4 minute read
Remembering
Fred Hammert, Oklahoma ’60
Brother Hammert was initiated at his beloved Oklahoma Chapter on August 27, 1955. He attended the first of his 16 conventions at East Lansing in 1956. He was house manager, IFC representative, “C”, and “A” of his Chapter and served the Fraternity as a traveling Fieldman following his graduation. In 1982 he returned to international service by filling the unexpired term of “CC” and was elected on his own right to the position at the 1983 Convention. He was then elected as “AA” at the 1985 Convention and became the Retiring “AA” at the 1987 Convention.
He was inducted into the Order of the White Carnation by unanimous acclamation of the 1998 St. Louis Convention and later became a New Founder in recognition of gifts to the Foundation totally over $100,000. In 1990, he was elected to the Foundation Board of Directors and became its Vice-President at its 1996 meeting and then its President at its 1997 meeting. He stepped down as President last summer during the Las Vegas Convention but remained on the Foundation’s Board as a Director despite being critically ill. The Fall/Winter 1998 issue of the Quarterly was dedicated to Fred and his wife Marian for their endless devotion and generosity to Delta Chi. They attended 12 Conventions together and it will be hard to imagine a Convention without Fred and Marian in attendance together. The devotion of Fred and Marian to each other and their family is an inspiration to all who know them. Delta Chi is quite naturally an extension of Fred’s family since his blood brothers Walter and Carl are also fellow Delta Chis. Fred and Marian always made time for young people; their consideration and compassion knew no bounds. Regardless of the many demands they always found time for Delta Chi. Perhaps Fred and Marian’s daughter Lisa summed it up best, “Some men have golf, my Dad has Delta Chi.”
Our Delta Chi Mom
Marge Lee was hired in September 1964 as a “part-time” worker to help get out a mailing to Delta Chi’s alumni. Through the years, Ray Galbreth often joked about how she had yet to get that mailing out. She had been the person behind the scenes who kept the Headquarters functioning. Doing the work of two people was an “average” workload for Marge. For over 40 years she kept not only the membership records of the Fraternity but the financial records as well; she was diligent, passionate, and immensely talented. She was known to thousands by name and her friendly voice on the phone. Delta Chi, especially after her husband passed away in the spring of 1979, was her life. The fieldmen were “her boys”, and she had become their “Delta Chi Mom.” She attended every convention since her first in 1979, and she dearly loved getting to meet the undergraduates and alumni with whom she so often talked to over the phone. Her office walls were full of Delta Chi memorabilia including several photos and programs from the conventions she attended. On her bulletin board are pinned all of her nametags from the 15 conventions she attended, numerous photos of the staff, and all things “Delta Chi.” Marge had major back surgery in December 2007 and was out for a few months, and it did not look like she would be attending the Las Vegas Convention, but she rallied like the strong person she was and made it. So many people have said that it was so special to be able to have seen her in Las Vegas. It was truly great to have her there. It was hard to tell whom it meant more to, Delta Chi or her. Sadly, a month later, during the month of her 44th anniversary of joining Delta Chi’s staff and at the age of 79, she had a health setback and was gone. At the 2002 Convention Marge Lee was named First Lady Emeritus, during the 2004 Convention the Outstanding “C” Award was renamed the Marge Lee “C” Award, but most importantly Marge was a friend to Delta Chi and our Special Delta Chi Sweetheart. She was more dedicated to Delta Chi than we deserved, and we were truly blessed to have her.
“We want to thank each and every one of you who have extended your sympathy to our family. To her Delta Chi family: Over the years it was obvious to us how much Mom’s other family meant to her, especially after coming back from convention and we would hear so many great stories about her boys. How she loved seeing everyone and catching up on their lives. Now with all the beautiful tributes we are hearing it is obvious why she was so proud of her boys, and we understand a little better what she meant to all of her Delta Chi family. We are truly honored to have shared her with you for all these years. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything you have done - not only since Mom’s unexpected passing but especially for all those years she was a part of your lives. Hopefully you can take comfort in knowing just how much a part of her life you were.” ~ From the family of Marge Lee
Donations made in Marge’s memory as of April 28th, 2009:
C. Edward Beavers Steven P. Bossart Barb Lee Burkhart Michael L. Carroll Russell H. Driscoll Thomas D. Haney John R. Helter II Stephen D. Henson Monte L. Johnson Adam J. Jones
David W. LaCour James M. Marascio Richard N. McKaig Mark D. Sluss Waldemar D. Tiedemann John G. Tunila Jimmie J. Underwood Frank K. Voris Russell K. Williams Chad M. Wolett
