Walter Cole '50

Brother Cole kept the Gamma-Omicron Chapter close to his heart since coming to the chapter as a wide-eyed freshman. Following his father and uncle’s leads, he was initiated into the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and established both life-long relationships as well as a model for a healthy professional and family life. Walter says that Gamma-Omicron was instrumental in helping him adjust to life as a college student. During his undergraduate career at KU, Brother Cole was a member of the Kansas Relays committee as well as a member of the Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Beta Kappa honorary fraternities. His main non-academic interests, however, were rooted in the Gamma-Omicron Chapter. Walter held the position of Grand Treasurer during his undergraduate days.

His years at Kansas University went quickly though as Brother Cole graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1953. After graduation, Walter entered the U.S. Navy and served his country with honor. Following his service, he started his own company, Beecroft, Cole and Company. He is currently involved with the Southwestern Group of Investment Bankers Association of America where he serves as chairman and is on the board of directors and trustees of Securities Industry Association. A prominent figure in the Topeka community, Walter is also a board member on a number of various civic groups and organizations. In addition, Brother Cole has given his time and efforts to various KU alumni volunteer efforts along with giving to Gamma-Omicron. Throughout the years, Walter hasn’t forgotten his roots at Kappa Sigma. He recently got together with some brothers and often invites others to visit himself and his family.

Brother Cole has two children, David (40) and Elizabeth (37) and is married to Nancy.(top)

Richard Mai '50

Brother Mai has dedicated his life to his country, family, fraternity and profession. A semi-retired oilman, Richard has made a name for himself by producing oil wells in central and southern Kansas for Mai Oil Operations. Though most people associate Oklahoma, Alaska and Texas as states that produce oil, Brother Mai’s family oil company has approximately 175 wells producing oil in Kansas. The Mai family success has evolved past the oil business as it built and maintains the Thorntree Country Club in Desoto Duncanville, Texas. The Club has an 18-hole golf course, six tennis courts, an Olympic sized swimming pool, single family townhouses and a 24,000 square foot clubhouse.

With Brother Mai’s many business accomplishments have come numerous honors and awards. He was named the Russell, Kansas Man of the Year Award in 1971 and served as the President of the Russell Chamber of Commerce.

Richard’s success started early on while in high school where he excelled in athletics earning eight varsity letters. After high school he enrolled at KU and found immediate comfort and brotherhood in Gamma-Omicron. Richards says he particularly enjoyed the duties and fellowship that came with being a member of the Fraternity. “The direction it gave me to succeed in life and the lasting relationships that I still treasures are privileges I have forever enjoyed from my time at Gamma-Omicron,” Mai says. His love for the Fraternity remains today as he been a key contributor to both Gamma-Omicron and the National Fraternity. Brother Mai has two sons, Kurt ’80 and Mark ’77 who became members of the Fraternity.

Brother Mai has also been a strong supporter of Kansas University. A 1953 graduate, Richard is a lifetime member of the KU Alumni Association and has contributed to several endowment funds and to the KU Business School. Along with his many career accomplishments, Brother Mai also diligently served his country as a First Lieutenant of Artillery for the U.S. Army.

Richard is married to Ellen and have four children, Rick, Lauri, Mark and Kurt.(top)

Cecil Edward Witt '52

To say that the Kappa Sigma fraternity has always been a family affair for Brother Witt would be an understatement. Including his brother Anthony and sons Cecil and Bruce, Brother Witt has eight family members who have shared in the same fraternal experience. As a member of Gamma-Omicron, Brother Witt felt welcomed into an extended family in which he was able to learn about, among others things, brotherhood, communication and teamwork. While living with 70 other Brothers at the Gamma-Omicron Chapter House, he felt encouraged to explore his individuality as a man while never straying far from the support of the Chapter.

As an undergraduate, Brother Witt was not only a good student, but an active one as well. Before graduating with a business degree in 1955, he held the rank of Major in the Air Force ROTC. In 1952 he was elected Vice President of the Young Democrats. One year later, Brother Witt began his leadership career at Gamma-Omicron, first serving as social chairman in 1953 and then Grand Master in 1954. Even after graduation, Brother Witt has helped guide the chapter as a member of the Gamma-Omicron Alumni Board.

The experiences that he learned as an undergraduate have influenced both his professional and community life. After graduating, Brother Witt served his country as an adjutant and personnel Air Force officer stationed in Japan until 1957. For the next ten years he was a member of the Air Force Reserve, eventually earning the rank of Captain. When Brother Witt returned from Japan, he embarked on a professional career that has seen its fair share of ups and downs. As a self-employed farm and oil operator in Russell Kansas, he has worked hard to keep his family and his farm stable in a marketplace that is often labeled temperamental. As an important member of the Russell community, Brother Witt has also provided leadership to others while serving as an example for the town. From 1964 until 1968, he served on the Russell City Council, holding the title of president during the final two years of the term. In 1968 Brother Witt served as County Commissioner, a position he held until 1972. Shortly after his term ended, he served as a trustee on the Russell City Hospital Board.

Brother Witt continues to play an important role in Russell. Despite running his own farm, he is a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals, a member of Public Wholesale Water Supply District #15, and member of Finance Council at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He and wife Barbara have four children, daughters Stephanie and Amy, and sons Cecil Jr. and Bruce. (top)

Bill McEachen '52

Brother McEachen has throughout the years consistently given of himself for the betterment of the Gamma-Omicron Chapter. Starting as an undergraduate in 1952, Brother McEachen quickly established himself as a leader among the Kappa Sigma undergraduates. Bill served the Greek community as a whole at Kansas University by holding various positions on the Interfraternity Council including President, Rush Chairman and President of the Pledge Council. His service to the Kappa Sigma didn’t stop with the Interfraternity Council either as Brother McEachen attended multiple Kappa Sigma National Meetings as a representative of Gamma-Omicron.

Bill’s leadership skills and generosity, while cultivated at Gamma-Omicron, have continued to pay dividends throughout his career. Numerous committees, associations and boards throughout the greater Kansas City metropolitan area have honored Brother McEachen for his work as a humanitarian and pediatrician. He was been honored with the Symbols of Caregiving Award and Award of Merit by Metropolitan Medical Society. Bill has also served on multiple groups including the Greater Kansas City Pediatric Society as President, Greater Kansas City Medical Council, Pediatric Department of St. Luke’s and St. Joseph Hospitals and Boards of Kansas Action for Children just to name a few.

Brother McEachen graduated from KU in 1954 with a BA in chemistry. He immediately began to pursue his medical degree, which he would earn 1959. After graduation, Bill worked at Baltimore City Hospital, before returning to Lawrence to finish out his residency at KU. Upon finishing his medical training, Bill served two years in the Air Force. He was stationed at an Air Force base in England, where he served as the consultant to the Surgeon General of the Third Air Force. After his commitment serving the United States ended, Brother McEachern went into private practice until he retired.

Brother McEachen grew up in Shawnee Mission, Kansas where he continues to reside. He is married to Judy and they have three children, Robert, Margaret and Molly. He is still present at many Gamma-Omicron functions and continues to stay in touch with many Kappa Sigma brothers. (top)

Edgar B. Grass III '77

To say that Brother Grass has been involved in the Gamma-Omicron Chapter would be a gross understatement. In the late 80’s, serving as board chairman of Gamma-Omicron Inc., Brother Grass helped spearhead the ‘Campaign Gamma-O’ project which led to the $2.8 million renovation of the current chapter house and a restructuring of the membership.

As a professional, he began his career in 1981 with Arthur Young & Company (now Ernst & Young) in Tulsa, Oklahoma after graduating with distinction from Kansas University with a degree in business administration, accounting and computer science. He moved quickly up the professional ranks, being promoted to Manager at Arthur Young in just four years. In 1986, he returned to the Kansas City area and joined a small company named Marion Laboratories. Through the next 15 years and four mergers later, Brother Grass advanced his career to where he now serves as the Assistant Treasurer for North American operations at Aventis Pharmaceuticals in Bridgewater, NJ. Brother Grass holds the professional designations of CPA and Certified Cash Manager. During his undergraduate years, he was also a member of the honor societies of Phi Kappa Phi and Beta Gamma Sigma. Brother Grass has also been active in his community. He served as the Treasurer of his local homeowner’s association and became involved in the various activities of his children throughout the years. This included Y-Indian guides, cub scouts, and coaching basketball and baseball. He was also very involved in Boy Scouts, serving as a Troop Leader and Committee Member for several years.

However, his most defining qualities shine through when reviewing his life long service to the Gamma-Omicron Chapter. Brother Grass came to the fraternity in the Fall of 1976 as a member of the 1976-77 Pledge Class. He began his service as the Treasurer of that pledge class and was later initiated in February of 1977. After his initiation, he served two terms as Grand Treasurer and one term as Grand Master. In 1979, he was recognized by the fraternity and awarded the National Certificate of Merit. During the same year he earned the Certificate of Ritual Proficiency for both Grand Master and Grand Master of Ceremonies. As an alumnus, Brother Grass began his service in 1989 as a member of the Board of Directors for the Chapter’s House Corporation. The following year, he was elected the President of the Board and held that position for the next 12 years. Even today, after moving half way across the country, Brother Grass now serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Chapter’s Educational Foundation and remains heavily involved in the financial operations of the House Corporation and the Chapter as an assistant alumni advisor, a position he has held since 1992.

Brother Grass has been married to the same wonderful wife, Terri, since 1981 and has three terrific children, Angela, 20, Ryan 19, and Kevin, 17. (top)