On Tuesday, November 1st, Max Ehlers, my Little Brother of Sigma Chi at Valparaiso University, lost his father to a tough battle with cancer. I started this GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses for his family and to try and ease the economic burden that comes with the loss of a parent, especially in the face of high tuition costs.

Max, 20, is currently a junior at Valparaiso University studying Biology and Chemistry as a double major on a pre-medicine track. Aside from being involved with the University's Sigma Chi Chapter, he is also a member of the university orchestra and is a Lab Assistant for several different classes in his field. Holding a nigh-perfect GPA while double-majoring in two complicated subjects, Max is one of the most intelligent people I met in my time at Valpo. However, he is a very humble and hardworking young man, which he got from his father. I'm incredibly proud to be his Big Brother.

His father, Scott, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer back in May of 2021, which unfortunately progressed throughout his body despite different attempts at treatment. He entered hospice care in the last few weeks of his life, and as Max told me, his father was very comfortable in his final days. I only had one opportunity to meet Mr. Scott Ehlers, but I was able to see that he was a kind and humble man. Scott enjoyed gaming, was an excellent cook, and enjoyed playing guitar in his free time. He also raised an amazing son.

Losing a parent is one of the most significant losses one can experience in life and one that many of us have been fortunate enough not yet to know. In addition, this presents a hit to the financial well-being of Max and his family. Due to his health, Max’s father was unable to work for the greater part of the past year, while his mother works at a local Milwaukee middle school to support Max and his younger sister. As Max and his family face a period of grieving, I would like to do as much as possible to help ease the economic difficulty that comes with this loss. Therefore, I have started this GoFundMe page to help Max’s family to cover the funeral expenses, and further secure funding for his education. I would like to ask anyone reading this to please consider donating to help our brother in a time of need. Any donation is greatly appreciated. As his Big Brother, and on my honor as a Sigma Chi, I can vouch that not a single penny donated to this young man is a penny wasted. Please feel free to share this link with family or friends, as any help counts. Even if the goal is reached, please still consider any sized donation you can make.

-Andrew Zittel