by Nancilee D.V. Gasiel,
contributing writer

Sometimes the best-laid plans don’t turn out as we’d like—even after multiple attempts. On December 5, 1953, as the Sigma Delta local fraternity became the Ohio Lambda chapter, the members voted to add former Temple artist Mathias Noheimer to the official register of Sigma Delta alumni. Regulations required that non-student initiations only occurred when a chapter was installed and the initiate was an alumnus of the local Fraternity that would become the chapter. But Noheimer was not able to attend the installation. ESR John O. Moseley (Oklahoma ’16) wrote to his friend and indicated that they could perform his initiation at another chapter at a later date.

Two years later, Ohio Epsilon EDA Zeke Hyat (Cincinnati ’56) wrote to ESR Rex A. Smith (Nebraska ’24) to request Noheimer’s initiation again. Smith and Hyat secured the necessary approvals and set the date for Ohio Epsilon to initiate Noheimer on behalf of Ohio Lambda. At the last minute, fate once again intervened, and Noheimer could not attend. Records do not show that any further efforts were made to initiate Noheimer.

He had long been a friend of the Fraternity. Alfred K. Nippert, Chairman of the Temple Building Committee, hired the award-winning artist and instructor to paint various murals and portraits throughout the building. After a long career, Noheimer retired in 1971 and moved to Vermont. He passed away in 1981 at age 72.

When the documents regarding Noheimer’s missed initations were discovered, they were shared with Ohio Epsilon, and its men requested his initiation once again. The Supreme Council approved the request, and this August, Noheimer will be posthumously initiated at the 76th John O. Moseley Leadership School.