Theta Xi - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

later co-founded Gelonek-Huston Consulting Engineers of Redding. While flying a Piper Comanche aircraft for surveying work, he and a passenger were killed when the plane crashed in a heavily forested area of southern Siskiyou County, about twenty miles south of Cecilville, CA. James left behind his wife, Patricia, and two small children. [James was a long-lost brother whose passing was recently determined from a 1967 newspaper article.] Cornelius D. Gall '54 (A810), 89, of Salisbury, NH, entered Chapter Eternal on October 23, 2022. Born in Utica, NY, he enrolled at RPI and earned a bachelor's degree in physics. While in school, Neil played for the school orchestra, marching band, chess team, and handball team. A member of the Army ROTC, he also received a Distinguished Military Student award. Neil met and married Claudine while serving in France on a two-year Army tour of duty. Earning a master's degree in physics in 1961 from the University of Kentucky, Neil took a job at the Mohawk Valley Technical Institute in Utica which led to his becoming a full professor and head of the Physics and Engineering Science Department. At MVTI, he administered the "Engineering Physics" program where students enjoyed great success in obtaining four- year degrees. He was a lifelong Yankees fan and enjoyed hiking, traveling, and sailing. Neil is survived by his son, Jerry. Bruce R. Laumeister '56 (A861), 88, of Bennington, VT, and Tucson, AZ, entered Chapter Eternal on May 23, 2023. Born in Watertown, NY, he enrolled at RPI in 1952 on a full academic scholarship. Bruce was a varsity athlete in football and track and took part in the Air Force ROTC program. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in management engineering, he began working for Union Carbide while earning an MBA from Rutgers University. He married Virginia in 1957 and settled in Princeton where their three sons were born. Moving to Schenectady in 1965, Bruce led the development of electric cars and garden tractors at GE's R & D Center in Niskayuna. His Delta project car was the "first practical battery-powered car of the modern era" and his GE-produced Elec- Trak lawn tractors continue to enjoy cult status. He went on to serve in executive positions at J.T. Baker Chemicals, American Optical Eyewear and Primex Plastics. He developed CTC Photographic into a chain of 1-Hour Photo Labs in the New England area. Bruce also founded Better Neighborhoods, Inc, was a co-founder of the Bennington Center of the Arts, and a key supporter of Southern Vermont College. He married his second wife, Elizabeth, in 1990. He is survived by his wife, six children, and fourteen grandchildren. John D. Szymczak ['57] (A878), 79, of Westlake, OH, entered Chapter Eternal on June 3, 2014. Born and raised in Erie, PA, he graduated from Erie East High School. He went on to study aeronautical engineering at RPI. He was a member of the wrestling club and was in the Air Force ROTC program while at school. He is survived by his four children and five grandchildren. Xenophon A. Gikas '58 (A893), 86, of Corona Del Mar, CA, entered Chapter Eternal on August 1, 2022. Born in Plainfield, NJ, he graduated from Plainfield High School before enrolling at RPI in 1954 to study aeronautical engineering. While at RPI, Zeke played baseball and was in the Navy ROTC. George A. Morrison ['58] (A900), 83, of Dallas, TX, entered Chapter Eternal on December 24, 2020. Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, he enrolled at RPI in 1954 to study metallurgical engineering. Gerald L. Pellett '58 (A904), 84, of Kewaunee, WI and Honolulu, HI, entered Chapter Eternal on February 18, 2021. Born in Rochester, NY, he graduated from RPI with a degree in chemical engineering in 1958 and a PhD from the Institute of Paper Chemistry at Lawrence College in 1964. Following a two-stint in the Army, Jerry went on to join NASA as a rocket scientist in Hampton, VA, and as well as other NASA positions. After retiring in 2010, he became a NASA Distinguished Research Associate tasked to study solutions for water and air pollution in the Great Lakes. Jerry enjoyed photography and was involved in health and education projects in Kenya, India, and Guatemala. He is survived by his wife, Lea, his son and four grandchildren. Donald F. Bouchard ['59] (A917), 76, of Albuquerque, NM, and Berlin, NH, entered Chapter Eternal on March 13, 2014. Born in Manchester, NH, he graduated from St. Anthony's High School. While at RPI, he studied mechanical engineering and played hockey and lacrosse. After his sophomore year, Don left school to join the Army. He later transferred to the University of New Hampshire to pursue a degree in English. This led Don to go on and earn a PhD from SUNY-Buffalo before becoming a professor of English at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. He met his love, Bebeann, there and were soon married. They moved to Albuquerque in the 1980s where Don took up a new career in computer sales and consulting. A "modern-day" Renaissance man, he loved to travel, published literary criticism, and played classical piano. Don is survived by his wife and two daughters. Douglas S. Wilcox '65 (A1016), 79, of Bogalusa, LA, entered Chapter Eternal on October 12, 2023, surrounded by his children. Doug was born in Minneapolis, MN in December 1943, and graduated from Austin High School in Austin, MN. He began his collegiate career at RPI in 1961, joining Alpha Chapter like his brother, Lee '60. Not content to excel just in the classroom, Doug was a multi-sport star and three-year starter for the school's baseball and wrestling teams. On the diamond, he was a first baseman and pitcher serving as captain and earned team MVP honors his senior year. On the mat, Doug was 36-5-2 overall earning team MVP honors his sophomore and junior years. For his deeds, he was inducted into the Rensselaer Athletic Hall of Fame in 1982. Doug graduated from RPI in 1965 with a bachelor's degree in management. He went on to earn an MBA from the University of Minnesota and spent his entire career with AT&T. [Thanks, Lee.] Capt. Samuel P. Epstein '66 (A1034), 72, of Dallas, TX, entered Chapter Eternal on April 10, 2017. Samuel was born in San Antonio, TX and raised in Skokie, IL, where he attended Evanston Twp High School. He enrolled at RPI and majored in physics. While in school, Samuel served as vice-president of Alpha and played lacrosse and soccer his freshman year. After graduating in 1966, he joined the USAF and fought in the Vietnam War. Edward M. Hicks ['70] (A1099), 72, of Charleston, WV, entered Chapter Eternal on August 13, 2020. Born in Charleston, Ed graduated from St. Albans School before enrolling at RPI in 1967 to study architecture. He also attended the Rhode Island School of Design. Ed worked at Allen Blueprint in Charleston before joining the photography division with the State of West Virginia. Craig B. Johnson '86 (A1248), 51, entered Chapter Eternal on July 11, 2016. Born in Massapequa Park, NY, he graduated from A.G. Berner High School in Massepequa, NY, before enrolling at RPI to study electrical engineering. His father, Robert DeGeorge, also attended RPI. Craig is survived by his wife and two children. Robert H. DeSelms, PhD ['89] (A1298), 48, of Whitinsville, MA, entered Chapter Eternal on April 15, 2016. Bob was born on July 7, 1967, and attended Saint John's High School in Shrewsbury, MA. Bob is survived by his former wife, Jaea Hahn, of Washington, DC, and his daughter, Leah.

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