Deceased

Resolution To Honor Brother Paul Allen

Resolution Honoring Brother Paul Allen and Expressing Deep Sympathy to His Family, Friends and Colleagues

Brother Paul Allen (Washington State University, ‘75) (center), flanked by Brother Mike Flood (Washington State University, ‘72) (left) and Brother Bert Kolde (Washington State University, ‘76) (right) at the WSU Chapter House dedication in 1996.

Brother Paul Allen (Washington State University, ‘75) (center), flanked by Brother Mike Flood (Washington State University, ‘72) (left) and Brother Bert Kolde (Washington State University, ‘76) (right) at the WSU Chapter House dedication in 1996.

WHEREAS, Paul G. Allen was initiated into the brotherhood of Phi Kappa Theta in 1972 at the Washington Alpha Delta Chapter.

WHEREAS, the significance of the fraternity in Brother Allen’s life and his commitment was demonstrated with his leadership in re-chartering the Washington Alpha Delta Chapter in 1993.

WHEREAS, in 1996 Brother Allen generously funded the Washington Alpha Delta Chapter House and was actively engaged with the chapter since then, serving as a benefactor and role model.

WHEREAS, Brother Allen actively lived the ideals and the motto of Phi Kappa Theta.

WHEREAS, Brother Allen co-founded Microsoft, which sparked the microcomputer revolution and later became the world's largest PC software company.

WHEREAS, Brother Allen remained a lifelong entrepreneur, being the founder and chairman of Vulcan Inc., which manages his various business and philanthropic efforts. His multibillion-dollar investment portfolio includes technology and media companies and real estate holdings. He owned two professional sports teams, the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and the NBA’s Portland Trailblazers; he was part-owner of Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders FC as well. He also was the founder of the Allen Institute for Brain Science, the Institute for Artificial Intelligence, the Institute for Cell Science and Stratolaunch Systems.

Brother Paul Allen (Washington State University, ‘75) recieving the 2017 Man of Achievement Award at the Phi Kappa Theta Biennial Convention in Washington D.C..

Brother Paul Allen (Washington State University, ‘75) recieving the 2017 Man of Achievement Award at the Phi Kappa Theta Biennial Convention in Washington D.C..

WHEREAS, the Fraternity’s ideals and motto are reflected in Brother Allen’s view of himself first as a philanthropist, as reflected in even his Twitter profile: “Philanthropist, investor, entrepreneur, author, Seahawks and Trailblazers team owner, guitarist, neuroscience supporter, space pioneer & Microsoft co-founder.”

WHEREAS, in 2017 Brother Allen accepted the Phi Kappa Theta Man of Achievement Award.

WHEREAS, in accepting this award Brother Allen challenged his fellow brothers to lead and serve: “Each of us will feel called by different causes and opportunities to serve,” he said. “As Phi Kap’s emphasis on servant leadership reminds us, each one of us has the opportunity to do something that will make a difference.”

WHEREAS, Brother Allen understood and lived the lifelong bonds of Phi Kappa Theta: “Our commitment to the Phi Kap motto shouldn’t end on graduation day,” he stressed. “Once a Phi Kap, always a Phi Kap.”

WHEREAS, Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity and Phi Kappa Theta Foundation feel a profound loss with Brother Paul Allen joining our Chapter Eternal.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Foundation and Fraternity extend their deepest sympathy to Brother Allen’s family, friends and colleagues and let them know that the Brothers of Phi Kappa Theta will forever look to him as a role model for the Fraternity’s ideals and motto — Give, Expecting Nothing Thereof — and have his family, friends and colleagues in their thoughts and prayers.

Brother Paul Allen Passes

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA | Tuesday, October 16, 2018 – Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity is saddened to report the passing of our dear Brother, Paul G. Allen (Washington State University, ‘75). Brother Allen died from complications of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma on Monday afternoon. He was 65 years old.

Brother Allen was most recently with Phi Kappa Theta Brothers from across the country during the 2017 Biennial Convention, where he was honored with Phi Kappa Theta's Man of Achievement Award. As an introduction to his acceptance of the Award, Phi Kappa Theta created this video to highlight why we honored him as a Man of Achievement.

During his acceptance speech, he shared his belief that we were in an era where "Each of us will feel called by different causes and opportunities to serve and Phi Kap's emphasis on servant leadership reminds us that each one of us has the opportunity to make a difference." View the full video presentation of Brother Allen's Man of Achievement Award Presentation:

Paul Allen was without a doubt our most famous living Phi Kappa Theta brother. Brother Allen is famously known as a co-founder of Microsoft alongside Bill Gates. He left Microsoft back in 1983 due to health circumstances, devoting his time to philanthropy, space and tech ventures and sports. He was an avid sports fan, owning the Portland Trailblazers and the Seattle Seahawks. He is also Founder and Chairman of Vulcan Inc.


He was as driven in his philanthropy as he was in his business. Brother Allen never stopped asking the question “What could be?” and he was not afraid of tackling some of our most pressing issues – or even showing his love for a community by saving a professional sports team. He saw the world around him and continually looked for ways to make a difference and make it better. His Fraternity experience was so profound that he personally made possible return of our Phi Kappa Theta chapter to Washington State University and he provided resources to ensure that it would excel. It is a model we want to emulate.

Brother Allen was truly a role model servant leader who lived our motto: Give – expecting nothing thereof.

Jeff Jowdy (University of Georgia, ‘83) Foundation Chairman


Paul’s ideas and actions have meant so much to the world. Allen spurred the rebirth of the Alpha Delta Chapter at Washington State University. In 1993 he joined together with a group of collegiate brothers who sought to reestablish Phi Kappa Theta at Washington State University. He led and funded construction of the chapter house, completed in 1996. Giving life to a Fraternity that continues to promote brotherhood, leadership and lifelong friendships just as it did for him. Paul’s vision and generosity opened the door for hundreds of Phi Kaps to enjoy the same comradery that he treasured from his days at Phi Kappa Theta.


Our condolences go out to his family, his corporate peers and to his own chapter, Washington Alpha Delta at Washington State University, who benefited from his generosity and support the most.

Adrian Gonzalez (University of Texas at Austin, '78) Fraternity President.


Brother Allen was a visionary leader who changed the world through technology and serving the world through impactful philanthropy.

View the Statement made by Vulcan and his family regarding the passing of Brother Paul G. Allen.

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Founded in 1889, Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity currently has 40 collegiate chapters across the United States. Phi Kappa Theta actively develops men to be effective leaders who passionately serve society, Fraternity and God.

The Passing of Brother Erwin Schweigardt

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It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the passing of adviser and friend, Rev. Erwin H. Schweigardt, PhD (RPI, '84). Father Schweigardt has been been fighting gallbladder cancer for several months. Complications developed this week, and yesterday he suffered a stroke, which took his life. Affectionately known as "Pops," Erwin served as a guiding force for the brotherhood as a whole and touched the lives of many individuals, both inside and outside of Phi Kappa Theta. He lived his life to serve God and to help others, and he will be missed greatly. Please keep him in your thoughts. For those who wish to attend services, the information is below.

Wake: Thursday at St. John the Evangelist Church in Schenectady, NY 4-7pm, (Mass at 7)

Funeral: Friday at St. John’s at 11am. Luncheon after funeral and burial at Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie, NY.

For his birthday this year, Pops asked for donations be made to Safe Inc. of Schenectady, an organization with the goal of ending youth homelessness, or a non-profit cancer organization.

Please consider celebrating his life by making a donation in his name to one of these charities whose mission meant a lot to him.