Robert D. Planck Obituary, Death – The news of the passing of Past Grand Prytanis Robert D. Planck is being disseminated by the Offices of the Grand Chapter, and it is done so with a heavy heart. On December 22, 2022, Frater Planck made his transition into the chapter eternal. Ryan Vescio, the Venerable Grand Prytanis, made the following observation in a declaration he issued regarding the passing of Frater Planck: “By the authority vested in me as Grand Prytanis by the Black Book.
I declare that Tau Kappa Epsilon is in a period of mourning and that all collegiate members are to wear a black ribbon under their badges for a period of 14 days beginning on January 2, 2023, and ending on January 16, 2023. This period of mourning will begin on January 2, 2023 and end on January 16, 2023. During that same time period, only the flag representing the Fraternity will be flown at half-mast.”
In addition, Frater Vescio expressed that “Bob Planck cared deeply for his wife Sharron, his family, his university, and Tau Kappa Epsilon.” I count it an honor and a privilege to have worked with Frater Planck on a variety of fraternal matters for the better part of twenty years now. In every aspect of his life, Frater Planck exemplified the qualities of love, charity, and esteem by frequently referring back to our Declaration of Principles. Along with the rest of the TKE Nation, which is in mourning, I pray for Sharron and the rest of the Planck family to find peace.
In 1971, Frater Planck received his degree from the University of Houston. He became a member of the TKE’s Epsilon-Omicron chapter while he was a student at UH. During his time as a student at the college level, he held a number of leadership positions, including those of Recruitment Chairman, Grammateus, Epiprytanis, and Prytanis.