From DKE International

December 27, 2006

To the Brotherhood:

I am sorry to report that Gerald R. Ford, Omicron '35, Honorary Chairman of the Rampant Lion Foundation is no longer with us. My experience in knowing Brother Jerry for some 32 years is that he truly exemplified the open motto of DKE "Friends from the heart, forever."

President Ford was always proud of his association with DKE. He would happily write motivational materials for the pledges, wrote the dedication for the 150 Year Illustrated History, and on a personal note, when my wife Susan died of cancer nearly 5 years ago, his hand-written personal note was one of the first and most heartfelt condolences that I received.

The fraternal bond meant a great deal to him. I had the pleasure of hearing him reminisce about his days on the dishwashing crew at the Ann Arbor DKE house when he needed a job to pay his house bill. His invitation to initiation ceremonies hangs proudly on the wall of his Grand Rapids, Museum.

Jerry Ford always had time for Delta Kappa Epsilon, and the world and we have lost a friend and a brother who filled a critical role for the United States, and who was always proud of his association with DKE.

In one of life's ironies, I must report that I received President Ford's check for his annual dues two weeks ago making him one of the first responders to our annual dues appeal. That an individual who had experienced in life what Brother Ford experienced would take time to support his fraternity to the very end says it all.

We are planning to name and fund an endowment in the Foundation to his memory and in his honor. Details will be available early in the New Year.

In the bonds,