C. Roy Atkinson was one of five founders of the Knights of Classic Lore on January 10, 1899; that collegiate social fraternity went on to become Tau Kappa Epsilon International Fraternity. Roy, who was always called by his middle name, was born in Bloomington, October 17, 1877, and lived there all his life. He entered Illinois Wesleyan in 1896, and graduated in 1900. He was therefore a junior at the time of the founding and scholastically two years ahead of his fellow founders. He was a quiet young man but a fine singer, music being the great passion of his whole life. He had a leading place in many church choirs of Bloomington, and at the time of his death, was director of music in the Sunday school of the First Christian Church. He was official organist for the Order of the Eastern Star and he played for various functions of the Masonic Lodge. He was also chairman of the music committee of the Kiwanis Club, of which he was a Past President and Charter Member. Frater Atkinson died in an automobile accident on September 14, 1930. A peculiarity of his funeral was the absence of vocal music since none of the many persons with whom he had sung could trust themselves not to break down during the service.
C. Roy Atkinson was one of five founders of the Knights of Classic Lore on January 10, 1899; that collegiate social fraternity went on to become Tau Kappa Epsilon International Fraternity. Roy, who was always called by his middle name, was born in Bloomington, October 17, 1877, and lived there all his life. He entered Illinois Wesleyan in 1896, and graduated in 1900. He was therefore a junior at the time of the founding and scholastically two years ahead of his fellow founders. He was a quiet young man but a fine singer, music being the great passion of his whole life. He had a leading place in many church choirs of Bloomington, and at the time of his death, was director of music in the Sunday school of the First Christian Church. He was official organist for the Order of the Eastern Star and he played for various functions of the Masonic Lodge. He was also chairman of the music committee of the Kiwanis Club, of which he was a Past President and Charter Member. Frater Atkinson died in an automobile accident on September 14, 1930. A peculiarity of his funeral was the absence of vocal music since none of the many persons with whom he had sung could trust themselves not to break down during the service.
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