THE NIGHT BETA CHAPTER WAS CREATED

The presence of the Phi Delta Psi ritual candle was already in place before the pledge class of Fall 1959 came into existence. Here Br. Gerald Buttaccio, the newly elected president of Beta Chapter accepts his chapter's candle and holder from President Rowland LoBianco. This candle stick is in the archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.

(l to r)  Jerry Buttaccio, Ed Hart, John Valvo, Roy LoBianco and Jerry Cipperly  Living room (meeting space) at the Oxnard House in Valley Glen. (click on image to enlarge it. Refer to photograph number 1013-002-6309 of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.) Image processing donated by Br. Gary Fredburg 2013.

STEVE FALK AND ROY LO BIANCO

On the occasion of Steve Falk's last visit with Roy LoBianco, their group went to lunch and naturally had to kid around a bit.

 Roy Lo Bianco and Steve Falk remained friends all their lives. They remained friends after graduating from Valley College. During their years at USC, Steve was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity while Roy was a leader in Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

Last photograph of Roy LoBianco and Steve Falk. Roy was the 7th President of Phi Delta Psi, the Fraternity Steve helped to found.

MORE VERY EARLY PHI DELT PHOTOS

These early photos of the Fraternity were donated to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Br. Jerry Berns in 2009.

 Br. Jerry Fecht speaks at the Fall 1959 "Smoker". Note the Phi Delt banner in the background.
 Photo 2304

 Newly initiated Br. Dave Clancy, I believe with his parents, at a Parents Day. This may have been taken at the Oxnard House before Beta Chapter was formed - U.S. Grant High School under construction in the background. Photo 2305.  Br. Clancy was the first Pledge Master of Beta Chapter.

 Popular disc jockey Dell Moore speaks at an early Phi Delta Psi "Smoker". In the background is the Bob Harnow quartet. This group inspired our guys to form their own quartet. Photo 2306

 Br. Ted Quillen speaks at the Fall Smoke 1959. Ted was the first honorary initiate of the Fraternity. He was a big time LA disc jockey on Radio KFWB.  Photo 2307

 Br. Jerry Fecht speaks at the Fall 1959 "smoker". Note the handmade Phi Delta Psi letters on the crest on the podium.  Jerry was the 6th President of the Fraternity. Photo 2308

7th President of the Phi Delta Psi Fraternity, Br. Rowland LoBianco Jr. Speaking at a Rush Smoker in 1959. Photo 2309.

THE NIGHT WE BECAME ALPHA AND BETA CHAPTERS

From the inception of the Phi Delta Psi Fraternity, we had brothers who attended both Valley and Pierce Colleges. Our meeting place on Topanga Canyon lent itself to the inclusion of Pierce students. As the Fraternity grew, the focus of school activities on two campuses became a burden.  At last the decision was made to create two chapters. The original members were initiates of the Mother Chapter.
Here Brother Jerry Buttaccio accepts the lighted candle of Brotherhood from President Roy LoBianco Jr (in gray sweater). Fortunately, there were two candlesticks, one of which had been stored away.
In the background (left in red jacket) is Brother Ed Hart, next to the right is Brother John Valvo, and to the far right is Brother Jerry Cipperley. It was one of the most exciting nights in the history of the Maple Leaf Brotherhood.
Shortly after this photograph was taken, Jerry Buttaccio was elected Beta Chapter's first president.

The forming of Beta Chapter - Photo in the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - refer to image number 2299.  Gift to The Museum from Jerry Berns 2010 - click to enlarge.

Br. FALK SHARES 2010 PHOTOS

Brother Roy LoBianco and Founder Steve Falk try their luck with the Fountain of Youth. Both vanished shortly after this photo was taken. The stress was likely too great.

Sue (Bernardi) and Richard Box with their son Joey in Redlands, California -

Brother Roy LoBianco

Roy LoBianco, the Sunday after Thanksgiving in Studio City. The rescue dog, Missy, is his constant companion. Brother LoBianco was in the Fraternity's first pledge class. He wrote the Fraternity's song. Today, he and Missy live in Palm Springs, California.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Br. ROWLAND LoBIANCO

Little Joe's - Photo by Gerald Fecht 2008 - Sunshine and Struggle Exhibit (click on image to enlarge.)

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR DEAR BROTHER ROY LO BIANCO ON HIS 70TH BIRTHDAY!

ROWLAND LO BIANCO

Roy LoBianco - c 1957 - Scanned by LeRoy Hunt - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - 2008 (click on image to enlarge)
Brother Rowland Lo Bianco was born on the 4th of November in Brooklyn, New York. He is the oldest son of Bertha and Roland Lo Bianco Sr. Roland graduated from Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California. He served the Brotherhood as President of the Mother Chapter in 1957 and is the originator of the Phi Delta Psi song.
After he completed his studies at Los Angeles Valley College, Rowland transferred to the University of Southern California where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 1962. At the University, Roy was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. For a while after graduation Rowland sold real estate, but then decided to teach school He earned a California Teaching Credential and taught for several years in an inner city school.
During his college years, Roy developed a love of swap meets and the discovery of unexpected treasures in flea markets. He gradually acquired a good collection of Native American artifacts. He turned his hobby into a business opening the highly successful Many Horses Art Gallery on La Cienega in West Hollywood. As an gallery owner and collector, Roy frequently visited American Indian Reservations and art studios throughout the Southwest. He became one of the most important art dealers in America. Roy retired to Palm Springs where he is a buyer of Mexican wrought iron works for designer garden and home stores in the area. He travels regularly to Mexico on buying trips, and has a second home in Rosarita Beach in Baja California.

Early Photos of our Fraternity

ROY LOBIANCO speaks for his Fraternity 1957 (click on image to enlarge)

Roy LoBianco accepts antique telephone from Dal Sonnebend. Rare photograph of Richard Magidson seated.

ROWLAND F. LO BIANCO Jr.

Rowland F. LoBianco Jr. - Archive of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - 2008

Roy LoBianco was a member of the first Pledge Class of the Phi Delta Psi in the Spring of 1956. He wrote the Fraternity's song to the tune of an old time song called "Heart of my Heart." After his graduation from L.A. Valley College, Roy went on to the University of Southern California. He taught school for a short while and earned a Masters degree in Education during that time.
He began a business, buying and selling native American artifacts. That trading grew into a major art dealership called Many Horses Gallery in West Hollywood. Today Roy lives in Palm Springs and Rosario, Baja, Mexico.
This photo was taken in March of 2008 at the San Fernando Mission.