Tell us about your favorite memory of the fraternity.
I really don’t know if one could call it a favorite memory, but Hell Week was not to be forgotten. I well remember being sent out on a cold winter night to retrieve the veil of Mt. Nittany. After being chased by dogs and irate farmers, I found a sheet with skull and cross bones on it and brought it back to the house. For this, I got my rear end paddled.
“Hell Week was not to be forgotten” – Joe Robb ’39
Why did you join?
One of my good friends from my hometown, Lee Moore ’35, was a sophomore. He was determined that I join Phi Kappa Sigma, which I did.
Tell us about your favorite memory of the fraternity.
I really don’t know if one could call it a favorite memory, but Hell Week was not to be forgotten. I well remember being sent out on a cold winter night to retrieve the veil of Mt. Nittany. After being chased by dogs and irate farmers, I found a sheet with skull and cross bones on it and brought it back to the house. For this, I got my rear end paddled.
What kind of influence has the fraternity had on you life since graduation?
It gave me a better understanding of how to interact with people. This proved to be beneficial in the U.S. Airforce and businesses after the war.
With whom do you stay in contact? Who would like most to find?
A relatively small group stayed in contact after the war. Jim MacFarlane ’39, Dick Warfel ’39, George Yeckley ’39 and Av Taylor ’38 met on various occasions in Wrightsville Beach, N.C., Lancaster, Pa., twice at Penn State, Butler, Pa., and Myrtle Beach, S.C. Unfortunately, Yeck and I are the only survivors – and I have lost track of him. I would like to know where he is and how he is doing.
Tell us about your family. Have you married? Do you have children?
I have been married twice. From my first marriage, I have two girls, four grandsons, one great-grandson and one great-granddaughter. My current wife, Bette, and I live in Landfall, a gated community with 45 holes of Nicklaus and Dye golf.
What other activities or organizations were you involved with during your college days?
All the intramural sports and freshman baseball
What is your nickname, if applicable, and how did you get it?
I have a beer stein with the PKS seal on it and the name Robbo. Where this came from I have not earthly idea.
Did you live in the house? If so, who were your roommates? Tell us about a memorable time with them.
We all lived in the house at $52.50 per month, which included meals and, dues. My first roommate was Lee Moore. He was killed in action in Italy with the 15th AirForce. My next, I think was Paul Wollett ’39 and final roommate was Tommy Cameron ’37 from Philly and Penn Charter Prep. He was also killed in the war.
I understand the Rathskellar is still there in State College. This is where we spent a great deal of time. Beer was 50 cents a pitcher. Doggie Alexander owned the place and loved fraternity boys. One way to get a free pitcher was to down one in one gulp. Many of us got free pitchers. The men’s room had plenty of action. We couldn’t afford more that one pitcher a week. Depression, remember?
What did you do for a living?
I sold adding machines in the Hill District in Pittsburgh; examined claims for GEIC, also in Pittsburgh; after two and a half years in the 12th Air Force in the Mediterranean, entered the real estate business in Durham, N.C., moved it to Wilmington, N.C., and retired in 1991 at the age of 81.
What affiliations do you currently have and/or public service do you participate to?
Retired member of the Society of Golf Appraisers. Too damn old for any thing else.
What hobbies do you enjoy?
Golf, playing an alto sax and making golf clubs.
What are your goals for the next few years?
To stay alive
