Best and worst weekend all at once

This is why I Strive to be the best Fraternity man I can...He is who we all strive to be when we try to live our Creed. It's such a sad day for all of us that wear the Shield, and especially sad for those of us that call him Friend, Mentor, and Counselor.

I remember the first time I met him, in San Francisco at the 1992 GAC. I was a Colony member and it was my first GAC and I was as eager as a schoolboy getting his first bike. I was meeting as many people as I could and I met Dud. He walked up, saw my Colony pin (most don't know what it looks like) and gave me the Colony Grip, ever mindful that I was not ready to share in the bonds of Brotherhood. We talked and he gave me his address and told me to write if I ever needed anything.

My next most vivid time I recall meeting him occured at my Chartering. What made that special was that he met my father -my father who didn't want me to join a fraternity. After meeting Dud, Dad told me that he wasn't worried anymore, that I was in good hands because Dud was such a gentleman. That was the last big event my Dad and I went to together, as he was gone in less than 3 months (Jan 15)

I would see him more over the years at Fraternity events and new Chapter Charterings, each time me trying to learn more about the old days of Phi Psi, each time gleaning more about both Phi Kappa Psi and Dudley.

My last big memory of him comes from the day I was initated into the Order of the SC - He was the President, and for him to tell me I was a member was one of the most special days of my life. I'll never forget him giving me the grip and looking at me, and him telling me how happy he was that I was a member.

I've tried not to cry as I've written this post, but it's been hard. I will definetely raise a glass to Dud (vodka? a glass of chablis with ice? ) over the weekend

"Let us be who we say we are...a Fraternity not a Club; run by Men not boys, and based on Ideals not Expediency.

Dud, when you get to heaven, there will be a guy there, about 6 feet tall in an impeccable suit and a fedora. You'll feel you've met him, and you have. He's my dad. 17 years ago today he left us for a better place. He'll show you the way around the place. Tell him I said hi and I love him.