This Book
This book represents an attempt to assemble and record as much as possible in one place the founding, development, and operation and achievements of Nabor House Fraternity from its inception to its fiftieth charter anniversary on April 29, 1989. Nabor House is probably looked upon from as many points of view as it has members. Events and facts which you feel are important may have been omitted. A busy, achieving group of this size and nature generates a tremendous volume of facts of which a vast number are not recorded. And, some of the early information was lost during WWII. Inevitably in an undertaking of this nature and scope, errors occur, too. For them, we ask your forgiveness and understanding.
Information in this book was obtained from the history forms most of you completed. It was also taken from Nabor Nubbins; newspaper clippings; Fraternity and Chapter minutes, histories, scrapbooks, and files; personal files, University archives; individual contracts; and information researched or written by other Nabors. Even so, this is not a complete history and is fragmentary in places.
This book is really an exercise in options. For example, the title is a phrase heard frequently in the first years of the Fraternity. I am unable to attribute its origin to any individual. Rather, it seems to have emerged from early discussions and conversations. I chose the wording for the title because it seemed to fit the story of Nabor House. People have asked me how I decided what to include in the book. Making the selections was not by chance or whim alone. First, I chose to try to assemble a rich source of facts. You told me the subjects you wanted included. In general, I chose points and topics that over the years have recurred frequently as questions and requests for information, especially from the actives and pledges.
Both minor and major things have been dealt with. Some of the subjects are more interesting than significant, while others are more meaningful than interesting. Not everyone will read the book from cover to cover. Some most likely will read only selected parts. Undoubtedly, there will not be complete agreement among the readers that every happening which deserves historical recognition has been included. And conversely, some will feel that certain things have been included which do not deserve this kind of recognition. I have used my best judgment. I hope you will find this book valuable and interesting.
Information in this book was obtained from the history forms most of you completed. It was also taken from Nabor Nubbins; newspaper clippings; Fraternity and Chapter minutes, histories, scrapbooks, and files; personal files, University archives; individual contracts; and information researched or written by other Nabors. Even so, this is not a complete history and is fragmentary in places.
This book is really an exercise in options. For example, the title is a phrase heard frequently in the first years of the Fraternity. I am unable to attribute its origin to any individual. Rather, it seems to have emerged from early discussions and conversations. I chose the wording for the title because it seemed to fit the story of Nabor House. People have asked me how I decided what to include in the book. Making the selections was not by chance or whim alone. First, I chose to try to assemble a rich source of facts. You told me the subjects you wanted included. In general, I chose points and topics that over the years have recurred frequently as questions and requests for information, especially from the actives and pledges.
Both minor and major things have been dealt with. Some of the subjects are more interesting than significant, while others are more meaningful than interesting. Not everyone will read the book from cover to cover. Some most likely will read only selected parts. Undoubtedly, there will not be complete agreement among the readers that every happening which deserves historical recognition has been included. And conversely, some will feel that certain things have been included which do not deserve this kind of recognition. I have used my best judgment. I hope you will find this book valuable and interesting.
Acknowledgements
A book of this kind obviously is the result of contributions in many ways by many people. Those who contributed significantly need to be acknowledged, recognized, and rewarded in this volume.
To Walter D. Parks, '40, a fellow founder, I wish to offer a very special tribute for his enthusiastic support, giving a great amount of time, and contributing significantly to make this book a reality. He made a special trip to Urbana from his home in Anna, Ill., to help plan the contents of the book. Then, he wrote a sizeable part of the early history of the Fraternity as well as other parts of the book. The format of the narrative made it impractical to identify everything that Walk wrote. He also helped to collect information, served as a sounding board, and contributed in other ways, too.
Also, I wish to pay special tribute to Earl R. Swanson, '43, who made major contributions to the book. Earl researched information, wrote some sections, and reviewed and edited a large amount of the book, and gave valuable counsel. And a special tribute must be given to Craig A. Pessman, '81, who was a guiding light in the production of the book. Without his help, the book might not have been published.
Special thanks to Allan G. Mueller, '45, Harold F. Reetz, Jr., '70, James A. Rogers, '49, John C. Schaefer, '80, and Steven C. Vandeburg, '89, who wrote material for the history and helped in other ways. Larry W. Dallas, '75, Business Agent, was a constant source of information for which I am grateful. Thanks also to Ellery L, Knake, '49, and Merrill K. ZumMallen, '89, who arranged for the photographs included in the book.
Others who contributed to and supported this effort in various ways and to whom I am thankful include Vernon L, Brazle, '60, Dr. Dale F. Burton, '60, William J. Campion, '75 1/2, Scott D. Hawbaker, '88, Kevin E. Martin, '74, Thomas E. Peters, '43, Gary A. Reynolds, '66, Dale E. Ruckman, '59, and Rodney M. Stoll, '89.
Special recognition needs to be given to Assistant Deans Charles E. Olson and Warren K. Wessls of the College of Agriculture for providing information, reviewing selected written material and making valuable suggestions. I appreciate their support. To those individuals who contributed to and supported this effort and whom I have overlooked, I offer my sincere apologies and extend my warm thanks.
Finally, to my wife, Helen, who reviewed the manuscript and was supportive in many other ways, and to my family, you deserve halos for your patience and tolerance throughout the two years that I have worked on this book.
In any undertaking of this nature, there are persons behind the scenes who contribute enormously and make the final product possible. For his special skills, expertise, and great amount of time editing, designing, formatting, and directing the book through production, as well as his patience with me, I want to extend my deep appreciation and warm, heart-felt thanks to Chris Scherer or Scherer Communications, Urbana, Ill. He made the book possible.
-- Samuel F. Ridlen // Urbana, Ill. // 1989
To Walter D. Parks, '40, a fellow founder, I wish to offer a very special tribute for his enthusiastic support, giving a great amount of time, and contributing significantly to make this book a reality. He made a special trip to Urbana from his home in Anna, Ill., to help plan the contents of the book. Then, he wrote a sizeable part of the early history of the Fraternity as well as other parts of the book. The format of the narrative made it impractical to identify everything that Walk wrote. He also helped to collect information, served as a sounding board, and contributed in other ways, too.
Also, I wish to pay special tribute to Earl R. Swanson, '43, who made major contributions to the book. Earl researched information, wrote some sections, and reviewed and edited a large amount of the book, and gave valuable counsel. And a special tribute must be given to Craig A. Pessman, '81, who was a guiding light in the production of the book. Without his help, the book might not have been published.
Special thanks to Allan G. Mueller, '45, Harold F. Reetz, Jr., '70, James A. Rogers, '49, John C. Schaefer, '80, and Steven C. Vandeburg, '89, who wrote material for the history and helped in other ways. Larry W. Dallas, '75, Business Agent, was a constant source of information for which I am grateful. Thanks also to Ellery L, Knake, '49, and Merrill K. ZumMallen, '89, who arranged for the photographs included in the book.
Others who contributed to and supported this effort in various ways and to whom I am thankful include Vernon L, Brazle, '60, Dr. Dale F. Burton, '60, William J. Campion, '75 1/2, Scott D. Hawbaker, '88, Kevin E. Martin, '74, Thomas E. Peters, '43, Gary A. Reynolds, '66, Dale E. Ruckman, '59, and Rodney M. Stoll, '89.
Special recognition needs to be given to Assistant Deans Charles E. Olson and Warren K. Wessls of the College of Agriculture for providing information, reviewing selected written material and making valuable suggestions. I appreciate their support. To those individuals who contributed to and supported this effort and whom I have overlooked, I offer my sincere apologies and extend my warm thanks.
Finally, to my wife, Helen, who reviewed the manuscript and was supportive in many other ways, and to my family, you deserve halos for your patience and tolerance throughout the two years that I have worked on this book.
In any undertaking of this nature, there are persons behind the scenes who contribute enormously and make the final product possible. For his special skills, expertise, and great amount of time editing, designing, formatting, and directing the book through production, as well as his patience with me, I want to extend my deep appreciation and warm, heart-felt thanks to Chris Scherer or Scherer Communications, Urbana, Ill. He made the book possible.
-- Samuel F. Ridlen // Urbana, Ill. // 1989