Phi Kappa Psi Mourns the Loss of Paul Wineman

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — April 1, 2024 — It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Past National President, Past Nelson Leadership Institute Chairman and Foundation Trustee, Paul Wineman Washington ‘55. Paul passed peacefully on February 17th at the age of 87.  

Paul challenged thousands of Phi Psi officers to lead with integrity, he taught decades of initiated Phi Psis the fine art of negotiating, and he walked alongside hundreds of undergraduates as their mentor, challenging them to reach their full potential.  

Brother Wineman likely spent more time with undergraduates and alumni alike in the last two decades than any other alumnus. “When I reflect upon who best personifies Phi Kappa Psi, Paul Wineman comes to mind. Paul lived the Creed. Paul believed in others. And, Paul believed in the power of mentoring,” said Randy Schnack UCLA ’80, Foundation Trustee.  

Born in Hollywood, California, and raised in the Middle East during his early years, Paul returned to the U.S. and attended the University of Washington, initiating into the Washington Alpha Chapter of Phi Kappa Psi. After graduation he served in the U.S. Army, assigned to the Office of Chief of Information at the Pentagon and later as the U.S. Army Airborne-Special Forces Advisor to the Imperial Iranian Army. 

 In 1965, Paul left the Army to obtain a Masters in Middle Eastern Studies, which he received from the American University in Beirut, Lebanon. After serving several corporations in sales roles, Paul formed his own firm to assist American companies wishing to do business in the Middle East. Paul continued for decades to negotiate contracts and train American corporations in negotiation tactics and techniques. 

 His love and respect for the Fraternity and for negotiation led him to co-create much of the curriculum, and for some time to serve as the emcee, for the American Leadership Academy. Paul could also be found for more than a decade filling his spring break schedule connecting with Phi Psi chapters and in the “off season” with chapter-visit after chapter-visit. He and Brother Jerry Nelson UCLA ’48 were known for visiting multiple chapters per month, teaching young men leadership and negotiation tactics. The capstone of their visit to groups was a negotiation text that Paul authored and produced specifically for Phi Psi. 

 Paul’s fraternity involvement became greater since his first appointment to the Foundation’s Board of Trustees in 2003 which was followed by service on the Fraternity’s Executive Council from 2006 to 2010. During his terms as Vice President and President he worked to build upon the existing relationships the Executive Council and Headquarters team had with local chapters and house corporations and strived to strengthen these associations. He also encouraged and fostered the development of a mentoring culture within Phi Psi and was known throughout his travels for imparting his words of wisdom to those whom he met – “Phi Psis: you don’t wait for things to happen; you make things happen. Phi Psi’s are successful because they work for what they want.”  

 Following his term as the 61st National President, Paul returned to the Foundation’s Board of Trustees serving from 2010 until his passing. Paul was inducted into the Order of the SC in 2014 and often reminded those he spoke to that Phi Kappa Psi was part of the Wineman family for over 100 years, acknowledging that Paul’s father was a Phi Psi initiated into the Pennsylvania Beta Chapter at Allegheny College in 1918. 

 Today, we are fortunate to have the Wineman Mentoring Advantage Program, a program which fosters meaningful relationships between Phi Kappa Psi alumni and current undergraduate members. “Paul Wineman is the godfather of mentoring within our brotherhood. I don’t know of a brother who has impacted more undergraduate brothers in such a meaningful and personal way than Paul. He understood the importance and positive catalytic impact of connecting undergraduates and alumni,” shared Fred Hegele Ohio State ’63. 

 Paul’s legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of thousands. They will share their competence, confidence, and empathy with the world as they go forth and negotiate life’s journey, always remembering what Paul taught – it’s not just about the price, it’s about the package. 

 Bob Marchesani Butler ’94 (IUP ’79), President of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, has declared a thirty-day period of mourning in memory and thanksgiving for the life of Brother Wineman. All Phi Psi Brothers are encouraged to wear their badge draped with a black ribbon or band during the thirty-day mourning period. 

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Contributions in Paul’s honor and memory may be made to the Mentoring Advantage Program Fund by mailing checks to the Phi Psi Foundation at 5395 Emerson Way, Indianapolis, IN 46226 and indicating the designation in the memo, or giving online at pkpfoundation.org/remembering-paul-wineman/. 

About the Wineman Mentoring Advantage Program 

The Wineman Mentoring Advantage Program was established by the Nelson Leadership Institute, Phi Psi’s educational programming arm, to foster meaningful mentor/mentee relationships between Phi Psis. The program seeks to build personal relationships that provide an ongoing source of encouragement, support, and guidance to participants while establishing alumni mentors as role models for undergraduate members. Before his passing, Brother Wineman dedicated a substantial estate gift to fortify the mentoring program and solidify Phi Psi’s mentoring culture, thus providing generations of undergraduate brothers an academic, personal, and professional advantage. 

About the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity & Foundation 

Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity is an association of men of integrity who strive to develop the individual in his intellect, involvement in the community and faith. The Fraternity was founded February 19, 1852 at Jefferson College by William Henry Letterman and Charles Page Thomas Moore. The Fraternity currently has 90 chapters across the United States with 5,500 undergraduate members and 95,000 living alumni.  

The Phi Kappa Psi Foundation (d/b/a Phi Psi Foundation; Endowment Fund of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity) was formed to aid, encourage, promote, and contribute to the education and scholastic attainments of Phi Psis and other students across the nation. The Foundation, organized in 1914, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, public educational foundation whose primary mission is to assist college students in meeting their educational objectives through scholarships, grants, fellowships, and assistantships, while promoting learning, high ethical standards and constructive citizenship.  

Ryan Parker, Senior Director of Communications
ryan.parker@pkpfoundation.org
5395 Emerson Way, Indianapolis, IN 46226 
(317) 275-3400