Brothers and Friends of AZ Chapter:

We are pleased to report that the design phase of the Pike House Project has been completed and that demolition and reconstruction is set to begin on August 1st.  When this project is finished, it will have no peer on the University of Arkansas campus.  And, to your credit, it will be owned by the fraternity and not the University.  PiKA will be one of the few fraternities that can make that statement and will be the only one with a brand new, world class facility located in a choice spot on Arkansas Avenue.

We hope to have the project completed with students back in residence by the fall semester of 2012.  We are installing a plaque at the entrance in easy view to all who come to live in or to visit the Pi Kappa Alpha House. It will read:

THE PRIVATELY OWNED PiKA HOUSE

Although this property is under the authority of the U of A, this project was privately developed, funded and built through the hard work and generosity of the brothers and friends of Alpha Zeta Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha.

Enjoy your time here.
Develop your full potential here.
Go from here to make a difference in your
chosen field, your state and your country.
Serve the common good.
Cherish and protect this facility.
Leaved it for your future brothers in as good
of shape as you found it.
In the bonds of phi phi k a.

The words on this plaque clearly reflect what those working on and contributing to this project feel about it.  The bonds of our fraternity run deep and last a lifetime, don’t they.

As you may know, we have not yet reached the goal of our Alumni Capital Campaign, but we are within reach.  Hopefully, this will be our last appeal to you to become a stakeholder in the new Pike House Project.  We urge you to make a commitment now, a donation, a pledge or an increase of a previous donation.  This project is going to happen, big time, under budget and on time.  Surely you will want to be recognized and remembered as a participant in this most worthy project.

There were 2 Pikes and 2 females that rode up the elevator together that morning. When they got off, a father and son were standing at the door, waiting to get on the elevator. As the 4 walked down the hall, Scott S. heard the father say, “You better remember this, because you will probably never see anything like it again.”

Fast forward about 7 years. My wife and I had just arrived in Venice, Italy (by train, and mid-morning), and we were standing in a line to check our bags, so we could walk and boat around until we could check into our hotel. Two men were standing in line behind me, and one said, “I know you. You live in Hot Springs, don’t you?” I said yes and he said, “You’re an attorney, aren’t you? I said yes and then he stated: “We were at your party!” They had just finished their MBA programs and were “taking the tour” while they were still students and didn’t care much about staying in 4 star hotels. Moral: My parties have been talked about around the world! David Love ’73

In 1964, Dr. Gardner and his family moved to Searcy where he practiced medicine for 42 years. Dr. Gardner was instrumental in the building of White County Hospital where he served as 4th Chief of Staff. Dr. Gardner was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He served in the United States Air Force and was a faithful member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Searcy, where he served on the vestry for many years. In his retirement, Dr. Gardner ran a gynecology clinic for St. Vincent Infirmary at St. Francis House in Little Rock.

He is survived by his wife Anne; daughter, Libby; son, Reed and his wife, Joy; granddaughters, Meg and Kate. He is also survived by a brother Gen. James L Gardner of Charleston, South Carolina; a sister, Jan Gattis of Little Rock.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to the Trinity Episcopal Church Building Fund, The Winthrop Rockefeller Cancer Research Center; or the charity of your choice.

Visitation will be at Powell Funeral Home in Searcy on Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral services for family and close friends will be Monday, April 27, at 2 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church in Searcy. Arrangements entrusted to Powell Funeral Homes. www.powellfuneralhome.net.

Mr. Ramsey was born in Peach Orchard, Arkansas, to Letha Allbright Ramsey and Theodore Eugene Ramsey. He attended Paragould High School, and received a degree in Architecture from the University of Arkansas. Mr. Ramsey served in the Naval Air Cadets during the Korean War and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. For over 40 years he enjoyed a successful career in large-scale commercial construction, as an architectural coordinator and an award-winning interior design specialist. Mr. Ramsey served as a project manager or consultant for the building and refurbishing of hotels, resorts, and conference facilities in the United States, Canada, Central and South America, Europe, and Asia.

In the early 1960s, Mr. Ramsey was one of two principal architects responsible for the design of the Eden Isle resort near Heber Springs, Arkansas. His family is especially proud of his work on the Red Apple Inn lodge, the hotel restaurant of the same name, the original Eden Isle Marina, and many of the older residences overlooking Greers Ferry Lake.

Mr. Ramsey is survived by his wife of 52 years, Margot ODell Ramsey, his daughters, Michelle Charbonnet and Rise Maxwell of Memphis, his son Mike Ramsey of San Diego, and his five grandchildren: Clare Charbonnet, Jim Charbonnet, Kate Charbonnet, Adam Nathan and Ben Nathan.

Mrs. Ramsey asks that any memorial gifts be sent to the Alzheimers Association, West Tennessee Region, 326 Ellsworth Street, Memphis, Tennessee, 38111.

I have been in contact with Ginny and King Pharr and she told me that in 2006 King had a stroke and is no longer able to walk or have use of his left arm. She went on to say his mind is as sharp as ever and he enjoyed hearing from old friends, brothers, etc. He was in my pledge class fall – 56. They are retired in Wi. and true to his raising, King made his living in the canning business. Headed up the kraut division for Hunt Br. Canning Co. She went on to say please share his e-mail address (kingpharr@sbcglobal.net) with all in hope of hearing from old friends.