Fall 1998: Joseph F. Kuchta
Initiated: November 14, 1998

Ruth Barrameda (141)
Robin Brooks (142)
Michael Carragher (143)
(Regina) Gina Dizon (144)
Kristen Dowd (145)
Suzan Ertumen (146)
Matthew Fischl (147)
Steven Green (148)
Todd Harrison (149)
 		Stephanie Hayes (150)
Jenita Meredith (151)
Adam Ornoff (152)
Michelle Patrick (153)
Kalpesh Patel (154)
Hiep Pham (155)
Michelle Pohoreskey (156)
Alys Sellers (157)
Peter Tait (158)

Friendship Event: Karoake Night & Dinner
Service Project: n/a

Pledge Class Very Important Pledge (VIP): Gina Dizon

Joseph F. Kuchta
Namesake: Joseph F. Kuchta

Joseph F. Kuchta (pronounced, "COOK-ta") was born nearly 80 years ago in New Kensington, PA, a small town in western Pennsylvania about an hour north of Pittsburgh. Along with everything else he has done during his richly productive life, he found time to raise a family of six successful, happy children.

World War II service in the Navy interrupted his study of biology at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts. When the ships he served on were attacked, one of his responsibilities was to make sure patients were cleared out of sickbay and made it safely to lifeboats. He was on two ships that went down; he reflects on this by saying: "I made it to Japan. It took me three ships." Altogether, he spent a total of 10 years in the Navy.

His long affiliation with the Red Cross began during WWII with his work on blood drives. He has continued involvement to this day and has been on the board of CPR instructor trainers. After the navy and finishing school, he went to work at MIT as a safety engineer.

Joe's Scouting career began during the Depression. Inspired by his Scoutmaster, Joe earned Eagle status and attended the 1937 National Jamboree in Washington, DC. Thus began his lifelong involvement with Scouting. Joeās idea of shore leave in WWII was to seek out local Scouts to do service. Throughout his Navy career, he continued working with Scouts in port. After the Navy, he also continued his activity with the Boy Scouts, serving as a Scoutmaster for a time. In 1983, he went through the Wood Badge course, a leadership program in Scouting.

Joe has been involved in many aspects of the Fraternity at the Chapter, Sectional, Regional and National levels for many years. He was initiated in Alpha Phi Omega as an Advisor to Alpha Chi in 1974, although he was involved in the Chapter long before then. Throughout his life he has also been a participating member of the community. In addition to his work with the Boy Scouts of America and the American Red Cross, he has been active with many other organizations, such as Junior Achievement, the MIT Community Service Fund, the United Way, and the American Heart Association.

Among the many tributes he has received is the James N. Murphy Award, MIT's highest award for a staff member's service to the student body. He also has received the highest honor Alpha Chi can bestow, Chapter Life Membership, which the Chapter has given only four times in its overŠ60-year history, and the Chapter Distinguished Service Key (DSK).

Joe is a very positive role model. Pledges attending the National Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, had the added opportunity to meet Joe and experience first-hand his warmth and friendship!