Tony Douglas Laux 1971-2004

On January 6, 2004, the brothers and alumni of the Indiana Kappa chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon at IPFW university endured the most upsetting loss our chapter has encountered. Brother Tony Laux died that Tuesday afternoon while with the IPFW mens volleyball team in Puerto Rico. Services were held in Columbia City, Indiana, and Tony was laid to rest at the Greenhill Cemetery, also in Columbia City. Everyone that ever met Tony knew that he was indeed a special person. Our brothers have agreed that he was one of the most selfless, helpful, dedicated, and hardest working people that many of us have ever met.

Our fraternity is based on three cardinal principles: Virtue, Dilligence, and Brotherly Love. Tony Laux has been the ultimate example of these three principles and lived them throughout every aspect of his life. Tony exemplified virtue through his caring nature and by going out of his way to help others. One of his most unbelievable character traits was his selflessness. While many other people would boast about the types of things Tony accomplished, he would never want to brag, but just help others for the sake of helping.

His dilligence was proved in many ways. Tony was always a hard worker, sometimes working two jobs, and while in his spare time helping the chapter in every way he could. At the time of his death, Tony worked for the IFPW volleyball team, not for the income, but for the love of the game and the love of being able to impact others. In the past few years Tony Laux gave more time, resources, and effort than any other alumni member, and many times gave more effort than some active members.

Finally, brotherly love are two of the words that sum up the life of Tony Laux. Tony loved being with his fraternity brothers and friends in any way. While participating in sports, debating politics and athletics, attending meetings, and more, Tony influenced the lifes of many people. So many people were influenced through Tony that they may have not even realized it. When our chapter needed help with the fraternity house, Tony volunteered to live at the house in order to help the chapter financially and to be closer to his brothers. While alumni members are not required to attend meeting, Tony would regularly come to meeting, not just to listen, but to be involved and help our chapter in any way he could.

We, the brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon at IPFW University, believe that it will be nearly impossible for another brother to live up to the high principles that we all strive for the way that Tony has. Tony Laux will always be remembered to many people in a number of ways. Among them: mentor, role model, coach, son, co-worker, friend, and brother.