Everyone at Kansas State’s Sigma Chi fraternity seems to have a ‘first time I met Jack Fleischaker’ story. Whether they met him five years ago or five months ago, his peers agree on one thing: to know Jack was to be part of a conversation that you never wanted to end.
Drew Lodice, sophomore in news & sports media, remembers his first time meeting Jack because of his interest in Sigma Chi and his “bright orange hair” that made him stand out from the crowd. The two had an immediate connection due to their similar interests.
“For some reason, I was wearing a Paul Skenes jersey, so for the rest of the day, he would just call me Skenes,” Lodice said. “We both loved baseball, Wingstop and watching and playing golf; he was way better than me. I golfed with him once, and he beat me so bad I couldn’t play with him again. We both enjoyed working out, even though when we were with each other, we wouldn’t get much done.”
Their connection became deeper than just shared interests when Lodice learned that Jack had lost his sister at a young age to a brain tumor. Lodice himself has a similar story, so they were able to be a helping hand for one another.
“Jack was such a breath of fresh air,” Lodice said. “I was serving as the Vice President at the time, and when you’re a freshman, it’s hard to make that adjustment to college. Not for Jack. Jack meshed super well with his pledge class and our actives and made everyone feel so included and welcomed. I could tell he was very motivated to contribute to our house in any way he could.”
Jack’s ability to connect with others didn’t stop with his fraternity — it was something people noticed in every interaction.
“He had this rare ability where he could talk to anyone, even a stranger, and by the end of that conversation, it felt like you created a friendship with him out of nowhere,” Lodice said. “He always had such a big smile on his face when it was time for dinner because he knew he didn’t have to go to class anymore. That was just who he was. He was super easygoing and loved to be involved in our house.”
Jack’s warmth and easygoing nature were especially present to friends who shared the closest moments with him.
“I was lucky enough to be his roommate this semester, where our relationship would grow even more,” Lodice said. “What I loved is that we knew the little details about each other. He knew if I was at my desk playing video games, to leave me alone, and I knew if Oklahoma was losing in any sport, I would leave him alone. He would snore a lot, though, that was a problem. We would always have talks late into the night about where we would see ourselves in our future and things we were excited for that I will cherish with me for the rest of my life.”
Jack’s character was evident to the rest of the community as well. The massive support following his passing served as a testament to a young man who, according to Lodice, carried himself with a maturity and kindness that began at home.
“I’m glad I was Jack’s friend,” Lodice said. “It seems like Jack had many friends with the amount of love and support we are receiving, and that doesn’t surprise me one bit. He was a loving, caring, hilarious young man and I know his parents, Steve and Ashley, did such a great job raising him just by the way he carried himself every day, no matter what, whether he was having a bad day or not.”
The constituency of character is why Lodice believes Jack’s influence won’t fade with his passing. His reputation for kindness has transformed into a lasting bond that the brothers intend to uphold.
“I know he will not just be with me, but he will be with all of us for the rest of our lives, watching over us,” Lodice said. “He had the biggest heart of anyone in Sigma Chi, and we will always carry that spirit with us.”
For brothers and friends, Jack isn’t just a memory; he is a standard for treating strangers and loving friends. His love remains through every golf swing, shared meal and every newcomer welcomed into Sigma Chi.
This past Monday, May 4, the K-State community came together to celebrate Jack’s life and share the joy he brought into the lives around him with a candlelight vigil at Memorial Stadium. A GoFundMe has been set up to donate to Jack’s family.
K-State community, allow yourself space to feel this loss and give those close to the situation grace. Lafene Health Center offers free counseling sessions, along with Timely Care, a free, 24/7, real-time, confidential mental health support service.
