Monday, January 24, 2011

SigEp Morns The Passing Of Bro. Bill Schreyer

Received this from HQ today. I never had the honor of meeting Bro Schreyer, but he certainly made an impact on the business world and the SigEp world.

Update: Here is a link to the New York Times paid obituary and to the obit article.

Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity
Visit SigEp.org Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity
310 South Boulevard P.O. Box 1901
Richmond, Virginia 23220
Ph: 804 353-1901 http://www.sigep.org/
Brothers and Friends,


Wm. Schreyer, OGH
 It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of Brother William A. Schreyer, Pennsylvania State '48, at his home on Saturday, January 22, in Princeton, New Jersey. His family announced the news on Sunday. He had been struggling with health issues in recent years.

Please keep his wife Joan, his daughter and son-in-law and his two grandchildren in your prayers.

Brother Schreyer had a 45-year career at Merrill Lynch and led the firm from 1985-1993. He became a familiar face on TV commercials after the 1987 stock market crash, telling viewers: "At Merrill Lynch, we're still bullish on America." You can read more about his career here.

He also gained recognition for donating millions of dollars to Pennsylvania State. The Schreyer Honors College is named for both Bill and Joan. You can read more about his legacy at Penn State here.

SigEp has lost one of its greatest business leaders and one of its most loyal and generous brothers. Bill’s leadership was legendary because he led by example. He received the SigEp Citation in 1979 and the Order of the Golden Heart in 1991, the Fraternity's highest honors.

As a proud Penn Eta alumnus, Co-Chairman of Sigma Phi Epsilon’s Campaign for the Heart with his good friend and Brother Curt Carlson in the 1990’s, and as long-time Chairman of the Educational Foundation, Bill exemplified Sigma Phi Epsilon’s lifetime commitment to brotherhood. He did so with his trademark strength of personality, warmth, drive and enthusiasm.

Foundation Chairman and President Jay Hurt said, “Beyond Bill’s unparalleled generosity to Sigma Phi Epsilon, he was quite simply a great man and an even better brother. His leadership and generosity will have an impact on our undergraduate brothers for decades to come.

“When I last met with Bill in the summer of 2010, his passion for Sigma Phi Epsilon was still clearly evident as we talked about the Fraternity and he offered, yet again, to do anything he could to help provide the resources necessary to support our undergraduate brothers.

“Bill was truly bullish on Sigma Phi Epsilon, and spoke proudly of Charley, his SigEp grandson, and how happy he was that he too had joined our Brotherhood.”

Sigma Phi Epsilon Grand President Garry Kief served on the Foundation Board of Trustees with Brother Schreyer. Brother Kief said, “My first meeting with Bill was at his office on the top floor of the Merrill Lynch building. In fact, it was the entire top floor. As I shook his hand, I mentioned that his office was pretty intimidating. With a big grin on his face, Bill said, ‘That’s the point. Now let’s talk about your donation to SigEp.'”

Garry said, “I will always remember his massive office and his massive smile. Both were dwarfed, however, by the size of his SigEp Heart. He was an amazing guy, and will always hold a place in mine.”

Brother Schreyer’s leadership gift to the Foundation for his Penn State chapter is being used and will remake the chapter house and bolster their scholarship funds. His 2007 matching challenge for the Foundation Annual Fund continues to enhance the gift of every brother supporting the SigEp programs that benefit every chapter.

Please take a moment to think about Brother Schreyer and his family.

Fraternally,
Doug Scheibe, Executive Director
Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation

Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity

Powered By Blogger