Jerry Balka ’51, longtime Chapter Advisor and consiglieri, passed into the Chapter Eternal on October 10, 2024. He was 95 years-old. Jerry will always be remembered as a true embodiment of our motto, “not four years, but a lifetime.”
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Kovner 2022 – Jerry and Sissy -
Kovner 97 – Balka Koch -
Kovner 2017 – Balka Award -
Kovner 88 – Glosser Balka Welsh Wachs -
Kovner 17 – Award -
Jerry Balka 51 yearbook 2 -
Jerry-Balka-Chapter-Room
A lifelong commitment to Pi Lam
Jerry clearly loved Pi Lam, and spoke warmly at Kovner banquets about his strong bonds with his brothers, and how Pi Lam helped him to grow as a person.
Jerry remained very close with the “Old House” of brothers from the early 50s. In the 80s and 90s they gathered for five-year reunions for lunch, cocktails (naturally), and spirted “good and welfares.” Their stories were vivid and funny. You could tell that many of their best lifetime experiences came during their years at Pi Lam. Invitations warned, “failure to appear will cost you a quarter.”
Jerry served as Chapter Advisor for decades and has always been there for the chapter in times of trouble to offer his support and guidance. He was instrumental in attaining the Chapter House at 2000 North Broad in 1969, and helped other local chapters acquire housing.
Protecting the chapter with tough love
Jerry was the “red phone” that the rex picked up when something went very wrong. He was a seasoned Philadelphia trial attorney who had heard it all. He always listened first, but he knew when “evidence was being withheld.” If you messed up and didn’t own up to mistakes, he didn’t mince words.
The well-being of the chapter always came first. Jerry didn’t hesitate to use his legal and professional connections to help out when really needed. He’s quite likely the reason the chapter survived for so many years in spite of our “black sheep” mentality.
A storied career
Jerry had a distinguished career from his beginnings in the US Army Counter-Intelligence Service to his accomplished stature in the legal community which began in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. Jerry was a partner at Reger Rizzo & Darnall, and maintained a private advisory practice.
Honors
Jerry received the Diamond Chip Council Key from Pi Lambda Phi in 1971 for meritorious service. In the 1980s, the chapter established the Jerome R. Balka award which is given annually to an undergraduate who displays exemplary conduct in all phases of the Pi Lam Code of Responsibilities.
The PA Alpha Delta Alumni Association made a donation to Friends of the Wissahickon in memory of Jerome R. Balka.