October 21, 1966 – January 2, 2017

Lance Alan Maly (IABE '89), a serial entrepreneur and financial guru whose business passions included new technologies for digital marketing, financial management, health care and payment systems, entered the Chapter Eternal on January 2, 2017 in Minneapolis. He was surrounded by his family as they comforted him through a year-long bout with brain cancer. He was 50
years old.

Maly was born October 21, 1966, in Des Moines to Mary Jane and the late Philip Maly. He was an outstanding student and was exemplary at sports, particularly golf and running.

He attended the University of Iowa, pledged the Iowa Beta chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and was initiated into the fraternity on February 6, 1986. He received SAE badge number 203797. Maly was very active in the chapter and served in a number of roles, including philanthropy chairman.

"Lance and I became great friends when I pledged Iowa Beta in 1985," said Grant Harvey (IABE '90).  "We remained great friends all of these years, celebrating (and commiserating over) the Iowa Hawkeyes, golfing whenever possible and supporting each other through life's trials and tribulations. A True Gentleman in every sense, I will always remember and miss Lance most for his kindness and incredible sense of humor."                                                                             

After receiving his B.A. in economics and communications from the University of Iowa, Maly worked towards a Master's Degree in economics from the University of Missouri-St. Louis prior to moving to Minnesota.

"Lance was a great brother and friend to me," said Mark Nystrom (IABE '89).  We were roommates not only in college but three years after in Chicago. He had a zest for life and could always be counted on when you needed something. His love for his family and friends will be the thing that I will always hold onto in my heart. Rest in peace, Lanny!"

In 2016, Maly was diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumor. He put up a courageous fight, having undergone two brain surgeries, months of chemotherapy and radiation and he participated in clinical trials.  Unfortunately, his tumor spread and became inoperable.

"Lance and I met when he pledged Iowa Beta in '85 and we became even closer friends when he lived next door to me in 'The Lodge's' 3rd deck floor," said Rich Paragas (IABE '88). We stayed in touch throughout the years with frequent visits and Hawkeye football games. Lance was a unique personality, truly a one-of-a-kind. He had a special sense of humor that could keep you entertained for hours.

"Lance fought hard over the past year and showed incredible courage, optimism and faith. He lived life to the fullest and was generous and kind. But, he had more to give to the world and was taken from us far too early. He was a loyal friend and brother and will be greatly missed." 

Maly cared about many social and philanthropic causes and generously used his financial success to support them. He was an advocate for healthcare financing for the poor and served as the Chairman of the Pastoral Council at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Wayzata, MN. In addition, he served on the Board of Directors of Teens Alone, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping homeless teen-agers.

He began his career at US Bank and quickly rose up the ranks. In 2005, he founded The Maly Companies, a window and millwork manufacturing company.  Most recently, he was the founder and principal of Quirk, LLC, a digital marketing firm.

A well-rounded man who loved to read and cook, Maly also loved travel, and visited all 50 states before he was age 50. He was a lifelong Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs fan and a proud supporter of the Iowa Beta Alumni Association.

"Brother Lance Maly was a kind and generous man with a quick wit and enormous compassion. His life's work demonstrated the power of brotherhood.  To all who knew him, Lance was the consummate True Gentleman," said Iowa Beta Alumni Association president Marc Rosenow (IABE '86). "On behalf of all Iowa Beta alumni, we send our deepest sympathies to his wife, Maureen, and his family, fraternity brothers
and friends."

Lance is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Maureen; his daughter, Caitlin; and son, Luke; his mother, Mary Jane; his sister, Michelle Hanson (Carter); and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and
dear friends.