YOU ARE MY BELOVED FRIEND AND BROTHER FOREVER - ROBERT CHARLES BUTCHER; OCTOBER 5, 1944 - AUGUST 19, 2001...........

On October 2, 1977, as an undergraduate one month short of my 21st birthday, at California State University Sacramento, I headed toward the University at the Noon hour to join my fellow Lambda Chi Alpha associate member and the fraternity President Tom MacKenzie, with whom I was serving as Vice President, of our seven month old upstart five man, embryonic colony, to meet up with a prospective sixth recruit.  The recruit's name a senior, name was Bob Butcher.  Tom and I, arrived, and chatted about our introductory interview with Bob just moments away.  He sounded like he had solid potential as a prospective, from the phone calls each of us had with him leading up to that day.  And in a trait I came to admire and appreciate about Bob so very much, he appeared right on time as we sat at a small first floor, front door area table.  "Hi Tom, Troy, I'm Bob", he said, smiling broadly as he reached out to shake our hands.  We sat down briefly and began to converse, getting to know one another. Bob Butcher told us he was graduating senior, History major, with a concentration in Ancient Civilizations; turning 33 years old three days hence, a Navy veteran, and nine year part-time employee at the California Board of Equalization centra;l files department.  He was ten to twelve years older than the other five of us in the colony at that time, but he age didn't seem important, given his energetic, engaging, extroverted, personality; both Tom and I were experiencing with him in those opening minutes.  We proceeded into the Hornet's Nest for some lunch and continued discussing Lambda Chi Alpha, with Bob showing serious interest in joining us.  As we concluded the moment of truth arrived, to bid him to become an associate member.  Tom said, "Bob, Troy and I feel you would make a very good member of the fraternity, and I have a question for you ?  Are you willing to become an associate member of our Lambda Chi Alpha colony ?"  Bob nodded enthusiastically smiling more widely, and responded, "I want to carry something more away from my college years at Sac State, than just a sheepskin, and my degree.  Yes, I will be happy to join you and become a member of Lambda Chi Alpha".  It was an exciting thing to hear him say, as we were doing our utmost to build up our membership.  Initiated with us on December 10th, of that year on campus, he completed what has come to be called the, "Original Six".   Over the next twenty four years Brother Bob was not only a loyal and dedicated active and alumni member of Lambda Chi Alpha Phi Pi Zeta, but a mentor, counselor, and supporter, of both the undergraduate chapter, and Superior California Sacramento area alumni association.  He continued working for the Board of Equalization, being promoted to the position of Supervisor in Central Files, until his death.  On December 18, 1892, he married Placida Europa, and they had more than twenty happy years together.  A graduate of All Hallows Parish parochial school, Bishop Armstrong High School, in 1962, and having attended Sacramento City College, before entering the United States Navy, 1965-1969; and graduating with his B.A., in History from California State University, Sacramento on May 27, 1978, with our founding Hight Alpha, Tom MacKenzie, uninterruptedly, Bob continued working as a very active alumnus, assisting Brother Kevin Stevens, and me, and our Beta, Gamma, and Delta, initiates complete requirements to attain our chapter's Charter, as the Phi Pi Zeta of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, on September 27, 1980.  From 1977 - 2001, Bob was my stellar fraternity brother, friend, fellow believer, and supporter.  Far too soon, it became my priestly duty and privilege, to preside at his funeral in Good Shepherd Church in Laguna, on Friday night / Saturday morning, August 24th, / 25th, 2001; with the gracious delegation of the then Pastor, Rev. Fr. Phil Wells.  Still now, a decade later he still chuckles when we speak of Bob, for it was only then that he came to know his faithful parishioner's fraternity, "Mad Dog", side !!  My heart and mind overflows today with memories of Bob.  Some of which I will share in future blog columns.  May You Be In The Light Of The Lord Jesus Always And Forever Brother Bob Butcher, Phi Pi 6 !!!!!!!!!!!........... ZAX,  Brother, Father Troy