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The five present Founders were asked to respond to a questionnaire concerning their current status, their early memories of Alpha and their suggestions to help our present organization. The following is a summary of their replies.
- Your current health and/or family's health. How old you are.
Jerry Maeckelbergh
No life-threatening health issues to date health is overall good, celiac disease, macular degeneration, both under control! Had a case of Lyme’s disease this summer and I’m still recovering! Age 82, and counting!
Tom Kraus
I am 83 years old and Sharon and I are in good health. We keep active by taking walks and playing golf.
Bill Peterson
I am 82 years old. Some health issues always show up when you get older. Otherwise I feel good.
Bob Pike
I am 86 years old. We are still in pretty good health. We still live in our own home and have to go up and down stairs regularly. Maybe all the stair climbing is what keeps us in shape.
Lynn Jamison
I'm 85 years old. Have a pace maker installed. Used to do a lot of hiking back there in Colorado having conquered six fourteen thousand foot peaks. No more now though. Joy joined me on one thirteener, Mt. Sniktau near Denver. So far have undergone three COVID tests all negative.
- What you did during your working career and have done since retiring. Since retiring, working part time or perhaps starting your own business.
Jerry Maeckelbergh
Attended UMD 1956–61. Graduated 1960 in secondary social studies, jobs were scarce, stayed for another year and was certified in Elementary Ed in 1961. Took a job in Osseo Minnesota where I met my bride Margaret, a graduate of Saint Cloud State. We were married June 1966 and moved to Fridley for a 13 year stent as an elementary principal. Enrollment dropped moved onto Spring Lake Park as principal for 17 years. Loved my job. I retired at 57 and after a few months was asked by Tim Taylor, a former fourth grade student, to come to work for him at Methven-Taylor funeral homes in the north east metro area. That lasted 19 years and when the last of the five chapels were sold I again retired.
Tom Kraus
I spent 33 years with the Ford Motor Co taking early retirement in January, 1994. I spent the next 6 years in sales management at two different Metro Ford dealers. Went back to Ford in 2002 working with Lincoln Mercury dealers for a couple years.
Bill Peterson
I spent 37 years working for the Federal Reserve Bank in Internal Audit. 20 years were spent in Minneapolis and 17 years at the Helena Branch in Helena, Montana. I had two assignments in Helena and retired in Helena in August 1999.
Bob Pike
I taught Jr. High/middle school for 32 years and Herta was a nurse. We retired in June of ’93. I taught 3 weeks of Community Ed two or three times a year for 16 years after retiring. We like skiing, geocaching, sewing and traveling to see family. We also have been on several cruises.
Lynn Jamison
I had a federal career in a few administrative trades like accountant, administrative officer and personnel officer in eight states and the District of Columbia. From a humble beginning as a GS-1 Field Hand with the Geological Survey, I did make some progress along the way. Since retiring in 1993, I did three gigs back with Park Service, Census and Department of Energy.
- The most vivid or special memory of when you were at UMD and first met the other founders.
Jerry Maeckelbergh
When I was president of Newman Club, Tom Kraus, President of student government, asked me to be commissioner of public relations. In conversation with Tom, Bob Pike and others, we discussed creating ANO. I am so pleased to have been a founder with all the success we have had in 60 years!
Tom Kraus
I only spent 2 years at UMD starting in spring of 1958. I was elected Student Body President in the spring of 1959 and met future brothers during that first year. Bob Pike was right that we started talking about it at the Student Association Convention at the U of Illinois where Bob, Gary and others attended.
Bill Peterson
I enjoyed my years at UMD. During my senior year one of my future brothers asked me if I would like to be a member of a new fraternity that was being formed. Don't remember who asked me.
Bob Pike
Several of us traveled to Urbana, IL the summer of 59 for a conference. I think the plan was formed then to start a new Frat during that time. We were not impressed with the ones that were on campus at the time.
Lynn Jamison
I like to joke about how the Alphas approached broadening membership. First the other founders thought they'd like to have some companions from high schools outside Duluth. Pike had come to know me through UCCF which was the Congregational and Presbyterian group of college students and the inter-religious council on which I served as president at one point. Later, we decided to expand and got the idea we ought to go international so we accreted a kid from International Falls and topped that all off by taking in someone from New Joisy already. That would be Tony Fisket, an early pledge brother
- Any early day Alpha Nu Omega Association recall moments.
Jerry Maeckelbergh
In the two years I was on campus in ANO we did lots of service projects at UMD and in Duluth parks. Lots of beer parties on Restormel Street, my parents' basement, and at Lake Superior. I was deeply honored to be the first Brother of the Year.
Tom Kraus
Our first year was spent getting organized and getting accepted by the University. Jerry was good at finding special projects for us to do. We played broomball on ice during that first winter.
Bill Peterson
Really enjoyed getting together with the brothers.
Bob Pike
I was not a pledge father as I was practice teaching in Cloquet fall of ’60.
Lynn Jamison
There are many. One exception that I will share. It was event that I didn't attend. The guys organized an outing involving a power boat which I heard turned out to be quite an exciting adventure that included a fire on the boat. On the same weekend, Mama Pike had made me a picnic basket so I could have a picnic with Marin Kinney. I understand that the guys didn't get into trouble with their boat caper and I can report that I didn't either in my outing with Ms. Kinney.
- What the Alpha Nu Omega Scholarship program means to you. How to improve it?
Jerry Maeckelbergh
Scholarship was always important. If 300+ Brothers gave $100 apiece we can raise $30,000/year. What power in numbers!
Tom Kraus
Scholarship was always important to the Founders and we always thought there should be some way to award scholarships. The first few years we couldn't promote it because it would hurt the recipients who would also be applying for other financial assistance. Early on it only cost a little over $100 to go to UMD.
Bill Peterson
We all agreed that scholarships were important.
Bob Pike
As one of the founders and early graduates we decided to help our brothers and give back to the active chapter by sponsoring a scholarship.
Lynn Jamison
The scholarship idea makes me proud of my brothers who came up with it. Some of the roots of that project relate to the idea of having an Alpha house which never came to fruition so the money was dedicated to the scholarship program; good idea.
- Comments you have on the Five Year Reunions. Any recall on who had the idea to start having five year reunions starting in 1969.
Jerry Maeckelbergh
I haven’t missed a reunion yet. They are the best! Yes, I enjoy seeing the old-timers, but stepping back and watching the friendships that began within ANO is very rewarding to me. I have no recall of the founders being organizers of the first Reunion, but I suspect it could be Main, Tronnes and others from that era.
Tom Kraus
Like Bob I don't remember who started the first reunion. But I have been to all of them except the first one that was held 1964 which was held in the party room of the Edgewater Motel.
Bill Peterson
Can't remember how many I've been to. It was always a fun time at the reunions.
Bob Pike
I have no recall of who thought about having reunions.
Lynn Jamison
Don't remember for sure who should get major credit for the five year reunions. A name comes to mind, Mike Dean, as someone among the usual suspects when it comes to getting good things to happen with the Alpha Alumni.
- What you are doing today to remain active. Hobbies, exercise, or participation in nonprofit organizations.
Jerry Maeckelbergh
I enjoy working around my Fridley yard and at the lake. About 20+ years ago we bought a lot on a lake north of Nashwauk. As a family we built a lake-home/cabin. My two boys have construction skills I don’t have! Our family of three married children, nine grandchildren, and two great grandkids spend our summer weekends together enjoying the lake.
Tom Kraus
I stay active with my church and our neighborhood association. We have taken care of our 5 grandkids through the years. Now we just get to take care of the dogs. 3 grandchildren have graduated from college and are gainfully employed.
Bill Peterson
I've always enjoyed running and cross country skiing. Now I'm down to getting my daily walks in. When I retired I really enjoyed traveling to foreign countries and visiting all the 50 states.
Bob Pike
Walking, geocaching, skiing, going on cruises and visiting family members.
Lynn Jamison
Now and through the years I have served in various capacities in organizations like Kiwanis and NARFE the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees. Have served as chapter president in each of these organizations and now am Service Officer in the Metro Chapter of NARFE in Louisville, KY. I also do tax returns for nothing as a volunteer at one of the AARP operated sites in Louisville.
- Any ideas or thoughts on how to attract the most recent active Alpha graduates to become more involved in the Alpha Nu Omega Alumni Association thereby providing all of us a true succession plan of the future.
Jerry Maeckelbergh
I think we need to know that ANO is alive and well on a yearly basis. Stay in touch with your pledge brothers is key. My solution for continuing leadership is to have a GROUP of pledge brothers come together, share the leadership needs and have fun doing it! Use the existing age group brothers to an advantage and let them know it’s your turn/step up to the plate!
Tom Kraus
Most of the recent graduates are burdened with student debt therefore paying dues for an alumni organization is not high on their wish list. Does the Alumni Association president still send a letter to each graduate welcoming them to the Alumni Association and asking them to keep us current with their email addresses?
Bill Peterson
Like Bob said, ”Maybe give them their 1st year of membership free."
Bob Pike
Maybe give them their 1st year of membership free.
Lynn Jamison
Of course, try really hard to keep a record of peoples' addresses. I would listen intently to offerings such as a proposal for graduated membership cost for the first few years after an Alpha gets his degree.
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- Any other thoughts you care to share.
Jerry Maeckelbergh
Thanks to all alumni brothers that have contributed to past successes over these 60+ years. We need some younger brothers to keep moving forward. Thanks for many friendships over the years. Take care. Be safe. God bless.
Tom Kraus
I feel very fortunate that we have had many brothers that have stayed active in the alumni to keep the Fraternity functioning.
Bill Peterson
Let's keep things going strong.
Bob Pike
Let’s make sure we keep this great frat going strong.
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Vol.17, issue 3 - Spring 2021
Alpha Nu Omega Links
UMD Links
Copyright © ALPHA NUS NEWSLETTER 2021
ALPHA NU OMEGA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
All rights reserved.
Alpha Alumni Association mailing address:
Jim Klang
Alpha Nu Omega Alumni Secretary
28W181 Belleau Drive
Winfield, IL 60190
Alpha Alumni Email
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