The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

Neil R. Luebke (Oklahoma State University), 72, led an ethical life that inspired not only students and colleagues at Oklahoma State University but also members and staff of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. The deep thinker, who passed away on June 18, spent more than three decades teaching philosophy at Oklahoma State and served as Society president from 1998 to 2001.

“Neil was a gifted leader who always represented the Society with dignity and grace. Under his leadership many improvements and changes were made that have served the Society well,” said Robert B. Rogow, Society President and Dean, College of Business and Technology, at Eastern Kentucky University. “Neil will be remembered for his positive and progressive leadership as president of Phi Kappa Phi.”

Luebke’s commitment to Phi Kappa Phi extended well beyond his tenure as Society president. He also was vice president (‘92-‘95) and a member of the National Fellowship Committee (‘89-‘92). In the 1980s, he held leading offices at the Oklahoma State chapter including treasurer, vice president and president. At the time of his passing, the philosophy professor emeritus and onetime department head was again serving as Oklahoma State chapter president. The author of numerous scholarly articles also guest edited the spring 2003 edition of Phi Kappa Phi Forum, whose theme was professional ethics, and pitched in as book review editor for a spell.

“Neil’s leadership of and commitment to Phi Kappa Phi was strong and unswerving,” said Phi Kappa Phi Executive Director Perry Snyder. “He will be missed by his many friends who shared his passion for honor and excellence. “

Educated at Midland Lutheran College (B.A., English) and The Johns Hopkins University (M.A. and Ph.D., philosophy), Luebke furthered the cause of big ideas and good work by being on the board of trustees of the Oklahoma Foundation for the Humanities in the early 1990s and on the National Fulbright Screening Committee (South Region) for fellowships to Germany in the mid 1980s. Throughout his career, he made many presentations on philosophy and ethics to a wide variety of audiences from fellow academics to engineer executives to accounting educators.

His numerous honors included the Alumni Achievement Award from Midland Lutheran College and two grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Memberships spanned the American Philosophical Association, Association for Practical and Professional Ethics, and North American Society for Social Philosophy. Dying of a heart attack while playing tennis, Luebke is survived by his wife Phyllis, two daughters and sons-in-law and grandchildren.