Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Howard Alter Jr. Obit
Howard R. Alter Jr. '41
the following obitutries was printed in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette on May 2009
Howard R. Alter Jr.Howard R. Alter, Jr., 90, of Plum, died Saturday, May 9, 2009, at home. Mr. Alter was Executive Director Emeritus of Theta Chi Fraternity. He was a 1936 graduate of New Kensington High School and was a member of the class reunion committee from its inception until his death. He was a 1941 graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Architectural Engineering and joined the Omega Chapter of Theta Chi in 1938. He served his chapter as treasurer and president. Upon graduation, he was employed by American Bridge Company in Ambridge. A veteran of World War II, Mr. Alter served with the "Seabees" in New Guinea. He is a retired Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Following his service, he managed the family business, the Hamilton-Alter Feed Store in Parnassus. From 1962-1966, he served as National President of Theta Chi. In 1968, he was chosen to be the executive director of Theta Chi Fraternity, a position he held for 16½ years. During his tenure, he served as president of the Fraternity Executives Association and several terms as a member of the National Inter-Fraternity Conference Board of Directors. He was awarded the NIC Gold Medal, the highest inter-fraternity award, and numerous awards from inter-fraternity groups, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Zeta Beta Tau, Kappa Delta Rho, Alpha Kappa Lambda, Phi Kappa Psi, Alpha Chi Rho, Sigma Nu and Lambda Chi Alpha. During his time, Mr. Alter served for 27 years on the Board of Trustees of the Presbyterian Church of Plum Creek and for 25 years as the president of the Plum Creek Cemetery Corporation. Friends will be received at the family residence, the Booth-Alter Farm, at 7151 Leechburg Road in Plum, after 10 AM on Thursday and Friday. Funeral services will be from the Plum Creek Presbyterian Church, 550 Center-New Texas Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15239 at 12:30 PM on Saturday, May 16. Anyone attending the service should go directly to the church. Memorial contributions may be made either to the Presbyterian Church of Plum Creek or Theta Chi Fraternity, Howard R. Alter, Jr. Memorial Fund, 3330 Founders Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46268 Burial will follow in Plum Creek Cemetery.