Dr. Ollin J. Drennan, Beta '46 (Truman State University), died February 12, 2008. He was 82.

Brother Drennan was born April 11, 1925 in Kirksville, Missouri. He graduated from Kirksville High School in 1943 then served in the United States Navy during WWII. He joined Sigma Tau Gamma at Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (now Truman State University) where he graduated with honors in 1949 with a degree in Mathematics and Music.

Brother Drennan earned a second bachelors degree in Physics from Missouri Valley College in 1950. He was a General Electric Fellow at Case Institute of Technology (now Case Western Reserve University) in 1952, then earned a masters degree in Physics from Bradley University in 1955. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin in 1961 with a major in the history of science.

Brother Drennan taught at Linneus (MO) High School (1951-53), Missouri Valley College (1952-53), Evansville (IN) College (1953-55), Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (1955-58), University of Wisconsin (1959-1961), Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (1961-64) and Western Michigan University (1964-76). He was Dean of the College of General Studies at Western Michigan from 1971-75. In 1976 he accepted the Rieger-Black Distinguished Professor of Physics and Natural Science Chair at Northeast Missouri State University, where he completed his teaching career in 1993.

Brother Drennan was continuously involved in Sigma Tau Gamma from the date of his initiation, serving as a chapter officer, chapter advisor and regional officer until his election to the Board of Directors in 1956. He served as 11th National President of the Fraternity from 1960-62 and remained a member of the Board until 1968. He began his service as a Trustee of the Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation, Inc. in 1968 and was an Emeritus Trustee at the time of his death.

For many years he served as Dean of the Foundation's Leadership Institute. He also served as faculty adviser to Beta Chapter from 1976 until his retirement from teaching. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Kirksville for more than 20 years.

Brother Drennan married Carole Allender in 1953. She died in 1975. He is survived by his three children, Jennifer Tietsort and husband Stephen of Orrick, MO, Christopher Drennan of Kirksville, and Sarah Christman and husband Todd of Kirksville, and five grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother, Eldon Drennan of Columbia, MO, and two sisters, Lois Cloyd of Chrleston, IL and Irene Drennan of Kirksville. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Jack Drennan.

Brother Drennan was the unofficial philosopher-teacher of Sigma Tau Gamma. At nearly every event he attended he would hold court with a spellbound gathering of brothers, young and not-so-young. He challenged them to question their assumptions and consider issues from all perspectives.

In 1980 Brother Drennan was an original inductee into the Society of the Seventeen.