2023 saw the passing of Phi Psi legends Jerry Nelson UCLA ’48 and Henry B. Marvin Southern Cal ’56. Both men served on the Foundation Board of Trustees and have left a legacy unmatched in the fraternal community.

Jerry was a giant both inside and outside the Fraternity. He was a visionary businessman, an almost unparalleled philanthropist, and a mentor to more than he would ever have known. He was a friend to brothers old and young, and a brother who embodied The Great Joy of Serving Others perhaps more than any Phi Psi ever has. In Phi Psi circles, Jerry was a man who needed no introduction. He made it his mission to improve the lives of our undergraduate men. A man from modest means with an adventurous spirit, he founded Pinnacle Peak Land Company and Pinnacle Paradise, Inc. of Scottsdale, Arizona, and was responsible for the development of 9,000 North Scottsdale acres, 8,000 homesites, and some of the world’s best golf destinations.

In partnership with his late wife, Florence Ely Nelson, the couple established environmentally friendly building codes that preserved Scottsdale’s Sonoran Desert landscape. They then advanced their vision for Scottsdale by educating 6,000 children annually through their Desert Center programs.

Through these entities and affiliates, he developed Pinnacle Peak Village, Pinnacle Peak Country Club and Shopping Plaza, Troon Village and Troon Golf & Country Club, Troon North and Troon North golf course. Other developments have also occurred in Scottsdale and Prescott, Arizona and Cabo San Lucas, BCS, Mexico. Throughout his life, Jerry funded the creation and startup of numerous companies, including Simulnet, Video Electronics, Ticketmaster, Antenna Technology Corporation, Technology Control Services, and Troon Golf Management.

Jerry led the charge to grow the Phi Psi Foundation and expand the Board to what it is today. He singlehandedly drove the establishment of many of Phi Psi’s most well-known programs and initiatives. He was the catalyst behind the now robust Chapter Scholarship Program, promoted the Foundation as the “community foundation” for Phi Psi’s almost 100 chapters, and was a leader in the promotion of grants and reserves for safe and competitive chapter housing.

He founded the American Leadership Academy (ALA), a program designed to guide Phi Psi leaders of tomorrow. During the creation of the ALA, he truly displayed a heart to serve as he opened his home and resources to educate and invest in the future of our undergraduate brothers. The Nelson Leadership Institute was established many years later to impact young Phi Psis through leadership and character development programming. The Institute carries Jerry’s name as a reminder of his catalytic and entrepreneurial spirit which has well served thousands of young Phi Psis.

Jerry’s legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of so many. His infectious smile and wit are already living through others who embody Jerry’s spirit. In addition to his many intangible qualities, Jerry left resources that will allow his impact to continue into the future. By gifting his insurability and with premium payments made by the PKP McMahan Finance Engine (Finance Engine) the Foundation received policy proceeds in the amount of $33 million. This provided funding for the Nelson Leadership Institute, the Chapter Scholarship program, educational housing support, and established an operating endowment.

For more than 20 years, Jerry served alongside Brother Marvin on the Phi Psi Foundation Board of Trustees, and they joined Chapter Eternal just four days apart. Brother Marvin will always be remembered for his dedication and love to his family and community as well as our Fraternity and brotherhood.

Hank was the CEO of the ISU Stephen B. Marvin Insurance Agency. He began with the agency post-graduation from the University of Southern California. In 1966 he became manager and then owner in 1974. Hank positioned the agency as a family and those they served as family as well.

Hank’s more than two decades of service on the Board of Trustees (1996-2017) were marked by distinguished contributions to the brotherhood as a donor, volunteer, advisor, leader, and mentor, evidenced by his most generous direct financial investments as well as his gift of insurability. Hank brought his years of experience as a decorated individual in the insurance and finance world, serving on numerous councils and boards, and extensive service to and knowledge of the Fraternity, to the Trustee position.

In addition to his volunteer work with the Foundation, Hank was heavily involved in supporting the Antelope Valley Hospital since 1990. He served as an elected director of the hospital from 1992 to 1997 and was chairman of the board in 1996. He also led the hospital’s foundation from 1998 to 2000 and was acting treasurer from 2001 through 2008. His commitment to the community was also evident through his service as a director of a seven-branch community bank and his regular involvement with other area community organizations.

Hank’s legacy will live on through the creation of the Marvin Laurel Hall Operating Endowment, established with a $2 million gift which is part of a larger $23 million gift to the Foundation made by himself and his fellow chapter brother D. Bruce McMahan Southern Cal ’57 through their insurability. The endowment commemorates Brother Marvin’s legacy of leadership and financial support of the Fraternity and secures the long-term operation of Phi Psi’s headquarters.

Individually these brothers accomplished many things both personally and professionally, But together, alongside Brother McMahan who passed away in 2017, their collective financial legacy left for Phi Kappa Psi totals $56 million dollars. These gifts of insurability are the largest contributions ever received by a fraternal foundation and were established more than 20 years ago.

These three men had a vision for strengthening the Foundation’s long-term financial position in an effort to do more good in the world. They focused on building and positioning the Phi Psi Foundation as Phi Psi’s Community Foundation and they all gifted their insurability; allowing the Finance Engine to take out and fund life insurance policies. The distributions from these gifts will allow the Foundation to grant additional scholarships, support more chapters, fund future life insurance policies, provide increased leadership programming, and invest in Phi Psi’s housing efforts.

###

If you would like to make a contribution in honor or memory of Brother Nelson, Marvin, or McMahan, you can do so by visiting pkpfoundation.org/make-an-impact.