We have been honored to call these men our Brothers. The condolences of Theta Chi’s extended worldwide family are offered to the family and friends of our deceased brothers.

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of:

Ralph J. Ettinger '49
Jackson G. Horner '53

On March 17, 2015 Ralph J. Ettinger, 90, passed away in Hanover, MD. He was born in Dunmore, PA on May 27, 1924. He served in the United States Army from 1943-1946 and graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. He went on to work at NSA, retiring after 34 years of service. Ralph enjoyed camping, gardening and raising his family. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Blanche L. Ettinger; four brothers, one sister and his parents, Charles and Anna Ettinger. Ralph is survived by his children, Bonnie E. Bender, Charles A. Ettinger, Robert J. Ettinger, Howard J. Ettinger and their spouses; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren with one on the way. The family will receive visitors at the family-owned Singleton Funeral & Cremation Services, 1 2nd Avenue SW (at Crain Hwy), Glen Burnie, on Tuesday, March 24th, from 10:30AM-12:30PM. A Celebration of Life service will be held in the funeral chapel immediately following at 12:30PM. Interment Ft. Lincoln Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society , 100 Painters Mill Road; Owings Mills, MD 21117 OR Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Hwy; Pasadena, MD 21122.

Jackson G. Horner, died on March 12, 2015. Born in Johnstown, Penna., the son of Mr. Harry G. Horner and Mrs. Kathryn Gastley Horner. After graduation from Johnstown High School, he earned a B.S. Degree and a M.A. Degree from The Pennsylvania State University. While at Penn State, he was a member of the Cross Country and Track team serving as captain of the Cross Country team his senior year. Following graduation, he served with the United States Army at the close of the Korean War. Upon completion of his service with the United States Army, he began his teaching career at Lower Paxton High School followed by a lifetime career with the State College Area School District, State College, PA. He served 38 years as Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach at the State College Area High School. During this time, he never missed a day of coaching and teaching due to a sick day. Early in his career he made a commitment to teaching and coaching at the high school level. During his career he achieved many outstanding honors. In 1979, he served as Honorary High School Coach at the Penn Relays, University of Pennsylvania. In 1980, Sports Illustrated listed him in Faces in the Crowd. In 1984, he was named to the Johnstown Sports Hall of Fame having had a National Cross Country Team Record. In 1986, because of his outstanding coaching career, he was awarded a Citation by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He was named Coach of the Year in 1989 by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association at the Annual Induction Ceremony. 1993, he was named to the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in Track and Field and Cross Country. The same year, 1993, he was awarded the Man of the Year Award by the Pennsylvania Track and Field Coaches Association. In 1994, he was named to the National High School Sports Hall of Fame and in 1995, he was named to the Pennsylvania High School Track and Field Hall of Fame; spent a summer at Colorado Springs training future high school students as Olympic Runners. Outstanding statistics during his coaching career included a 2-mile relay team which broke a national record in 1965. Another national record was achieved in 1977 with 132 consecutive Cross Country Dual meets; this total record ended with 189 wins in 1988. Throughout his career, he had many State Champions in both Cross Country and Track and Field. He served as president of the Penna. Track and Field Coaches Association from 1969-1972 and founded the Girls State College Cross Country and Track and Field Program at State College High School. He was a 50 year member of the Masons and a lifetime member of the State College Elks. Church membership was at Grace Lutheran Church, State College, PA. and St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sarasota, Fl. He is survived by his wife, Lenore K. Horner, one daughter, Jocelyn I. Horner Molitor of Hatfield, Mass.; a son-in-law, Peter Molitor and a grandson, Robert Molitor. He had two sisters, Carolyn Paterson of Johntown, deceased and Urla Friedline, Rochester, Minn. In his memory, contributions may be made to the Jackson G. Horner Cross Country Endowment at Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pa.; the Jackson G. Horner Track Award, State College Area High School or to Grace Lutheran Church, State College, Pa. or St. Paul Lutheran Church at Sarasota, Fl. Contributions may also be made to the National Heart Association.

Chapter Eternal - Ralph Ettinger '49 & Jackson Horner '53