See the death of Hubert Spake
NOTE: In spite of Herbert Spake’s death, the chapter continued at Missouri until 2007, at least, and still exists nationally.
Author: Hank Nuwer
Journalist Hank Nuwer tracks hazing deaths in fraternities and schools. Nuwer is the Alaska author of Hazing: Destroying Young Lives; Broken Pledges: The Deadly Rite of Hazing, High School Hazing, Wrongs of Passage and The Hazing Reader. In April of 2024 and April 2025 , the Alaska Press Club awarded him first place in the Best Columnist division.
He has written articles or columns on hazing for the Sunday Times of India, Toronto Globe & Mail, Harper's Magazine, Orlando Sentinel, The Chronicle of Higher Education and the New York Times Sunday Magazine. His current book is Hazing: Destroying Young Lives from Indiana University Press. He is married to Malgorzata Wroblewska Nuwer of Fairbanks, Alaska. Read his musings in his blog at Real Alaska Daily--http://realalaskadaily.com
John Gregory Neill, 18, a first-year medical student at Adelaide Medical School, drowned when he was tossed into the River Torrens by older students despite his pleas that he could not swim. Sydney Morning Herald, May 16, 1951. –Moderator Hank Nuwer
Charged were Gerald Maxwell Hansberry, 23, Edward Francis Haywood, 22, Kenneth John Westphalen 26, John Herbery Mickan 22, John Horton Spurway, 23. 
POSTSCRIPT
Aug 8, 2011 – HANSBERRY: The Funeral Mass for Dr Gerald Maxwell(Max) Hansberry of South Perth, will be celebrated in the St Columba Church.
Fatal
Ducking’
ADELAIDE, Tues-
day. – John Andrew
Rogers, a fifth year
medical student, told a
packed court here to-day
that he helped to search
the River Torrens after
seeing a “fresher,” John
Gregory Neill, of Chelten-
ham, being thrown into the
water by fellow students
during a “rag” at Adelaide
University on March 14.
‘ Accused of the manslaughter
of Neill are these five students:
Gerald Maxwell Hansberry, 23,
of Dalaston Avenue, Glenunga;
Edward Francis Haywood, 22, of
Marlborough Road, Westbourne
Park; Kenneth John Westphalen.
23, of Leader Street, Goodwood;
John Herbert Mickan, 22, of Ger-
trude Street, Brooklyn Park; and
John Horton Spurway, 23, of
Myall Avenue, Kensington Gar-
dens.
“FOUR MEN’.’
J. A. Rogers, of Jeffcott
Street, North’ Adelaide, said he
went to thc university about 7
p.m.
Later he went to the university
bridge with a companion. From
there he saw some students in the
water.
“Just as I looked from one side
of the bridge, I saw a student in
the process of being tossed into
the river,” said Rogers.
“I have the feeling that four
men threw him.
“I saw thc student hit the
water about four yards from the
bank. He did not reappear.
“1 first thought that perhaps
the student might have been a
good swimmer and, playing a
joke, had swum up the river and
hidden in the bushes.
“With a companion, I ran to
the bushes, but could not find thc
student. Then I ran back to the
spot where he had been thrown
in, where I saw Hansberry, who
had undressed, diving into the
water.
“COULDN’T SWIM”
“Hansberry came out of the
water and asked me if I would
help. It was at this juncture that
Hansberry said: ‘The silly –
said. he could not swim,’ ” said
Rogers.
“After that 1 undressed and
started to dive. The water was
about 10 to 15 feet deep there.
I continued diving for about 15
minutes. 1 was exhausted and
left the water, dressed, and went
to telephone the police. .
“Returning to the. river bank
afterwards, I found that the stu-
dent had been recovered from
the water.
“In the car I took deceased
to the hospital.”
The hearing goes on to-day.
Terrible Indianapolis Star headline: “Accident Mars Hazing Party”: The hazing was fine until a car full of whooping boys cracked up? Moderator Hank Nuwer
Here is the clip from the Palladium Item dated September 9, 1952.
The boy thrown from the trunk of a car and hurt was John McCann. Ten boys had piled into the vehicle. Lineback ran a stop sign and crashed into another vehicle.
The driver Dale Lineback had been stopped twice previously for traffic violations and let go. His punishment? $25 fine and suspension of license.
Moderator: This is another in a series of mindless hazing acts that might have had a far more ominous conclusion. Dropoff deaths have occurred at several schools, including Tulane, Grove City College, etc. See Hazing deaths page
In this case, according to a victim statement to police, James Olson, 19, was stripped to his underwear and left in the cold more than a four-hour drive from the University of Iowa campus.
He blamed Pi Kappa Alphas Dick Fiore of Ames, Bill Somberg and Keith E. Winston of Griswold, Iowa, and Duane Nesitaril of Cedar Rapids.
Om This Day in Hazing News: March 15, 1952.
Here’s hoping the University of Pennsylvania Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter learned a lesson for the ages.
New clipping from the Indiana Gazette–Moderator Hank Nuwer
Now the real story! Jack Shanafelt became an outstanding football player (position tackle) and later in life…a war veteran, and an outstanding citizen. Here is his obituary.
TALLMADGE — Jack L. Shanafelt, 81, passed away April 19, 2013.
Born in Akron, Jack lived most of his life in Tallmadge. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1950 and then the University of Pennsylvania in 1954. He earned a football scholarship to UP and obtained the titles: All East 1952-53, All Ivy League 1952-53, and All American 1953. Jack then enlisted and played football for the Army. Jack was inducted in the Summit County football hall of fame. He bravely served in the Korean War. He worked for Goodrich and was proud to be active in his church. Other than his family, Jack loved serving the Lord, eating dessert, and of coarse….Football.
We will miss his feisty playfulness and his bellowing laughter heard clearly across the room. We take comfort in his resting peace.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Judy Stillmeyer.
Jack is survived by his beautiful wife of 50 years, Margaret Mary; daughters, Karen Shanafelt of Tallmadge, Kelly (Tim) Gilcrest of Oklahoma; son, Dr. Michael (Annette) Shanafelt of Mogadore; grandchildren, Alexandra, Noah, Ian and Aidan; brother, Ed (Alberta) Shanafelt of Akron.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 26, 2013 at Our Lady of Victory Church, 73 North Ave. in Tallmadge with Rev. Fr. John Hengle officiating. There will be no procession. Please meet at the church.
Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at the Donovan Funeral Home, 17 Southwest Ave. (On the Historic Tallmadge Circle).