He was born in Los Angeles; graduate of Los Angeles High School. While at Pomona he participated in track, choir, PCDC (Debating Club); class president 1919-20 semester; treasurer of Associated Students in 1923. He was Pledge #3 of Nu Alpha Phi and helped to plan and build the cabin in San Dimas Canyon.

On 1 August 1924 he married Fannie Walker Boyd ‘24 (1901-1996).

Received MBA from Harvard Business School in 1926. They returned to CA, where he worked in the statistical department of Bullock’s Los Angeles; became Assistant Secretary and Treasurer.

The family moved to San Francisco Bay Area in 1941; worked for several retail department stores in business and accounting management. During World War II he was Western Regional Director for the Office of Price Administration. He retired from Macy’s BayFair Shopping Center in Hayward in 1979. They moved soon to Leisure World Laguna Hills. While there he served as treasurer of the United Mutual Board, Golden Rain Foundation, and the Leisure World Historical Society (13 years). He was honored by that Society as Leisure Worlder of the Month in September 1986.

Bob and Fannie were honored by the Pomona College Alumni Distinguished Service Award in April 1996. After Fannie’s death, Bob moved to Freedom Village.

Several uncles preceded Bob at Pomona; his three siblings, one daughter, and many relatives followed.

Bob is survived by his daughters Bobbie Spurgin ‘49 (Larry ‘49) and Pat Drew (Scripps ‘51; Marvin, CMC ‘51), four grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

Affiliations with Pomona College and Nu Alpha Phi were very important to my father’s life for over eighty years.

Sincerely, Bobbie

P.S. We have just been notified of the death of my father’s first cousin Connie Boynton Nightingale ‘32 on 10 May 2001 in Santa Maria, CA; age 90.

/s Mrs. Larry Spurgin ‘49


by Lee Harlan ‘55 #147:
First of all, when the Alumni Office began to research Bob’s file for the Distinguished Alumnus Award, it became clear that Fannie was his equal in all that they did, so in the end, both got the award. Bob and Fannie's work for Pomona started almost as soon as they graduated as they became (informally) the Northern California Alumni Association representatives and even sponsored a train trip down to see a football game while they lived up north.

Bob, of course was a Nu Alpha Phi legend, but he also became an Alumni Association legend, showing up at all class reunions, and during the last few years of his life, leading the Parade of Classes. No one from a class earlier than his came. And, he walked. He did not ride in a golf cart which we always offered him.

But that was just the “Visible” Bob. I can't tell you how many times he appeared in the Alumni Office with some piece of information that was always welcomed. The way he appeared was also dramatic, as he generally ran up the stairs, even during the last few years. We tried to tell him he was welcome to call us down, but he wanted to be up on the second floor, and get there on his own as well. I can honestly say that no one has ever been that much with us over such a long period of time, though some have come close.

We miss his unfailing grace greatly.

Sincerely,

/s Lee Harlan


by Bob Dozier '23 #3:
[Bob’s letter is from a 1996 Oak Leaf. –Ed.]

We must accept the broad changes which have taken place in the nature of the fraternity over these 75 years. It all began with the desire on the part of a small group of upper classmen to forge a small group of friends a Dozier bit more formally than just a group of friends who happened to live mostly in Smiley Hall. They had just come out of the first World War, some had started as Pomona Students, only to be sent to active war duty, others who had been attending Pomona but wearing uniforms and training in the SATC (students army training corps) and living in the barracks known as the “big gym.” I believe that they felt the need to develop closer and more normal friendships in their closing year or two in college, and then as grads. The trappings of a fraternity held this promise, and did in fact become real to them and to the early additions to the group. But after the 30s and 40s, the college campus and the problems of the new society, nearly every thing had changed. What finally developed was more of a social club without the driving needs of the 30s.

One change was that there was less need for having a “secret society.” Initially there was this need for a closer bond of friendship, and the “trappings” and the “traditions” which resulted were both noble and sincere.

Today there are few who even remember them. Now, in this 75th anniversary of its founding, I believe it is desirable to express openly some of the “secrets” of Nu Alpha Phi to help us now, and for the future, to understand the deep feelings of love, friendship and mutual respect which they hoped to pass on to us, their successors and beneficiaries.

It is my recollection that the name “Nu Alpha Phi” was the product principally of three members. Alberto Rombao was of Mexican birth, a top student who was awarded Phi Beta Kappa as a junior. He did considerable research in seeking a Greek phrase which would reflect his hopes. He was assisted in this by our two faculty members: Walter Hartley was Chairman of the Department of Music, and a fine organist, who a few years later was persuaded to join the Occidental College Faculty. William Ament was Freshman Advisor and coach of Freshman Football, who a few years later was appointed President of the new Scripps College.

The name Nu Alpha Phi consists of the initials of five Greek words. I am somewhat rusty in my Greek, but the words, from my memory, were Nomidze Tous Adelphous Alitheynous Philous, which would be directly translated as Accept Thou Brothers True Friends. Moving the sequence of the words from the Greek to the English sequence, the message becomes Accept Thou True Friends (As) Brothers, or as we would say it,

Consider True Friends as Brothers

The Fraternity needed a pass word to be used by the Sergeant at Arms, guarding the doorway. To the person seeking entrance the Sergeant says, “Do you know the Major?” The correct reply is, “Yes, since March 1921." Sergeant asks, “What is the news from the Major?” They then alternate in naming the letters of the Major's name, Vogdes, spelling it from both ends, the applicant saying “S,” Sergeant says, “V,” applicant says, “E,” Sergeant says, “O,” applicant says, “D,” Sergeant says, “G.” Since the applicant has replied correctly, the Sergeant concludes, “Enter, Brother.”

I think it would be interesting to have a short ritual service for Lee, quoting some of the statements from the original, if we can find a copy. Also, if the wooden badge can be found, the pieces could be assembled as of old, with the commentary describing the parts. Please, I do not wish to conduct these commentaries. I would find it difficult. I might be the door-keeper. You [Zibby. –Ed.] would be excellent as the presiding officer. And we should involve some of the old-timers who have been very faithful, as well as some of the present or new generation, hoping to give them a feeling of belonging to something which has some serious purposes relating to the College, the community, and each other.

Thanks for all that you are doing to make this interesting and worthwhile.


Blackwell “Blackie” Smith ‘25 #47

by Thomas Warren ‘26 #49:
I received word the other day that Blackwell Smith, class of ‘25, passed away in September 2000.

by Ken Smith ‘33 #138:
He was a great one and a close advisor to President Franklin Roosevelt during the War.


Tom Warren ‘26 #49

by Ken Smith ‘33 #138:
Tom was the senior member of NAP and one of the finest gentlemen I have ever known.

I became acquainted with Tom almost seventy years ago. His interest in the Fraternity has been sincerely loyal and helpful during all these years.

During World War II, Tom and Chan Hale continued to publish The Oak Leaf and see that it was mailed to all of our brothers in the service stationed around the world. This included all of the letters Tom received from those in the service. This was a big job but was an outstanding and inspiring morale builder to all the brothers far from home.

For the past fifty years, Tom supported the Fraternity in every way he could, both financially and with advice and council.

Tom was honored in business and distinguished nationally when the Sterling Hill Mining Museum dedicated the Thomas S. Warren Museum of Fluorescence.

All of Tom’s life he helped others and lived the spirit of Rotary—service above self. Your NAF brothers are proud of Tom and benefited from his very special friendship.


Keith Spees ‘40 #204

by Betty Spees:
Keith Spees treasured his years at Pomona and thought fondly of his alma mater and his fraternity, the best on campus.

Sorry about the sad news—Keith had a love of learning and a love of life.


Stewart Cox ‘49 #312

by Dick Gist ‘49 #315:

I need to report to you the death of Stewart Cox ‘49 #312, on 31 August [2001] in Evian, France. This information was verified with family members by my sister, Virginia Gist Abblitt,'52. He had suffered a fall and never recovered.

Stew and I got acquainted in junior hi days when his family moved to the City of Pomona. We shared church and school activities and graduated from Pomona High in 1943 and we both became combat infantrymen, he in Italy and I in France and Germany.

We both entered Pomona in the fall of 1946 and graduated in 1949.

He had a long career, mostly in Europe, in academics and business and was a graduate of the prestigious graduate school of business in Fontainebleau. He and his wife, Cynthia, who died last year, lived in Evian for many years before and during retirement.


Marvin Miller ‘54 #404

by Chuck Carpenter ‘54 #389:
[Chuck confirmed this sad news passed on to me by Don Smith ‘53 #384. His note is not intended to be a full memoriam. –Ed.]

Marvin died on August 1, 2001 of ALS (Lou Gerhig’s disease). The disease progressed rapidly over a course of approximately four months. In fact, he and Diane had been on a skiing vacation only a few months earlier in December or January.