Thursday, June 13, 2013
Tony and I have been close friends since we met as MIT freshmen in 1956. First we were pledges and then brothers in the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, and we both majored in Aeronautics and Astronautics (MIT's Course XVI). Our social lives were intertwined by the fraternity, our academic lives were melded by studying for problem sets and exams, and our careers followed parallel paths in aerospace engineering. Tony was a groomsman at Pegi's and my wedding over 52 years ago. Tony and I stayed in frequent e-mail contact, and we last saw each other 2 months ago. Godspeed, Tony.
Here are e-mails that I have received from fellow Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity brothers.
Claron Anderson: Tony was the brother who picked me up at the airport at 2:30 am at the start of Rush Week and he was my big brother. I would have liked to see him but New York and California are a long way away. He and Bill Leffler were the primary reason I was so quick to pledge Lambda Chi.
Si Allen: I believe my brief encounter with Tony at the 50th (reunion of the Class of 1960) was the first since graduation. How little we change over the years and so it seemed with Tony at that occasion. I am glad I had that chance.
Dick Burse: Tony did a lot for the House (in all the meanings of the word). He is one of the guys who really will be missed.
Calvin Swift: I remember when Jo (Cal's wife to be) took the train from Maine back to Simmons, she missed her stop, had to take the next one, and was then stranded. A policeman "offered a ride", but Jo said no thanks, and called Lambda Chi. Good old Tony answered the phone, and brought her safely back to the dorm. What a great guy!
