Donald Curtis Whalen '83 - Alumni Profile
Click Here to Fill Out Your Own Alumni Corner ProfileDonald Curtin Whalen - 1983
Big Brother: Gary Hicks
Offices Held: Caterer
OX: Why did you join Theta Chi?
Curtis Whalen: I roomed with Tim Golden and he and Steve Olejar convinced me to join Theta Chi.
OX: What is your favorite Theta Chi memory or story?
CW: If French Sewer parties aren't enough, then the day that golf was demonstrated on the front yard with head wounds, gore and the wreck of a moderately awful German car en route to the hospital. On the other hand there was the sudden sideways motion while drinking Tequila with Phil Bender with me ending up on the floor. Or watching in awe as Tank (Richard Panza) and the rest of us made a table, stools and 11 pitchers walk out of Gatsby's one night.
OX: What kind of influence has the fraternity had on your life since graduation?
CW: Since I spent so much time sitting at the bar under the "Adams County Family Planning" sign, it took me another 20 years to get married and have a family.
OX: What is your nickname? How did you get it? Did anyone in particular give it to you?
CW: Nobody would ever tell me!
OX: Did you live in the house? If so, who were your roommates? Tell us about a memorable time with them.
CW: Tim Golden and Steve Olejar.
Tim was in the Army and I was supposed to be Steve's best man but when the time came to leave my ship to fly back to Pennsylvania for the wedding, I was trapped in the Red Sea sweeping mines and there was no exit out of the only ports we called at in Saudi Arabia.
OX: Where did your pledge class go on their pledge bolt/trip? What brothers did you take? Any funny stories you can tell?
CW: We went to this school nobody ever heard of called Gettysburg. I'm pretty sure a good time was had by all but I'm taking the 5th. What's the saying: wherever there are 4 Theta Chi Omega gathered together I'm sure there is a 5th?. Something like that.
OX: With whom do you stay in contact? And is there anyone with whom you’ve lost touch that you would like to find?
CW: Tim Boyd and Pam honked at me on the I-5 south of Camp Pendleton in 1985 as we proceeded south to San Diego, I with my Laser on top of my bright blue Plymouth Volari Station Wagon and they in their nice USMC car. We pulled over to the side of the road and had a chat. And I also kept in touch with my brother. None of the rest of you lot seemed interested in heading out to California or the Middle East for the duration.
OX: Any brother you are looking to contact?
CW: Steve Olejar, Pat O'Connor, Tim Boyd, Bradley Davy, John Cunningham, Gary Hicks, Tim Golden, Aldo (Louis Martin Jr.) and all the rest. You've got my e-mail.
OX: What other activities or organizations were you involved with during your college days?
CW: Sailing Team. Weekends all over the eastern seaboard and an amazing road trip to the Orange Bowl Regatta in Miami with 12 other die-hard sailors and six boats on 2 trailers. Remind me to tell you about it some time.
OX: Tell us about your family. Have you married? Do you have children?
CW: Wonderful daughter who is almost 5.
OX: What do you do for a living?
CW: Just left 3 years of recall/mobilization to active duty to the USN and now back at my company: SAIC
OX: What hobbies do you enjoy/What do you do with your free time?
CW: Read, sail, bike, golf and travel the world.
OX: What are your goals for the next few years?
CW: Live forever or die trying.
OX: What organizations are you involved with in your community?
CW: Still part timing with the USN. Struggling member of the Fort Worth appreciation fan club. former member of the monthly Korea commuter club.