I met a man . . .
Ollie Thomas | 9/23/2003 Remembering the reasonThe section of our KA Journal, usually the last article, sheds a more personal light on the people with whom we share our brotherhood. This personal offering has been stirring around in me even before this column began. The news of the death of a dear friend, mentor and brother has now brought it to life. Even though I live in the Washington, D. C., area, I did not learn of the death of Dick Feller until I scanned my summer 2003 KA Journal. I immediately called Dick’s wife, Billie, and we spent over an hour or more remembering, weeping and rejoicing about this wonderful husband and friend.
My real story begins at Beta Kappa Chapter in the winter of 1960. I pledged KA at the University of Maryland in January, having just transferred to Maryland after one semester at Washington and Lee University. It was at W&L that I was first introduced to both Robert E. Lee and the Alpha Chapter of KA. One of my classes took me to Robinson Hall where the plaque noting the founding of Kappa Alpha Order is located. My father and uncle had both been KAs (Beta Mu) and my brother (a Phi Delta) had just graduated from W&L. The revelation that KA was founded at W&L had escaped me. As I pledged at Maryland, the importance of this connection became more significant.
It was in the pledge manual that I began to really meet the man, Robert E. Lee. Later readings have broadened my understanding. Here was a man, noted as the spiritual founder of KA, who loomed larger than life. His character and demeanor from the early years at West Point to his post-war presidency at Washington College were inspiring to all who came in
contact with him. His character touched Ammen and others in this new fraternity, Kappa Alpha Order. The Order began to flourish in the post-war South, made safe in large part by Lee himself. I was interested in how a man could live such a controlled, disciplined life and remain so staunch of character. How could someone have such an influence on those lives he touched and those he led? I recognized my own weaknesses at this time and realized I certainly did not measure up in any way. I was intrigued by the fact that this Christian gentleman was the focal point of character that inspired and shaped the customs and purpose of Kappa Alpha. I was also intrigued by the fact that our Knight Commander at the time was a Christian minister, William McCloud Frampton. There were other ministers who also had been Knight Commanders. Based on my concept of college fraternity life, this seemed, at the time, to be a non sequitur. I would understand more as I matured.
I was to go on to serve the chapter as No. IX, No. IV, No. VI and No. I. This service gave me the privilege and challenge of attending two Leadership Institutes, then a relatively new part of the Order. It was at the first one I attended as an extra delegate that I first heard this intriguing talk on the history and traditions of Kappa Alpha and the customs of the Order from the heart of Dick Feller. He had a demeanor and passion about him that I had not encountered before. He spoke of purity and godliness and doing the right thing because there is a higher law we have to adhere to. His character spoke to us of the fact that he knew this higher law and lived by it. He was not deterred to shine this light of truth as he taught and shared. And, when he spoke of Lee it was as if he knew what molded and shaped his character.
A few years after college, I was asked by another KA alumni friend and mentor, Franny Cave, to consider stepping into a role as assistant to Fraternity Housing Corporation’s treasurer and general manager, Richard T. Feller, and then later take over these responsibilities. Dick had carried this responsibility for a number of years and wanted to step away from the daily involvement. He was busy building a cathedral! I accepted the opportunity and had the great privilege of working with Dick and his gracious wife, Billie, on a regular basis. This was to be time of growth for me and my family and was a time when I came to grips with my faith.
It was a time when I met another man, the Man from Galilee, the Lord Jesus Christ. I then began to understand what passion and purpose drove both Robert E. Lee and my friend, Dick Feller. I saw this in action in Dick’s life as I worked with him on FHC for almost 18 years. He used his gifts and talents to serve the Master he loved. I would encourage each Kappa Alpha to take a good look at the Man who defined Lee’s heart and Dick Feller’s passion. He can transform not only your heart and life by his grace but will give new understanding to the passions and purpose behind the founding of the Order. |
