CLASS OF 1963

This decal was sent this week from Bend, Oregon by Brother Paul Craig. It is now among the historic artifacts in the Phi Delta Psi archive collection of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.

ALPHA BASEBALL TEAM 1964

How about helping to identify these Alpha Chapter Brothers in this 1964 photograph - courtesy of Brother Ron Lutz.   (click on image to enlarge)
Br. Paul Craig in Bend, Oregon responds as follows

1st row - left to right - ?, Dave Gilbreath, Tom Ny, Paul Craig

2nd row - Steve Weiss, Rich Ennis, Perry Paul, Bob Magdaleno, Vic Salerno

top row - Ken Smith, Jim Littrell, Coach Sam Epstein, Dave O'Doul

Bro. Paul Craig notes "Sam Epstein was the father of Syd Epstein who was a Little Sister of the Phi Delts.  Somehow, he got roped into being the Coach/Advisor for our softball team.  ...  I went to high school with Syd at Grant and have remained in touch with her over the years and she remains as beautiful as she was back then.  Recently she told me that her Dad has the fondest memories of the Phi Delts and mentions his time with us frequently."

 

 

We have no up to date information on:
Perry Paul   who may be living in Encino

Jerry Fecht has a record of a "Lee" Epstein Fall 1963
but nothing more.   The same is true for Dave O'Doul
or:  James Oliver Littrell 

THETA RHO SORORITY c. 1963

These photographs were published today on the blog of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.

One of the most popular sororities at Los Angeles Valley College in the 1960s was the Theta Rho Theta.
These photographs were taken from images still in Roz Stern's scrapbook. The photographs were glued onto the book, and removal for scanning endangered the images.

 These color snapshots were taken on February 17th, 1963 at the Phi Delta Psi Fraternity house on Victory Boulevard. An all-Greek festival was taking place. "All Valley College Greeks participated with games, fun and laughs."

 "Poor Kirby gets wet at the Phi Delt booth"  Evidently, the Phi Delta Psi brothers had constructed a dunking stand. Kirby and a friend Vito Mazzarino had been in the US Navy together and had just started Valley College.

"Barbara checks out the scene at the carnival"

VIC SALERNO'S MEMBERSHIP CARD

Phi Delta Psi Membership Card - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - Gift of Vic Salerno (click on image to enlarge)

Vic Salerno was a student at Los Angeles Valley College when he was issued this membership card in the Phi Delta Psi Fraternity. Gerald McAlevey was the president of the Valley College Alpha Chapter, and Roger Levy, an alumnus of Los Angeles City College Delta Chapter was the Chronicler of the entire Fraternity in 1963.

ALLEN PLOUFF and JOHN CAMINITI BETA BROTHERS

Allen Plouff - US Military Intelligence October 1967 Dau Tieng, South Viet Nam - Photo scanned by LeRoy Hunt 2008 for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley (click on image to enlarge)

The Viet Nam War did much to destroy the Phi Delta Psi Fraternity. Many of its Brothers were members of reserve units "called up" for military service. Anti-war and anti-establishment sentiments grew as the war continued, and fraternities were among their victims.
Brother Allen Plouff pledged Phi Delta Psi's Beta Chapter in the Fall of 1963, shortly after graduating from Canoga Park High School. He entered the service just after finishing his studies at Pierce College. On his return from three years in Viet Nam, he entered California State University Northridge where he earned a degree in accounting. In 2008 he and his wife Judy reside in Valencia, California

Post card sent to Jerry Fecht from John Caminiti during his flight training (click on image to enlarge)
Brother John Caminiti is a 1959 graduate of Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California. He was initiated into the Phi Delta Psi Fraternity in the Fall of 1962. He served the Brotherhood as the Sergeant at Arms for Beta Chapter. John holds a Masters degree from California State University Northridge. He served in the United States Army, First Cavalry Division from 1966 to 1968.
In 2004, Brother Caminiti is a mathematics teacher and wrestling coach at Tehachapi High School. He and his former wife Terry have four children; Steve, Scott, Chris, and Katie.
John wrote in 2004: "I live a great life. My fiancée and I dance, camp, travel, attend spiritual retreats, and have fun with the grandkids. Also I am involved with Brazilian Ju-Jitsu, which explains why I recently had to have rotator cuff surgery at Kerlan and Jobe. I am a very lucky fella."

THE PHI DELT SPIRIT - THERON ives

Letter from Theron Ives 26 February, 1963 -(click on image to enlarge)

This last Tuesday Founders Grady Talbot and Doug West invited Br. Bob Robar and me to join them for lunch at the Odessy Restaurant in Granada Hills. (I hadn't been there in at least 20 years and it was not an iota different.) As with every Phi Delt reunion dinner or lunch, the question of "what made Phi Delta Psi so different?" came up. It's always the same... loyalty. And, loyalty in the face of discomfort, inconvenience or even danger. :Is this the kind of guy who will come and rescue me in the middle of the night, without making excuses."
On the way home, I stopped at Bob Robar's to pick up a box of mixed stuff. Original minutes of Gamma and Beta Chapters. Minutes from the original Topanga Canyon stable and a bunch of pictures. I'll already stated posting them for your enjoyment.
There was one letter among the things - A letter from A3C Ives, Theron B. AF1975950581 - Mail Room 4, Box 4698
Chanute AFB Illinois
Dear Brother Jerry,
Please find enclosed $2.00 deposit for the Maple Leaf Ball. Do not know where I'll be stationed in October but hope to make it to the Ball near or in California.
Will graduate from school here in April, will then get my orders to my new base.
Hope to see all of my Brothers then. Brother Terry
Please credit $2 to my name.
Home address:
Terry B. Ives Beta Chapter
8386 Ponce Avenue, Canoga Park, California