A Tribute to Jim Selzer
What stays with me is Jim’s commitment to our undergraduates. In every Arch Chapter meeting Jim was a voice of wisdom, strength and clarity. Jim’s actions and leadership have left generations of Delts and Delt chapters better than he found them. I know that is the case with this Delt. Thank you for your service, good brother.
—Duane Wimer, Executive Vice President, 1996-2001 (Ball State University, 1984)
I was in the pledge class with Bob Selzer, Jim’s little brother at Baker in 1981. Jim was the head of the house corporation. He was always calm, cool and collected at every meeting and gave great guidance through a very crazy time. It was great to read in The Rainbow that the guy who politely and diplomatically told me to “get my dues caught up,” was the head honcho. Our prayers are with the Selzer family.
—John Chlebak, Dallas, Texas (Baker University, 1984)
Several years ago, the National Housing Committee visited chapter houses at the University of Kansas and the offices of Pennington and Company in Lawrence. When the committee returned to Kansas City for the evening, Jim Selzer was invited to dinner. Jim graciously accepted and joined the committee. What was memorable about Jim’s visit was his sincere interest in the work of the committee. He asked questions, he listened and offered thoughtful opinions and ideas. Jim demonstrated to me that day that for the Fraternity to advance and be meaningful, one must be engaged and take advantage of opportunities to share, learn and interact with its members and in its functions. I’m a better fraternity man for meeting and knowing Jim Selzer.
—Andy Longo, Director of Residential Life/Manager of Conferences
Many people have influenced particular facets or times in my life, but no one person had a broader influence on my entire life than Jim. I was fortunate enough to meet Divisional Vice President James O. Selzer, Esquire in 1986 in my first semester as a Delt. Since that time I have been very proud to call him brother, mentor and friend. He unselfishly shared his love of family, his passion for the Fraternity and his loyalty as a friend. I would often seek his valuable guidance at many critical points in my life because I knew he would empower me by asking the right questions so that the tough answers seemed manageable. On deciding to become a leader in the Fraternity—Jim was there; on becoming a lawyer—Jim was there; on how to be a good husband and father—Jim was there; on dealing with career decisions—Jim was there; whenever I needed him—Jim was there. He has helped me become a better brother, lawyer, husband, father and friend. We will miss you, James O. Selzer, Esquire, and only hope that we can carry on your legacy of confidence, commitment and compassion. God Bless!
—Kurt A. Level (University of Kansas, 1989)
One of the last phone calls I made to “Otto” was to settle a discussion I had with some of our younger undergrads on the Delt Crest. They wanted to include the Crest on their “recruitment T-Shirts” and offer the T-Shirt as a congrats for committing to be a Delt pledge. Otto was direct and passionate: “No...only Delt initiates are entitled to wear Our Crest. Pledges will need to learn what it means to be a Delt and to appreciate and honor our Crest.” He so loved Delta Tau Delta and encouraged all to live the Delt Creed. At our recent alumni spring event called “Stag” with Barb Selzer and family in attendance, Gamma Theta Chapter honored Jim by naming our Front Formal Living Room the “Jim ‘Otto’ Selzer Room.” With our recent “Cap 50” capital campaign we are in the process of renovating the shelter. Now, many generations of Delts will know Jim Selzer’s spirit and recognize him as a leader for our chapter and our national Fraternity.
—W. Gary Coleman, Gamma Theta House Corporation President (Baker University, 1972)
It is a great sense of personal loss I feel at the passing to the Chapter Eternal of my friend and brother, Jim Selzer. I have had the privilege and honor of serving with Jim on the Arch Chapter for four years. Due to ill health I was unable to attend the Karnea at which Jim was elected international president of our Fraternity for which I am truly sorry. During this time I not only was able to learn of Jim’s commitment to our Fraternity but of his unfailing dedication to our undergraduate members. His measured and well thought out responses to all Fraternity questions and problems always first gave thought to the undergraduates. Too often in our lives we never have this privilege of getting to know our brothers more intimately as I have Jim. His ethics he never compromised, his wisdom was unsurpassed and his friendship was unfailing. A true believer of the Delt Creed he will always be remembered for his loyalty, commitment and dedication to our Fraternity and all its members young and old. Jim’s dedication to Delta Tau Delta was second only to his God, family and especially his wife, Barbara. It is my firm belief he will receive the words of “Well Done, My Good and Faithful Servant” as he moves on to the Chapter Eternal.
—Don Kindler, Past Northern Division President (Ohio State University, 1955)
I first met Jim Seltzer at the Kansas City Karnea several years ago. He was an intelligent, interesting gentleman. At his breakout section he spoke of knowledge about American Indian culture, I was intrigued. His lifelong dedication and service to Delta Tau Delta is a fine example for all of us. He was a fine example for all of us at Delta Tau Delta.
—Charles Mallery, Western Plains Division Vice President (Sam Houston State University, 1959)
Any experience I had with Jim Selzer was one that revealed a keen intellect and a deep devotion to Delta Tau Delta. It was far more than casual—it was an enriching Delt encounter. I admired him.
—Former International President Ed Heminger (Ohio Wesleyan University, 1948)
Memory 1: I was president of my chapter at Mizzou (Gamma Kappa) while Jim was the president of the Western Plains Division. He hadn’t really been involved with any of the Mizzou chapters up to that point (understandable since he was a native Kansan and Baker alum), but he quickly introduced himself to us at conference. I suggested we have him to the chapter house for dinner some night, he said he would make every effort to attend. Of the three times we invited Brother Selzer to the shelter, he came to dinner twice and was able to attend our chapter meetings too. He noted on both occasions that he was pleased to see that we ate dinner together every night and that we had such respect for each other during our chapter meetings. Later that year we had an MRG violation. Because the guys had met Jim, they understood the situation was entirely our own fault. I never heard anyone say a cross word about him as undergraduate members often do about senior Fraternity leadership. The guys in the chapter always had a lot of respect for Jim (unlike I had seen with other Fraternity volunteers up to that point).
Memory 2: Northern Division Conference 2009 in Lincolnshire, Ill.: I had the pleasure of gathering with some brothers after the sessions had ended one evening. I recall in attendance were Greg Kazarian, Jim Russell, Jerry Cooper, Bruce Peterson and a few others I’m embarrassed to say I don’t recall. Jim told us the story of how he grew up in Baldwin City, Kan. (home of Baker) and his interaction with the members at Gamma Theta as a boy. To illustrate how small Baldwin City, Kan. is, he spoke about how if he missed a class or misbehaved his parents would find out by the next time he interacted with them, so there was always a heightened state of awareness to do the right thing and be accountable. He told us stories about getting his master’s and about making life-changing decisions about moving back to Kansas City and getting his JD. He spoke of falling in love with his wife and raising his kids and you could see how proud he was of his sons. I remember thinking I had “lived” up until that point, but Jim’s recap of his life and perspective made me realize that age only adds to the enjoyment of life and the responsibility we have to those who follow us. He was an inspiring man and I have thought about that night and his stories every day since learning of his passing.
—Chris Wisbrock (University of Missouri, 1997)
Since Jim Selzer’s passing I have had the hardest time trying to construct in my memory an instance that represented how he helped me personally or with Delta Tau Delta. His son, Bryan, shared with us why—it was simply because Jim was always, “whatever you needed him to be.” That is when it clicked—for over 20 years Jim was a counselor to me, he served on difficult committees, helped wordsmith the CRG into the MRG and he was the quiet voice of reason during very disorganized discussions. His quiet confidence and intellect gave him the ability to be the biggest man in the room when necessary and at other times the dutiful soldier in the field. He moved between these roles effortlessly with no need for recognition. Jim was whatever you needed him to be—the ultimate utility player in an organization where getting outside of your comfort zone doesn’t happen very often. His standards were high and uncompromising and I will miss him greatly.
—Ken File, Delta Tau Delta Educational Foundation President (Kansas State University, 1981)
Jim Selzer was an easy Delt to like. Spoke his mind simply and clearly. In large meetings, you might not hear from Jim more than a few times in a day—but his position was thoughtful and well expressed. I was chairman of the Foundation Board as Jim was moving up in the Arch Chapter. When he was elected president of the Fraternity, I continued my practice before each meeting of calling the Fraternity president, who sits on the Foundation Board as an ex officio voting member. I wanted to be sure he was briefed on matters on the agenda. Jim would listen carefully, make a few comments or suggestions and then say something like, “sounds good to me and thank you.” He was clear and always polite.
—Norval Stephens, Jr., Education Foundation Board Chairman (DePauw University, 1951)
I first met Jim when I visited the Gamma Theta house as a chapter consultant in 1970 and was always glad to see him at division conferences and Karneas over the last four decades. He was a good friend and totally dedicated Delt whose love of Delta Tau Delta never diminished. We all miss him very much.
—Jay Langhammer (Texas Christian University, 1966)