Delta Kappa Epsilon - Colgate University

2 Yon Clarion Bell W hen John Roderick Wilson '52 got excited about a person, event, organization, or outcome, he often referred to it as "giant." In his own right, John Wilson, a diminutive man of Scottish heritage, was "giant." He was the ultimate gentleman, scholar and jolly good fellow. John passed away on April 24, just two days after his 87th birthday. His character was that of a servant-leader. He was bold and fearless. When he saw a need, he led an effort to get it done. Tireless and unselfish, with an incredible memory and capacity for storytelling, John loved to laugh. John Wilson loved his alma mater and his Fraternity, Delta Kappa Epsilon. He served on the Colgate Board of Trustees, as a member of the Alumni Council, and as a founding member and chairman of the Mu of DKE Foundation. Tom Halley '73, former chairman of the Mu of DKE Foundation, remembered his first meeting with John in the early 1970s: "A firm handshake, an ingratiating smile, but most of all, a devotion to DKE. As I got to know John through the years, he was always there for the boys. In his capacity as chairman of the Mu of DKE Foundation, he spearheaded the move of the Temple to its current location. John was always there at Reunion, and any other Mu events, and he will be there in the future. We will never see his likes again. There is an old saying, 'There was never a man who could not be replaced.' I am sorry to tell the boys of DKE, John Wilson can never be replaced." Beginning in 1952, John served in the U.S. Air Force piloting fighter jets. He was promoted to flight leader and awarded the Air Medal. He separated from the USAF in 1961 with the rank of captain. For the next 27 years, John worked in the radio broadcast industry, first in sales, then later in management with responsibility for nine stations, which he grew to profitability. In retirement, beginning in 1985, John directed his energies into private investing and philanthropy. He was a trustee of Piedmont College and the Atlanta International School. He was a fellow of the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, a sponsor of The Leadership Institute, and a member of the Robert Burns Club of Atlanta. He was an enthusiastic member of the Board of Directors of the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia, which he visited several times. John was a member of the Golf Club of Georgia and a member of Aspenosium, a private club of active duty and retired fighter pilots. He was a member of the 130-year- old St. Moritz Tobogganing Club. He loved to go fast, and racing in formal tails on a toboggan headfirst down a three-quarter- mile run at speeds approaching 70 mph was his idea of a good time. In 2003, as a Cresta Run competitor, he won third place in the Seniors Cup. Nine Wilsons are alumni of Colgate. John's father, William Wallace Wilson, Colgate '20, was devoted to the college and Mu for 77 years after he graduated. He served as head of student selection for Long Island, New York, helping hundreds of students attend the school. John's parents are buried at the family plot at Colgate University where John will be interred. John was raised in Garden City, New York. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Audrey Lundell Wilson, of Sandy Springs, Georgia; his daughters, Julianne Wilson, Colgate '82, of Cleveland, Georgia, and Jennifer Sinek, Colgate '84, (Ronald Lee Sinek) of Falls Church, Virginia; four grandchildren, Heather Sinek, Megan Sinek, Connor Sinek, and Lizz Holtz; a great-grandson, Emmett Holtz; and his brother, Douglas Wilson '57, of Malden-on-Hudson, New York. He is pre- deceased by his brother, David Wilson. RIP John Roderick Wilson '52 Phil Wolfenden '74, Doug Wilson '57, and Sean Devlin '05 celebrate the life of John Wilson '52 at a memorial in Atlanta. Donate a Percent of Your Purchases to Mu Using Amazon Smile T he Mu of DKE Amazon Smile account is now fully operational. All Amazon purchases using the below instructions will result in 5 percent of the price being donated to the Chapter. To use Amazon Smile, visit https://smile. amazon.com, and choose Mu of DKE Foundation as the charity you want to support. You can do this from your laptop or phone. From there, go to https://smile.amazon.com when making all of your purchases instead of going to the usual https://www.amazon. com website. The two sites look and function the same; the only difference is that using the Smile URL will result in Amazon donating 5 prercent of all your purchases to Mu. portfolio review (along with other important Foundation documents) is provided in the Members Only section at mudke.org. Additionally, the Foundation expects a minimum of $1.3 million in pledges to be fulfilled over the next four to five years. The Foundation's operating account currently stands at a healthy $143,500, but will begin to be drawn down as the Temple construction project gets underway in 2018. These numbers are a testament to our brothers' commitment to Mu and the level of attention paid to the financial viability of our Fraternity. As we enter the construction phase at the Temple, we need your support more than ever. Take this opportunity to become an active part in the future of Mu. You can use the enclosed form to send in your gift or visit mudke.org. Your support of this project will ensure the Temple stands as a symbol of our love for DKE. Be the brother who pushes us over the $2 million mark and into this next era at Colgate. In the Bonds, Barry Ridings '74 Campaign Chairman Chapter Finances in Place (Continued from page 1) Sean F. Devlin '05 Foundation Chairman

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