Thomas L. Hebel ’77

Why did I join Phi Kappa Sigma?
People! My best friend, Jon Apple ’77, was a Brother. Jon and I are both from the same hometown, Perkasie, Pa. (as is Joe VanLeer ’75), and we were in the same major, landscape architecture. My first visit to the house was to study for an upcoming test with Jon, and I believe it was on a Wednesday night. As many of you know, Wednesday night meant rush taps and lets just say it was the most fun study night I had ever had. I met a bunch of really great guys and had a super time. The rest is history.

Alumni Q&A with Thomas L. Hebel ’77

What is your favorite fraternity memory?
I have a bunch of favorite memories of the house like Slip ‘n Slide with Faye in trash bags on the first floor, awards on Friday night and Tommy D for Mental Health … “How did they get that shark to do that?” and midnight drives on campus in the VW … in boxers. The best ones, however, came later like apple crisp, the immaculate reception, the mud dance at the Denkfest, the wrong car at Weege’s wedding and the honeymoon cruise to Cozomel.

What influence has the fraternity had on your life since graduation?
We had a great time at Phi Kappa … sometimes too good of a time. But we learned some important lesson, too. That’s where I learned about responsibility, cooperation, leadership, relationships, tolerance and the value of friendship. We were proud of our House, proud of each other and proud to be a part of Phi Kap history. As I look back today, I am more sure than ever we all owe a big part of who we are today to that place, that time and that group of guys. I hope my children can say the same thing some day.

Who do I stay in contact with?
I stay in contact with Jon Apple, John Hellmann ’77, Steve Rowe ’78, Sean Lacey ’78, Scott Thomas ’77, Mike Friel ’77, Ralph VanHorne ’75, Joe VanLeer, Mark Denkowski ’77, Joe Gill ’77, Joe Patonetz ’76, Terry McDevitt ’76, Evan Fox ’79, Russ Hatton ’78, Jeff Long ’80, Gary Grant ’77, Jack Bender ’78 and some others I’m forgetting to mention. My very best friends are the same ones I’ve had since my Penn State days in the ’70s.

Who would I like to find?
I am wondering where Frank Lynch ’81 is these days.

Tell us about your family.
Many of you know my Phi Kap girl, Barb. We dated on and off in college (she was at the University of Miami while I was at PSU) and hooked up for good on Oct. 31, 1981. Barb is the human resource director for Doylestown Hospital and its 1,800 employees. We have two sons — Gregory, a freshman at PSU Abington, and Ryan, a freshman at Pennridge High School. Both have been Penn Staters since birth and enjoy hangin’ out with all of the Phi Kap gang at PSU football games and local parties. Gregory plans to be at the main campus next fall, majoring in landscape contracting. Ryan hopes to get through high school without allowing academics to interfere with his social schedule. I think he will make an excellent fraternity president someday as he has already mastered the art of persuasion and group leadership.

What were your nicknames?
There were many great nicknames for lots of us at Phi Kap like “Skid,” “Hellpig,” “Stench,” “Weege,” “Grunt,” “Porno,” “Zap,” “Joker,” “Smelly” and many more. Mine was “Barney” or “Rubble” or “Q”, all of which I assume are derivatives of or associations with my last name, Hebel.

Did you live in the House?
I moved into the house as a pledge in fall of 1975. I pulled a famous “power play” room pick without even knowing what one was. Mike Whitesell ’76, a senior with a very high room pick, was a bit short on cash at the time, so short in fact that he was in jeopardy of loosing his pick if he didn’t pay his delinquent house bill from the previous term. I had some spare change as was often the case and a generous spirit (some call it naïve) and was happy to help Mike out of his jam in trade for sharing the back “Icebox.” John Hellmann, Mike Friel, Steve Rowe, Mike and I shared that suite and, yes, Mike did pay me back before the year was over.

What do you do for a living?
I own a landscape design and build company and a garden and home center, Bucks Country Gardens, located in Doylestown, Pa. Most of my time is spent designing, selling, and overseeing the installation of mid-size residential landscape projects. The garden center, greenhouse, nursery, gift shop and casual furniture shop are managed by a group of excellent employees who allow me to spend my fall weekends in Happy Valley. Whenever absolutely necessary, I get involved in general business management and attempt to keep our gang focused, motivated and content. Both of our boys work at the garden center, and come spring, Gregory will move to one of the landscape installation crews. If nothing changes their minds, they will be paying me to stay away within a few short years.

What affiliations do you currently have and/or public service do you participate in?
For many years following graduation, I was an active member of the Phi Kap Alumni Board. I am currently an active participant in the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce where I serve on the board and as past president of Bucks Beautiful, a program of the chamber devoted to beautifying Bucks County with public gardens. I am also very active in our local Lutheran church where I have served as a council member and president.

What hobbies do you enjoy?
Penn State Football and tailgating is my favorite hobby. I play a little golf, do a little traveling, collect a little art and attend far too many nonprofit fund-raising events. This year, we sold our membership in a local golf club and bought a motor home. Haven’t missed the country club scene at all and am just having a ball with the home on wheels. Can’t wait for the football team to catch up! We are planning a couple trips next year and may even pull off a “Denkfest” resurrection at Smith Mountain Lake in late July or early August.

Brothers can contact Tom at [email protected].