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ABOUT
Reflections:
A JOURNAL OF PSI UPSILON HISTORY Reflections: A Journal of Psi Upsilon History is a publication of the Psi Upsilon Foundation focused on researching and highlighting the stories behind the members, buildings, artifacts, and traditions of our order as we approach two centuries of brotherhood.
Greetings! The History and Archives Committee continues to find exciting new ways to present stories and research Psi Upsilon’s fascinating past. Even more thrilling, we’re constantly finding new relevancies and ways to use our ever-expanding archives. Over the last year the Committee has added a project to assemble in one place photos from every Psi U convention. Committee members have started the long process of researching every brother who has recieved a scholarship, and further learning and highlighting those who have scholarships, grants, and engagement funds named in their honor. This research allows us to teach scholarship recipients about those brothers who have so meaningfully kept the fires of Psi U burning to light the way for the future. At the last Convention, the Fraternity Archivist, Evan Terry, Epsilon Phi ‘93 (McGill) was able to present on the Psi U’s of the Executive Branch in Washington, DC. The History and Archives committee and guests continued moving the archives into their new home in Indianapolis. We unearthed some great stories for this edtion of Reflections. The story of Psi Upsilon is a generational one, and integral to the sweep of history. If you are interested in writing, in exploring the archives to learn about your chapter or personal subjects of interest, or in visiting the special collections of your own home colleges on behalf of Psi U, drop me a line at jonathan@psiu.org. Jonathan M. Chaffin, Gamma Tau ‘00 (Georgia Tech) Director of Member Engagement, The Psi Upsilon Foundation & Psi Upsilon Herald
THANK YOU!
We wish to recognize brother Cushing Donelan, Gamma ‘05 (Amherst College) & Donelan Family Wines for their generous support of “Reflections: A Journal of Psi Upsilon History”, of the Speaker Series, and of the programs of Psi Upsilon.
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IN THIS ISSUE
2023 Edition
HISTOR Y & ARCHIVES COM M I T T E E
CHAIR
Evan W. Terry, Epsilon Phi ‘93 (McGill University) 4 | ABOUT OUR FOUNDERS: George Washington Tuttle Theta 1836 (Union College) Brother Tuttle displayed both leadership as well as humility and a retiring nature while epitomizing the values of Psi Upsilon. 8 | CHARLES BURNHAM “BUD” WILKINSON Mu ‘37, University of Minnesota “Everyone on the Cardinals’ team is enriched by the fact that for the rest of our lives we can say, ‘I played for Bud Wilkinson.” 6 | THE DEAN OF BROADWAY SHOWMEN George Abbott Upsilon ‘11, University of Rochester A celebrated actor, writer, producer, and director with a career spaning three-quarters of a century. 10 | THE DIAMOND’S FIRST EDITOR Willard Fiske Psi 1851, Hamilton College the foremost scholar of Psi Upsilon in his day Fiske, delivered an oral history of our founding at the Convention of 1876. 11 | RADIO MAN Jack Morton Theta Theta ‘57, Washington A long and storied career on the airwaves recounted! 16 | PSI UPSILON LEGACIES: The Piper Family 8 generations of Psi Upsilon brothers in one family; please endjoy these rememberances from Donald G. Piper, Pi ‘57 (Syracuse). 18 | REDISCOVERING PHI BETA LOST ITEMS
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Jonathan M. Chaffin, Gamma Tau ‘00 (Georgia Institute of Technology) Gary W. Curzi, Epsilon Iota ‘89 (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) Clifford J. Edmisten, Gamma Tau ‘00 (Georgia Institute of Technology) John S. Mathews, Eta ‘81 (Lehigh University) Joseph McCaskill, Chi Delta ‘00 (Duke University) Alex Senchak, Eta ‘06 (Lehigh) Paul H. Travis, Gamma Tau ‘01 (Georgia Institute of Technology) Joshua Rogers, Phi Beta ‘23 (College of William and Mary)
C O N T R I B UT O R S Jonathan M. Chaffin, Gamma Tau ‘00 (Georgia Institute of Technology) Lawrence Tang, ESQ, Gamma Tau ‘01 (Georgia Institue of Technology) Donald G. Piper, Pi ‘57 (Syracuse University) Joshua Rogers, Phi Beta ‘23 (College of William and Mary) Tip Hinsdale, Xi ‘39 (Wesleyan) ABOUT OUR COVER: The cover is from an engraving reproduced in a Diamond issued for Convention. The symbols represent the chapters extant at the time with elements from their respective coats of arms.
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ABOUT OUR FOUNDERS:
George Washington Tuttle Theta 1836 (Union College) By Chrisopher Lawrance Tang ESQ, Gamma Tau ‘01 (Georgia Tech)
Can a quiet life model the leadership and values of our society? Many different kinds of brothers have passed through our halls, a diversity reflected within the founders themselves. Brother Tuttle is an example of one who displayed both leadership as well as humility and a retiring nature while epitomizing the values of Psi Upsilon.
his entrepreneurial enterprises beyond the practice of law and into the merchanting of leathers. Much like his tenure in college, Tuttle would garner a reputation for both intelligence and kindness as a business leader in New York.
George continued business in New York but the couple relocated to Shandaken, New York to raise a family. While the couple lost their first child George Edward Tuttle (b. 1843, d. 1843) they would later be blessed by two sons George Washington Tuttle was born March 24, 1817 in Sidney (born 1845) and William (born 1849). In 1863 Windham, New York to Sidney Tuttle and Clarissa Sydney Tuttle, Theta 1863, would follow Steele1. Windham lies nestled among the in his father’s footsteps matriculating to Catskill mountains and the Tuttle family Union College and pledging to the Theta established itself there in Greene County, chapter of Psi Upsilon. William moved 2 a rural community at the time . Being to Missouri seeking his destiny by “Tuttle, the loved of all of humble character, we know little of going West. who knew His sterling the early life of Brother Tuttle but his intelligence and academic acumen was 1868 saw much tragedy for vision, sound and true” such that he matriculated to Union George. Within that year he lost both College at the tender age of fifteen. his wife Ruth as well as his father. -from “The Mystic Seven” Having lost his mother in 1855 and Tuttle pursued a degree but as a having raised both sons to maturity, sophomore in 1833 found himself in the George Washington Tuttle decided to acquaintance of six other young men of similar retire from business and sold his still thriving character and inclination. At the age of sixteen Tuttle leather mercantile. By 1870, George remarried to stood the youngest of all the founders but of no lesser worth. Sarah Donnelly and by 1880 the couple relocated to Bath, His contributions came both in the tangible, using his legal New York. studies to aid in the drafting of our bylaws3, and in the intangible with warm personal bonds to all of them. Both as a founder and as the father of a Sidney Tuttle, George would continue his contact with the fraternity, After the early years of our society and its struggles for though often with a sense of humility. In 1878 the Diamond recognition and growth, brother Tuttle graduated from finished publishing a series of letters from the founders Union college in 1836 along with other founders of his still living recounting the founding of our society. Despite class. From there he moved to New York City where he attending the semi-centennial in 1878, George declined to embarked upon the practice of law. From there his life took give his own recollections, deferring to his peers. Though further shape and by 1841 he married Ruth Coswell Wey in he played an equal part in the founding of our society, this his home town of Windham. By this time Tuttle expanded humility of his earlier years continued throughout his life.
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George Washington Tuttle CHRONOLOGY
... I would greatly comply with your request for some reflections on the particularly attractive qualities of our lost Brother’s character appropriate to the occasion, but cannot hope to do the subject justice...
George Washington Tuttle, Theta 1836 (Union College)
[George Washington Tuttle] possessed that sweetness which made every acquaintness his warm friend, the most genial temperament which made it a peculiar pleasure to know him. In passing away he has left our Fraternity to lament him as one “whom none could know but to love him, and none name him but to praise.”
Born: March 24, 1817 Greene, New York Died: April 3, 1903 (aged 86) Bath, New York 1817 | George Washington Tuttle born 1832 | Matriculates at Union College 1833 | Co-founds Psi Upsilon 1836 | Graduates with a degree in law, begins practice and business in New York
Edward Martindale, Theta 1836 (Union College)
1841 | November: Married Ruth Coswell Wey in Windham, NY
Unfortunately, by 1882 George stopped attending Convention, sending his condolences that due to his advancing age he could not attend. He never provided his personal accounting of those earliest years. The Convention of 1903 included toasts and warm remembrances to the beloved founder including that of his own son Sidney recalling him as a warm and loving father as well as a great leader.
1843 | Birth and death of son George Edward Tuttle 1845 | Birth of son Sidney Tuttle 1845 1849 | Birth of son William Wey Tuttle 1855 | Clarissa Steele (mother of George) dies 1863 | Son Sidney Tuttle matriculates to Union College and is initiated to Psi Upsilon 1868 | Ruth Coswell Tuttle nee Wey passes away; George retires from business; Sidney Tuttle Sr. (father of George) passes away; George sells business and retires 1870 | Prior to this year marries Sarah Donnelly per the US Census 1878 | Attends semi-centennial of Psi Upsilon 1880 | Prior to 1880 George and Sarah move to Bath, NY
At his home in Bath, New York, George passed peacefully in 1903. Edward Martindale remained the only surviving founder at that time and had not seen his dear friend George in over seventy years despite correspondences and promises from both men to do so. Martindale said one of the great regrets of his life was not seeing George again in person before his passing 4. The founders of Psi Upsilon rooted in our society in many great traditions and values and among those treasures comes the bonds of friendship so exemplified in the life and legacy of our founder George Washington Tuttle. Sources: 1. https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LZ99-RWW/george-w.-tuttle-1817-1903 2. https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/L7CS-25M/john-tuttle-1746-1825 3. https://www.psiuarchives.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Annals-of-PsiUpsilon_1833-1941_The-Reprints_.pdf 4. https://www.psiuarchives.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/ConventionRecords_May_1903.pdf#search=Tuttle 5. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Tuttle-4714
1882 | Sends his regrets that he could not attend that year’s Convention 1903 | George dies and is buried at Bath, the Psi Upsilon Convention memorializes him.
Nondage Cemetary Bath, Steuben County, New York Photo by Barbara Gibson
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Posters featuring a few of George Abbot’s Tony award-winning musicals, l-r: Damn Yankees, Fiorello!, and The Pajama Game
George Abbott, Upsilon 1911, University of Rochester
A LOOK BACK AT THE DEAN OF BROADWAY SHOWMEN By Chrisopher Lawrance Tang ESQ, Gamma Tau ‘01 (Georgia Tech) A young freshman at the University of Rochester’s Fall 1907 class found himself struggling with his studies. He worked the Summers as an electrician to pay for college and started to think of sacrificing his dreams of writing for that more reliable path. Fortunately for him and the world of theater, he George Abbot found the brotherhood of Psi Upsilon and a generous teacher who helped him through those struggling days. Young George Abbott, Upsilon 1911 (Rochester) would go on to be so famous as to be heralded as the Dean of Broadway Showmen 1.
Prior to university, young George enjoyed a childhood in New York. Though he spent some formative years in Wyoming riding and roping like a character from his musical Hello Dolly, he attended high school in his home town of Forestville, New York. There he led as both the captain of the football team and the lead actor for their drama program. In college George joined the Upsilon chapter and, thanks to the tutoring of his teacher Ednah Levis and the support of the brotherhood, George progressed through college with aplomb. Reflecting on the brotherhood George said that he felt guilty that other students at the University of Rochester were denied the Psi U experience 2. Within the University George continued to develop as a leader serving as a student council representative, vice president of student government, and named class poet during his senior year. Miss Levis’ attention not only aided him in college before a lifelong bond when they wed. After undergraduate George attended the renowned Harvard Dramatic Seminar under the renowned professor George Pierce Baker before moving to New York City to find his future.
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In many ways, the history of Broadway is the history of George Abbot. A list of every work that he participated in as an actor, writer, producer, and/or director along with the accolades for all of those works would take up two pages of this publication. While George had plays produced by the university both at Rochester and Harvard, he began as an actor. His first appearance came as a background character of “drunken college boy” in The Misleading Lady and though a recent graduate he had, up to that point, never imbibed. George eventually found producers for his writing and his first breakout hit appropriately titled, given his future, Broadway. George would go on to take part in over one hundred Broadway productions as an actor, producer, director, or a writer. During his life he received a nomination for an Oscar, eleven Tony awards, and a Pulitzer prize for his work on Fiorello.
the best. He was the King”. On the the occasion of his 106th birthday he walked down the aisle for opening night of the revival of Damn Yankees and received a standing ovation. Upon seating he remarked to his companion “There must be someone important here.” 6 In 1961 after receiving the Pulitzer Prize, George penned his autobiography Mister Abbott. For most people such a high award and tome would represent the capstone after a forty year career, yet George would contribute to musical theater for a further 30 years. “The truth is that I love the theater and so I decided to stick around” 7. George went on to be honored with New York’s Handel Medallion, multiple honorary doctorates, and the National Medal of the Arts in 1990. He continued to work tirelessly producing many more great works and was in revisions of his latest work when he passed in 1995.
Throughout the years, Brother George remained an active alumni of Psi U with notes on his participation in the alumni association of the Upsilon chapter going back to 1938 4. He contributed frequently to the Psi Upsilon foundation and in 1952 established the George Abbott Foundation, Inc.,a charity for educational access. The foundation seeks to provide better education to the students of New York and from the beginning pledged to do so “regardless of race, creed, or color.” Brother George himself remembered those tender college years when his own academic achievement seemed uncertain and wanted to insure that others did not have to struggle as he did. This was not the only work for youth that George accomplished as he performed extensive work both rewriting and cooperating with school theater companies to make his work available to them and in some cases created original works solely to be performed in high school theaters.
Abbott’s works continue to entertain and inspire new generations today and doubtless will for decades to come. To borrow the words given to him at the 1987 Tony Awards ceremony to honor his 100th birthday “[From] every kid who starred in the chorus of a George Abbott musical, from everyone working in musical theater today, we would like to say: thank you Mister Abbott”. Footnotes: 1. https://www.kennedy-center.org/artists/a/aa-an/george-abbott/ 2. “Spotlight: The Harold Clurman seminar series on theater interview with George Abbott” CUNY TV interview with George Abbot taped 9/26/1989. https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=MGrDqQHxgEo 3. https://www.psiuarchives.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/The-Diamond-of-Psi-Upsilon_ Sum_1976.pdf 4. https://www.psiuarchives.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/The-Diamond-of-Psi-Upsilon_ June_1933.pdf#search=George%20Abbott 5. Great Performances on PBS “Carol Burnett meets George Abbott” Carol Burnnett recounting moving to New York with the goal to be a George Abbott production. She would be cast by Abbott as the star of his musical Once Upon a Mattress. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkQ7wIilh-A 6. https://www.theatregold.com/content/george-abbott-bio/ 7. 1987 Tony Awards special for George Abbott’s 100th birthday https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=gL2z1SX1o70
Despite the wide ranging respect, George never let his ego get away from him. He said more than once he, “took for granted that I’m an outsider” 5 despite the widely held belief that “Everyone knew who Mister Abbot was. He was
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Bud pictured with President John F. Kennedy,. Meeting with Charles “Bud” Wilkinson, Director of the Youth Physical Fitness Program, 10:27AM, March 23, 1961
BROTHER CHARLES BURNHAM “BUD” WILKINSON Mu ‘37, University of Minnesota
By Chrisopher Lawrance Tang ESQ, Gamma Tau ‘01 (Georgia Tech) Brother Charles Burnham “Bud” Wilkinson, Mu ‘37, (Minnesota) was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 23 April, 1916. He was known throughout his academic career as an outstanding student and athlete. Brother Wilkinson attended Shattuck Military Academy as a teen, where he was the only four-sport letterman in his graduating class. He graduated cum laude and was awarded for his commitment to academics, as well as for being the school’s best all-around athlete.
carrier USS Enterprise, where he was lieutenant commander and saw intense action in the battles of Iwo Jima, Kyushu and Okinawa. In 1946, Brother Wilkinson took a job as chief assistant to the head coach of University of Oklahoma’s Sooners football team. Within a year, he had taken over as head coach and athletic director himself at University of Oklahoma. This was the beginning of his most successful coaching endeavor. He first led the Sooners on a 31-game winning streak, including two undefeated seasons, two bowl victories, 14 conference titles and the 1950 national championship. In 1957, he coached a 47-game winning streak, a college football record that still has never been broken to this day. Bud was also responsible for racially integrating his football team during this time, when he played an African American running back named Prentice Gautt. Wilkinson won Coach of the Year in 1949 and remained in his station as head coach of the Sooners for 17 years, until 1963. His overall University of Oklahoma football record was 145-29-4.
Brother Wilkinson went on to play more sports at University of Minnesota starting in 1933, and played in three national football championships during his varsity years. He won the Big Ten Medal at graduation for his performance in academics, football, golf, and ice hockey. He also quarterbacked the 1937 College All-Star team in Chicago to its first victory. After college graduation, Bud began his illustrious sports coaching career at Syracuse University, where he coached football, golf and ice hockey while obtaining his master’s degree in English. In 1943, Bud enlisted in the U.S. Navy’s pre-flight program at the University of Iowa, where he assistant-coached the Seahawk’s service team. By 1944, he had received his assignment to serve as a hangar-deck officer on the aircraft
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In the year 1960, Wilkinson was appointed as head of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness by President John F. Kennedy. This is around when he started spending a lot of time
in Washington, D.C. and developed an interest in the political process. In 1964, Charles legally changed his first name to Bud and ran for one of Oklahoma’s senate seats as a Republican candidate. However, he was defeated by Democrat Fred R. Harris, with a margin of 49% - 51%, a loss by about 20,000 votes. Following his defeat, brother Bud Wilkinson left Oklahoma, rarely to return. In 1965, Brother Wilkinson began the next chapter of his career as a college football television analyst and color commentator for both NBC and ABC networks. He settled in Saint Louis, Missouri and in 1978, after a fifteen-year hiatus from coaching, was appointed head coach of the Saint Louis Cardinals for a short year-and-a-half stint. To quote Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Dan Dierdorf, “Everyone on the Cardinals’ team is enriched by the fact that for the rest of our lives we can say, ‘I played for Bud Wilkinson.’”
Association in 1958. In 1959 he received the B’nai B’rith award for his advancement of Americanism and citizenship responsibility. He received the National Brotherhood Citation from the National Conference of Christians and Jews, also in 1959, for his contributions to the nation’s youth through school and church work. He has been chairman of the Oklahoma State Heart and Cancer Funds, and a recipient of the University of Oklahoma Distinguished Service Citation. In 1962, Sports Illustrated awarded him their Silver Anniversary All-American award. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1969. He received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement in 1975, and returned to broadcasting at ESPN in 1980. By 1986, his health had begun to decline and after a long battle with strokes and heart disease, brother Bud Wilkinson died in his home in Saint Louis, Missouri in 1994.
All-American end and later a great coach at the University of Washington, Jim Owens, said the following of Brother Wilkinson: “Bud was a man who “Everyone on the knew what his job was, knew how Cardinals’ team is enriched to do it surpassingly well, and went about it quietly. He was by the fact that for the rest of no shouter, no bully, but you knew where you stood. He was our lives we can say, honest, he was fair. He said he ‘I played for Bud Wilkinson.’” expected more from us than football. Above all, he said he -Pro Football Hall of Fame expected us to work as diligently inductee Dan Dierdorf at our studies as at football.”
Wilkinson was later appointed as a special consultant to the president during the Nixon administration, after being a close friend of the Nixons for many years. In this role he examined the functions of more than 1,500 special Presidential Commissions, and recommended consolidations, eliminations, and other necessary changes. He went on to work with The Presidential Classroom for Young Americans, alongside a variety of congressmen, senators, cabinet members, newsmen, experts, and judges. When a young student from this program asked him to describe the new generation in one sentence, Brother Wilkinson replied “Your generation is the most idealistic we’ve ever had, least concerned about material gain, and the strongest motivated towards a more just society.” He also founded and was president of the non-profit organization “Lifetime Sports Federation” in Washington, D.C. Brother Wilkinson was named one of the nation’s Ten Outstanding Young Men by the United States Chamber of Commerce. He was president of the American Football Coaches
Sources: • https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacstranscripts-and-maps/wilkinson-charles-burnham-bud • https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/JFKWHP/1961/Month%2003/Day%2023/JFKWHP1961-03-23-A • https://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/11/obituaries/bud-wilkinson-77-who-guided-oklahomachampionship-teams.html?searchResultPosition=2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bud_Wilkinson
While at Oklahoma, Wilkinson served on the President’s Council on Physical Fitness from 1961 to 1964. He designed 11 floor exercises for schoolchildren that were incorporated into the song “Chicken Fat”, the theme song for President John F. Kennedy’s youth fitness program, which was widely used in school gymnasiums across the country in the 1960s and 1970s.
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Willard Fiske,
Psi 1851, Hamilton College
FIRST EDITOR OF THE DIAMOND By Chrisopher Lawrance Tang ESQ, Gamma Tau ‘01 (Georgia Tech) Leadership emerges not only from on high and authority but also from individuals with strong vision and willingness to do good works. Our history boasts publication of the first fraternity magazine in 1850, and yet that periodical did not begin the beloved Diamond that all Psi U’s know. The original publication by the Delta chapter lasted for only one year in 1850, but had a profound effect on young brother Willard Fiske, Psi 1851 (Hamilton), still in his undergraduate years.
rightfully boasted years of research. The first year of issues omitted attribution to Fiske. However, you can see Fiske’s fingerprints everywhere from opening with song lyrics through the regular feature of the oral history of the founders within the first year, though all brothers of the time knew of his involvement. That first year, much like the modern Diamond, the publication concerned itself with the past, present, and future of Psi U...documenting not only history but also current gatherings and providing resources for the membership. Though the magazine boasted the prodigious experience of these two men and quality content, its success held no guarantee. As early as the first issue Brother Bacon implores the reader that nine more subscriptions were needed to break even and if possible if brothers considered a year’s subscription for $1.00.
Almost thirty years later Brother Willard found himself the foremost scholar of Psi Upsilon in his day. He already composed multiple of our beloved songs and delivered an oral history of our founding at the convention of 1876. The Convention of 1877 invested him with the responsibility of editing the catalog of the current membership and he continued work on what would become his Bibliographica Psiupsilona. At that same convention, Brother Charles P. Bacon, Chi ‘82 (Cornell), editor and publisher of the Elmira Daily, recommended Brother Willard to cast the vote on behalf of the graduates.
Fortunately for all of us, the Diamond soon became an institution. A few short months later in May 1878, the national Convention hosted by the Upsilon chapter recognized the value of the Diamond and approved it as the official publication not only of a few chapters but of the fraternity as a whole. Although brother Willard remained a frequent contributor to the Diamond and the fraternity, his life soon began a new chapter. Within a year after publication, he took a sabbatical from Cornell to travel abroad and ultimately never resided in the United States permanently again. During those travels Fiske obtained the books he donated to Cornell, beginning the worldfamous Fiske Dante collection. His journeys led him to Jennie McGraw with their infamous romance and marriage. Daniel Willard Fiske passed away in 1905 leaving a sizable bequest to the fraternity and lies in rest alongside his wife Jennie Fisk at Cornell. The publications of Psi Upsilon like the Beacon, and Reflections continue the mission he began bringing the news of our society and keeping disparate brothers connected through print and the ever-changing landscape of media.
Over the course of the next year, brothers Bacon and Fiske conspired to bring about a new periodical to serve the brotherhood. Professor Fiske, no stranger to publication, began his post-college career as the secretary for the American Geographical Society and editor of the Syracuse Journal. Willard Fisk, Psi 1851, From 1857-61 he Hamilton College served as one of the editors of Chess Monthly. Now he held the position of professor and librarian at Cornell University where he aided and mentored the fledgling Xi chapter.
SOURCES •Convention records of 1877 and 1878 https://www.psiuarchives.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Convention-Records_May_1878. pdf#search=Convention%201878 •https://www.psiuarchives.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Convention-Records_May_1877 .pdf#search=Convention%201877 •First issue of the Diamond - https://www.psiuarchives.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/ The-Diamond-of-Psi-Upsilon_Feb_1878.pdf#search=Diamond%20February%201878 •The Passionate Collector: Willard Fiske, published by the University of Cornell Library https://rmc.library.cornell.edu/collector/introduction/index.html
In February of 1878, the first issue of the Diamond arrived in the homes of brothers nationwide. The Diamond
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JACK MORTON, THETA THETA ‘57: AKA RADIO MAN By Chrisopher Lawrance Tang ESQ, Gamma Tau ‘01 Entering adulthood often accompanies a desire to forge one’s own path in the world outside the shadow of one’s parents. At the same time, our society understands that parents often pass down their values to their scions and these legacies receive pledge bids. John Archibald “Jack” Morton, Theta Theta ‘57 (Washington), came to this world in 1935 and bore the same name as his father John Archibald “Archie” Morton, Theta Theta ‘26. Archie Morton attended the University of Washington and pledged the Theta Theta chapter of Psi Upsilon. Archie stood among the delegation of the 1947 convention and 1927 conventions 1. A local executive in radio industry from ‘41-’47, he moved his family around the West Coast. In 1953 Jack followed his father’s footsteps twice over. First, when he matriculated to the University of Washington and second, when he pledged as a brother of Psi Upsilon 2. During his time at Washington, Brother Jack rowed on the crew team and this love of boating would stay with him for his whole life. Life had other plans and in 1955 the US Army drafted young Jack. After two years of service, Jack returned to Washington where he enrolled in the University of Puget Sound at Tacoma. There he hosted a local jazz show at a radio station and soon received a call from a radio manager noticing his talent and offering him a job. “Dad never pushed me into radio. I just went into it naturally.” Over the next 60 years Jack formed a legacy of his own in the greater Seattle area. As a radio host he raised thousands of dollars for charity and garnered a reputation for his comedic personality influencing a generation of radio
Above: The Diamond and it’s various covers, including the issue of February 1878, the earliest issue.
and comedians. His radio stunts included numerous boating and athletic events showing how college only solidified that into a lifelong passion. While he originally expected that as he got older to transition into a business oriented role such as ad sales, his passion for performance kept Jack on the mic. As he explained to the Seattle Times “I plan to go on doing what I’m doing as long as I can -- as long as the listeners want me.” Like all radio hosts, Jack adapted as best as possible to changing technology as the times moved around him. The rise of television and eventually the internet reduced the influence and prioritization of radio across the country. The portfolio of Jack changed over the years shifting from music, to sports, to news, and even mystery dramas. In the early 90’s Jack, still an adventurous spirit, became a host on minor celebrity along with his wife leading guided tours all over the world with his wife. Change did not sit well with everyone and in 1992 lost one of his best friends and co-workers Bob Hardwick. “They don’t come any bigger or better than Robert. I’ll always remember his laugh.” He added, “He’d always mention that we were getting older. The business is getting younger. You have to scratch to hang on.” In 2006 Jack’s station KIXI-AM fired all but one local employee; changing to syndicated content. The loss reverberated throughout the Seattle community. Jack, now in his 70’s, decided that this would be the last show and he transitioned to retirement. He spent time with his wife, children, and grandchildren in their homes and often on his boat. Brother Jack passed away in 2016 peacefully at his home remembered by multiple generations for his own legacy to the community at large and in a personal way as a voice and companion through their days.
CLARIFICATION/DISAMBIGUATION: Jack Morton Worldwide is not affiliate with the subject of this article https://www.historylink.org/File/22450 The majority of this article draws from this resource https://www.pugetsoundradio.com/2016/06/06/ seattle-radio-man-jack-morton-dies/ Recording of Jack Morton live on the air
Footnotes: 1. https://www.psiuarchives.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Convention-Records_June_1947. pdf#search=Morton%201954 Father’s participation in Psi U 2. https://www.psiuarchives.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/ The-Diamond-of-Psi-Upsilon_Nov_1953.pdf#search=John%20A.%20Morton Initiation
ant), Gordon Piper, Xi ‘26,
m left) Don Piper, Pi 1957 (inf “In a picture circa 1938, (fro r, Pi 1901.”) Marshall Piper, Charles Pipe
PSI UPSILON LEGACIES: The Piper Family By Donald G. Piper, Pi ‘57 (Syracuse)
Upper: Pi Cha pter house, ci rca 1900. Ta possibly one ken by Dr. C of the earliest harles B. Pipe taken after its Lower: Syracu r, it’s construction se Varsity Fo in 1898. otball Team, front row cent 1899. Charl er. From the es Piper Onodagan ye arbook
He revisited the Pi once, circa 1955, during my undergraduate years. This was, and still is, the same place [recently restored] he too had lived in after it’s completion in 1898. He shared stories of what life was like back then, quite different compared to today. My great uncle, Rev. E. Foster Piper, became a lifelong bachelor and Methodist minister following his unsuccessful courting of Sadie Rumrill Taylor, the sister of my grandmother, Lillian Rumrill Piper. My great Aunt Sadie was a tall and stately lady, as was her sister, my grandmother Lillian. Sadie married the founder and owner of the James D. Taylor Construction Co. A former trustee of Syracuse, she lived in an impressive old Victorian, not far from the campus. It even had an elevator. After consulting old records in the Stamford, CT, public library, I learned that for many years Rev Piper led congregations here locally, as well as in Westchester County. He also officiated at my wedding in 1961. Eventually he retired to Milesburg, PA, a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Shortly after I was initiated into Psi Upsilon at Syracuse in the Spring of 1954, I was presented with a ceramic beer mug. On one side was the Pi Chapter crest, and on the other was my unofficial nickname “Legacy”. Back then I was one of five family members who were initiated into Psi U. Today there are a total of eight; four deceased and four still among the living. Here’s a story oft-circulated around my family: that my Grandad, Dr. Charles B. Piper, Pi 1901(Syracuse), when he learned of my birth in October 1935, exclaimed” Hooray for the arrival of a 3rd generation Psi U joining the family!” and proceeded to celebrate with appropriate beverages long into the night. Little did he know then that his prophecy would come true. Curiously, my Grandad, and my Great Uncle, Rev. E .Foster Piper, were both Pi 1901. They were not only blood brothers, but also fraternity brothers. I never did know who was older, but they must have been very close in age. Dr. Charles Blaine Piper retired as Medical Director of Conn. Mutual Life, in the 1950’s. At Syracuse he played varsity football and baseball. Both brothers were Co-Editor’s of the Syracuse yearbook, “The Onodagan”. His family numbered six, and he divided his retirement between residences at Sunset Farms, a private gated community in West Hartford, CT, Pilot Knob, NY, on Lake George, and Altamonte Springs, Florida.
Don Piper I.D. beer mug -showing his nickname, “Legacy”, and the Pi Chapter obverse
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small town near State College, PA. He loved to cook, and was famous for his fruit pies. He lived to age 97. My uncle Philip R. Piper, Xi ‘32 (Wesleyan), was in life insurance with Conn. Mutual Life for most of his career. He and his family resided in a former stage coach inn, in Woodstock Valley, CT. Our extended family would congregate there over Thanksgiving weekends for many years; I can recall sleeping in the barn’s hayloft as a teenager. My father, Gordon A. Piper, Xi ‘26 (Wesleyan), worked in Life Insurance in NYC for many years following college. Thereafter, he worked in real estate for Stamford Federal Savings & Loan. He was recruited by the bank president, Charles G. Talbott, my maternal grandfather, but took early retirement due to health issues. Next in lineage would be me: Donald G. Piper, Pi ‘57 (Syracuse). I was born in Brooklyn, NY, in 1935. We moved to Montclair, NJ, in 1938, and then in 1945, to Stamford, CT, where I still reside today, living in a vintage converted barn. After Syracuse, I enlisted in the U.S. Army. Why, you may ask? The draft was very active then, and I discovered nobody wanted to hire anyone that was about to be drafted. I took basic training at Ft. Dix, NJ, and Photographic training at Ft. Monmouth, NJ. Next came a brief, but interesting, duty-station at Ft. Monroe, VA, one of the oldest military posts in the USA. Speaking of unexpected coincidences, I ran into two Psi U’s during my three year Army service. The first was during basic training at Ft. Dix, NJ. After crawling thru mud, a wintery mix, with barbed-wire above, and live-fire from machine guns overhead, I looked over at the boots of an officer standing over me, as he spoke to me. It was Richard A. Horstmann, Pi ‘57 (Syracuse), a classmate who had recently graduated from ROTC. Sadly, we had little, or no chance to connect. The other brother I met was on the DMZ, when our OP, which had no kitchen, got our rations and takeout meals from the nearby DMZ Police Co. Whom did I run into there, but 2nd Lt. David L. Jeffery, Pi ‘58 (Syracuse). We too, had few chances to connect, due to the officer vs. enlisted socializing taboo. After an unpleasant 2-week voyage on a troop ship across the
THE PIPER FAMILY
Dr. Charles B. Piper, Pi 1901 1879 - 1966 Medical Director of Conn. Mutual Life
Gordon A. Piper, Xi ‘26 1904 - 1991 Real estate, Stamford Federal Savings & Loan
Rev. E. Foster Piper, Pi 1901 1875 - 1972 Methodist Minister
Philip R. Piper, Xi ‘32 1910 - 1980 Life Insurance Conn. Mutual Life, CT Phyllis Piper Robinson
Continued on page 14
Donald G. Piper, Pi ‘57 1935 Army Veteran (Korea), Advertising. Associate Editor for the Diamond.
Don Piper worked for years on Psi Upsilon publications (shown here in the 1968 Diamond)
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Jonathan Charles Piper, Pi ‘87 1965 Chef, Fireman, CT
Timothy J. Robinson, Kappa ‘65 1942 US Coast Guardsman and reservist, Insurance (retd) NC
Peter B. Robinson, Kappa ‘72 1949 US Coast Guardsman, Insurance, avid boater VT, ME
The Hartford Insurance Group for many years. Timothy retired in 2003, to Brevard, NC. Thereafter, he volunteered in many non-profits, including The United Way and Habitant for Humanity. Peter B. Robinson, Kappa ‘72 (Bowdoin), followed his brother into the U.S. Coast Guard after Bowdoin. One of his duty stations was on Governor’s Island, located in NYC harbor. Next he worked in insurance companies until he founded his own company, Robinson & Son, specializing in Marine insurance. One of his clients is The Lake George Steamboat Co. Now on the brink of retirement, he divides his time between a river-front home in Poultney, VT, a secluded cabin on Moose Pond in the High Peaks, and an island home off the coast of Maine. Finally, lineage-wise, there’s my son. Jonathan Charles Piper was initiated with the class of Pi ‘87 (Syracuse). Following college he served in the U.S. Army, in intelligence work at Ft. Meade, MD, as well as in Special Operations with the 82nd Airborne. Following the military, he worked in various jobs as a short-order cook. This included an interesting trip to the Psi U Convention from NYC to Chicago in Richard A. Horstmann’s, Pi ‘57, 1916 private Railroad car. The Black Diamond, LV353, was the former personal car of the president of the Lehigh Valley RR. Jonathan was the chef on that trip, and I was one of the stewards. For many years he volunteered at the Belltown firehouse near our home, and often drove the ladder truck. Next he was hired full-time by the Westport, CT, Fire Dept. where he has served for close to 25 years, currently as an officer & supervisor. Jonathan’s son Alexander, is currently on a world tour, but none of the colleges he’s considering at the moment have Psi U chapters, so sadly, it’s unlikely the legacy will pass on to another generation.
PSI UPSILON LEGACIES: The Piper Family Continued from page 17
North Pacific in the middle of Winter, on a troop ship, the USS Mitchell, I began a 13-month tour of duty in Korea, first as a photographic forward observer in an “OP”- Observation Post, on the DMZ. Quarters here reminded me of M*A*S*H, in a semi-submerged Quonset hut. The shower was outside in a small unheated enclosure with a 55-gal. barrel of water on top. We all slept with an M-14 rifle hung over each bed, in case of night attack. Some unique events happened while stationed at Ft. Monroe, VA. For approximately six months, I was dating a Colonel’s daughter, something rather unusual & not recommended for an enlisted man. I was also asked by 4-star General Willard Wyman to document the last few weeks of his military career, using his personal Leica, before his retirement as Continental Army Commander. This was followed by an interesting and enjoyable posting as a TV producer-director at AFKN, American Forces Korea Network. If you ever saw the movie “Good Morning, Vietnam,” it was something like that. One interesting, but frustrating, experience was that I served as an enlisted man for three years, but also received a direct reserve commission early during that time. I was unable to get it activated until my final year, but then they wanted me to extend my enlistment. I declined, and have wondered how my life might have turned out, had I accepted. Following military service I spent the next 30-years in advertising, in NYC. First with SSC&B Advertising, and the final 20 years as staff photographer and AV specialist in Avertising & Fashion photography for textile company Burlington Industries. In addition to studio work, I traveled around the USA, to places like Phoenix, LA, and San Francisco doing fashion photography. Plus a memorable trip to locations in London, Paris, Rome, Istanbul, Athens, and Myconos. Burlington was about to go out of business in 1987, So most employees were let go, including me, at only age 53. When looking for work, potential employers told me I was over-salaried, and over-qualified for the available job. What they did not say was “overaged” at only 53. Thereafter, I free-lanced for a few years, and finally retired circa 1990. Two of my aunt Phyllis Piper Robinson’s sons were initiated into the Kappa Chapter, at Bowdoin. Timothy J. Robinson, Kappa ‘65 (Bodoin), was born in Hartford, CT, and grew up in Glens Falls, NY. He graduated from Trinity-Pawling School, where he was captain of the swimming team; his specialty was the 100 yard free-style, as well as relays. Next came a tour of duty with the U.S. Guard, where he served on the USCG Cutter Unimak, plus 10 Richard A. Horstmann, Pi ‘57 on rear platform of his RailRoad car: LV 353 - The Black years in the reserves. He received his MS Diamond[Formerly the 1916 private car of Lehight Valley RailRoad President] Brother Horstmann served on the Fraternity’s Executive Council for several years in the late 80’s and early 90’s. degree from the University of Southern Owning the “353” was a childhood dream fulfilled of Richard A. Horstmann. Maine, and worked in many capacities in
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DIRECT FROM THE ARCHIVES All aboard for the Psi Upsilon Special: One Brother’s Recount of a Truly Memorable Journey reprinted from an article in the August 1989 Diamond Tip Hinsdale, Xi ‘39 The eight of us were waiting patiently, looking at the empty track at Grand Central Terminal’s Gate 18 in New York City. Then, slowly, the “Lake Shore Limited” backed in to load up for its journey to Chicago. As the rear of the train approached, it was as if we were in another era: the era of luxur y railroad travel, which ended decades ago. Attached to this Amtrak train was a gleaming beauty of a railroad car: Lehigh Black Diamond Limited’s “353.” The obser vation platform at the rear of the car carried a traditional lit drumhead telling one and all that this car was headed off to Chicago and the 146th Psi Upsilon Convention. The “353” was built for the now-defunct Lehigh Valley Railroad in 1916 and ser ved as a “mansion on rails” for rairoad executives and financiers until its retirement after sixty years of use. The car was purchased a few years ago, and lovingly restored by Richard A. Horstmann, Pi ‘57. Dick, who is the Chairman of Psi Upsilon’s Alumni Advisor y Board, and a member of the Executive Council, frequently charters the car for trips all around the United States. We were particularly privileged to have him ser ve as our host for this ver y special trip. It was a lifetime dream of Dick’s to have such a car, and his love for rail travel is apparent when you see him on board the “353.” There were eight of us fortunate enough to hold reser vations for this splendid expedition: Donald S. Smith, Xi ‘39 and his wife Lois, Andrew M. Kerstein, Delta ‘76 and his wife Debbie, Carl A. Beck, Delta ‘41 and his wife Florence, William R. Robie, Epsilon Omega ‘66, President of the Executive Council, and yours truly Robert W. “Tip” Hinsdale, Xi ‘39. As we entered the car to begin our journey, we mar veled at the gleaming brass and polished wood of the lounge, the compact efficiency of the private staterooms, and the splendor of the dining room, each wonderfully appointed to reflect a bygone era. Fresh flowers adorned the lounge as we sat leisurely sipping drinks and nibbling on hors d’oeuvres, awaiting our departure. It was dark as we cleared Grand Central, but we could see the lights of West Point as we journeyed north along the Hudson Valley. We sat down to dinner in the dining room, starting with a shrimp cocktail and followed with prime rib. Of course each of our meals was launched with the Psi Upsilon Doxology. The chef for our trip was Jonathan Piper, Pi ‘87 and one of our stewards was his father, Donald G. Piper, Pi ‘57, who was also the official photographer for the Convention. Our lead steward was Mr. Jesse Mitchell, well into his 80’s, a retired railroad steward. Jesse ser ved as a true sentimental link to the heyday of railroad travel. As we continued west through New York State, we sat in the rear obser vation lounge watching stations pass by, crossing lights flash with the ding, DING, DING, ding of the bells. We listened to the railroad radio as it contacted the train ever y 100 miles or so to report nothing trailing beneath the cars. Our speed reached as high as 100 M.P.H. on several occasions. By the time we departed Rochester, New York ever yone was settled into their berths and sleeping contently. We awoke to the wonderful smell of breakfast cooking in the kitchen. The “353” journeyed through Cleveland and Toledo, Ohio, South Bend, Indiana and miles of soybean and cornfields. The steel mills of Gar y, Indiana were hardly out of sight when we could see Chicago. We soon pulled into the “Windy City’s” Union Station; the concluding point of our westward trip. After a banner Convention experience, we arrived back at Union Station to find the Lehigh Valley “353” at the rear of the “Broadway Limited,” the fabled Chicago – New York train of the old Pennsylvania Rail Road and still running for Amtrak. It was dark as we left Chicago, but we would be paid back with the daylight views the next day. Dinner was
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ser ved by the time we hit Fort Wayne, Indiana, and we journeyed east into the night. By daylight we were in Pittsburgh. The “353” soon started to climb the Appalachian Heights to the mini continental divide. The eastem descent through breathless valleys and gorges, was magnificent. At last we came to the famous Horse Shoe cur ve where the rails do more than a 180 degree turn in breathless scener y and you can count ever y car ofthe train as it cur ves ahead of you. Through Johnstown, Pennsylvania, scene of the famous 19th centur y flood, we finally came to Paoli, (how could a Psi U journey not pass through Paoli?) where Henr y Poor, Gamma ‘39 and his wife Mar y were waving from the platform. We soon came to Philadelphia where we left the “353” behind and our group continued on to New York. Such a convivial group we were, much picture taking and a lot of serious discussion of where our great fratemity is heading. Each of us are indebted to Dick Horstmann for providing us with the opportunity to make this wonderful trip. The Psi Upsilon Special was indeed a special trip for us all.
From top to bottom: 1) The passengers on the observation platform of the “353” are Donald G. Piper, Pi ‘57, Jonathan C. Piper, Pi ‘87, Richard A. Horstmann, Pi ‘57, Jesse Mitchell, Robert W. Hinsdale, Xi ‘39, Deborah Kerstein, Donald S. Smith, Jr., Xi ‘39, Florence Beck, Andrew M. Kerstein, Delta ‘76, Lois Smith, and Carl A. Beck, Delta ‘41. 2) The guests enjoying one of the fine meals. Photographs by Donald G . Piper, Pi ‘57
REDISCOVERING PHI BETA LOST ITEMS: SPECIAL COLLECTIONS RESEARCH By Josh Rogers, Phi Beta ‘23 (College of William and Mary) The Special Collections Research Center at the College of William & Mary holds a vast array of artifacts, from letters sent by former Presidents of the United States to more recent items from the school. While I, at the time, had not utilized this resource during my time at the College of William & Mary, I was always fascinated by the vast amount of items that Special Collections had. One night in December 2022, I was curious to see if Special Collections was in possession of any items from the Phi Beta chapter of Psi Upsilon. I went onto their database and was surprised to find that they possessed several artifacts from our organization. I reached out to our Alumni President, Steven McCleaf, Phi Beta ‘89, to see if he or any of the alumni had any knowledge of these items. To my surprise, no one from our chapter knew that these items were still on campus. As it turned out, when the Lodges (cottage-style housing that students had lived in) were being demolished in 2015, these items were found in Lodge 14, where Psi Upsilon members had resided until 2006. After coordinating with Gregor y Hospodor, Phi Beta ‘87, our chapter’s historian, I decided to travel to the Earl Gregg Swem Library, where the Special Collections Research Center is, to look at the items myself. After the staff pulled the artifacts, I was surprised to find how much the library was able to recover. First, I looked through a file that contains fliers from events our chapter has had, some dating back to the first year of our chapter’s existence. Seeing the different artwork and events our chapter had in the past made me feel like I was a part of something bigger. It served as a reminder that many came before me at the Phi Beta chapter of Psi Upsilon and Photo from Special Collections, Psi how special being a part of this Upsilon Spring Rush 1990 organization truly is. After looking through the many fliers, I browsed the composites. Special Collections had nine composites from the chapter, dating from 1988 until 2002. Looking through each composite, I recognized several of our chapters’ alumni, some
that I talk to regularly. I have only spoken with these alumni long after they had graduated from William & Mary. These items were more personal than the fliers. As obvious as it may sound, I sometimes forget that these alumni Josh Rogers (Phi Beta ‘23) And Gregory Hospodor (Phi Beta ‘87) looking at composites were once my in possession of William & Mary Special age. They walked Collections the same halls that I do at the College of William & Mary and participated in the same traditions of Psi Upsilon that I currently do. Seeing these items made me feel more connected to the history of the Phi Beta chapter, and I was excited when I heard that Gregory Hospodor would be coming down to evaluate the items himself. After a great lunch, we went down to Special Collections to look at the artifacts. From there, we devised a plan in conjunction with the staff at Special Collections staff to have the items digitized by the school, to create a digital archive of these items, and to collect more items from our chapter’s past to give to the College. This experience has served as a reminder of those at Psi Upsilon. I view this as a personal beginning to becoming better connected with both the history of the Phi Beta chapter and Psi Upsilon as a whole. I look forward to continuing working with Special Collections, Gregory, and the archives of Psi Upsilon to continue growing this collection and expanding on the work already done. Accreditation: Psi Upsilon Fliers and Photographs, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.
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Editorial Note: Josh’s work helped fill in some of the missing Phi Beta composites in our collection.
