Pi Kappa Alpha - University of Texas

J ohn D. Romano '77 entered Chapter Eternal June 3, 2014, as a result of a sudden cardiac arrest he suffered on May 21. John was a popular and highly regarded Pike and Texas Cowboy. He cherished his days at the Pike house where he made many lifelong friendships. He was a friend to many across the U.T. campus and is remembered for his athletic prowess for Pike's dominating softball and flag football teams in his era. Only age 56 at the time of his death, John was enjoying retirement after a successful management career with several governmental agencies, including the City of Austin and The Lower Colorado River Authority. John was an avid outdoorsman, gardener, and cook, well known for venison sausage making. John is survived by his wife Kristen of Highland Village, and a son John J. Romano of Austin, parents Joe and Rosalie of Orange, four siblings and their children. John's former wife Dubravka Romano of Austin, whom many Pikes knew as a Little Sister to Beta Mu, also survives him. John was fondly remembered by John Rutherford '77. "Family was first for John. He loved his wife, parents, siblings and all of his extended family. They were the center of his world. Second came his love for hunting and the outdoors. John spent many pre- dawn hours in a duck blind or deer stand often with his son, brother or a close friend. And finally, John loved his friends. He took the time to keep in touch with a lot of Pikes, Cowboys and other friends from Texas. John also loved people and could talk to anyone. John was a good friend and will be missed by everyone who knew him." Brian Bessellieu '77 added, "John was a very close friend. I miss the ole Italian Stallion. Lots of great stories about Monzy. One in particular was, we knew each other's distinctive whistle, so no matter where I was at DKR Memorial Stadium during a football game, I could whistle and he, being on the field as a Cowboy, would recognize it and look around until he found me...good times." A memorial mass was held June 11 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Orange, John's childhood church. Memorial gifts for John D. Romano can be made to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation, 2914 Swiss Ave., Dallas, TX 75204. www.texaspikes.com 7 Pi Kappa Alpha CeleBRating the liFe oF John RoMano '77 Clint Wood '00 Stephen L. Brown '01 Matthew Parmley '01 Mark J. Trevino '01 David L. Bowman '02 Brad Harris '02 Matthew Obermeier '02 David Polerstock '02 Brandon J. Savisky '02 Joseph Sommerfield '02 Anderson Price '03 Matt Harris '04 Luis F. Lafratta '04 * Parker L. Ramsdell '04 Chad Smith '05 Conner M. Mowles '06 Stratton L. Borchers '07 Josh T. Devin '07 Aaron M. Motsinger '07 Austin Shires '08 * Houston H. Berger '09 Chris A. Hunt '09 Jeff Hunt '10 Brotherhood Club (Up to $99) Chester W. Ditto '22 Emmett L. Whitsett Jr. '33 Carl H. Burnham '37 Robert A. Dube '44 James W. Crawley '45 John C. Rainwater '45 * James K. Wilhelm '45 Frank A. Reed '46 Thomas K. Bamford '47 T. Clinton Baskin '47 * Charles A. Stephens '47 Gerald R. Brooks Sr. '54 Roger V. Chenault '55 David D. Michie '55 Sidney C. Stewart '55 H. Don Smith, M.D. '58 Antonio L. Dieste '59 Hubert W. Ratliff Jr. '59 Fred E. Ingerson Jr. '60 Rabun T. Wilson III '61 Garry D. Brown '62 Eric L. Westerman '65 Clayton M. Amacker Jr. '70 Walter D. Shepherd '70 James A. Smith '70 Dr. Ray A. Faires '71 Gregory J. Perrin '72 Russell C. Conkling '76 David P. Haynie, M.D. '76 Brian S. Bessellieu '77 Steven F. Harry '77 Robert C. Tysor Jr. '81 Brian D. Baird '83 Jim Newberry '83 Robert J. Shonk Jeff E. Buell '86 Markham R. Teguns '86 Michael A. Poth '87 James U. King III '88 Kevin Carlson '91 Robin Trotman '92 Louis M. Matetich III '93 Bradley L. Maxcey '93 Thomas B. Walsh '93 David W. Paris '96 Brian Newman '97 James Iacuone '98 Jonathan Drucker '01 William Chenault '02 J. Patrick Braun '07 * Will T. Jones '07 Jay A. Messer '08 John Romano '77 (far left) joined with other Pike Texas Cowboys in this circa 1980 photo along with Pat Jaeckle '78, Mark Bateman '78, New Men Jay Gibson '78 and Larry Gray '78, Johnny Rathmell '78, Steve Tiemann '77 and Jay Lucas '76. Surrounding John J. Romano (front, center) following the funeral of his father, John D. Romano, are (front row) Johnny Rathmell '78, John Rutherford '77, Rusty Tamlyn '77, Brian Bessellieu, '77 and David Ellison '77. Back row: Randy Swope ' 75, Todd Minor '78, Bill Glenn '77, Stuart Ford '76, Dr. Mark Durso '80 and Carlton Spears '77. The Romano family appreciated the strength and spirit of Pike friends at their difficult time. ChapteR eteRnal T. Clinton Baskin '47 entered Chapter Eternal May 26, 2014. He was born July 1, 1924, in Abilene, Texas, to Carrel Alden and Sarah Jane (Beggs) Baskin. On June 15, 1946, Clinton married Jane Page Osborn in Austin. He proudly served his country in the United States Army Air Corps. Clinton was a member of First United Methodist Church of McKinney; he was also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and the McKinney Lion's Club. He spent his last year in a Memory Care facility in McKinney where he met Kirk Jack, who worked for Home Health Care and is a member of Pi Kappa Alpha; Kirk rarely missed a week of visiting Clinton. He is survived by his daughter, Carol Tatum and husband Webb; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Don Price '74 entered Chapter Eternal June 25, 2014, following a long illness. He was born July 5, 1955, in Dallas to Harold Herbert and Mary Elizabeth (Robinson) Price. Don grew up in North Dallas and graduated from Hillcrest High School. He received his architectural degree from the University of Texas and worked as an architect in Dallas for more than 25 years. He was a member of the Park Cities Baptist Church. Survivors include his mother, Liz David and husband Bert; two sisters, Linda James and husband Barry, Nancy Vorpahl and husband George and their families. Don was preceded in death by his father, Harold Price.

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