We are often reminded that we are all "Brothers for life". This is a statement made by men, but defined and upheld by their actions. As we move through our lives, through periods of joy, sadness, and all the emotions in between; the fabric of brotherhood is there to support us.
While a freshman, and living at the chapter house at 273 High Street, I served as Alumni Director. One of my goals in that position was to contact all the alumni of the Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Pi, as well as Alpha Sigs prior to the chapter closing. After several weeks of hand writing letters, I was saddened to receive only several replies. One of them, though, stood out. Vernon O. Drake, living in Pompano Beach, Florida, responded with a detailed letter, noting his involvement in the founding of Alpha Kappa Phi.
Little did I know then, that one letter would lead to a long running correspondence of many years. In his letter of June 1983, Vernon detailed history relating to the founding of AKPi, and its predecessor, Phi Delta Zeta, a local NCE fraternity. Quoting from his letter:
"Apart from the information I sent to Brother Varner in Pierceville, N.C. last year I have very little to add regarding the history of Phi Delta Zeta which later became Alpha of AKPi.
As far as I can remember, I am afraid I can give you very little background on Phi Delta Zeta. I recall definitely that I was pledged in my freshman year 1925, probably in Oct or Nov of that year. Although my memory is a little fuzzy on the details I believe that Phi Delta Zeta was started quite a while before I came on the scene. I remember that Ashton Gibbons, I believe of the class of 1928 was very active in the group. As I remembered the group was made up of 1500 so members before I came on the scene. I can't recall names but I believe there were members before Ashton Gibbons.
I know they had a badge, but I never obtained one as we became AKPi soon after I was a member. I know of no plaque of constitution but I do recall we held our meetings in the Alto Club on High St. I wish I could give you something more specific but I am unable to. I sent my AKPi badge, pictures etc to brother Varner. I do not have anything else to give you. I wish I did."
Vernon was involved in many facets of life at the Newark College of Engineering. Born Vernon Otho Drake on May 1, 1907, he entered NCE as a freshman Chemical Engineering major in 1925. The same year, he pledged then Phi Delta Zeta, which would soon become AKPi. Vernon served as the first chaplain of AKPi's Alpha Chapter, in 1926.
Vernon was the Editor-in-Chief of the NCE Yearbook, KEM LEC MEX, during his senior year. After graduating with his BSCh.E. in 1929, Vernon worked for American Cyanamid as a Chemical Engineer, until his retirement in 1971 at the age of 64. He had married Helen Hutchison in 1930, and together, after his retirement, they relocated to Pompano Beach, Florida. There, he worked as the manager of the parts department at Endicott Buick until he was 80.
Vernon was very active in his church, and with family, his daughter Glenda and son Vernon Jr. Vernon's wife of 53 years, Helen, passed away in 1983. Vernon married Helen's sister, Anne Hutchison, on June 25, 1983. He also generously made contributions to both Alpha Rho chapter and Alpha Sigma Phi headquarters every year; and was known to all brothers, thanks to his alumni news updates in every chapter newsletter.
I remained in close contact with Vernon throughout the years, and we enjoyed keeping each other up to date of the fraternity history -- both old and new. In late 1991, I worked at South Pole Station, Antarctica; and flew the Alpha Sigma Phi Alpha Rho Chapter flag at the pole. I wrote of this in an article for the Tomahawk, and received another letter from Vernon in May of 1993:
"I was greatly suprised and extremely pleased to see the article in the Tomahawk regarding your great adventure at the south pole with the Chapter flag from Newark Alpha Rho, and will be looking forward to the progress of planting it at the North Pole. The surely would be a "First of the Frats".
I placed Vernon's letter aside, as I was then moving from California back to the east coast, and thought what a great thing it would be to drive to Florida to visit in person. I didn't get to make that trip until summer of 1994, when I drove to his house. One of the saddest moments of my life came when, after speaking to a neighbor, I learned that Vernon had passed on, and entered Omega chapter in March of 1994, at the age of 86; after a lengthy battle with cancer.
As I drove, I recalled all our correspondence, and a man of whom I knew well, even though we had never met. "Causa latet vis est notissima" describes an Alpha Sig without fail. On that warm summer night driving through south Florida, Vernon's results were indeed well known -- a lasting tribute would ensure they were never forgotten.
At the annual Alpha Rho Chapter Meeting of the Members, I spoke of Vernon, and much of what you have read here. I made a motion to name the scholarship fund in the name of Vernon O. Drake, so that a man who had contributed so much to the fraternity that he loved would not be forgotten. A voice vote was taken, and the motion was approved unanimously, without debate. The chapter scholarship fund will now, and forever, be known as the Vernon O. Drake Scholarship Fund.
Brotherhood is a wondrous thing -- we feel it appear and reappear, sometimes suprising us, oftentimes lifting us, always supporting and holding us. Brother Drake weaved his spirit into the lives of many. It is my fervent hope that all of us never forget the importance we play in each others lives, constantly expanding our fabric of brotherhood.
It was my great pleasure to know Vernon, my brother, my friend.