Brothers Graduate in 1938, Return for Engineering Reunion
When Mr. Vance and Mr. Roy Vorhees attended the College of Engineering's 50+ Year Alumni Reunion in October of 2004, it was the first time they had set foot on campus in many, many years. While numerous things in the area had changed during their absence, at least one thing remained the same: the College of Engineering at Colorado State University continues to hold a very special place in their hearts.
The Vorhee brothers were born in Seneca, Kan., but moved to Trinidad, Colo., while they were still children. Roy notes, "We were both excellent students, played in local marching bands and coached ourselves in tennis to become city champions. Because of the depression, we postponed going away to college. Instead, we began attending Trinidad's junior college."
Thanks to a Trinidad faculty member who contacted CSU on behalf of the Vorhees brothers to inquire about the availability of scholarship funding, Vance and Roy were given the opportunity to relocate to Fort Collins to pursue their engineering education.
While a student at CSU, Vance and Roy were both members of ASME, the Euclidian Club, Phi Kappa Phi, Kappa Kappa Psi, Sigma Tau, and Alpha Tau Omega. Roy was president of both ASME and the Euclidian Club and was selected as the Honor Engineer by the Colorado Engineering Council. Vance won the Rocky Mountain singles tennis championship as well as New Mexico's state tennis champion; he became Colorado's state collegiate tennis champion in 1938. At the same time, Roy was on the varsity basketball and tennis teams and won the tennis conference doubles championship.
The Vorhees brothers were also academic powerhouses in the College of Engineering: Roy was valedictorian of the 1938 graduating class, and Vance was named salutatorian of the same group. They both were named Pacemakers, the highest award made available to graduating seniors. Roy shares, "Learning 'deep' subjects like calculus and thermodynamics while being exposed to lab subjects such as foundry and mechanical power were very rewarding to a 'green' student with little practical experience."
Both Vance and Roy had very successful careers. Vance held numerous leadership positions with Commonwealth Edison and Crane Packing and was the recipient of honors such as the National Award of the American Society of Lubrication Engineers. Roy began working for Chrysler Corporation in 1938, earning his M.S. in auto engineering from the Chrysler Institute of Engineering in 1940 and spending his entire career with this organization. He held positions ranging from Chief Liaison Engineer to Chief Industrial Engineer. He was also responsible for planning and implementing the realignment, renovation and expansion of Chrysler's Highland Park facilities to transform them into international headquarters.
When Vance and Roy traveled to Fort Collins for the College of Engineering's 50+ year alumni reunion, their experience was overwhelmingly positive. Vance particularly enjoyed the tour of the engineering building, noting, "The mechanical engineering facilities are so much better than when we were in school!" Vance also notes his appreciation of the hospitality that was extended during their trip. "After our visit to CSU," he states, "we traveled to Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Trinidad, New Mexico and took in all the sights. It was a very memorable trip for us, and it all started out with the 50+ reunion."
For many years, the Vorhees brothers have impacted the educational experience of CSU engineering students. Vance shares, "After the death of my father, Roy W. Vorhees Sr., my mother wanted to set up a scholarship to aid engineering students." In 1988 the Vorhees Family Scholarship was established to fund students based on need and scholastic achievement. Roy notes, "I was very fortunate to have such a variety of interesting, rewarding and exciting jobs, fine friends and a loving family who supported me all the way. "Thank you, family and friends. Thank you, Chrysler. Thank you, Colorado State University."
Roy and his wife, the former Marjorie Fielder, were married in 1943. Roy resides in Grosse Pointe, Michigan.
Vance and his wife, the former Corinne Vorhees, were married in 1939. Vance resides in Palatine, Illinois.