1937–38 Volume 62 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

The SCROLL of Phi Delta Theta for December, 193:7
loyal friend. In all probability he was personally
acquainted with more members of the Fraternity
than any other person. His friends were legion.
Frank was, in addition, a most devoted husband
and father and to the members of his
family our hearts go out in the most sincere
FRANK MITCHELL^ ,
/. . -/ ^
An informal picture taken
late in i^jS
sympathy. But they are fortunate in the possession
of a lifetime of pleasant memories which
time cannot efface, as well as in the consciousness
that Frank will live in the hearts of countless
friends in the years that are to come.
• • •
The audience was deeply touched by
the glowing tribute of Dean Hoffman,
Dickinson *o2. President of the General
Council. Brother Hoffman said:
Out of a life as rich in virtues as that of Frank
Mitchell, one can draw endless material on which
to base a tribute.
I choose to find my theme in the last visit I
paid him. Frank had expressed a wish to see me
before he faced the crisis. Our correspondence
and associations had been as close and frequent as
they were lovely. Matters of SCROLL and alumni
importance were pending. It was natural that
even for a brief period of invalidism, Frank
would not want his work for the Fraternity to
be interrupted.
And so I hurried to his hospital room. It was
blooming with the floral expression of the affection
of many friends. Two bedside tables were
piled high with Fraternity letters, papers, unfinished
SCROLL copy, and memoranda. Surely
this was not a hospital room; it was a workshop.
Telephone calls were frequent. Frank acknowledged
the good wishes buoyantly. He was all but
gay. For an hour we talked, not about the tragic
test scheduled for the next day, but about the
next SCROLL, then in preparation, about alumni
clubs, about recent visitations we had made together
and others we would make when he had
finished his hospital tour of duty.
Then came my time to leave him. I dreaded
it in my heart, but fought against betraying my
emotions. He called me to his bedside and with
just a shade of seriousness but in the phrases
of everyday conversation, he said: "Well, Dean, I
don't know what's going to happen tomorrow.
They say it's going to be serious, but I have no
idea of going down into some deep dark abyss.
If I have to go it will be without fear. My regret
will be that I must leave my family and my good
friends. Goodby and good luckl"
We gave each other the grip of our Brotherhood.
My earthly comradeship with Frank
Mitchell was at an end.
The memory of that heart-stirring experience
is mine for life. "The picture of that gallant soul
facing his last turn in the road with fine spiritual
and physical courage will remain forever vivid.
The recollection of this loyal Phi Delt dedicating
the last hours of his life to the work and welfare
of our Fraternity must be for me, as for all of
us, an inspiration of an unmistakable mandate.
In addition to all else I look back upon that
anxious experience and see a great exemplar of
the Bond, above all a man, brave and gentle and
thoughtful, devoted to his cause, loyal to his
friends and trustful of his God.
In giving you this searching and intimate
glimpse of a great Phi, I pay my tribute to Frank
Mitchell—in coelo quies est.
•k ic ir
The third eulogy was delivered by Dr.
Ralph W. Sockman, Ohio Wesleyan '11,
Minister of Christ Church and Frank's
Pastor. Dr. Sockman described the esteem
with which Frank Mitchell was held by
his fellow-parishioners and revealed the
sterling strength of Frank's character,
which exemplified the solid Christian virtues
of honor, trust, chivalry, fortitude,
loyalty, kindness, and love of his fellowman.
He was a gentleman and a
Christian.
• • •
IN COELO QUIES EST
• • •