Illinois Beta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon at the University of Illinois
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1520944
John A. Stevenson Jr. '60 entered Chapter Eternal at 86 on April 8, 2024. John served as a U.S. Naval Reservist until September 1962. At UI, he earned both a B.S. in mathematics and an MBA in industrial marketing; he was also an EA of ILBE. John served from 1985-2007 as corporate officer of the National Center for Supercomputing Applications at the University. In 2015, he was also awarded the Honorary "I" from the University of Illinois for his loyalty and contributions throughout the years. John loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved the Illini and followed all their sports, especially football, basketball, and baseball. John's utmost priority, however, was his family; he supported them, their life endeavors, and their further education. Robert W. Hayes '86 entered Chapter Eternal at 59 on December 23, 2023. Bob worked 30 years at Service Logic (formerly Midwest Mechanical) as a dedicated employee taking pride in his work. Bob found true joy in the simple things in life: grilling and lounging on the beautiful patio, a perfectly manicured lawn, critiquing music with his children, a morning at the driving range, and a wood-burning fire during cold winter nights with the family. Colleagues describe him as a person who could lighten up a somber meeting, someone who let water under the bridge in times of dispute, and a leader. Friends describe him as a class act, gentleman, and voice of reason. Moreover, someone who was always able to find a place to insert witty humor. Family describes him as a protector, their rock, and "The Man." His children cherish the example of marriage and companionship he and Joyce showed them every day. Eric M. Woodruff '88 entered Chapter Eternal at 57 on November 1, 2023, after a two-year struggle with metastatic melanoma. Eric was in Army ROTC and was a distinguished military graduate and the number one cadet. He graduated in the top 10 percent of officer basic training nationally and was a field artillery officer first stationed in Korea, then serving as a commander at the Defense Language Institute in California. Eric later began working in the nascent cell phone industry, where he eventually served as a successful executive across the nation for 25 years, working for various companies such as Nextel, Sprint, and Crown Castle. As an urban geographer, Eric was fascinated with the cultures and histories of cities. He was especially interested in the social and environmental development of St. Louis, both past and future. He shared this love of adventure, travel, and history with his children, who were his greatest source of pride and joy. He also passed on his passion for reading, intellectual debate, and social justice, which his children will carry on in the future in their beloved father's memory. Eric's presence and legacy will forever live on in the lives he touched, including his terrific sense of humor. Chapter Eternal H aving been accepted to the University of Illinois College of Business in 1974, George Havel '79 was excited to get to campus and pursue an accounting degree in one of the country's top programs (No. 2 at the time, in fact). He wasn't sure where he would live, so as a high school senior he approached spring formal rush (now recruitment) with an open mind. George, knowing Jeff Price '78 from Riverside-Brookfield High School, chose ΣAE for a visit. As he walked up the front steps at 211 E. Daniel, he was greeted by the two golden lions and heard brothers singing "Come Sing to Sigma Alpha Epsilon" inside. Then he was greeted by Jeff and several more brothers. "After one visit, and meeting Rush Chair Greg Martin '76 and EA Mike Marous '76, I knew Illinois Beta was the place I wanted to live." George skipped the rest of his recruitment activities and soon received a call from Rob McAdam '77, who invited him to pledge. George went on to learn the teachings of The Phoenix and the ideals of the True Gentleman (originally written by John Walter Wayland in 1899, the same year as Illinois Beta's charter), building lifelong friendships and skills that would serve him personally and professionally throughout his life. Today, he is proud of being part of the ΣAE brotherhood for nearly 50 years. As undergraduates, George and his brothers enjoyed road trips like their pledge walkout to the ΣAE chapter house in Madison, WI, or spring breaks in Ft. Lauderdale, New Orleans, and Padre Island. They also faced tragedy in those years, losing John "Jack" Navins '79 (EA and roommate of George and Tom Donlan '79) in the spring of 1978. "The outpouring of sympathy and support from the brothers and the Greek houses at the University was something I will never forget." In the early 1990s, when the ILBE chapter house closed, George took action as treasurer of the ILBE House Corporation. He worked closely with then-EA Christopher Berardelli '94 and John Eversole '95, both accounting students like him, and with their help the chapter secured a $600,000 construction loan from Busey Bank, moving back into the house in fall 1993 with over 50 live-in members. Professionally, George completed his MBA at DePaul University and worked for nearly 30 years at Citigroup Inc. As CFO of the Midwest Region Realty Services, he managed over 100 company buildings and locations (covering over 5,000 employees) throughout the Midwest, Upstate New York, and Canada—including a space they occupied in the Sears Tower (now Willis Tower). George has been retired for 14 years and lives with his wife, Lesli, in Plainfield, Illinois. They love to travel and explore new experiences. George is forever grateful to his Illinois Beta brothers and still gets together with many. His favorite gathering is the Phi Alpha Golf Outing (PAGO), which he co-founded with pledge brother Paul Wieck '79 in 1983; 25-30 alumni brothers return to Champaign each fall to enjoy golf and camaraderie. George looks forward to celebrating the 42nd annual PAGO with his brothers, on September 13, 2024, during the Illinois Beta 125th Anniversary weekend. To this day, George's favorite ΣAE song is "Friends": "Our bond celebrating. Till death separating. Old pals from me." George Havel '79 Shares Gratitude to Illinois Beta M e n o f I m p e c c a b l e C h a r a c t e r You can connect with George at zephyr.99@hotmail.com. ILLINOIS BETA CHAPTER