Memorable Tekes

Erik P Conard · #1 10-10-2003, 05:15 PM

Might be nice to have you good fraters cite the best Tekes you
have ever known. I am an old alum, initiated in 1955, and got to
meet two founders and many Grand and Past Grand officers. I
have known many inspirational fraters, most gone now. They
shaped TKE and the lives of many men.
Many men as one man, one might say. I will save my details for
later, hoping to hear from some of you, but I will open with two of the greatest Tekes I ever knew, and will comment on them later: Richard R. Hall and Harrold P "Tex" Flint..for openers
Let's hear it from you. YITB, Erik

The1calledTKE · #2 10-10-2003, 06:02 PM

I have met David Adcock, Frank Sanders, and buckwheat.

tkeos443 · #3 10-11-2003, 12:41 PM

Bruce Melchert and Rodney Williams, they both as great greek men and men themselves made it possible for me to know that possiblities with Tau Kappa Epsilon, as well I miss Rodney quite a deal

hoosier · #4 10-15-2003, 10:37 PM

Melchert had a great influence on my life, and I called him a few weeks ago and told him so. I'm glad I got to talk to him before we both croak. He's getting ready to retire, and wants to take a six-month trip on his 40-foot boat from Chicago, down the Miss., and around the gulf and Atlantic, and up the St. Lawrence/Great Lakes back to Chicago. I still wish he would get me some decent tickets to the Indpls. 500.

Tex Flint came to my chapter during the fall of my senior year. He annually made a trip from his home in Delaware, OH, back to Alpha, and tried to visit a bunch of chapters and Indpls. hdqtrs. on the way.

Tex arrived on our chapter meeting night, and although I can't remember a word he said, I do remember that he was screaming and yelling, and we all feared he would stroke out right there next to the altar. What a memorable frater. He later helped me get my first job.

I had many talks with Dr. RC Williams, and was re-initiated with him with the new Ritual at GA State. He later gave me his collection of Bairds Manuals (which I later gave to the NIC).

I think the last Founder died while I was in school, but Tuesberg was still active and writing stuff. Frank Wright, Don Becker, Salisbury, Lenwood and Jean, and Bill Quallich are the great ones I remember.

I must be an antique Teke.

Erik P Conard · #5 10-18-2003, 12:33 AM

Hoosier, you mention names I recall, too. Melchert and I were
on the road at the same time, he is I think, a coupla years older than me (around 34!).
Spent many a night with TEX all over Ohio especially. He visited the chapter at Kansas U, a very good one--a bit snooty....but they
were won over when ole Tex told them he built the dining room
table (seated 55) in 1940. They caved in, loved him. Who didnt?
Dick Hall, AO & Beta Sigma, was CEO in the 50s. A big man, about 6'4" more fun...many steaks at his house, much booze, great times...lovable man, great TEKE....a bear of a man!
James Clifford Logan was likely the most brilliant man I have ever known. He had a JD, PhD, LLD, and was a most inspiring
attorney. Got a lot of Logan stories. Some hated him...
And Jim Kane, Theta, what do I say....there is not enough room to recount those Kane tales. Jim's in the Chapter Eternal now.
And Pete (Leland F) Leland...a fixture at the bar, natty dresser.
Oh, my, I am not done...there are lots of great Tekes, just like a
lot of great SAEs, Pikes (like Wilson B. Heller, friend to all), and
the list is legion amongst all GLOs and their beloveds...
golly....memories galore! Let us hear yours....YITB, Erik, KoA