Dear Brothers,
I was just made aware of the tragedy at your chapter. I wanted to write
to send my condolence to all brothers, alumni and in particular to the
parents and family of the deceased brother. May God Bless you in your time
of sorrow and help you to find good in a bad situation.
If there is anything I can do to help please e-mail me.
Sincerely Yours,
Richard T. Bradley
A.E.K.(Delta).B
Beta Chi Chapter
Kappa Sigma
Gamma-Beta Prime,
This is Ben Koch Xi-Xi Chapter at Marquette U., Milwaukee, WI. Xi-Xi is
aware of the unfortunate fire and our prayers are with you! AEKDB always
will, always be AEKDB! KE
God Bless,
Brother Ben Koch
Xi-Xi
I think I can speak for all the brothers of Sigma Alpha Epsilon at San Diego State and across the country as I offer our heartfelt condolences and deepest regards to the family, friends and brothers of Kappa Sigma's Gamma Beta Prime Chapter. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you.
In the fraternal bonds of brotherhood,
Joe Rixman
Sigma Alpha Epsilon
California Theta Chapter
Alumni from California Nu '94
Brothers of Gamma Beta Prime, I just read about the tragic fire at your Chapter House and the death of one of your students. The news did not mention whether or not he is a fellow Kappa Sig or not, but on behalf of the Delta Zeta Chapter, I would like to extend our condolences to your Brothers and the family of the one who passed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. A.E.K.D.B.
Brian Mileshosky
Kappa Sigma, Delta Zeta Chapter University of New Mexico
I just heard the news on CNN about the fire and the loss of one of your brothers. My son is a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon (Nu Xi Chapter) at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. I have learned from knowing these guys just how special the bond of brotherhood is. I hope that you may receive even a tiny bit of comfort by knowing that a Texas mom is thinking of you all and praying for you in this difficult time.
God bless, Beth Perez Texas City, TX
We here at the Xi-Theta chapter at Valdosta state are deeply sorry for the
loss of a brother. We send our condolences out to your chapter. We will
continuing praying for the well being of the injured brother. I there is
anything that we can do, please e-mail us back.
AEKDB
Kyle Duke and the brothers of Xi-Theta
I am an Kappa Sigma from Alpha Sigma Chapter '75. I heard about the fire and the death of Brother Schwalbach. I heart goes out to you all. Please let me know if there is anything I can do. Is there a memorial fund for Nick and/or a fund for the refurbishment of your house? Please send me the name of your Alumni Advisor.
AEKDB, Lou Ludlum
AEKDB
Edward Bradley
Beta-Chi of Kappa Sigma '81
Love to All
Brother David A. DeMarais and
Little Sister Lea Ann DeMarais
As a Kappa Sigma living in Illinois, and one who lived through a house fire (1978 @BX Chapter, Rolla, Missouri), I am deeply saddened to hear of the loss of the life of Mr.Schwalbach. I know that nothing on Earth can bring him back, but I would like to contribute to assist in rebuilding your house. Do you have a fund that people can donate to, and can you tell me where to send a check for $100? I call on all Kappa Sigmas to do what they can to assist your house get back on its feet. I also call on the national organization to again emphasize fire safety. Too many students are being hurt and killed all over the country for the status quo to be accepted. Please forward this e-mail to Charlottesville.
Sincerely, James Harrison Howe Beta Chi of Kappa Sigma #946, 1976.
Gentlemen: Our prayers and thoughts are with your chapter. I am an alumni
bd. member for Sigma Phi Epsilon/Indiana Epsilon at the University of
Evansville, Evansville, IN.
Your situation was brought to our attention. The active chapter and alumni
board want you to know we are here to help as we can. As your site noted,
when the needs of your brothers are known we will check to see if we can help.
Best of luck in the near future....we are behind your chapter.....
Brothers
My name is Moiz Bhanpuri from the Xi-Xi Chapter at MArquette University, and
Iwould like to send out my condolences on the loss of our Brother. If you
need anything, let our Chapter know.
Moiz
Patrick,
Just a little note to let you know how sorry I was to hear about Nick and
the Kappa Sig house. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I know how
much your brothers and the house mean to you. It makes me sick to think
about something that awful happening. I know Nick will be greatly missed.
Jennifer Burt
I am so sorry to hear about Brother Nick. Of course I never knew him but
every Kappa Sig, past and present, is a brother to me. I lived in the third
floor for three years and while reading your email I caught myself
visualizing what it might look like to have a fire in any of the rooms. My
prayers are with Nick's family.
A.E.K.D.B.
Don Hartman '77
Brother,
I am truly sorry to hear of the loss of our brothers' life. Know that I
am with you and the chapter in spirit and will be saying a special
prayer tonite.
I know it's too early to assess the situation, but if there is anything
I can do to help, please do not hesitate to ask. Even if it's just
somebody to talk to.
Take care,
AEKDB,
PjS
Pat,
Very sorry to hear about the fire. Even more sorry to find out
that a young man full of potential lost his life in the fire. I send my
condolences to his family, and all of you. I'm sure he is already in a
better place.
God bless,
Breen
AEKDB
Thank you for the letter. Hang in there. All you guys. I did not know Nick,
but had heard good things about him. Regardless, this is a tragedy for
everyone and especially Nick's family. This definitely comes as a shock this
morning. Please keep in touch as you are able. Many moments of silence...
AEKDB,
Mark Hillyer ('95)/'98
Fellow brothers of Gamma Beta Prime, I'm writing this note to share a few of
my thoughts from this day of sorrow after attending a funeral of a fine
undergraduate brother of ours, Nick Schwalbach. It's so sad to see a young
hearted man with a terrific future pass away from us to be with our Lord at
such a young age. I didn't know Nick very well, just from the visits to the
house the past few years. I never had the chance to really understand his
motives and goals in life, yet hearing from his family, friends, and
especially Kappa Sigma Brothers, this man had everything in life you could
ever ask for. He was a best friend to all, a true leader, and the
cornerstone of our house. As stated at the funeral service, Nick recently
wrote his family and said "Life is SO good." Yet within a few minutes, his
life has completely changed as well as those around him. I spoke to Brother
Anderson on the phone today and reaffirmed of how it is so unfortunate that
in today's world, it takes such a tragedy to realize what you have and don't
appreciate. Each of us needs to take a few minutes a day and appreciate
life. It's so unpredictable and can be so short.
I'm truly grateful of what Kappa Sigma means to so many people. The Star and
Crescent definitely showed bright as many current members of our chapter paid
final tribute to Nick and his family. I'm so thankful that such a tragedy
didn't occur with such close friends while I attended Millikin, yet the
common bond we all share was sorrowful and remorseful today.
I will have to say that in the past, I wasn't a firm financial Alumni
supporter of Millikin University. I tried my first few years, yet lately, I
have asked what have they done for the Greek system or ourselves. This
question was definitely answered when I heard everything that the University
has done to help support our house and brothers living there this summer.
Supposedly, Millikin purchased suits for all those members whose belongings
were ruined from the fire for the funeral and visitation. They also are
putting them up in on campus housing as well as feeding them through the
summer months. Thirdly, the university bussed several students down to the
funeral today. These kind acts are beyond the expectations of any
University, and truly support the real reason I attended Millikin, to be
around a close knit family.
I ask all of you to pray for the family and friends of Nick and take those
few moments today to appreciate the life you have and share with others. May
this sad day bring all of us together in the future and rebuild our common
bond as Nick would so desire.
AEKDB
Lindy
Brothers:
I was extremely saddened to hear about the loss of a great brother. In
rough times like these, it is important to remember that you have many
friends and brothers around the country. We here at Mu Eta are morning the
loss of Nicholas with you. We want you to know Nicholas, his family, and his
brothers are in our prayers.
For Life
A.E.K.D.B
Daniel Hartlage
Brothers of Gamma-Beta-Prime:
The Xi-Xi Chapter at Marquette University sends our condolences to the entire
Kappa Sigma Family of Millikin University, as well as our most heart-felt sympathies.
On a personal level, I also experienced this type of loss in high school. I
want to share a lesson I learned. Please stand by each other. Friendship is
almost the most important part of recovery. And please watch over each other
in the coming months, because the most difficult time is the period after
three months when the loss is no longer spoken about.
I would also like to share with you, a poem I wrote for my friend. I hope it helps.
THE POWER OF ONE
I believe in the power of one
Yes the power of one
To bring happiness to a stranger
To enjoy simple things
The smell of a flower
The crackle of a leaf
The crunch of snow beneath the feet,
To give a friend a happy smile, that warms them up,
Lifts their spirits for a while.
The power to listen,
The power to touch
The power to heal,
The power to enjoy,
The power to laugh,
The power of one,
Yes, I believe in the power of one.
So many people, yet so short a time.
The stories, the memories, the laughter and the tears,
We will remember you for so many years.
The source diminishes as it began.
The power of one lives on, do with it what you can.
Yes I believe in the power of one,
But his work here is far from done.
Alpha Epsilon Kappa Delta Beta,
J. Kyle "Cornpie" O'Connor
Brotherhood Development Chair Xi-Xi Chapter
Brothers,
We have you in our thoughts and prayers here in Florida from the Kappa Delta
Chapter at University of South Florida. All of the brothers here send their
condolensces to each and every one of you.
A.E.K.D.B.
Mike Wojcik and brothers,
Kappa Delta
Gentlemen,
My heartfelt sorrow and sympathy are with you in this time of saddness and
grieving. I did not know Nick personally, however, I feel like I did because
my brother Patrick has told me about him. Kappa Sigma has always been close
to my heart because of Pat and because my husband is a Kappa Sigma from Iowa
State University. It is for this reason that I feel your severe loss also. My
husband, John, and I have spent the past week thinking about you all often
and keeping up with the news by the internet. We are aware of the serious
problem with the fraternity house itself and we would like to help in your
fund raising. It is not possible for me to even count on two hands the
wonderful memories inwhich your brothers and your home played a role in for
me while I was at Millikin. I have emailed some other MU alumns and explained
the situation in hope of more support. Good luck in your efforts to rebuild
and remember, together you can acheive anything.
You are in my prayers,
Shelley Heneghan Simon
MU-Delta Delta Delta '97