1953–54 Volume 78 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

THE SCROLL of Phi Delta Theta for November, 1953 153
Following note by "Joe Beamish" (JOHN
F. COOK, Syracuse '23), appeared in "City-
Life Column" of the Herald-American
Daily of Syracuse, N.Y., upon learning of
the death of his chapter friend, Phil
Crowell'
A good friend of ours was Philip Crowell
who. died Monday. The likable, conscientious
Phil was an ardent booster for all the organizations
he joined. Especially was he a plugger
for his coUege fraternity. After returning to
Syracuse from Pittsburgh, he formed a luncheon
club of Alumni members back in 1928.
From that date to the present the group,
Phil's group, has gathered every Monday noon
for lunch. He was a loyal friend and a very
fine Christian man.
E PHILIP CROWELL, Syracuse '12
"His death brought sorrow to a host of friends
in the electrical engineering field. The Syracuse
Technology Club, Rotary, the college fraternity in
which he was active as an alumni member, Manhattan
Lodge, F.A.M., and the church in which he
had been active—Park Central Presbyterian Church.
"Mr. Crowell was a veteran both of The Mexican
Border incident and World War I and following
service became associated with Westinghouse Electric
and Manufacturing Company, which he served for
25 years.
"He was a good citizen, co-operating in many ways
in building up the community in addition to his
chosen work."
Brother Crowell was a member of a pioneer salt
family in the Syracuse area and received his early
education in the Salt-City. Entering Syracuse University
with the class of 1912 he became a Phi on
Nov. 13, 1908. That was New York Epsilon's second
year in their new home—Sibley Memorial Lodge—
and Phil Crowell was one of the leaders in his chapter
as well as one of the prominent members of his
class in all college activities. Following his graduation
with an E.E. degree from the College of Applied
Science he became associated with the Westinghouse
Electric Company and pursued an apprenticeship
course at their Pittsburgh plant. During
his 25 years with Westinghouse he represented
them as a commercial engineer in New York, Washington,
D.C, Pittsburgh, and finally in his home
city of Syracuse.
While located in New York City with the Westinghouse
Company, Phil joined the famous Seventh
Regiment and served vidth that unit on the Mexican
Border in 1916. During World War I he served overseas
with the 51st Pioneer Infantry of the 4th Corps
of the U. S. Army, and was in two major offensives.
After the armistice he made a unique tour of con-
tinental Europe with some of his war pals and often
told of his experiences on this trip.
After his overseas service Phil returned to Syracuse
and took up his work with Westinghouse. In
1918 he was married and in 1922 built a home on a
vacant lot next to his birthplace on the shore of
Onondaga Lake between Syracuse and Liverpool—
a location which he then called "No Man's Ltnd."
In Phil's home, fraternity matters received thoughtful
and careful attention. He aided and directed
many plans for chapter improvements and fraternity
advancement. He served several years as adviser
to New York Epsilon and did so well that he
was selected as president of Beta Province which
included all chapters in New York State and Ontario,
Canada. In this work he came to know fraternity
leaders throughout the Phi world and had
many remarkable experiences.
It was during Phil Crowell's service as Beta
Province President, in the early 1930s, that Syracuse
was selected for the 42d General Cgnvention of the
fraternity and it was largely through his influence
that this was done. It was also largely due to his
personal efforts that the Syracuse Convention of
1936 was such a success. Further, it was at this Convention
that his close friend, DeBanks Henward,
Syracuse '24, was elected to the General Council.
In addition to his duties as an electrical engineer
and his interest and activities for the advance of
A 9 and his local chapter. Brother Crowell gave
freely of his time to social organizations and local
affairs. <
Among his survivors is a brother, William H.
Crowell, Syracuse '14, of Liverpool.
* * *
CLARENCE RENSHAW AVERY, W. & L. '14, Chattanooga
industrialist and civic leader, died at his home in
Chattanooga, Tenn., Sept. 28, 1953. A native of
Pensacola, Fla., he returned there from Washington
and Lee and served as a municipal engineer. In 1914
he moved to Chattanooga where he was associated
with the Southern Paving and Construction Co. In
1919 he was retained as manager of the Thatcher
Company, remaining there for five years, when