Big Bash '24

 

Delts from all years joined together for this photo at
the Saturday Big Bash luncheon.

The Delts of Wabash 1979 made a huge showing at this year's Big Bash.  All but one of the returning 1979 alumni were Delts.  In addition, many Delts from a variety of graduation years were in attendance.

603 WW rented Camp Rotary for the Big Bash weekend
so all Delts had a "home port" over the weekend.
While some opted for commuting from home or
staying in a local motel, many Delt alumni
camped here in the bunkhouses.

Randy, ("mayor of C'ville and local celebrity),
Dan (chairman of this year's 603 events), Murph and Craig,
raise the all-important Delt and Wabash ensigns.

Derek, Dan, Murph, Craig

Brad (Class of '79 Organizer extraordinaire) & Randy '77

Craig, Murph, Dan, Derek, Randy, Brad, Greg
check in at Chadwick Court.

And the 603 WW contingent collects at Wally's!
Randy, Brad, Ralph, Cheryl (holding Nellie),
Greg, Craig, Dan, Derek, Murph

Dinner Thursday evening was at the Blue Cactus, C'ville.

Greg, Brad, John, Murph, Max, Derek, Dan, Larry, Randy

Murph, Mike, Dan, John, Craig at Camp Rotary

Breakfast at the Wallace Opry, Wallace, IN.
Going around the table, far side, from left to right:
Steve, John, Murph, Brian, Brad, Max,
Close side of the table from left to right:
John, Craig, Randy, Mike, Derek, Dan.

Great memorabilia at the Highway 341 Cafe',
also known as the Wallace Opry.

The live music is here, on stage, but not for breakfast.

Special edition of the Wabash Magazine
shared with the 603 WW group
by the owners of the Wallace Opry.

Outside the Wallace Opry, Derek, John, Brian, Dan, Craig, Mike

603 WW Delts and College CFO register for the Big Bash.
Murph, Randy, Dan, John, Kendra (CFO), Greg, Mike, Brad, Craig

Dan, our 603 WW organizer & chair,
leads the official registration.

For video of the squirrel with
the white tail, Click Here.

Surprise!  603 WW reconvenes at Wally's!
Dan, Craig, Greg, Brad, Derek, Mike, John, Don's granddaughter,
Don, Murph, Randy, Steve

Back at Camp Rotary, the F.A.D.C. flag flies.
"Friday Afternoon Drinking Club"
reincarnated from 1974-76.

Max and John shake hands with Craig looking on.

Great evening around the campfire at Camp Rotary.
Greg, Mark, active Delt, Ralph, active Delt, active Delt, Randy, Max, Gumby, Dan, John,
Murph, Mike, John, Larry, Craig, Derek and Brad (his back to the camera).

The Saturday morning walk took Ralph, Mike
and Greg around the campus.

All but one of the class of 1979 were 603 WW Delts,
here singing at the "Sing" in the Chapel,
being led by retired Glee Club celebrity, Mike.

The class of 1979 singing at the "Sing" in the Chapel,

being led by retired Glee Club celebrity, Mike.

John '82, captures the crowd of alumni at the final "Sing"
in the Wabash College Chapel.

At the Saturday luncheon, Dan, John, Ralph, ______,
Derek, Greg, Brad, Tim

Mark, Randy, Murph, Mike, Craig, John

Steve, Mark, Randy, Murph, Mike, Craig

________, ________, Chris, ______,
Don's granddaughter, Don, Bernie

Delts from all classes

Several 603 WW members visited the Wabash Hall of Fame 
in the Allen Center, notably the recognition of
All-American Swimmer, Delt Ralph '79.

As a fellow Pittsburgh alumni, Murph recognized friend
and mentor, Chris Passodelis in the HoF.  All 603 WW members
recall neighbor, "Bullet Bob" Henry.

Many 603 WW members attended the Stagg Bowl
in support of the 1977 HoF football team.

This Tesla pickup truck was parked in the Wabash lot
and caught the attention of several Delts, including Brad.

Back at Wally's!  John, Randy, Steve, Murph, Mark, John

These Delts from classes in the 50s were also
enjoying a quiet respite at Wally's.

Dan displays the pledge paddle presented to him by his pledge son, almost 45 years ago.

603 WW attendees at the 2024 Big Bash.

Former Delt Chapter President and
highly successful Class of 1979
organizer, Brad.

Saturday night campfire at Camp Rotary.

Many new signatures added to the cornhole boards.

Mike and John

Batch, _____, _____, Randy, _____,
Gumby, Dan, Max

Sadly, we missed the wonderful presence of
Keith "Ernie Tirebiter" Schaefer '78,
as he departed this world for a better place just a few days before the Big Bash.

Indy Motor Speedway

It is always an early start working the Indy 500.  My start time is a couple hours after some of the earliest employees begin and I'm at my post about 5am.

Yellowshirts enjoy their work!

Even during a long rain delay.

Fraternity Brother Don Hodson saw
us on TV during the rain delay!

Yellowshirt colleagues move the Borg Warner Trophy
to the Start/Finish Line.

USAF Thunderbirds perform a dramatic flyover
during ceremonies at the end of the National Anthem. 

My post has me right at the eventual winner's pit box.

One of the reasons Newgarden won, his pit team gets him out in less than 10 seconds!

The winner's car after the race.

Josef Newgarden, Two Time, Back-to-Back Winner,
poses with Yellowshirts, Murph on the right.

Indy 500 Lost & Found!

Indy 500 Lost & Found!

My "Office"

My "Office" May 18, 2024

Lily, daughter of college buddy, Kim Koch.
I feel like a celebrity, as Lily asks for
a photo with me when she comes to the track.

Video taken May 20, 2024 by Lily Koch, Kim's daughter.

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Back Home Again . . .

Indiana State Museum

Indianapolis has become my summer home since the Indianapolis Motor Speedway gave me a campsite for the season.  In return, I work on the IMS Safety Patrol (Yellowshirts).  A good gig as my "office" is at the intersection of Pit Road and Gasoline Alley.  Also, I'm close to my alma mater, Wabash College, in Crawfordsville, IN.  Many good friends, college buddies and fraternity brothers live in Central Indiana,  so it definitely feels like home.  On a par sailing with my sailboat friends! 

Catching up with Hoosier friends included a visit to the Indiana State Museum and an Imax movie.  And always includes campus visits at Wabash College.

This photo in the college library was taken while
I was a student.  A classmate and friend,
Randy Berta, is pushing at the passenger side by the windscreen.

College roommate and fraternity brother,
Randy Allen and I often stop for
pizza in Crawfordsville.

Randy Allen also attended C'ville High.

IMS Yellowshirts gather for a birthday celebration in
Speedway.  Andy Bowman, Jamie Bowman, Murph,
Bonnie, Amber (the birthday girl).

This season I rode my bike to work.
Here my bike is the "I" in Indy.

Yellowshirts gathering in May.

Helicopter Flyover for the start of the
Sonsio Grand Prix.

The American Legion in the Sonsio Grand Prix.

Delts @ Indians Baseball

Randy Allen '77 organized a group of Delts and spouses together for an evening of baseball at Victory Field, Indianapolis.

Lynn, Randy '77, Larry '78

Murph '76, Julie, Craig '79

Sue, Dan '79, Steve '77, Brenda

Randy '77, Larry '78, Brad '79

The Indians took an early lead, but the Bisons,
from Buffalo, owned the game after they
shut down the Indians with a double play.

Fabulous fireworks after the game!