TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Ned J. Dunbar, Jr. 1934–2019 Past Grand Lt. Strategus, IT Consultant Featured on the cover of The Kappa Alpha Psi ® Journal in 2017, Brother Dunbar, as Grand Lt. Strategus is visible at the 1958 Conclave and 1959 Conclave in this tribute.
By Aaron Williams
E lected as the Grand Lt. Dunbar served in the administration of the 16th Grand Polemarch C. Rodger Wilson. After leaving their respective offices, Brother Dunbar and past Grand Polemarch Wilson maintained their friendship for years while both were members of the Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter. Brother Dunbar also had the good fortune, as an undergraduate member, to develop friendships with some of the Founders, most notably Founder Edward G. Irvin, as well as some of the fraternity’s iconic giants in- cluding past Grand Polemarchs Earl B. Dickinson and William “Stud” Greene. A beloved member of the Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter, Brother Ned J. Dunbar entered the Chapter Invis- ible on May 15, 2019 at the age of 84. Upon reflecting on Brother Dunbar, Grand Historian Kevin Scott stated, "He was my Dean of Pledges and he often espoused the virtues of Kappa's brotherhood and how it greatly impact- ed him. He often spoke of the altru- istic actions of 15th Grand Polemarch Henry 'Stud' Greene, Washington (DC) Alumni Chapter, and the warm, acces- sible nature of the Founders, which epitomized the solidarity that Kappa Alpha Psi stands for. He was truly an emulation of those Kappa notables, though humble, soft-spoken yet firm in his convictions. Ned's good hearted Strategus at the 46 th Grand Chapter Meeting in Atlanta, GA in 1956, Brother Ned J.
nature was infectious upon all who met him. I am a better brother knowing him and will deeply miss him." North Central Province Polemarch Byron C. Thornton characterized Brother Dunbar as “Small in stature but a giant to me and so many others. Ned was a walk- ing Kappa history lesson. He shared so many stories about his interactions with the Founders and other luminaries. Some can be shared in public, others... not so much. Ned was my dude. Really gonna miss him and his presence.” Brother Eric Lindsay, a past polemarch of Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter remi- nisced about Brother Dunbar, “The loss of Brother Dunbar is different from the loss of some of our high esteemed brothers because he was not ill. He was at chapter meeting in March and greeted me with his usual greeting of Brother Polemarch. I likewise greeted him as Brother Polemarch. I will always remember him approaching me after I was installed as Polemarch. ‘Brother Polemarch, being the Polemarch of Chicago Alumni Chapter ain’t for the faint of heart.’” Ned James Dunbar, Jr. was born on May 30, 1934 in Lake Village, AR to Ned J. and Louise (née Davis) Dunbar, Sr. and was the eldest of seven chil- dren. The Dunbar family moved to Chicago, IL in 1947 where his family converted to Catholicism and where he attended Holy Angels Elementary School and St. Elizabeth High School. After high school, he attended Xavier
University in New Orleans, LA. He returned to Chicago after his sophomore year to assist his mother with the family after his father’s passing. He transferred to Chicago’s DePaul University where he earned a B.S. degree in biology. While at DePaul, Dunbar joined Alpha Phi Omega ® and attended the U.S. Army Adjutant General School. He continued his education with post-graduate studies at Northwestern and Roosevelt Universities respectively. While at DePaul, Dunbar joined the fraternity as a 1956 initiate of the Uni- versity of Chicago Chapter, the Iota of Kappa Alpha Psi ® . During his 63 years of active membership in the fraternity, Brother Dunbar was a Life Member and a founding contributor to the Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation. He served as Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter’s 31 st Polemarch (1973-1975) and its 44 th Polemarch (2000-2002). He is the only brother to serve two separate terms as polemarch in the chapter’s history. He also served on the chapter’s Board of Directors as well as other committees. The chapter’s scholar- ship program was launched under his first tenure as Polemarch. Dunbar served four terms as a member of the North Central Province Board of Directors, from 1970- 1982. Additionally, he was the Lead Investigator for the North Central Prov- ince from 1976-1982. He also served as the first president of the Edward G. Irvin Foundation, 501(c)(3), the philanthropic arm of Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter. Brother Dunbar appeared on the cover of
182 | FALL 2019 ♦ THE JOURNAL
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