Richard L. Hill ‘59 - from 1959 LaVie photo of Omega Chapter

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:

John F. McElwee ‘50 - Dec. 20, 2019
Paul G. Brecht ‘51 - Jan. 12, 2020
Thomas E. Morton ‘53 - Dec. 10. 2019
Richard L. Hill ‘59 - Dec. 29, 2019

John Fay Mcelwee - After a recent diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease followed by a severe fall, Jack McElwee began his final journey. Jack was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania on February 5, 1928 and died December 20, 2019. His parents were Fredda May Isett, McElwee, Wise and John Fay McElwee, Sr. He was raised by his grandparents who made sure he could herd and feed cattle, work in a coal mine, and provide wild game for dinner.

He attended Broadtop High School and graduated from Saxton Liberty High School in Pennsylvannia, and received his B.S and M.S. Degrees from Pennsylvania State University. He earned another M.S. Degree from the University of Southern California, and his M.B.A., and Ph.D. from Claremont Graduate University.

During World War II, Jack enlisted in the Navy when he was 17 years old. Because electronics technicians were in short supply, he was traded between ships and jeep carriers, once across the open sea between two ships. He served on the Bairoko, Rendova, Boxer, Valley Forge, Tarawa, and the Iowa (for three hours). His home ship was the Bairoko.

After the War, Jack completed college and and entered the Aerospace Industry working for Sperry Gyroscope Company in Great Neck, Long Island, then Goodyear. He moved to California when he was offered a salary twice his Goodyear salary. He worked at Hycon, Spectra Lab, Aerojet, Lockheed, and then General Dynamics.

After a 39 years career as an electronics and systems engineer, he began a new career with the University of La Verne, working as an adjunct and then full time until he retired in 2014. and was awarded the title of Professor of Business Administration Emeritus. When he was at ULV, he was proudest of his role in helping to establish the College of Business and Global Studies. Working for the University of La Verne was the fulfillment of his dream. He always wanted to be a College Professor.

During his career, he co-authored books and articles, holds a number of patents in the field of electronics, performed consulting tasks for the Royal Swedish Navy in underwater weapons and for a number of domestic firms in electromagnetic compatibility. He served as President and Vice President of the Broadtop Alumni Association and President of the IEEE for two years. He was a member of the American Marketing Association, Theta Chi, and an Active Member of the American Legion, Post 755, Charter Oak.

Jack loved to try new things in food and travel. He was an excellent cook and traveled in 73 countries throughout the world. Sports were his passion, baseball, football, basketball. Baseball was his favorite; he was an ardent Dodger fan.

Jack and his wife Joy Obrock McElwee would have celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary on April 9, 2020. He is survived by his wife, Joy, his two sons James Barry McElwee and John David McElwee and their wives, Suzanne Bigham McElwee and Kymberle Landry McElwee. He was very proud of his two grandchildren, Allison McElwee and Scott McElwee.

Thomas Earl Morton, 89, longtime Murrysville resident, passed away Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Betty Heimberger Morton (2012); and a daughter, Lori Morton Witte (2006). Tom was born April 1, 1930, and raised in Philadelphia, the son of the late Thomas Earl Morton Jr. and Cornelia Riordan Morton. Tom served in the Army from 1947-49 before attending and graduating from Penn State University in 1953. Tom worked as a professional engineer for U.S. Steel -Edgar Thomson Works, Westinghouse, NUMEC and General Wire Spring before his retirement in 1995. He was a longtime member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Export and later at Holiday Park United Methodist Church in Murrysville, where he sang in the choirs for more than 60 years. For the last decade, Tom served as the lead judge for Murrysville's photography contest. Tom is survived by daughters, Lisa Morton Franson (Paul), of Davie, Fla., and Lynn Jaycox (Nathan), of East Hampton, Conn.; a sister, Debbie Rexford (Dennis), of Yucca Valley, Calif.; grandchildren, Jared Witte (Kristen), of Houston, Texas, Jenna Smith (Wesley), of Indianapolis, Ind., Lauren Franson, of New York, N.Y., and Kristen Franson, of Atlanta, Ga.; and great-granddaughter, Julia Witte, of Houston.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16, 2019, at the HART FUNERAL HOME INC., 3103 Lillian Ave., Murrysville, PA 15668, followed by a memorial service and celebration of life at 6 p.m.

Online condolences may be shared at www.hartfuneralhomeinc.com. In lieu of flowers, donations honoring Tom may be made to The Westmoreland Conservancy at its online portal.

To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.

Paul Brecht - son of a mill worker, World War II Seaman, devoted Catholic parishioner and human rights advocate, protector of animals, lover of the arts and North Point Breeze neighborhood - died peacefully on January 12, 2020, twelve days after his 94th birthday. Paul was born in the hard scrabble mill town of Arnold, PA. He would recount colorful stories of witnessing his father and co-workers gathered around the kitchen table in the 1930s discussing union organizing strategies in steel mills. Only eighteen and eager to fight the fascists, Paul enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a signal man on the USS New Mexico in the dangerous seas of the South Pacific. After the war, Paul attended Penn State on the GI Bill and began his career in retail as an employee in a gift shop owned by Ethyl Meserve, who became a lifelong mentor and dear friend. He went on buying trips to New York then and later when he worked in the men's clothing departments at Cox's of McKeesport and Kaufmanns. Always a lover of music, he hitchhiked from Penn State to NYC, to hear the famed French chanteuse Edith Piaf and waited by the stage door to express his deep admiration for her. Later in life, Paul was an ardent supporter of Pittsburgh theater and the symphony. Paul met interior designer Bruce Adlard in 1975 and together they purchased an 1897 "farm house" in North Point Breeze where they made their home for 45 years. Together they established Interior Accents, a sophisticated antique and interior design store in East Liberty. This business led Paul to become a promoter of East Liberty resilience and he served as Executive Director of the East Liberty Chamber of Commerce. Paul and Bruce traveled through Europe and across the US to search out antique treasures for their store. Longtime friend John Ferraro, who moved next to Paul and Bruce when he was in his twenties, describes Paul as "a joy to be around." "I don't know how many times after work I'd just pop into their serene backyard and join them under the beautiful chestnut tree, relax in an Adirondack chair, sip Scotch and unwind. Paul's amazing positive attitude, his dignity and his ability to spin all that life sent his way helped me gain the self-confidence I lacked and dearly needed as a young man." John remembers Paul telling him about the time a Japanese Kamikaze plane hit his battle ship killing his closest friend in front of his eyes. "I always admired how he stayed true to his Naval pride and shipmates. He helped organize reunions for these sailors well into his eighties." "What always shown brightest in Paul for me was his deep loyalties and big heart, especially for animals," remembers neighbor and close friend Ginny Hildebrand. "I think cats Pudge and Merlin actually ruled Paul and Bruce's household. And these guys donated generously to rescue groups for domestic and 'exotic' animals. These were the best neighbors ever to my partner Jan Neffke and me. And it was Paul who came up with the brilliant idea for Jan and me to establish our dog grooming shop "Poochini's" across the street. What a gift!" Paul will be remembered as deeply loyal to his family and his working class roots, to his Catholic faith and St. Bede Church, to his moral compass, to his shipmates and to so very many friends. "It's impossible to sum up a man's life," said Ginny. "But I will always toast his kind, loving and loyal nature. A bright light has gone out on our street, but his warmth endures." Friends will be received at JOHN A. FREYVOGEL SONS, INC., 4900 Centre Avenue at Devonshire Street (freyvogelfuneralhome.com) on Friday January 24, 2020, from 4-7 p.m. Funeral Saturday January 25, 2020, Mass of Christian Burial, St. Mary Magdalene Parish, St. Bede Church at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Paul's memory to the Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh, the Animal Rescue of New Kensington or St. Mary Magdalene Parish.

Chapter Eternal - Mcelwee '50, Brecht '51, Morton '53 & Hill '59