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 we report the passing of:

Gerald T. Karver '48 - Aug. 1, 2016
Harry L. Bink '50 - July 16, 2016
William A. Shomberg '53 - Sept 4, 2016
Walter G. Bilger Jr. '63 - Aug. 31, 2016
Alfred J. Migliaccio '66 - Aug. 16, 2016

Gerald Karver - as he appeared in the 1946 Rattle

Gerald “Jerry” Karver passed away on Monday, August 1, 2016, at age 93, after a short stay at the Lehigh Valley Hospital. Jerry was born in Boyertown in 1923, and except for a six year period of time in the 1940’s when he attended Penn State and served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II, lived all of his life in the borough. He is survived by his wife of nearly 69 years, Betty, and two children, Jeff husband of Cindy (Query) Rhoades, and Jana wife of Adolph Styer. He is also survived by four grandchildren, and one brother-in-law, Daniel Bause. He was predeceased by his three sisters Ethel Mercer, Phyllis Stauffer, and Betty Bause. During the 1940’s Jerry was one of the premier milers in the United States. As a high school student, he was a six time PIAA champion. Later at Penn State, he was a member of the first NCAA Championship team ever fielded by Penn State – the 1942 Cross Country team. After the War, he returned to Penn State. In 1947 he became only the second man ever to hold all of the major national mile titles in the same year when he won the IC4A, NCAA, and NAAU one mile championships. He narrowly missed earning a berth on the United States Olympic team in 1948 when he lost a photo finish for third place at the Olympic Trials. He is a member of the Pottstown and Berks County Sports Halls of Fame, and in 2014, he was voted into the Pennsylvania State Sports Hall of Fame. From the mid 1950’s until 1977 he was a part owner of Karver & Fry Toys & Gifts. He was a life-long member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Since 1948 he was a member of the Boyertown Lions Club. In his later years he served as a fundraiser for the Boyertown Area Wellness Council in the successful effort to construct the all weather track and field facility at the Boyertown Area Senior High School. He was an active and enthusiastic supporter of the High School track teams. In a fitting end to his life’s passion, he collapsed while walking and exercising on the track at the High School last Friday. A funeral service will be held Friday August 5, 2016 at 11:00 AM at St. John’s Evangel Lutheran Church, 45 N. Reading Ave., Boyertown, PA 19512, with Rev. Carl Wenzel officiating. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Boyertown. Visitation will be held Friday from 9:00-10:30 AM at the church. Catagnus Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Inc., 1020 E. Philadelphia Ave., Gilbertsville is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Jerry’s memory to the Wellness Council of Boyertown, P.O. Box 87, Boyertown, PA 19512; or to the Boyertown Lions Community Ambulance Association, 2 East Second St., Boyertown, PA 19512.

Read - Winter 1947 Rattle Story on Gerald Karver

Read - Fall 1945 Rattle Item on Gerald Karver

Read - Sept. 1944 Rattle Item on Gerald Karver

Read - March 1943 Rattle Item on Gerald Karver

Read - Dec. 1941 Rattle Item on Gerald Karver

Harry Luther Bink, 89, passed away suddenly at his apartment Saturday, July 16, in Mechanicsburg's Bethany Village. Born Aug. 23, 1926, to Verna (Hill) and the Rev. Howard Frank Bink, He was happily married for 62 carnations (years) to the late Jean Bink.

A graduate of Camp Hill High School and Pennsylvania State University, and a proud Theta Chi, he became a prominent registered architect in central PA with a 40-year career primarily with partners James Bogar, Kline Kuntz, and later with his son, Harrison F. Bink. He served as past president of the Central PA chapter of the American Institute of Architects, was a member of the Guild of Religious Architecture, and a member of the American Arbitration Association.

A private pilot, he served in the Army Air Force at the end of WWII, and was a member of the American Legion and the Air Force Association.

An accomplished watercolorist, he was a member of the Harrisburg Art Association, and a longtime member of Friendship Force, traveling and hosting worldwide visitors who then carried his painting gifts to five continents. He and his wife hosted lifetime friends, Binh Vo and Cuc Nguyen, who married at Jean and Harry's longtime residence in Lemoyne.

He was a former 70-year member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Camp Hill, and a current member of Grace United Methodist Church in Lemoyne.

He is survived by son Harrison, a local architect; daughters, Nancy and son-in-law Crawford Brown of North Salem, N.Y.; and Barbara, and son-in-law Michael Hill of Fairfax, Va; as well as three grandchildren: Conway Brown, and Jack and Charlotte Bink. He was preceded in death by his brother, Howard H. Bink, who shared his love of playing Big Band and swing music.

A celebration of life ceremony will be at Bethany Village's Community Room, Aug. 26, 2016, from 6pm to 8pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Asbury Foundation, 325 Wesley Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, marked for the BV Care Assurance fund. The Community Room is at the same address.
Musselman Funeral Home Is Honored To Serve The Bink Family.

William “Bill” Albert Shomberg, 84, of Grand Junction, CO, formerly from Corinth, NY, and Duxbury, MA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 4, 2016.
Bill was born September 22, 1931, in Altoona, PA, to Harold and Martha (Gwinn) Shomberg. He grew up in State College, PA, and graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Business Administration. Bill served two years in the Air Force and received an Honorable Discharge in 1956. He was a successful sales professional for 40 years in the steel industry. In his active years, Bill enjoyed sailing, tennis, golfing, and socializing with neighbors and friends. Everyone enjoyed his light-hearted wit.

Bill is survived by his wife, Joan (Cooke) Shomberg; daughters, Deborah (Michael) Gries and Gretchen Sheehan; sons, Joseph (Beth) Shomberg and Michael (Terry) Shomberg; stepchildren, Thomas Tanner, Terry (Jon) Ferree, Tracy Berg, and Toni (Keith) Hochhalter; as well as 15 loving grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his former wife, Anne (Twomey) Shomberg.

A private family service to celebrate Bill’s life will be held in the fall.

Walter Gibson Bilger - 76, of Vancouver, WA passed away on August 31,2016. Wally served as a Captain in the Army after graduating from Penn State University. After his time in the service he entered into the field of Advertising. This brought him to Phoenix in 1974. Wally switched careers and for the last 30 + years he was self employed in Health Insurance. He lived in Phoenix until 2013. Wally was a member of the Phoenix Jaycees, the Lions Club and loved helping out at the Fiesta Bowl Band Pageant. Wally also coached many years for the Royal Palm Little League. He is survived by his wife Susan, his two children Mark & Megan their spouses Amy and Jeff, and four grandchildren Mason, Montana, Mackenzie and Michal. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org.

Alfred J.  Migliaccio  '66 — Alfred J. Migliaccio '66

Alfred "Al" Joseph Migliaccio, of Devon, peacefully passed away, at home, on August 16, 2016. Born on May 5, 1944, in Philadelphia, to the late Alfred G. and Ethel (nee Houck) Migliaccio. Al graduated from Yeadon High School and Penn State where he was a proud member of Theta Chi. His legendary sales and marketing career of 50+ years included stints at Honeywell, Sperry, DEC and Unisys, with the last 15 years at Jamis International, where he was the Founder, President and CEO. He is survived by his loving wife of 25+ years, Joanie (nee Moy); daughters Alisa (Erik) McCann and Ashlee (Keith) Petrosky; son, Michael; Pop Pop to grandchildren Mya, London and Kendall; sister, Elaine Crowley; former wife, Shirley Migliaccio; and many nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to share a story (or two!) at the celebration of Al's great life at the Radnor Hotel, on September 22nd, from 5:30-8:30 P.M. To honor Al, in lieu of flowers, please perform a random act of kindness.

Chapter Eternal