Men of Theta Chi
Active:
Name: Derek Kay
Hometown: Lincoln, NE
NWU graduation year: 2014
Pledge name: Isosceles
Major: Biology
Ideal job: Optometrist
Hobbies: Baseball
Activities of Interest: Baseball
Memory/story of Theta Chi that can be publicly posted on website: Playing snow football with all of the guys.
Board Member:
Name: Steve Wylie
Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri
Currently resides: Edmond, Oklahoma
NWU graduation year: 1965
Pledge name: Pear Head
Occupation: Zoo Director (Zoologist)
Spouse: Patsy (Bellamy) Wylie; NWU 65’
Children: Jayson, Jenna and Justin
Pets: None (I’ve had my share of animals)
Hobbies: fishing, photography, and bird watching
Activities of Interest: Ornithology and Wildlife Conservation
Memory/story of Theta Chi that can be publicly posted on website;)
Needless to say, college life was full of parties and other social events. I fondly remember those
Sunday mornings when we escorted one of the sororities to church after an occassional night of
frivolity and libation. Making one’s self presentable was a challenge, particularly the task of disguising what I had indulged in the night before. I haven’t chewed that much gum since.
Alumni:
Name: William W. McDermet III
Currently resides: Pleasant Hill, Tennessee
NWU grad year: 1957
Day By Day on the Damascus Road: 366 Reflections for your journey
by William McDermet III
About the Author
William W. McDermet III is a native of Nebraska. He holds degrees from Nebraska Wesleyan University (BA), Texas Christian University (MDiv), and Christian Theological Seminary (DMin) Indianapolis. At CTS, he was elected to the International Society of Theta Phi, in recognition of high attainment in scholarship. He is a retired pastor of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). For fourteen years, he was senior pastor of the Downey Avenue Christian Church in Indianapolis. Over 370 articles, prayers, poems, and meditations have appeared in newspapers: the Des Moines Register, Decatur Herald & Review (Illinois), the Indianapolis Star Magazine, the Ottumwa Courier, the Post-Journal (Jamestown, New York), the Tennessean, and the Buffalo News. The major part of his religious writing has been within the Disciples, with material also published by American Baptist, Church of the Brethren, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Mennonite, Southern Baptist, United Church of Christ, and United Methodist.
In Memory:
Ronald J. (Ron) Philips
- Ronald J. (Ron) Philips, 73, of Navarre, FL died April 28 following a lengthy battle with numerous internal cancers. Born Nov. 11, 1940 on the family farm near Bertrand, NE during a snow storm to Bryce A. and Louise M. (Canada) Philips. Graduated Bertrand High School in 1958 where he was participated in sports and school activities. Growing up in Bertrand, he was baptized and confirmed in the Methodist Church. After high school, Ron attended Nebraska Wesleyan University, where he was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity and was inducted into the Blue Key National Men's Honorary Fraternity. He also was a letterman in football and track. Ron graduated with distinction with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from NWU in 1962. He was also a member of Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities.
Ron was awarded a fellowship grant to attend Arizona State University where he received a Masters Degree. In 1964, he was hired by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as Principal Staff Assistant to administrator James Webb. Ron left NASA after several years of service in order to form his own consulting & business management firm. He later returned to NASA as Director of Technology Utilization /Government and Industry Affairs. He also taught at the college level. In 2001, he and his wife LB retired to Navarre.
In his retirement years, Ron enjoyed Nebraska football, his grandchildren, traveling and was a voracious reader. He closely followed sports and politics and was a member of the St. Paul United Methodist Church of Gulf Breeze, FL.
Survivors: wife, Lois (L.B.), son, Jamie (Robyn), grandson Ronald J. (R.J.) and granddaughter Hailey, all of Gulf Breeze, FL, sister Kay (Doyle) Lavene of Kearney, NE, brother Craig (Karen) of Loomis, NE, sister in-law Claudia Philips of Bertrand, brothers-in- law William (Wilma) Triplett of Ravenswood, WV, Frank Triplett (Greta) of McDonough, GA, Philip Triplett (Lynn) of Akron, OH, Homer Triplett (Shirley) of Clay, WV, Charles Triplett (Judy) of Warner Robins, GA, Russell Triplett (Delores) of Ravenswood, WV, stepdaughter Susan (Charles) Wheelock of Mt. Airy, MD and stepson Ken (Charlotte) Williams of Lothian, MD, four step grandchildren, three step great grandchildren plus numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceded in death by parents; brother Gary of Bertrand.
Memorial services only: Florida services will be held at the St. Paul United Methodist Church of Gulf Breeze, FL (4901 Gulf Breeze Pkwy - Hwy 98) on May 9 at 6pm. Visitation at 5pm. The Reverend Lance Whorton presiding.
A memorial service in Bertrand, NE will be conducted on Thursday, June 5 at 11am at the Bertrand United Methodist Church (328 Minor Ave) with Pastor Mary Fuller presiding. Ron's cremains will be interred to the family burial plot at the Highland Cemetery in Bertrand at 10:15am, prior to the church services.
Ron's family would like to express gratitude to everyone for their kindheartedness and support during his illness. Special thanks to the entire team at the Emerald Coast Hospice Home Care unit of Pensacola, FL.
Do you have updates you would like to share with the alumni?
Please send emails to:
oxgammaphi@gmail.com
