This story was sent to the Alpha Zeta National Office by the daughter of Alpha Zeta member, Robert Edgar Duke. Robert, known as "Bob" to his friends and family, studied agriculture at Rutgers University in the late 30s-early 40s and was a member of the Cook Chapter.
She felt strongly about sharing his inspirational story with current Alpha Zeta student members:
"I just wanted to share my father's story with other students. He was born in 1919 and a member of Alpha Zeta. The interesting thing about my father was that he was blind. At age three, he contracted spinal meningitis and his optic nerves were destroyed. Therefore he couldn't see anything, not even a shadow. His world was dark. He went on to become a chicken farmer but gave that up to be a dairy farmer. He married a nurse and had seven children.
I just though he would be an inspiration to others if they knew his story.
Sincerely,
Nancy Duke-Smith"