The names have not been changed to protect the innocent, and the bottom line is that OEE started out as nothing more than a few guys from KU getting together for lunch once a month. Greasy spoons, barbeque joints, Ross's Grill, or Antione's, all food was inherently good in the pre-health conscious '80s. The group has evolved in the last 30 years to become something bigger than any one member, not its founders or those who carry the flag today.
Like our moniker who will be chronicled here ("One-Eyed" Ellis), the members of OEE can be found in nearly every sector in our town. They come from different colleges and backgrounds, all over the the country, and they call Kansas City home. These men are involved in almost any business, civic or social cause in the community. They don't necessarily care about press clippings, but sometimes a little "ink" is good. These are roll-up-your-sleeves guys who emote synergy in their endeavors to help make KC just a little bit better than when they found it.
These pages will try to tell the tale of how we started, and why the heck are we still here. Names and stories will be added on a daily basis. As much has faded to grey....please be patient and feel free to post a story you would like to see included in this litany, or maybe let us know something you would like to keep tucked away in the journals of time.
Thanks for your interest in OEE!!
Rooted in Lawrence
GOB was a campus mainstay well into the late 1980s. The group often partnered with the business fraternity AKPsi on events such as The Billion Dollar Ball, and Greek events including Hawkstock to raise money to buy a van for handicapped students on campus. Both groups had several overlapping members, and both groups would serve as the bullpen for future members of OEE. God forbid that members of TNE or Pachacamac would stray into such stellar campus organizations as GOB or AKPsi.
AKPsi is another story. The truth be known that this national organization once had a house, on what is now the Phi Delt parking lot. The house burnt down (who knows when), and the insurance money went to a small bank, some say was in Eudora. Dan Bolen did a little research and low and behold the funds became available for organizational development....you do the math. During this time span the KU chapter of AKPsi was always (proudly) near the bottom of the list for national rankings, but the members had a great time. Pictured below is a typical AKPsi gathering at The Wheel, (Charter Year OEE member Randy Knotts is seated center-right). Rock Chalk!!
In the first GOB picture for the Jayhawker Yearbook, shown above, Andy Smith (a founding member of OEE) was late for the photo and pulled a screeching U-Turn on Jayhawk Boulevard, swung the car door open, leaped from the car, and dashed up the old law school steps just as the shutter clicked. It was a classic scene, right out of the movie Animal House; as "Boon" cut the cake, and "D-Day" unleashed the "DeathMobile," setting it loose on the streets of Faber. Even the Jimmy Green statue cracked a smile, along with the "good old boys" (GOB), as they posed for the yearbook pic.
 |
| McKee and Petree kneeling, Arensberg shaking hands with Schoerke, (right) |
The 1984 Jayhawker Yearbook boasts several GOB members who would go on to join OEE; successful business leaders and men who would be active in their community including, Mark McKee, Jon Petree, Doug Schoerke, and Jeff Arensberg.
A simple luncheon of BBQ and Beer.....
 |
| Arthur Bryant's - 17th and Brooklyn |
 |
| Early OEE Lunch meeting - Antoine's on the Boulevard |
This first gathering led to a series of monthly luncheons and the idea of inviting other friends or business associates who would enjoy partaking in the conversations of the day. Pictured to the left are the original twelve members, and Tom Woolwine (tan jacket). Well before the movie "Old School" Bill Venable was the "founding father" of O.E. Ellis and in this picture is seated on the right (sans white hair) behind Randy Smith. Peeking between them is Tim Burke. Seated on the left are Donohue, Morgan, and Viveros (the first three presidents of OEE). Standing (r. to l.) Mullender, Andy Smith, Greenlee, Riley, Freeman,and Dillman. It is highly probable that this photo (yes, with film) was taken by Pat Boppart.
It all fades into the abyss, but the first initiates were Pat Boppart, Matt Anthony, and Tom Woolwine, followed closely by Bill Meeker, David Watkins, Mark Faber, and Britt Alexander. It doesn't really matter what day or month, as the group was in high gear and growing fast. The letter shown here, from Octavio Viveros dated September 24, 1984, confirms that the group had grown to 19 members and would be initiating four more: Tracy Chelepis, Randy Knotts, Marty Clem, and Kurt Wiedeman.
Kansas City was actually quite a hopping place at this time, as the KC Comets and their marketing guru (Tim Leiweke) created a spark that ignited within Venable. He sought to put some structure around this bunch of "yuppies" who had more time on their hands, than money in their pockets. Most of the crew was either single or newly married. Few had kids, and Friday Happy Hour at P.Ott's on the Plaza was the place to be. So with money and ideas in hand the group convened at Greenlee's mother-in-law's house (pool side) to discuss what was in a name.
The group was growing and began to function as more than just a monthly luncheon club. Early new members included Geary Lynch, John Mulvihill, Dan Summers, Robbie Smart, Scott Brown, Dan Bowers, Ray Evans, Evan James, Bucky Brooks, Brad Steinbach, Brett Spencer, John Roney, and Steve Heeney.
The name "Fountain Club" was shot down before it could practically be spoken. A myriad of other names were tossed about, until Venable brought out his research from the Missouri Valley Special Collections at the Kansas City Public Library. He had come across "One-Eyed Ellis"an actual pioneer in the Missouri wilderness. Ellis was described in one account as:
"a lanky, cadaverous, specimen of humanity who sold remarkably bad whiskey to the Indians."
Other accounts show that Ellis was a colorful character, known for his joviality and entrepreneurial skills as a fur-trader. He was a behind-the scenes businessman, familiar to the 14 corporation members who, in 1838, incorporated and founded the “Town of Kansas,” on a natural rock ledge, prime for loading and unloading steamboats on the south bank of the Missouri River. The meeting of the town founders was hosted by One-Eyed Ellis, in his log-cabin on the riverbank, at the foot of Main Street. In 1880, “Town of Kansas” eventually became “Kansas City.”
Naming our Town
Various names, for what is now Kansas City, were proposed at that meeting in One-Eyed Ellis’ log cabin. They included: “Rabbitville,” “Possumtrot,” “Kawsmouth,” and “Port Fonda,” in honor of Abraham Fonda, then a prominent member of the committee. Finally "Town of Kansas" was agreed upon, because of the town’s proximity to Kansas River, and the indigenous Kansas Indians. “Town of Kansas” was also the name under which the new town site was surveyed, and by which it was called until 1853. At that time it became known as the “City of Kansas,” until the name was finally changed to “Kansas City” in 1880.
Nearly fifty years earlier, on February 1, 1831, French-Canadian fur trader Gabriel Prudhomme had ‘patented’ 271 acres of land in Jackson County, Missouri for $340. The land, originally part of the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, was premium real estate because of “the levee” (the excellent steamboat landing site). After an altercation on the un-tamed frontier, later in 1831, Prudhomme died, leaving a complex legal battle among his heirs. The courts finally declared that the land should be auctioned-off and the proceeds equitably distributed among Prudhomme’s children.
On July 7, 1838, James H. McGee as a guardian for the Prudhomme heirs auctioned the land. He received $1,800 for the land from Abraham Fonda but the courts ordered a new sale due to charges of a lack of adequate advertising and a suspicion of collusion between the two men. The land had begun to be used regularly by businesses as early as 1836. The second auction of the estate was advertised as far away as St. Louis and cried-off on November 14, 1838. A group of men, led by William M. Sublett made a bid of $4,220 and successfully purchased the tract of land.
The group then formed a corporation with the intent of using the landing and its nearby surroundings as a business settlement, complete with warehouses. The corporation originally consisted of 14 members and, shortly after the sale, allowed an additional three members. Members included John C. McCoy (the city’s first surveyor), Fry P. McGee (the group’s first financial officer), and William M. Chick (Kansas City’s first Postmaster). Other members of the original group were: Oliver Caldwell, William Collins, Abraham Fonda, William Gillis, Russell Hicks, Samuel C. Owens, Jacob Ragan, James Smart, George W. Tate, and Moses G. Wilson. The additions were Robert Campbell, William B. Evans, and Henry Jobe.
Sources: http://www.fonda.org/stories.htm; http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mojackso/note5.html
It was 1984 and we were "Big Brother"
 |
| Andy Smith awaiting Air Force One on the Downtown Tarmac |
After going through the Secret Service background checks and a day of special training on evasive driving techniques, nearly all of the members (Burke was a Democrat), had roles to drive dignitaries in cars that were behind the "secure package." The President was in front, and a heavily armed GMC Jimmy (swat team with Uzi's) was between our cars and his. The weekend included a secret mission to bring a fleet of cars from the Ford Plant in Claycomo to the Westin, go through bomb sniffing dogs and metal detectors, then wait in GOP provided suites eating room service until it was time to go.
 |
| Reagan and Mondale at the Music Hall - '84 Debate |
 |
| The OEE baggage crew on the job |
Air Force One was a Boeing 707 in those days and Tom and Brian were up close and personal with the security detail. Shown in front of their station wagon was one heavily armed "top less" vehicle that we were allowed to look at, but sorry, NO PHOTOS!! Let's just leave it that the President is well protected by the Men In Black, who wear Ray-Ban's and funny little color-coded lapel pins.
In the photo below and to the right, you can catch a glimpse of the rear wheel of the President's limo (objects in the rear view mirror may be closer than they appear) as it slides in to the Wyandotte Street entrance to Municipal Auditorium. Security was very tight. This shot was taken by one of the OEE drivers after just dropping off a top White House aide (Margaret Tutwiler, who later served as Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs at the US State Department, for President George H. W. Bush).
 |
| As close as we could get..... |
O.E. Ellis and Ronald McDonald
 |
| OEE "Brain Trust" (l. to r. Donohue, Morgan, Viveros) |
At this point in our history philanthropic efforts amounted to projects like painting the walls at Marillac Center with the seemingly endless supply of paint from Tracy Chelepis, and adopting families at Thanksgiving via Tim Burke and Catholic Charities. Venable instituted a plan of succession with Viveros becoming the first president, followed by Donohue and Morgan in successive years. Venable became Chairman Emeritus and the doors swung open to men from many different backgrounds.
A week of work for "A Day in the Country"
 |
| Bill Meeker (white OEE shirt) with 3 volunteers and 2 guests from China |
Country." This simple country fair included a Saloon with 20' bar made up of old wooden doors (Chelepis dragged the bar, and chandelier, out to the Venable back yard as a "joke" for the celebration party where it remained for 3 years). The theme area had a beer garden, hundreds of hay bales, more than 500 volunteers, and a Geary Lynch provided Wheaton-Superior Moving van that would be our defacto office for the duration.
In the photo with Bill Meeker, the volunteer in the "Day In the Country" shirt, porn-star mustache, and shades, looks to quite possibly be KC's favorite bartender, Paul Spencer. Spence was a TKE at KU and his band (White Mound) opened for Moffet-Beers at Hawkstock in Memorial Stadium during the GOB days. Jeff Wright might have had a band there too (pre-KOKOMO, with Trish Barbieri as the lead singer).
The highlight of the festival on our end was watching Chelepis navigating multiple forklifts loaded with pallets of cold Miller Beer through the crowd of 50,000+ people to our icy troughs. The late Jim Jacobs (SpiritFest Executive Director) could not believe the amount of beer we sold. To top off the night, Jay Donohue lost the bags of tickets we would need to redeem for our earnings. Jay and a few others made a mad-dash to the old Southeast Landfill and cut off the KCMO trash trucks and saved our loot. The proceeds were among the first that OEE contributed to the Ronald McDonald House.
Harmony in a World of Difference
About the same time OEE was getting off the ground a similar group of young urban professionals had set out to make the community better as well - "The Gentlemen of Distinction." Headed by Allan Gray, Gregory Guy, Booker McKinnon, Kenneth Powell, and Michael Fisher, the purpose of this organization was as follows: "To encourage and sponsor activities which promote the well-being, and educational and cultural development of African-Americans. To foster community involvement through activities and programs which serve to enhance the general livelihood and cultural awareness of its members and the community. To encourage pride, intellectual and social motivation and responsibility, so as to promote the potential and achievements of the constituencies the organization serves," (State of Missouri Articles of Incorporation, July 25, 1983).
 |
| Harmony Pin c.1991 |
 |
| Congressman and Mrs. Emanuel Cleaver |
Tim Schaeffer and Brad Steinbach took the point for OEE and the joint OEE-GOD planning of a major fund raiser to kick off "Harmony." The event was held at what is now the Downtown Marriott. A crowd of about 1000 people joined in the event which had the benefit of major sponsorship from KMBC-TV9, and its anchor Larry Moore, as well as Laura Rollins Hockaday, (KC Star Society Editor), who took a personal interest in "adopting" this partnership. Without her PR efforts the event would not have been a success.
It was at this time in his career, Bob Mayer was the Executive Director of Share, our non-profit beneficiary for the event. The mission of Share is to provide a variety of social service initiatives such as as SafeHaven in the Northland for battered women. They manage a food pantry and emergency shelter services in southeast KC, and a variety of other programs. Mayer served as a mentor to the members of both groups and helped to direct the combined effort to work on the cause, and advance the Harmony partnership. Bob continues to work with several members of OEE and GOD on various project in the community.
A key figure in this initiative was GOD member, the late Michael Fisher. He had served as a leader in the offices of Mayor Dick Berkeley (whose son Jon is a member of OEE) and was very instrumental in this partnership. Sadly Michael (at age 50) died shortly after he moved to Atlanta to advance his career; he was a great voice in the KC community and is deeply missed by all. Fisher, was described in an article after his death as someone who "helped bridge the gap between white and black Kansas Citians and promoted the arts." "Michael was articulate and knowledgeable,'' Mayor Berkley said, "He created friends wherever he went - race, religion or age made no difference," (KC Star, February 22, 1996).
Mark Mc Kee and the "Business of OEE"
McKee took OEE to a new level (one that included him driving Venable in a SpiritFest golf cart from Crown Center to Kelly's at 2 am one year). New members included Brian Purdy and Sandy Cohen, Bill Coen, Jeff Wilson, Jeff Moffet, Sandy Kemper, Phil and Bill Orscheln, Fritz Edmunds, Curt McConnell, Michael Landon, Jon Berkley, Jeff Smithmier, Kent Cable, Steve Jianas, Pat Bachofer, Tony Caldarello, David Beaham, Bob Beaham, Bruce Belanger, Jon Bevan, Tim Bleish, Paul Boppart, Mark Brandmeyer, Mark McGurren, and Mark Ebbitts.
To this day Kurt Ruf swears that he is a member of OEE; and while he was probably at every "Killa at the Villa" or other such OEE event, nobody remembers him going through an official initiation. Between OEE and Bacchus, there probably more than a few people who slipped through the cracks. If you Google OEE you will find many an up and coming young lady with our listing on her resume.
We will "try" to compile a complete listing of OEE pledge classes on another page.
We wanted "Alan" but we got "Charlie"
New members were coming from contacts through BOTAR, Bacchus, The Kansas City Club (The 1212 Club), Centurions, and the University Club. Jim Gamble became the first MIZZOU Tiger in the fold, and Alan Stetson was actually "Wille the Wildcat" when he was at K-State. One of the most dedicated of members soon joined the merry band - Mark Hassenflu.
To borrow from a shameless "Two and a half Men" reference, the story goes that Gary Hassenful (Mark's real estate mogul brother) was nominated for OEE, but his wife kept him on short leash. Rumor aside, OEE got the best Hasse of the two, and yes he has proven to be a lot like "Charlie." Hasse has emerged over the years as a great leader for OEE, and embodies the take charge spirit that "One-Eyed Ellis" exhibited on the bluffs of the Muddy Mo, and that the founders desired 30 years ago when the reins were passed to Viveros early in the game.
 |
| Front row photo of BigSlick 5, from Tim Hand (l. to r. Stonestreet, Rudd, Koechner, Sudeikis, and Riggle) |
The event was started by Julie's brother Rob Riggle and his troupe of Hollywood/KC compatriots Paul Rudd and Jason Sudeikis.
Mark and Julie have chaired or hosted the event since its inception as a million dollar fund raiser for Children's Mercy Hospital. Hasse was not an OEE loner working this event, as Hank and Jenny DeVry were spotted working among the auction registration area, as well as Mitch and Kelly Morgan, Fritz Edmunds, and Pat Boppart. Additional OEE faithful in the crowd that night included, Curt and Nan McConnell and Matt and Katie Fitzgerald.
Croquet Anyone?
 |
| Lapel pin (designed by Patrice Eilts Jobe) |
The first adventure was held on the grounds of the Longview Farm, and included a gourmet dinner in the woods, wood nymphs and pan flutes (ask Uncle Phil), fireworks, a symphony orchestra on the lake, and oh yes...a croquet tournament. Along with Pat Boppart, one of our OEE co-chairs was Michael Landon, (grandson of Alf Landon, former Kansas Governor and 1936 GOP presidential candidate), Michael now lives in Atlanta, so please send him an email to wish him well.
Subsequent Croquet tournaments were held on the lawn of the Nelson Gallery, and at the Saddle and Sirloin Club (now the Mission Farms development). These events included team play and served as a great platform to involve multiple volunteers, sponsors, and corporate patrons in support of our charitable efforts. Shown below is an original piece of artwork that was commissioned for the promotional efforts in year one.
 |
| The OEE Rhinos at play.....and How!! |
Each participant and sponsor received an enameled OEE lapel pin (shown above) that was designed by Patrice Eilts Jobe, when she was with John Muller & Co. They were the hot design shoppe in KC at the time and Patrice (who always wanted another color) was an award winning designer. A Centurion and supporter of many OEE events, she also was commissioned to craft the KCMO logo when OEE past president Octavio Viveros chaired Mayor Cleaver's task force to come up with a fitting symbol of the times.
The KC Fountain logo was in use for about 20 years and was only recently retired during the administration of KC Mayor Sly James.
Or how about the Miss Greater Kansas City Pageant?
Tom Woolwine was our chair for this boondoggle...more detail is on the way! Wooly grew up in the home of the Miss Kansas Pageant (Pratt), and when he saw the opportunity to help out the organization and his home town, the men of OEE stepped up to the plate to host the scholarship competition.
Where did MAHB come from? Ask Tom Mullender.
The title "Man at his Best" was appropriated from GQ to be the one page newsletter of OEE. We are searching to find Tom's copious scribblings from his days as the first secretary/editor/author in the fold. We may have to dig out an OEE Phone Tree to get to the bottom of this.
OEE and Bacchus...how far do you really want to go back....
There is a family tree of OEE members who chaired the Bacchus Ball that has goes back a lot further than you might expect. A list of the chairs used to be on the Bacchus website, so we are digging through emails and file folders to confirm this hierarchy before going to press. This list could include significant others, and those who are not so significant any more (sorry, its the American way).
 |
| (PRNewsFoto/The Bacchus Foundation). |
Shown below holding the check are Mark Hassenflu on the left side and Mike Sinatra on the right. This one was to the Ronald McDonald House for a cool 10 GRAND. Brad Ojeda is far left and the lovely lady is with Ronald McDonald Charities.
 |
| OEE did it again in 2010 |
 |
| Leadership from the 2005 Roster |
MUCH MORE TO COME....
No comments:
Post a Comment