Wade Kilpatrick (Tau '69) Awarded
2011 Tau Man of the Year

The Tau Chapter honored Wade Kilpatrick as this year's Kappa Sigma Tau Man of the Year during Parents' Weekend celebration on November 5.

A self-styled businessman with a quick wit and ready smile, Kilpatrick has a talent for creating opportunities and leveraging smart business investments. He also knows how to enjoy life and makes sure those around him enjoy it as well.

During his years at the University of Texas, Kilpatrick served two terms as social chairman and as Grand Master his senior year. He has been an active and continuous Tau Trustee since the late 70s. For more than 25 years, he has been an enthusiastic fundraiser for rush and chapter activities, hosting annual receptions for Alumni in his home.

Kilpatrick was very involved in the Kappa Sigma House move to the present location and has made substantial financial contributions toward that effort, as well as to the Tau 125 campaign to raise funds for the Lodge and future Kappa Sig House. He served two terms as Tau Trustee president and was chairman of the Building and Design team for the Lodge.

"No one has worked harder or more effectively than Wade Kilpatrick on behalf of the Kappa Sigs. The Tau Chapter would not be where it is today without his efforts," said Hagen McMahon, Jr., 2010 Tau Man of the Year.

Kilpatrick graduated from UT in 1970 and earned his JD degree from The University of Houston Law School.

In 1975, he began a law practice with a focus on real estate, banking and commercial transactions. Along with two associates, he purchased a large title insurance agency which grew to be one of the largest title insurers in Houston. Prosperity abounded until the real estate market crash of the late 80s. Kilpatrick refers to the years that followed as "the humility years."

But true to his character, he got back into the market and purchased new commercial real estate properties and other commercial interests. He remains active today in managing a variety of related private equity investments.

Kilpatrick and his wife, Melinda, have been married for 38 years and have raised three very accomplished children: Gaines, Brian and Kelly.

He and Melinda divide their time between their Houston home and their Hill Country ranch in Sisterdale. They are active on two prominent Land Trust boards, The Cibolo Conservancy and The Galveston Bay Foundation, through which they work to protect and preserve environmentally sensitive lands and habitats.

Since 2000, Kilpatrick has been the lead singer for the vintage rock and roll band "Mid Life Crisis and the Hot Flashes." The band has played numerous high profile events over the years, including inaugural events for President Bush and President Obama.

 

Charles Bankhead (Tau '57)
Honored Posthumously by Tau Chapter

Charles H. "Charlie" Bankhead (Tau '57) a Kappa Sig remembered as a loyal friend and mentor to many who followed him, was honored posthumously as Tau Man of the Year on November 5. Bankhead died March 11, 2011.

After graduating from Arlington Heights High School in Fort Worth, Bankhead enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin in 1956 and pledged Kappa Sig in 1957. An outstanding athlete, he ran on the UT track team and was Southwest Conference pole vault champion. Representing Kappa Sigma in the UT Intramural program, he helped the Kappa Sigs win almost every sporting event on campus.

"Charlie was a true leader in everything he did," said Phil Pritchett (Tau '59) in a tribute to Bankhead during the awards ceremony. "Everyone enjoyed being with Charlie. I'm proud to have been his friend."

After graduating from UT, he went to work in the Louisiana oilfields as a mud engineer. He later moved to Dallas where he had an accomplished career in securities and finance.

He is survived by his wife Marcia McMurtry Bankhead of Dallas, daughter Elizabeth Taub Bankhead of Dallas, step-children Christian Liston Reid of Denver, Colorado, Elizabeth Liston Jahn of Dallas, Jack D. Liston, III of Dallas, their spouses, and his nine beloved grandchildren.

An avid golfer, he was a long-time member of Brook Hollow Golf Club, where he served on the board of directors. He treasured his many deep and lasting friendships, his family, his dogs, playing gin rummy, and spending time at his farm in Mabank, Texas.