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DAVE SECHRIST "SEEK"
January 15, 2026
What can I say beyond what has already been said? Stu was a gentle giant and a great OX brother. I was saddened when Woody told me of Stu's passing. I attended the OX reunion right before COVID hit. Stu wasn't there, but I saw that he attended some reunions after that. I'm sorry that I didn't get to see Stu at a reunion. I hope to attend in April and see many of you.
Ron Tankiewicz
January 15, 2026
The last time I saw `Big Stu´ was at a Theta Chi dinner this past October. There was a session where we all shared stories about the fraternity. Some good, some bad but `Big Stu´ kept everything positive when we shared stories pledging the fraternity.
Stu and I had breakfast the next morning. We had a good discussion about his business and shared his experiences getting it started with his brother and the success of it. Once again, very positive about his life and house down the shore.
He was a great brother of the fraternity and will be missed.
Fraternally
Ron Tankiewicz
Charlie Repp
January 15, 2026
Stu was one of the first people I met at Rider during freshman orientation in the spring of 1968. Always friendly thoughtful, caring and giving of himself, he was the first to offer his help in any and all projects around the fraternity house. Stu was the epitome of a Theta Chi brother. Rest in eternal peace my friend!
James Burghart
January 14, 2026
For me, my fondest memories of Stu, was that of a gentle giant. Never much on words, but sure enough over the top, on showing what he could do for individuals and certainly a group like our Theta Chi Brothers.
Stu pledged and once a brother, listened to a bunch of us talk about how good it would be, and how much prestige we would have if we could just have a bar in the basement of our Rider College (before it was a university) owned fraternity house. It wasn't more than a week that bricks started to show up and Stu was in his construction mode to satisfy our so-called needs. A simple "yeah, I can do that, where do you want it" were the only words Stu spoke. Typical of the time, I don't think we asked for or had permission to build that bar on a dry campus, much less have any permits in place. Oh-those were the days that the present active brothers will never understand.
Stu never wavered, refused, or even got mad that I can remember. Surely, he was big enough to create some real damage if pushed, but I never saw that side of him.
Our brotherhood naturally continues to shrink, but our stories are continued, and I am sure Big Stu will be part of them, as long as our future's permit.
Rest in Peace my friend! See you soon, but not quite yet.
Burk OX
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Michael Kennedy
January 14, 2026
I am offering my thoughts of Stu as a friend and Theta Chi fraternity brother. Stu was loved by all!!
Stu and I worked in the Theta Chi fraternity as brothers in charge of providing food services to the fifty brothers living in the fraternity house. We all remember Stu working hard to keep everyone happy. (not an easy task!!)
Stu had great building skills. He was one of the key leaders in the design and construction of the bar in our fraternity house. He committed countless hours of personal time to complete that project!
"Big Stu" always gave of himself and was always a part of every aspect of our Brotherhood at Rider University.
I am very pleased to have been Stu's friend and Brother and I offer my thoughts and prayers in his passing.
Rest in Peace.
Mike Kennedy


Mike Ivankovich
January 14, 2026
Big Stu ... A Big Man ... with a Big Heart. Here are two photos of Stu at a previous Theta Chi/Rider Event. We'll miss him.


Mike Ivankovich
January 14, 2026
Tony Rubino
January 9, 2026
My family was deeply saddened to hear of Stu´s passing. Always a big smile a laugh that was infectious. Stu bailed us out so many times through the years. We´ll miss him stopping by the house for a cold one, and a great laugh. One of the best...
Rick Fioretti
January 2, 2026
I am sorry to hear about the passing of Stu. He was a one of a kind.
I was fortunate to have worked for Bury Brothers. I have many fond memories Harold and Stu they were the best of the best. What I learned from them has continued on in my company for 45 years this month.
I always enjoyed running into Stu over the years and catching up. We were able to do a few jobs for him as he was winding down himself and I also visited him a couple times in Manasquan at his great house that he accomplished over many years. He will be greatly missed for his big laugh and kind ways certainly by me RIP.
Rick Fioretti
Bill Woodward
January 1, 2026
There is not much to say other than anyone who knew "Big Stu" was honored to call him a friend. I am another over 50 year fraternity brother and I never heard Stu say anything personally negative about anyone. "Gentle Giant" with a very big heart and willingness to help others at the drop of a hat. We fraternity brothers made many toasts at the bar Stu built in the Theta Chi house at Rider, none more deserving than when we toasted Stu himself for what he did for us.
I think now would be a great time for all of our Theta Chi brothers to make another toast to our great friend. RIP and God Bless you Stu.
Bill Woodward..."Woody '72"
Kevin W. Shields
December 30, 2025
The news of Stu's passing is just hours old to me, and I am devastated. I am a half-century-plus fraternity brother and friend, and Stu was one of the nicest persons to ever walk the planet. In fraternity jargon, Stu was my "Little Brother", and that was one of the great honors of my life. And Stu was a "Super Brother". Give him a few pieces of wood and a hammer, and you had a homecoming float; give him a few "look what I found" bricks from a campus project, and boom, you had a professional bar built in the lounge. No one will ever forget any time they got to spend with Stu. Least of all me. RIP, "Big Stu"/Little Brother/nearly lifetime friend.
Kevin Shields
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2643 Old Bridge Rd, Manasquan, NJ 08736
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