Ad Astra - Ann Rhodes - wife of Jack Rhodes '60

Our fraternity continues to enjoy strong support among the many graduates.  We especially sustain our strength through the efforts of the many volunteers who contribute time, money, and support.  And many of those vollunteers are the unsung wives and partners of our fellow graduates.

We've lost one of those unsung wives/sweethearts of our fraternity who enthusiastically helped our graduate chapter from behind the scenes.  She's been a friend, a Fiji enthusiast, and an ever willing volunteer over the decades.  We'll miss Ann Rhodes -- a Kappa, a friend of Phi Gamma Delta, and the sweetheart of our own Jack Rhodes '60.

The following notice appears in the August 23rd Seattle Times

Ann B. RHODES

Ann passed away in the comfort of her home on August 5, 2015. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Jack. She graduated from Everett High School class of 1957 and University of Washington in 1961 with a Bachelor’s degree in business from the Foster School of Business. Her academic success was recognized early by the University of Washington Honors Committee for excellence in scholarship in her sophomore year. Ann also was elected a member of Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society.

Throughout her college days and beyond, Ann was a loyal and contributing member of her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma. While living in southern California she was awarded the Kappa Province Loyalty Award. Later the Kappa Province established the “Outstanding Service to a House Board Award” and named this recognition the Ann Loken Rhodes Award in her honor. In her soft, dedicated manner Ann has quietly enhanced the lives and careers of young women for more than 50 years.

She and Jack were a dedicated team in life and in business. They lived and worked in Washington, Virginia, New York/Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts and California. In 1981, the couple founded Rhodes and Company, a sales and marketing firm. After a successful eighteen years they sold the firm to employees and returned to their native Seattle area.

Words that have been used by friends to describe Ann are: kind, sweet, smart, loyal, determined, fighter, dedicated, honest, angelic, classy and many more.

More than anything else, Ann believed that a positive contribution was much more important than any recognition. That is how she lived her life, and that is how her legacy will live on in the lives she touched and enhanced.

A celebration of Ann’s life will be held on September 10, 2015 at the Husky Union Building (HUB) on the Seattle campus of the University of Washington from 2:30pm to 5:00pm. Directions to the HUB can be found at http://depts.washington.edu/thehub/home/directions. Visitor parking is available at the Central Plaza Parking Garage found at the intersection of 15^th Avenue NE and NE 41^st Street.

In Ann’s memory, donations may be made to two educational institutions she both served and benefitted from throughout her life: Kappa Kappa Gamma and the University of Washington. Kappa support may be directed to Kappa Kappa Gamma (Rose McGill Fund), PO Box 38, Columbus, Ohio 43216. To add to the ANN RHODES ENDOWED FUND FOR EXCELLENCE IN SALES at the UW, visit the Foster School of Business (foster.uw.edu) Giving Page or send checks payable to the UW Foundation to Foster School Advancement, Mackenzie Hall Box 353200, Seattle, WA 98195-3200.

July 2015 Luncheon - James Stoner '05

James Stoner ’05 is a graduate of UW as well as receiving his Masters in Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin. 

James is an energetic guy who seems to get a lot done in many pursuits.  Following his studies in Texas, James was an associate with PwC in New York City.  James is credentialed as a CPA and a CFA. 

After another six years working in the middle office of Tremblant Capital, James left NYC and returned to the Seattle area.  He currently serves as the CFO of the Archon Capital Management.  James also does a lot of good deeds.  For the past 7 years he has been a driving force for the non-profit “Construction for Change” which many of you are familiar with.  This deserving non-profit was the recipient of the money from a 4503 major project in its early days. Construction for Change builds schools, medical facilities and other critical infrastructure where they are needed most.  Many of their projects have been schools in Africa.

For the past 8 years James has also been on the Executive Committee of a mentoring organization, Minds Matter.  We’re fortunate that he has also taken on the organizing and leadership role for the mentoring program for 4503 undergrads.  James will share his story of the mentoring – myths and realities.  It’s a different world out there, and our fraternity is doing more to prepare undergrads to enter with confidence into this changed world.  

During the July luncheon, James reviewed the fledgling mentor program being offered to the members of the active chapter.  You are encouraged to become a mentor in this programming.  You'll find it quite rewarding and an enjoyable way to re-connect with your fraternity. 

Thank you to James Stoner '05 for leading the mentor program efforts for 4503.  If you would like to volunteer to assist James, contact him @ james.p.stoner@gmail.com

Ad Astra - "Race Horse" Bill Hopf '55

Bill Hopf '55

William (Bill) Desmond Hopf, died peacefully at his home on June 28, 2015, surrounded by his family. Bill was an amazing Dad, devoted husband, loyal friend, fierce champion for those he loved, passionate about human rights and equality, a patient teacher, meticulous editor, people and animal lover, cookie baker, popcorn maker, cribbage player and world traveler.

Alumnus of Roosevelt High School, University of Washington B.A., Bucknell University, and Arizona State University M.A. Bill was a member of Phi Gamma Delta at the U of W.

He joined the USMC in 1950 and sailed the Mediterranean on the USS Iowa.

Bill taught high school US history; and was a guidance counselor at Garfield High School. He retired from public education in l972 and became the Director of "The Releasee Aid" Program for the Justice Department in San Diego CA. for the next seven years. He also taught group process and strategic planning at the university level in San Diego and Seattle.

He owned and operated Dawson Plumbing Co with his wife Susan for 31 years.

He was active in his community, serving as President of the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce and on numerous committees for Mayor Norm Rice.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Janet Hopf. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Susan Farrington, his daughters Mary Desmond Verdonk (Tim) Seattle, Susan B Hopf, Escondido CA, Monica Stojkovic (Stanko) Ft. Lauderdale, step-daughters Catherine Farrington-Kruse (Scott), Bellevue and Jacqueline Farrington-Otto (Chris) Marina Del Rey and three grandchildren.

Special thanks to his caregivers, Laisa and Sunia, of Family Best Care.

If you wish to make a donation in honor of Bill, please make it in support of education, housing or food for the disadvantaged.

At Bill's request there will be no services

Obituary info by Seattle Times 7/12/2015 edition

June 2015 Luncheon -- Kemper Freeman '63

Kemper Freeman '63

Kemper Freeman ‘63 is Chairman and CEO of Kemper Development Company which built and operates Bellevue Square, Bellevue Place and Lincoln Square located in Bellevue, Washington. Kemper represents the third generation of the Freeman family, who have been involved in the growth of the Bellevue community since 1897. During the luncheon Kemper shared much of the family's commitment to community and guiding philosophies in their family run business.  

Kemper's family has developed several Bellevue Traditions.  In the mid-1940s they began the summer art event now known as the Bellevue Art Festival.  Kemper also told the story of conceiving and producing the annual Snowflake Lane celebration for nearly the four weeks of December.  Families of all ages enjoy this annual free event featuring the nightly 20-minute holiday performance sparkling with colorful lights and snow, plus live drummers, music and holiday characters all along Bellevue Way and NE 8th Street outside Bellevue Square, Lincoln Square and Bellevue Place. It's truly a one-of-a-kind holiday spectacle of live toy soldiers, winter characters, exhilarating music, glittering lights and a snowfall that will brighten your spirits and warm your heart.   Fellow grad and well-known impresario, Greg Thompson '64, is the producer of this extravaganza, so both Kemper and Greg shared their stories about the creative path that led to this very popular annual holiday event. 

Kemper covered the early days of Bellevue Square and its origins.  Today, in addition to the well-known regional mall, Bellevue Square, Kemper Development properties include:

·     Bellevue Place, a mixed use property that opened in 1988, housing office space, retail, dining options and the Hyatt Regency Bellevue.

·     Lincoln Square, which opened in 2005 with condominiums, a movie theater, bowling alley, restaurants, retail and the Westin Bellevue.

In total, the three properties (Bellevue Square, Bellevue Place, Lincoln Square) makeup the Bellevue Collection, covering approximately 50 acres of land in downtown Bellevue.

It was an enjoyable presentation filled with many personal anecdotes and notes of history. 

Kemper Freeman '63 speaking to Fiji grads

4503 Undergrads around the near table

Ad Astra - Bruce McKibbin '55

Bruce McKibbin '55

Bruce Huntoon McKibbin  1932 - 2015

Proud member of Sigma Tau's Class of 1955

Born on January 24, 1932 to Helen and William McKibbin, Bruce fell while gardening and died peacefully on June 14, 2015. Bruce spent his formative years in the Pacific Northwest, went to 13 schools in 12 years, graduated from Renton High School in 1949, and the University of Washington in 1955.

He entered the US Army and felt fortunate to serve in Germany for two years. After the Army he held several jobs, the longest being with Westin Hotels, which allowed him to travel the world. He married Marlies (Marlee) Meier in 1962 in Denver, Co, and moved back to the Seattle area in 1967. Bruce and Marlee joined the Seattle Yacht Club, spent much of their vacation time sailing in the San Juan Islands, and Bruce became very active at the club and served on many committees.

In 2004, he became a docent at the Museum of Flight and was very dedicated to educating people about the history of flight and space exploration. Bruce enjoyed mountain climbing, skiing, sailing, and being with his granddaughters. Many of Bruce's happiest memories were of the people he met and interacted with throughout his life.

Bruce leaves behind his wife, Marlee, son Tom, son Bill and daughter-in-law Kim, and two precious granddaughters, Erin (13) and Libby (10). He will be missed.

Jack Rhodes '60 leads Sales Certificate Program @ UW Foster School of Business

Jack Rhodes '60 speaking to Sales Partner Breakfast for UW Foster School of Business

Following the sale of his company in Southern California, Jack Rhodes '60 relocated to his home turf in the Pacific Northwest.  Instantly getting active in the fraternity's graduate chapter, he also found time to take on another major project in his "retirement".

Over the past 18 years Jack has been the driver/visionary/director for the Sales Certificate Program for the Foster School of Business.  The students are selected to attend a series of classes over a two year period that focus on sales skills and strategies.  Each student ends the two years with a quarter long internship in a sales training position with a Seattle-area business.

In the their final quarter the intern students and the sponsoring businesses are invited to a breakfast saluting the students and thanking the businesses who are vital to the program's practical skill experiences as well as many of them also serving to sponsor the program financially.  The growth and improvement in the program under Jack's leadership is quite impressive.  Kudos to Jack.

Ad Astra - Bob "Jorgy" Jorgensen '47 legendary Roosevelt pitcher and Big W Husky athlete

Bob Jorgensen '47

(Much of info that follows was extracted from a Seattle PI interview dated 2005.)

Though later an accomplished University of Washington basketball and baseball player, Jorgensen's place in local sporting folklore remains tied to a schoolboy encounter 71 years ago, when Jorgensen's Roosevelt High School team played at Queen Anne in a game matching a pair of first-place contenders.

It was a very rare seven innings of baseball – Bob was the winning pitcher in a double no-hitter.

At Howe Field, also known as West Queen Anne Playfield, Jorgensen bested Queen Anne left-hander Jack Ferluga 1-0. The then-Roughriders senior, Jorgensen, scored the winning run in the fifth inning, reaching base when the Grizzlies' shortstop booted his grounder, then stealing second and scoring when the opposing first baseman dropped a two-out pop-up just inside the foul line in gusty conditions.

From a Seattle PI interview Jorgensen, the retired dentist, said: "It seemed so routine.  Nobody in the stands probably knew I was pitching a no-hitter. I probably didn't know it, either. Nobody said anything during the game."

Jorgensen was an all-city basketball player and second-team, all-conference pitcher as well as a running back for the Roosevelt Roughriders. 

Bob went on to considerable sporting glory at the UW, though in curious fashion.  As a freshman basketball guard permitted to play during wartime, Jorgensen enjoyed his greatest individual success in his initial college season. He led the Huskies in scoring (11.3 points per game), was voted the team's most inspirational player and was named All-Pacific Coast Conference before being called off to war for seven months.

After his war-time service he returned to letter each of the next three seasons in both basketball and baseball. As a junior guard, he had his next-most productive season, averaging 10 points and receiving all-coast honorable mention. He played in the '48 NCAA Tournament. He won his share of baseball games as a pitcher. He teamed with future big-league catcher Sammy White in both basketball and baseball.

Cliff Otis ’74 wrote:  

Bob was a life loyal Fiji .. and great husband and father.  At recent Pig dinners he was 3 times the oldest living Fiji attending and greeting the Pig.

A Roosevelt grad.. he came into the UW during the War - WWII.  He loved the Fiji house. It was a found memory.  He knew many of the guys on the Sigma Tau Library wall of Honor for WWII. They were all heroes!
 

Bob was a 4 year letterman at UW in basketball. First freshmen to ever earn the big W.

After graduation he went UW dental school and then setup practice on the Eastside.  This proved to be a big success for his as it was by MSFT.

He was very good golfer, and served as President of Overlake Golf and Country Club. Bob loved the Pig dinner and he loyally attended the Fiji luncheons whenever the speaker was the Husky Football or Basketball coach. 

Irish Coles '52 wrote:

It's with great, great sadness that I read from you, about Bob Jorgensen's passing.  Bob won more big W's than any Fiji in the history of Sigma Tau. A grand total of 7, between Basketball and Baseball.

When he was a senior @ Roosevelt high school, football coach Lou Hull, didn't have a Q.B.

Bob never played football before, but he took up the challenge and Roosevelt won the city championship. 

How super it was that he was given such huge honors at last years Pig Dinner.

Carry on !

IRISH