chapter Eternal. The idea for Stand in the Gap began in 2011-12. During this time, Brother Steve Polito '76, who lived in the Quad Cities area, was suffering from cancer. Word got out about his struggles and brothers stepped forward to help him out. It began small but expanded as Steve's health deteriorated. Over the next few years, several brothers routinely invited Steve over for holiday dinners, drove him to medical appointments at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Iowa City, stopped by to visit him, and called him on the phone to check in. Steve eventually succumbed to the disease, passing away in February 2014. After Steve's funeral, the same brothers who helped Steve began discussing and brainstorming ways to honor and remember all Iowa Xi brothers who have passed to the Chapter Eternal. Mike Canney '74 came up with the name Stand in the Gap. The group decided that Stand in the Gap will be a memorial-giving program—a fundraising effort with all contributions earmarked for physical repairs or upgrades to the Iowa Xi Chapter house. All donations will be recorded in a book displayed on the first floor of the house along with the names of the memorialized brothers. A $1,000 donation allows a donor to memorialize three deceased brothers, a $500 donation memorializes two brothers, and a $250 donation will memorialize one brother. After the concept was developed, Todd Senne '88 offered to have his company, Trilix, produce the actual book, a plaque describing Stand in the Gap, and a podium to display the book. The podium with the book now stands in the living room of the chapter house to the right of the staircase; the plaque is on the wall behind it. While Stand in the Gap is dedicated to those who have passed, five members were chosen to represent all Iowa Xi alumni who have joined the Chapter Eternal since our founding in 1924: James Victor '68, Stephen Maloney '68, Richard Concannon '68, Steve Polito '76 and Greg Stein, City College of New York '70. If you want to know more about Stand in the Gap or make a memorial gift, contact Kirk Thomas '76 at kirk.thomas@optonline.net for more information. A special thank-you to Todd Senne and his Trilix associates, who donated their time and talents in turning the concept into reality and creating the final layout. Fraternally, Kirk Thomas '76 From left, Kirk Thomas '76 and Mike Maloney '76 kneel next to Steve "Gapper" Polito's gravestone. Steve was a U.S. Navy veteran in Vietnam. Note the fraternity crest affixed to the top left of the stone. "I looked for anyone to repair the wall and stand in the gap." –Ezekiel 22:30 S t a n d i n t h e G a p In Memory of Our Chapter Eternals Chapter Eternal John R. Pfeffer '61 entered Chapter Eternal on April 12, 2023, in Ames, Iowa, at the age of 85. Michael M. Bellinger '69 entered Chapter Eternal on November 11, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo., at the age of 74. Harold V. Barry '62 entered Chapter Eternal on May 31, 2022.

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