The History of Tau Epsilon Phi

Born in New York City, and educated in the public schools, Sidney Suntag entered Fordham University in 1931, where he was initiated into Tau Epsilon Phi. He served in every major office in the chapter, including Chancellor (President). A small chapter, Epsilon held its meetings at the Alpha house, which coincidentally housed the national offices. It was at that time that the author met many of the founders and early pioneers of the Fraternity. Upon graduating from Fordham, he entered New York University Law School, and during his first year, was elected Assistant Tribune of the Grand Council. When the Executive Secretary suddenly resigned, he was appointed Acting Executive Secretary. During the next two years, he continued and completed his studies, and was awarded his J.D., while at the same time conducting the affairs of the Fraternity. In 1937, when Irving Klepper (Tau Alpha) was appointed as full-time Executive Secretary, Sid was elected as the Fraternity'sTribune (Secretary), the youngest man ever elected to a major office. He went on to practice law until he was drafted by the U.S. Army shortly before Pearl Harbor. Drafted as a Private, he attended Officer's Candidate School at Ft. Benning, later rising to the rank of Major. As a company commander, he took part in the invasion of Europe on D-Day, and was seriously wounded in action. Among his medals were the Bronze Star for valor, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantrymen's Badge, and two battle stars. Returning home, he was seriously considering remaining in the military when then Consul A. Harold Frost induced Sid to resign his commission and serve as Executive Secretary, a post he held until his "retirement" in 1979. Since that time, he has served as Executive Director Emeritus and Consultant, and largely through his efforts, Tau Epsilon Phi has maintained an active up-to-date file and relationship with its almost 43,000 alumni. Among his literary achievements and accomplishments are the authoring of every major manual and guideline the Fraternity has used. He served as Editor of the Fraternity's magazine, the Plume, for almost a third of a century, and is credited with the now universal fraternity phrase, "Pledges are the lifeblood of the fraternity." Married since 1948 to his beloved English war bride, "Flip," they were the proud parents of daughter Avril, who has provided them with the light of their life, granddaughter Shana. He comfortably lived in Atlanta, honored with awards and citations too numerous to mention, he was a major source of inspiration and guidance to the working staff at the National Headquarters, as well as counsel to the Fraternity's Executive Officers.

Sidney S. Suntag (1914-1990)