Guest Post - James Robeson's Memorial Service

Rick St. John attended the service yesterday and sent out this account. He graciously consented to having it reproduced here:

My brothers:

Just returned from Dr. Jim Robeson's Memorial Service or better labeled a celebration of the life of a true gentleman - servant leader. The program began with slides of Jim in various stages of his life and showed his great love of his family, especially his lovely wife Teddi, his sons, their wives and his very charming and beloved grandchildren.

The Miami University Men's Glee Club returned from their retreat to especially perform opening numbers and then guests were invited to come to one of the open microphones and celebrate events in their lives that showed various aspects of Jim and his strong leadership, great humanity, sensitive spirit and exceptional mentality. The stories varied from serious and thankful recollections from colleagues and friends to humorous anecdotes from fellow professors, former students, Sig Eps, his sons and daughter's in law, and even wonderful testimonies from his grandchildren for their Papa.

The program closed with Judge Archer Yeats, Sig Eps current Grand President sharing remarks from his speech ending the conclave a month ago which then were a wonderful tribute to his predecessor, and now were tinged with sadness as one realized that this wonderful mentor was now no longer there to counsel, guide, and just listen. He closed by sharing part of the Sig Ep Memorial Service and then the approximately one hundred Sig Eps present who had traveled from all parts of the country to pay this last tribute to Brother Robeson sang the Sigma Phi Epsilon Anthem.

It truly was a wonderful celebration for an outstanding leader. Let us all lift a glass and toast this man who has touched our hearts in so many ways. As fellow OGH Bob Kerr said to me, we are now only beginning to see the things that he implemented which will continue to influence the direction of Sig Ep for years to come. How true! How true.

In the bonds,
Rick St. John, OGH