Theta Chi Fraternity is saddened to share the passing of Past International Vice President Richard L. “Dick” McCauley (Delta Kappa/Ball State 1964), who entered the Chapter Eternal on July 29, 2026. Brother McCauley devoted decades of service to the Fraternity in numerous leadership and volunteer roles.
This article will be updated with Brother McCauley’s official obituary and additional information once it is shared with the International Headquarters.
Following in the footsteps of his older brother Michael (1963), Brother McCauley joined Delta Kappa Chapter and was initiated into Theta Chi Fraternity on February 5, 1962, and later served as Treasurer. While at Ball State, Dick was also treasurer of the Wagoner Hall Council; participated in the Commerce Club; and served on the Homecoming Committee, High School Day Committee, and the Orient Queen Pageant Committee. Following graduation in 1964, Dick attended Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.
Finishing his studies at Stanford, Dick relocated east to New Jersey and began a long and distinguished career with AT&T, later serving as financial vice president and CFO of AT&T-China in Beijing.
In 1972, Brother McCauley was appointed as a Regional Counselor and visited chapters in New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania.
On August 21, 1974, prior to the start of the 118th Anniversary Convention in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, the Grand Chapter accepted the resignation of International Marshal Frederick I. Richman, who had been elected during the 116th Anniversary Convention in Scottsdale. The Grand Chapter appointed Brother McCauley to fill this vacancy in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws of Theta Chi Fraternity, Inc. The minutes noted that later in the meeting, Regional Counselor Duane Deal (Gamma Phi/Nebraska Wesleyan 1947), long-serving Chapter Adviser for Delta Kappa/Ball State, provided an impressive biography and supportive remarks for the appointment of Brother McCauley to the Grand Chapter.
Following the elections during the 118th Anniversary Convention, Dick remained as International Marshal and completed Brother Richman’s term. In 1976, at the 120th Anniversary Convention in Miami Beach, FL, Brother McCauley was elected to the Grand Chapter to begin his own four-year term and continued as International Marshal. In 1978, at the 122nd Anniversary Convention in Chicago, the delegates elected him International Vice President.
As Brother McCauley concluded his term on the Grand Chapter in 1980, he led the School of Fraternity Practices during the 124th Anniversary Convention in New Orleans and was then appointed to serve on the National Board of Trustees (NBT), now the Norwich Housing Corporation.
Brother McCauley served on the NBT from 1980-1989, including as President from 1987 to 1989. He also served on the board of directors for both the Foundation Chapter and Theta Chi Funds for Leadership and Education, Inc.
Brother McCauley was an Honorary member of Beta Delta/Rutgers, Gamma Eta/Bucknell, and Eta Pi/East Stroudsburg. He was a recipient of the Silver Legion; Golden Guard; two Citations of Honor; the George T. Kilavos Alumni Award (presented by the Grand Chapter); the Earl D. Rhodes Theta Chi for Life Award; and, in 1986, the Distinguished Service Award, the Fraternity’s highest honor.
After retiring, Brother McCauley relocated to Florida, but always remained closely connected to Theta Chi. During visits to his hometown near Indianapolis, he regularly stopped by International Headquarters to reconnect with staff, share stories from his many years of service, and stay informed about the Fraternity’s continued development.
“Dick exemplified our Ritual and Creed in every way,” Chief Executive Officer Michael Mayer said. “He was a kind, caring, and accomplished brother whose leadership strengthened our Fraternity for decades. We are grateful to have known his brotherhood and leadership.”
Past International Vice President and Former CEO Dave Westol said, “Dick was an old school brother—quiet, calm, quick sense of humor, but always interested in what others had to say. Theta Chi made particular progress in a number of ways throughout 1978-1980, and Dick was part of that as International Vice President, helping to lead with then-International President David DeVol.”
