LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
A Tribute to Ann Dinardi
I learned of Ann Dinardi's passing from your recent article and read with interest of her background and contributions to WVU and close relationship with Jerry West. I would like to add an addendum to your article with my memory of Ann Dinardi which span the years 1965 to 1969 when I attended WVU and my last visit with her during the fall of 1996.
Ann was housemother of Alpha Phi Delta fraternity (known as the "Italian" fraternity based on its founding roots) through many of the years the chapter was active at WVU. She also was a classmate of my uncle H. Albert Imbro, who attended WVU in the early 30s and was a brother of APD.
When I came to WVU in 1965 and was introduced to the APD chapter I met Ann. She often recounted to me her memories of the old days at WVU when she knew my uncle and they attended APD parties together. And some 30 years later, here she was still attending parties at the APD house but now as our chaperone. She was truly a "mother" to many of our brothers.
When I became chapter president in my senior year, I remember stopping in to see her at the Moore-Parriot pharmacy to discuss chapter business and the brothers. I can still see her bespectacled in a white coat behind the counter doling out prescriptions and advice to students and customers. After I graduated, I learned that she saved the frat house from foreclosure by paying all the monies in arrears on the mortgage. She was devoted to that fraternity house and its brothers her entire life. I last visited with Ann in 1996, when my son entered WVU as a freshman. I knocked on her door at the house down on Beechurst Ave. next to the field house, and she greeted me with tears and hugs. We sat at her kitchen table and talked for some time as she asked about all of the brothers I knew and where they were and what they were doing. She hadn't changed one bit. The students she knew and helped throughout her years were still close to her mind and heart.
I just want to say, "thank you, Ann" for all the years of love and devotion you gave to all of us. You will never be forgotten.
One who was lucky enough to be touched by you. . .
Emil R. Imbro, '69
BS Pi Chapter, Alpha Phi Delta 1965-1969
Our Proud Soldier-Identified
We received quite a bit of feedback on the proud Marine on the front cover of the Fall 2004 issue. To us, the soldier represented all of the military men and women who have not told their war stories to anyone. Others felt that we slighted the soldier by not identifying him. This soldier certainly has reason to be proud.
Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Hellyer was in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1956 to 1976. He was in the 3rd Battalion 26 Marines. He was in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967 and served as a drill instructor at Paris Island, South Carolina, from 1968 to 1971. He now works part time for the WVU athletics department. Thank you Mr. Hellyer for lending your image to our publication.
—The Editors