Who will fill the breech?

As I was cleaning up my apartment (always fun with 2 kids under 6 under foot) I came across my Nametag from the 2010 GAC (my fraternity's convention). As I held it, my thoughts instantly went first to my friends and Brothers who are in AZ celebrating the life of our friend and Brother Dudley. I'm sure the service was grand in its simplicity and while there was, i'm sure crying, I'm also sure there was laughing. That's the kind of service that Dud would have wanted. The second thing that crossed my mind was this was the nametag of the last GAC Dud will ever attend bodily (he'll always be there in spirit, we know that). He signed it, as he's signed everyone of my nametags since 1992, in the same manner: Ralph D Daniel, AZ Alpha 1947 (let us be who we say we are...).

Think of the young undergradutes he touched when he met them the first time and gave them the grip (after he admonished them for altering it)that can go back and tell their Brothers - I met Dud. Think of our favorite game at the GAC Banquet where we stand to see who's been there the longest, and for the first time in my membership, Dud won't be there to win. Think of the people who will only know him as a quote - a quote he wrote, not to talk just about Phi Psi, but about all Fraternities - It's for us all.

You see, Dud, while he was first and foremost a Phi Psi, he was a FRATERNITY MAN. He believed firmly in the ideal of fraternity and what these men's and women's groups could do for their members and for their universities. One of the reasons that the interfraternity world saw him as "our" gentleman was his constant call for gentlemanly behavior and the idea that, while all of our Rituals might not be the same, they told the same story - be an honorable man, Love your friends, strive for excellence, and take care of each other.

This brings me to the title of my post today. Nature abhors a vacuum (unless its a Kirby-inside joke for my friend Momo) and so, as I write today, I wonder? Who will be the epedimy of fraternal gentlemanly behavior? Who will teach all of us, young and old, to always be considerate of our Brothers and Sisters, regardless of what letters they wear on their badge? Who will show our young men in Phi Kappa Psi? Luckily for us there are men that I know will fill in - Names of men that inspire me everyday, both as my peers and my mentors. Instantly I think of the pride of Kouts, IN...or my "Big Brother" who sings Oskee Wow-Wow. Perhaps the aforementioned Momo, or the scholar of Central Illinois, his hats and all. Perhaps its one of my favorite Cheeseheads, the historian or the preacher. Or maybe its my favorite southerner, who oozes charm and gentlemanly behavior.

In any case, while there will be a vacuum for a while, it won't be long before its filled. For that I'm eternally grateful, both to these men for being great men and to Dud for teaching us all.

Safe travels to all of my Brothers who made the trip to AZ and to all of my friends across the Fraternity and Sorority world, keep striving to make this world a better place.