It is with great sadness that we announce Lance J. Graber ’83 in passing to Chapter Eternal. We extend our deepest condolences to all family and friends in this time. Read on for Lance’s obituary.

Obituary from Legacy.com

Lance J. Graber ’83, 61, beloved husband of Pam Graber, died from complications related to brain cancer on November 5, 2022, at their home in Scottsdale, AZ, surrounded by his loved ones.
Lance was born in West Hempstead, NY, the son of Raymond and Eileen Graber. He graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he received bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He had a long and successful career in real estate finance. Most recently, he served as a founder and principal at Front Range Capital, a real estate private equity firm he co-founded in 2010, which now has over $2 billion in assets under management. Lance devoted his free time to his children, Devin and Lindsey, coaching them in youth sports and being the loudest fan at every Staples High School sports game.
In addition to being a doting husband and father, Lance was a beloved son, sibling, uncle, role model, and friend. He displayed a love for life and determination to live it to its fullest, whether by going to metal concerts with his son, exploring Golden Gai in Japan with his daughter, or traveling to Vietnam with his wife. Lance consistently strived to be his best, always exploring new hobbies like skiing in his 30s or running over a thousand miles in a single year. He golfed and was a devoted member alongside Pam at both the Patterson and Estancia Golf Clubs.
He is survived by his wife, Pam Graber; their children, Lindsey and Devin Graber; daughter-in-law, Kait Graber; brothers, Doug and Ray Graber (sp. Carol Graber); sister, Nancy Graber; and brother-in-law, Mark Walsh. He is also survived by his loving in-laws, Tom and Alma Walsh; as well as nephews and nieces whom he adored.
There will be a service to honor him on Friday at 12:00pm at St. Luke’s Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Lance’s name to the Mayo Clinic, where he received his cancer treatments ( https://philanthropy.Mayo clinic.org ).

Ernie Barsamian ’81, Chris Landsberg ’82, Mark Colm ’82, Mike Bear ’81, Dan Smith ’82, Corrine Keller ’85, Mark Demuro ’83, Kevin Kiley ’82, Amy Curtis Jamison ’82, and Mike Curtis ’82 attended Lance’s services. Lance Graber ’83 was loved by his Beta Rho family.

Sigma Nu is a student-run, living-learning society that advances leadership skills, cultivates innovation, and promotes social responsibility by engaging the Sigma Nu community and its resources through projects, events, and mentorship.  

While active brothers are able to learn and develop through our traditions and amongst each other, it is evident that alumni involvement and connections are far more important now than ever. Brothers of all ages can pay it forward to our actives by choosing to mentor the younger generations.  

Mentoring: 

• Provides students with experiences and knowledge so they can explore their potential outside of their core coursework. 
• Prepares students to be future leaders through innovation, collaboration and networking. 
• Assists with finding internships and first jobs as well as a network to assist in mid-career support 
• Enables actives to gain unique, meaningful, practical, resume-enhancing experience 
• Develops leadership skills by starting a new organization that can have a meaningful impact to the Sigma Nu community and college life across the nation 
• Establishes a network of relationships with students, alumni, faculty, and the administration that will support actives while at Sigma Nu and throughout their career 
• Builds life-long relationships gained through a living learning organization that goes beyond the years spent at the University of Pennsylvania
• Enhances personal and professional development through a structured mentoring program that includes students, alumni, and faculty 

Sigma Nu aims to create an environment that promotes mentorship at various levels throughout the University of Pennsylvania community to assist brothers in their personal, academic, and professional development, bringing together students, alumni and faculty.  

We want to wish all our current Beta Rho Chapter undergraduates as well as all of our alumni members a Happy Thanksgiving. The holiday season is always a time of reflection, celebration, memories and most importantly, gratitude. 

Whether it be through donations or time spent volunteering, we are thankful for your support in more ways than one. As Sigma Nu brothers, we share a passion for the brotherhood that contributed to our personal development, our relationships, and our lives as students and far beyond to our roles as husbands, fathers, professionals, volunteers, neighbors, and friends. 

We can’t overestimate the true meaning of adding your name to the ranks of our alumni donors. We want to share our continued gratitude to those brothers listed on the honor roll HERE who have graciously given back to Sigma Nu this holiday season. 

This year, brother after brother answered the of question of why it is important to give back to Sigma Nu and said it was because of how much Sigma Nu changed their life. Sigma Nu gave them leadership skills and friendships that have weathered life’s ups and downs. Together, our gifts can make sure that the important benefits of fraternity membership live on — both through us as alumni, and with the next generation of students.   

While the Sigma Nu experience of today and tomorrow might be different from your personal experience, the core values remain. Leadership, integrity and service to others still form the foundation of our brotherhood. Lifelong friendships, like the ones you continue to enjoy today, take root in new Sigma Nu brothers.   

Your financial contribution to Sigma Nu at University of Pennsylvania does more than honor these ideals. It perpetuates the lifelong impact that Sigma Nu has on our alumni brotherhood and the next generation of brothers who will gain leadership experience, camaraderie, and friendships that will last long into their life after graduation.   

Did the Beta Rho Chapter change your life? If so, join the brotherhood with a donation to the Annual Fund.  

We look forward to adding your name to the Honor Roll of Donors in our next publication and to keeping you informed about the impact of your support.   

DONATE HERE

Stephen Phillips ’78 ([email protected]) pledged to Sigma Nu because of “the quality of the men who were brothers at Sigma Nu. [They were] smart, socially well-adjusted (well, most), open and funny! Also, the fact that our house was not owned by the University.” 

The “in-house dining and a professional kitchen” were what set Sigma Nu apart on campus for him, as well as the diversity and skill sets of the brothers. “Leadership, academics, athletics, support of the brothers. We were a mixture of different people, who melded together for the betterment of all.” 

One of his favorite memories was a humbling moment of miscalculation. “On the first day of sophomore year, I and three other roommates moving into the second floor ‘Cooler’ tried to move an old couch out of the living room, via the fire escape. And indeed, the couch did escape our grasp, fell from the second floor, and landed on the VW Beetle of one of the senior brothers. The worst was that we had been warned by the owner of the car not to do something so stupid. So the four brothers in the Cooler started the semester a couple of hundred dollars lighter and much more humble.” 

Sigma Nu continued to impact Phillips’ life long after graduation. “In the first years after college, since I lived in Philadelphia, it was a great way to return and to stay in touch with younger brothers. The house provided a great meeting place for homecoming. But things were hectic…new marriage, new job, family responsibilities, new social circles. So for a while, my participation declined.” 

“Then I was asked to participate in a large group of Beta Rho brothers who (pre-COVID) met once a year to enjoy each other’s company.” 

“How did Beta Rho prepare me for life? By emulating the hard work, aggressiveness, honor and leadership skills that are exemplified by our brothers. The house became an anchor for continuing our friendships after graduation.” 

He gives back to the house because he wants to pass on the experience that he had. “My experience at the Beta Rho house was incredibly uplifting. I want the new brothers to enjoy that. But the house deteriorated year by year. It takes lots of money to remodel/restore an older home. Beta Rho has been good to me, and I wanted to return something to the brotherhood.” 

“Just like having children, our hope is that the next generation is better than our generation.” 

“I often think of the saying, ‘Some give from their excess, some give from their wants and needs,’ while it is incredibly wonderful to see the higher income brothers donating to the house, I am more impressed by those of modest means that continue to donate to Beta Rho.” 

“This is truly a time when the brotherhood needs to come forth and donate to restore the house to its former glory. Without the restoration, the quality and quantity of the brothers will decline. Eventually, Sigma Nu Beta Rho would flounder. We need to save the house, by which we save the chapter.” 

“I wish that everyone would have the lasting fraternity experience that I had. If so, this would be a better world.” 

Without Sigma Nu, I wouldn’t… 

…have stayed in touch with so many fellow Penn graduates. 

…I wouldn’t have lived with my best friend in life, Bill Albers ’78 ([email protected]).  

…I wouldn’t have met my big Brother, Mason Haupt ’76 ([email protected]), one of the nicest and most accomplished of the brothers. I chose well! 

…I wouldn’t have had the pleasure of so many of the brothers excelling in their professions and family life. 

…and now that I am old, and getting ready to go (not any time soon, I hope), it’s nice to have others to share the lifelong reward of having grandchildren and to share the foibles of the aging process. We are all brothers for life. 

With the beginning of a new school year comes a new class of Sigma Nu brothers. Needless to say, our brotherhood is constantly growing!   

Thanks to donations of both time and money by our brothers and alumni, we are able to keep the brotherhood strong throughout the years. We have put together a list of benefits that brothers, current and future, are able to enjoy when we choose to give back.  

1. Networking: Fraternities have the ability to form connections like no other group. With members of all ages and stages of life, there is always a brother with the knowledge needed to help in any situation. A good chapter always keeps in touch with their alumni. 
2. Lifelong Friends: Not only are they able to help, but brothers are able to form a special bond through shared traditions. After countless professional and social events spent together, connections like these are often strong enough to last a lifetime.  
3. Professional Skills: Not only does the fraternity help us form bonds, but it teaches us vital skills that will be crucial to future career success. Many alumni site these skills as their top reason for giving back to the fraternity!  
4. Social Events: No matter how old you are, revisiting the old ‘stomping grounds’ to meet up with your old college buddies is always a good time! With the Beta Rho Chapter, there will always be a group back at UPenn to visit. Whether it be homecoming, a football game, or an alumni reunion, Beta Rho Chapter alumni and brothers are present.  

It is time we thank the fraternity for all it has done for us. We give so that future generations can experience the same great benefits of brotherhood!  

It is no secret that being part of a group like Sigma Nu is impactful throughout the remainder of our lives. We have heard from our brothers about the influence that the Beta Rho Chapter has had on our futures, but what happens when we give back? This is what your brothers have to say about the benefits of giving back: 

“The fraternity house located at 3819 Walnut Street is a phenomenal asset. It is difficult to imagine Sigma Nu without it. Preserving it is of paramount importance. Giving back helps today’s students cope with these and other financial challenges.” – Richard Sica ‘66

“Sigma Nu was part of the best part of my university experience. I want to help to make sure it continues to be available.” – Henry Stewart ‘64

“My experience at the Beta Rho house was incredibly uplifting. I want the new brothers to enjoy that. But the house deteriorated year by year. It takes lots of money to remodel/restore an older home. Beta Rho has been good to me, and I wanted to return something to the brotherhood.” – Stephen Phillips ’78

With the semester beginning this month, it is the perfect time to plan a trip back to Philadelphia with some old college buddies! Here are some tips for planning the perfect Beta Rho Chapter weekend:  

FRIENDS: Wondering where your old college buddies are now? Head to the directory page to reconnect and relive the old days!   

FOOD and DRINKS: Philadelphia is always changing. Whether or not our old favorite restaurant or bar is still in town, here are a few that have some of the best food and drinks now!  

• New Deck Tavern 
• White Dog Cafe 
• Landmark Americana Tap & Grill 
• The Board & Brew 
• City Taphouse 

FUN: Fall semester means football is back in-season! Check out the fall football schedule here, and don’t forget about homecoming on October 21st – 23rd either!  

Planning a get-together? CLICK HERE to let us know, so we can share it in our next e-letter! 

Allan Lewis ’80 ([email protected]) reflects on his time at Sigma Nu and why he gives back. 

The “variety of backgrounds of brothers, and the frivolity they enjoyed” set Sigma Nu apart on campus while Lewis was there. One of his best memories is being named Bastard of the Year. 

Sigma Nu helped Lewis to learn “how to do things with others of different backgrounds.” Lewis gives back because “there’s a need and I can help.” He wants to “try to help a place that gives me fond memories.” 

If more alumni give back, Lewis believes that there can be “more maintenance & improvements to the physical house, which are needed.” 

Without Sigma Nu, I wouldn’t be as sarcastic.

Vital stats of the fraternity are at the heart of everything we do. They keep us in touch with the health of Sigma Nu. With our giving year ending on August 31st, we are doing one final push to see if we can make it to our Annual Fund goal. Our communications, events and support for the chapter all rely on gifts to our Annual Fund. Thank you to those who continuously support Beta Rho Chapter! 

Read on to view the vital stats report! 

 CLICK HERE to view the vital stats of Beta Rho! 

Henry Stewart ‘64 ([email protected]) says that he pledged to Sigma Nu because many of his friends at Penn were also thinking of joining the fraternity. Soon he discovered for himself that Sigma Nu was where he belonged. “Mu pledge class was a group of interesting people,” he says.  

He says some of his best memories were of the support he received from so many like-minded people. Of course, he says, “Can’t leave out party time!” 

“Sigma Nu was part of the best part of my university experience. I want to help to make sure it continues to be available.” 

Stewart says that Sigma Nu impacted his life long after graduation. “Many of my longest lasting friendships came from my fraternity experience,” he says.  

Stewart gives back to the chapter because he says that he wants to be part of preserving the Sigma Nu experience for future generations of students. “I’m continuing to support an alternative to the soulless university housing experience.” 

“Sigma Nu was part of the best part of my university experience. I want to help to make sure it continues to be available.” 

Without Sigma Nu, I wouldn’t have any future connection with the university 

Our website has recently been updated! Visit this page to take advantage of the newest features, an alumni forum! Check out our new features, some new and some we’ve had for a while. The new site will be faster than ever with a user-friendly interface.  

News: Keep up to date on the latest and greatest happening at Beta Rho Chapter.  

Events: Stay in the know for all upcoming events and plan to attend.  

Directory: A searchable database of brothers and their contact information.  

Photo Gallery: You can upload photos and peruse photos other brothers have uploaded.  

Lost Brothers List: A list of brothers we don’t have contact information for.  

Sigma Nu  is the place where we had a lot of firsts. It’s the place where we first ventured out of our hometowns, the first place we bonded to on campus, and the place where we first learned how to be real men. Read on to see what your brothers said on how Sigma Nu impacted their lives.  

“Many of my longest lasting friendships came from my fraternity experience.” – Henry Stewart ‘64

Sigma Nu helped Lewis to learn “how to do things with others of different backgrounds.” – Allan Lewis ’80

“During my time at Sigma Nu, the house was largely self-sufficient. We employed a full-time cook and served three meals a day, five days a week. We also employed a full-time house attendant who cleaned and maintained the common areas. We purchased our groceries, paid our bills and worked diligently repairing, maintaining and improving the house. Participation in all of this taught me responsibility, the importance of planning, fiscal responsibility, and gave me self-confidence. I also learned the importance of cooperation and compromise. It helped me grow up… It’s all about the people you meet and the lifelong friends you make… Sigma Nu was a melting pot of personalities and an important part of my college education. I wish that for future generations.” – Richard Sica ‘66

“The wide variety of individuals and experiences certainly were important to me. The game changer was meeting my future wife at a house function my first week of grad school. Overall, I can’t imagine college life without fraternities.” – Mitch Zimmer ‘76

With summer getting into full swing, it’s giving us flashbacks of summer during our Sigma Nu days. Do you remember the most popular songs that were on EVERY playlist at parties? Don’t worry, we got you! 

Click the links below to view the top songs of every decade starting with the ‘50s! 

Cut a rug to these ‘50s crooners! 

’50s playlist 
 

Twist and shout to these ‘60s bops! 

‘60s playlist 
 

Boogie down to these groovy ‘70s hits! 

‘70s playlist 
 

Jam out to the flyest beats of the ‘80s! 

‘80s playlist 

Jump around to these ‘90s hits! 

‘90s playlist 
 

Throw it back to these hits from the ‘00s! 

‘00s playlist 

Relive the memories with these ‘10s hits! 

‘10s playlist 

“This is how most will remember me for three years,” Mitch Zimmer says.  

Mitch Zimmer ‘76 says, “I started going to rush events because the house offered an alternative to beer, which I did not care for at the time,” he remembers. “Not sure why I thought grain alcohol punch served out of a plastic garbage can was a good alternative.”  

“I got to know the class of 1973 and others, so I kept coming back. From the beginning, I have been impressed with the diversity of the brothers – not today’s definition – but the wide variety of backgrounds, interests, abilities, majors, etc.  The painting, A Serpent a Rose and a Star, depicts this well.”  

“I have also been impressed with the welcome that I and my family have received when visiting the house,” he adds. “When my kids were young, there was always some brother who would find a way to lose to them at pool. Much appreciated.”  

He says that the friendships at Sigma Nu span generations. “In the early days there was Rox and some of his compatriots from around the class of 1922. On my last visit I met brothers from the class of 2022. 100 years of Beta Rho!”  

Zimmer says that “The wide variety of individuals (noted above) and experiences certainly were important to me. The game changer was meeting my future wife at a house function my first week of grad school. Overall, I can’t imagine college life without fraternities.”  

Why did you join Sigma Nu? That’s a question we recently asked some alumni, and they delivered! Hear the reasons that the Sigma Nu house became a home away from home … and would go on to impact the rest of their lives.  

Henry Stewart ‘64 says that he pledged to Sigma Nu because many of his friends at Penn were also thinking of joining the fraternity. Soon he discovered for himself that Sigma Nu was where he belonged. “Mu pledge class was a group of interesting people,” he says.

“I started going to rush events because the house offered an alternative to beer, which I did not care for at the time,” he remembers. “Not sure why I thought grain alcohol punch served out of a plastic garbage can was a good alternative… I got to know the class of 1973 and others, so I kept coming back. From the beginning, I have been impressed with the diversity of the brothers – not today’s definition – but the wide variety of backgrounds, interests, abilities, majors, etc.  The painting, A Serpent a Rose and a Star, depicts this well.”  – Mitch Zimmer ‘76

“I arrived at Penn in September of 1962 and knew none of my classmates. I saw fraternity as a way of bonding with other students who shared my values and interests. Of all the fraternities that rushed me, Sigma Nu was where I felt most comfortable.”  – Richard Sica ‘66

Why did you join Sigma Nu?

We asked our brothers where their favorite place was to visit at Penn, and their favorite event or tradition. Read on to see what Vance Duncan ’85 had to say!

Where was your favorite place to go in Philadelphia, why was this place so special to you?

Smokey Joe’s! I could always find friends there, old and new.

What was your favorite event, tradition, or activity to partake in during your college years? Why was it so important to you? Do you still engage with that event, tradition, or activity?

Homecoming. We had some great times hanging out with legacy brothers and building lasting memories. One of my favorites memories was my junior year, when we roasted a pig!

As an alum, what do you see as the most valuable part of your Sigma Nu experience? 

Friendship and encouragement of brothers. Being a long way from home, it was great to feel like you had family there.

Interested in being interviewed for an alumni profile? Contact us on the Alumni Updates page.

Who doesn’t love a good throwback photo? Well, we sure do have some throwbacks for you! Check out these photos Michael Dean ’80 recently sent in of Sigma Nu from back in the day. Here is what Michael had to say about the photo. 

 “This picture was taken by Robbie Risman on the roof at the back of the main house in 1979 or 1980. The jacket still hangs in my closet. Earlier in the evening, we posed for a picture in a dark alley a couple of blocks away. Minutes later, both ends of the alley were blocked by Philadelphia police cars. Once the police realized what we were doing, we were released unscathed. We were not so lucky the next time the police found us there, but that’s another story.” 

Front Row, left to right: Jim Perry, Mike Bear, Jeff Whitehead, Tom Hutchinson 2nd Row: Mike Dean, Joe Kinsella, Bob Atkins, Mike Klein, Walt M, Andy 3rd Row: Ernie Barsamian, John Bottimore, Bob Fleck, Tom Hassen, Chris Top Row: Mick Navin, Birk, Kevin Kiley

“Stowe, VT Ski Trip”

Lew, Steve Gotberg, Ofer, Matt Sullivan

Don’t forget to let us know if you see yourself in any photos? CLICK HERE and let us know!  

We recently heard from a member of Dennis Howard’s ’69 family asking for help learning about stories and any pictures you may have of Dennis. Would you happen to have any memories or pictures with or of Dennis? Please send them our way! Here is what they had to say below:

“My father, Dennis Howard, was a brother in the late 60’s and left UP ~1971. I have included his picture with some friends from the first day he set foot on Mr Yasgur’s Farm in Bethel that August weekend in ’69. We lost him in 2015 and lost all old photos that weren’t digitized in a house fire. If anyone has any photos they can share, that’d be amazing. I remember him always talking about the house, and two good friends- Skip Boyd and Gary Hall.”

Tell us what stories you have!

When alumni give, they are making a statement about their commitment to Sigma Nu and its impact. Everyone has their own WHY for becoming a donor. 

Here are some personal testimonials from these generous donors to inspire all of us to do our part. Thank you to these Brothers for their contributions and for sharing their thoughts:  

“In memory of some fine men like Robert M. Ryan “Buzz” best man at our wedding who passed over 10 years ago and Donald P. Sheehan another fine man with a brilliant financial mind always ready to share his ideas. Plus to thank Beta Rho for giving me the opportunity to know men like Dick Hartmann, Dan Evarts, Alan Schneider, Don Delaport, Dick Brown, Bloor Redding, Paul Jansen, Pete Becker, Paul Moore, Tommy Johnston, and Jack Manning. But, importantly too so that other young men just coming into the Chapter might have the same opportunity to develop these life long bonds. Bonds that, to me, I hold very close to my heart and I will take to my grave. I kid you not , my Brothers, I think of these men almost every day.” – Theodore Adams