The Gateway Alumni Chapter held a Convivium in St. Louis, Missouri.
The late Dr. Robert W. Kaps (Beta Theta–Washington’64) and Gateway Alumni Chapter President Anthony M. Maheu (Zeta Sigma–Southern Illinois ’11) were inducted into the Chiles Province Court of Honor.
Dr. Robert W. Kaps (Beta Theta–Washington’64)
Kaps is a 1964 initiate of the Beta Theta chapter of KA at Washington University here in St. Louis. He spent the majority of his life giving back to his community, his career and the associations he was a part of, and of course our beloved Order. Dr. Kaps remained active in KA in several roles over the years. Most recently he was a founding member and later president of our Alumni Chapter here in St. Louis. Prior to that, while he was a distinguished professor for many years at SIU Carbondale, he was instrumental in starting the first Illinois chapter of KA which would later become Zeta Sigma.
Dr. Kaps was born in 1943 and passed away last year at the age of 78. He was born and raised in St. Louis and attended Washington University where he majored in Business Administration. He went on to earn graduate degrees from Webster University and SIUC, where he also received his PhD in Philosophy.
Bob married the love of his life, Donna and was married for just shy of 55 years, creating a beautiful family of 3 girls and 6 grandchildren, all of whom love and miss him dearly. Kaps spent over 40 years in the aviation industry, he started his career at SIUC in 1981 teaching undergraduate courses. Dr. Kaps has accumulated many accolades and awards over his lifetime as just a small testament to the man he was and the impact he had on others. Dr. Kaps’ accomplishments go far beyond the classroom. He was a published author and was an active member of several civic and community organizations throughout his life. He was a skilled negotiator and businessman.
Retiring in 2012, Bob remained active in his endeavors to continue to help others and give back. Dr. Kaps really didn’t understand the idea of retirement and stayed active all the way till the end of his life. That’s just the kind of man he was.
Anthony M. Maheu (Zeta Sigma–Southern Illinois ’11)
Anthony is a charter member of the Zeta Sigma Chapter at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. As an undergraduate, Tony served as president of the chapter in 2008 and 2009 and was initiated in 2011 when the chapter received it’s charter.
In 2014, Anthony married his lovely wife, Rachele; who in her own right served as the 2009 Zeta Sigma KA Rose. Together, Tony and Rachele have two children, their daughter, Haley, and their son, Hunter.
Following college, Anthony went into the financial industry. Anthony owns his own financial planning and investment management firm, Guardian Wealth Management, LLC in downtown St. Louis, and spent over a decade helping families prepare for and transition into successful retirements. Over the years, Tony has been acknowledged several times for the work he does to help veterans and their families. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors to the Midwest Retirement Institute, a non-profit, whose mission focuses on promoting financial literacy and retirement readiness.
Anthony is a charter member of our Gateway Alumni Chapter and has twice served as president. He is a member of the Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation’s Crimson & Gold Society, a member of the Loyal Order, and a Forever KA participant.
