A STRONG HELPING HAND FOREVER

By William Bierce Leahy Ohio State ‘62

I wrote these words as an undergraduate at The Ohio State University,
where I was a brother in the Ohio Delta Chapter:

“AN endless chain of meaningless abstracts does not adequately dignify what has always been Phi Kappa Psi. Phi Kappa Psi is an outstretched hand, ready and cheerfully willing to help. It is a weary Brother from Nebraska receiving welcome lodging and comradeship from Brothers in Connecticut. It is a 75-mile ride to aid a Brother stranded on the highway. It is a Brother willing to share hardship and tears not his own. It is many voices singing to a happy sweetheart. It is the ache in your bones from cleaning up a house so it will look right.

WHAT is Phi Kappa Psi? It is a humble apology and an understanding pat on the back. It is the pride of a Brother in someone else’s accomplishment. It is an old man offering the light of wisdom and experience to a young man. It is a ride to any place at any time. It is a blood donation when you are sick. It is five dollars without question. It is California Delta, Ohio Epsilon, Connecticut Alpha, Florida Alpha, and Oklahoma Alpha — and all have kind words for the other.

WHAT is Phi Kappa Psi? It is a new pledge button and a loud High! High! High! It is a badge that makes men unashamed to say that love exists between them. It is a group of gentlemen to meet your parents and your special girl. It is a middle-aged man singing “Amici” again and getting goose pimples. It is old age with someone to make it ripe. It is a strong helping hand. Its grip is long and steadfast. It lasts forever.”

I don’t recall precisely when or why I wrote these words.
They were published in The Shield (Vol. 8/No. 4/Summer 1965), no doubt due to the kindly offices of my fraternal benefactor, the legendary Executive Secretary Ralph D. “Dud” Daniel Arizona ’47.

I do recall that the spirit of brotherhood I experienced in our Fraternity was my inspiration. I was overflowing with that spirit and had to express myself. In another illustration of that feeling, during the 1954 Cotton Bowl, Rice running back Dicky Moegle was sprinting for a sure touchdown when Alabama player Tommy Lewis shockingly leapt off the bench and tackled him. When asked why, Lewis replied, “I was just so full of Alabama.” I know how he felt.

Having just moved to Ohio from suburban Chicago, I “parachuted” into a 40,000-student campus, knowing nobody. I pledged Phi Kappa Psi because I was struck by the extraordinary feeling the brothers had for each other. Wilmer Charles Gangloff Jr. ’60 became my Big Brother. As Wil placed the pin on my lapel and congratulated me, I said, “Thanks, Wolfgang.” (Oops.)

A year before, my beloved 20-year-old brother and mentor had been killed in an auto accident. It would be wrong to say that Wil took David’s place, but Wil gave me the wisdom, guidance, kindness and undying friendship an older brother would.

As a freshman, I attended the 1962 Grand Arch Council in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina. I was astonished at how the national leaders were easily accessible even to a college freshman. They treated us like peers.

My game plan for Ohio State was to study and achieve high grades. Brother Bruce Ewing Jr. ’59 had additional plans for me, persuading me to kick off my career as a campus leader. Why he selected me, I have no idea, but what happened thereafter exceeded my wildest imagination.

My junior year, I was Chapter GP. During my term, Rush was faltering. My predecessor, Brother Craig Stewart ’61, had been a successful Rush chairman. I asked him to take over Rush again. His answer? “Sure, Bierce, when do you want me to start?” The pledges started rolling in.

On Nov. 22, 1963, John F. Kennedy was assassinated. It was a time of profound doubt, fear and mourning. As college students, we didn’t know what to do, how to express our grief. The university scheduled a memorial service. Brother David Bailey ’62 said, “We must all attend. We are all Americans.” Every one of us did, dressed in suits and ties. Brother Bailey was the most devoted Republican in our Fraternity.

In my senior year, I met my future wife, Darlene, on a blind date arranged by Brother Bob Scott’s girlfriend. I was contemporaneously dating another woman and couldn’t decide which one to ask to the next party (in retrospect, very dumb).  I wrestled with the momentous decision. Brother Kenneth Spicer ’63, weary of my indecision, put their names in a Maxwell House coffee can. I drew Darlene’s name, and we’ve been together for 56 wonderful years, with four children and five grandchildren. 

Brother Spicer later admitted, he had put two “Darlene” slips in the can.

More recently, Brother Fred Hegele ’63 suggested I write about my military service for The Shield. Through the article, I’ve formed new friendships with Brothers David Hull Jr. LSU ’66 and Ben France Penn State ’14.

So why am I telling you all this? In “It’s a Wonderful Life,” George Bailey considers his life meaningless until an angel shows how other lives would have been different without him.

What would my life have been without Brothers Gangloff, Daniel, Ewing, Stewart, Hegele, Bailey, Scott and Spicer? Not nearly as good. The thread that runs through this story is Phi Kappa Psi. I wrote about it as an undergraduate and would gladly write it again today.

What is Phi Kappa Psi? A strong helping hand. It lasts forever.

Do you have a brother’s story you’d like to tell (or write)? Please let us know: marketing@phikappapsi.com