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| Rob Nelson and Cindy Cecil (wife of Bob Cecil) at a Lambda Chi Homecoming “illustrating the early ’70s fashion!” |
Rob Nelson ’69 says that when he receives our Zeta Zephyr newsletters, it still takes him right back to how tight-knit the chapter was when he was there in the ’60s.
“We had a rockin’ chapter at ZZ, with band parties and kegs of beer,” he says. “We also boasted to potential pledges that we had the best blue book file at PSU!”
Rob’s favorite memory from those days, though, would have to be recruiting Duane Doty ’44 as High Pi.
“Being a retired U.S. Marine and college football player, Brother Doty was an impressive man,” says Rob. “He served ZZ for many years and was close to the chapter both physically and emotionally. His efforts really helped the chapter thrive.”
Rob recalls Brother Doty joining the chapter for meetings when national would drop in to review them. He and his wife would attend brotherhood events and parties, and even made a stop on their RV tour years after Rob had graduated to join Rob and his family in North Carolina.
But Rob gained much more than just great memories from Lambda Chi. He served as High Tau and then High Alpha at ZZ, which helped him with skills that would come in handy later as a businessman.
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Sue, Rob, their son Matt and his daughter Zoe, and Rob’s father. |
“I learned to keep good notes at meetings and to listen to all members of the chapter, and we focused on the life blood of the chapter—recruiting new members,” says Rob. “These early years helped me prepare for business success.”
Among many other career accomplishments, Rob became president of Hawk Performance and CEO of Global Strategic Directions, Ltd., both based in Ohio. He now owns his own business, BMA Global Ventures, also in Ohio.
Rob went on to marry his Lambda Chi pin-mate, Sue, and recently celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary. They have been blessed with two sons and three grandchildren. Recently, Rob and Sue received a visit from Bob “Beanie” Cecil ’70 and his wife, who dropped in overnight during their move from California to Maryland. Rob says that lifetime friendships like this are one of the other best things that Lambda Chi gave him.
Interestingly, Rob first attended school at Thiel College and was initiated into LXA there. He transferred to Penn State to study engineering, and, after deciding to stay in the fraternity, became a member of Zeta Zeta. With many memories, friends, and a loving 49-year marriage under his belt, it seems that the fateful move was a great one.