Jeff Rotwitt Esq. ’72: “Be as active as you can; reinforce our values” 

Rich Bilancia ’69 and wife Diane (great friends and travel buddies of Steve and Marilyn), John O’Shaunessy ’71 and Jeff, enjoying the food. These are almost 50 years old and before the days of iPhones and digital photography. The group pictures were taken in 1970 at a family party to welcome Marilyn and Steve Derby back from his Defense Language Institute post in Monterrey, CA. 

I support the fraternity because my years at Sig Ep have left an indelible impression that have lasted to this day. It was a well of support, friendship, and camaraderie.  

In addition, there was a unique selflessness that is very commendable. We initiated a charity volleyball fundraiser, had our most rotund Brother dress as Santa Claus, and brought gifts to an orphanage at Christmas and, in general, tried to do the “right” thing. I also believe we had the highest GPA of any fraternity on campus.  

I look forward to seeing at annual reunions the Brothers from my class and those on either side, including John O’Shaunessy ’71, Rees Griffiths ’72, Tom Keeline ’72, Ken Frankel ’72, Ken Marcus ’72, Joe Maher ’73, Tom Gallagher ’74 and similarly special people. One Brother who I miss, dearly is Steve Derby ’69. He was a good friend who passed away November 2018.  

Most importantly, my family is well and thriving after nearly 50 years of marriage to Dianne, who attended every Sig Ep party with me while I was at Penn, including after my undergraduate years when I was at Wharton Grad and Penn Law. Our four children, their spouses, and our grandchildren are our life’s delights.  

Our primary day-to-day endeavor is running a Hollywood-type movie studio in Delaware County, PA where we have hosted some of Hollywood’s top stars including Sly Stallone, Will Smith, Nicole Kidman and Bruce Willis. We also are doing real estate development projects in the Philadelphia region and do not see retirement even on the distant horizon since I have the great pleasure of working with three of my children. 

My closing advice to my fellow Brothers is this: Try to be as active with the fraternity as you can, even though the demands of family and business make it difficult. Reinforce our traditional values.