Beta Theta Pi - Purdue University

BETA MU LINK BETA MU LINK Beta Mu Chapter of Beta Theta Pi Purdue University P.O. Box 442100 Lawrence, KS 66044-2100 Address Service Requested Bill Bassett '61 entered Our Mystic Shrine on January 14, 2023. Upon graduating, he designed bridges and highways for the State of Indiana before he was called to serve in the Army as a second lieutenant. Aer serving as a combat engineer in Wildflecken, Germany, he was honorably discharged. Returning to Indiana, Bill worked for a consulting engineering company in Indianapolis, and in 1966, he accepted the position of Miami County highway engineer and moved to Peru, Ind. In 1968, he established William Bassett and Associates in Kokomo, which was an architectural and engineering design firm and a construction management company. Bill was a dedicated member of Grace United Methodist Church, the Security Federal Savings Bank Board, and the Kokomo Family YMCA Board. He loved the outdoors, spending time with his family, and Purdue sports. John Knopf '64, devoted Purdue and Beta Mu Chapter alumnus, entered Our Mystic Shrine on November 1, 2022, at his home in Marina Del Rey, Calif., aer living with pancreatic cancer. He was a successful businessman who specialized in crisis management. John is survived by his loving wife, Roberta, and stepchildren, Spencer and Andrea Franklin. Steven Overbeck '65 entered Our Mystic Shrine on June 13, 2022. He started his career in construction aer graduating from Purdue, eventually growing Summit Construction Co. Inc. into a well-respected business in the Central Indiana area and becoming its owner. Family meant everything to Steve, including his wife, Mary Kay, and children Scott, Mary Lynn, Kassy, and Dan. John Carroll '67 entered Our Mystic Shrine in April 2022. His wife shares, "John ran out of 'Earth hours,' but he is still ours. When we think of him, believe me, he is a Beta still. John was so proud of his Beta eta Pi. It certainly became lifelong and lifetime." Bruce White '75 entered Our Mystic Shrine on January 19, 2023, aer living with cancer. Bruce went on to complete the Harvard Graduate School of Business Owner/President Management program, and in 1985, he founded White Lodging. What started as a single hotel grew into one of the country's largest and best privately held hospitality companies, and Bruce loved every aspect of the business. In 2008, he followed his lifelong passion for the American West and the outdoors and acquired Brush Creek Ranch in Saratoga, Wyoming, which he grew into three luxury guest ranches that are consistently recognized as some of the top resorts in the world. Bruce was dedicated to the future of Purdue, and he served on the Board of Trustees for several years. e White and the White Family Foundations supported the school in many ways, including through the establishment of the Dean V. White Real Estate Finance Program and the creation of the White Lodging-J.W. Marriott Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Bruce was also instrumental in the success of our Return to Dominance capital campaign. Mark Johanson '80 entered Our Mystic Shrine on November 3, 2022, aer living with younger-onset Alzheimer's Disease. Mark met his wife, April, at his first job at IBM in San Jose, Calif., and they later moved to Orinda, where they raised their two daughters, Amanda and Alyssa. He spent most of his career in the tech and financial industries and retired in 2016 as a financial advisor for Charles Schwab. For several years, Mark led Our Savior's Lutheran Church Foundation in Lafayette, Calif., to fund non-profits in the East Bay. Mark, who was a varsity football player at Purdue, continued to cheer on his team aer graduation. He also enjoyed outdoor activities, listening to music, and making people laugh. He was a devoted father and never missed his daughters' activities. Jim Corliss '61 is glad to stay connected with Phil Kuebbeler '60, Ralph Mason '60, Bill O'Neal '60, and John Stein '60 with multiple Zoom gatherings throughout the year. Jim resides in Newport News, Va. Dave ompson '64 lives in Greensboro, N.C.. He came out of "Beta retirement" nine years ago, and Dave now serves as a General Fraternity officer and district chief for the current North Carolina Chapters. Email: sgtdat@triad.rr.com Grant Martin '67 has served on the Beta Mu House Board since 2003. He is proud of the active Chapter receiving the Sisson Award and remaining a top Fraternity in academics on campus. Grant lives in Monticello, Ind. Email: ghmart@yahoo.com Kerry Blind '72 is a retired landscape architect and planner who still volunteers for coastal environment causes. Kerry and his wife enjoy morning walks on the beach in St. Simons Island, Ga. Email: kerry.blind@gmail.com Skip Davis Jr. '74 volunteers at his church's food pantry, takes the Holy Eucharist to shut- ins at a local senior healthcare facility, and enjoys travel to see his son and family in the Czech Republic. Skip resides in Greenwood, Ind. Email: candyman123150@yahoo.com Russ Hamilton '74 worked his way up to a plant manager role at Chevron before retiring aer 26 years, and he is now a world expert in making semiconductor polysilicon for electronics and solar. He works as a VP in Norway, China, and South Korea, and he has spent $8 billion on projects that add up to 85% of the industry market. Russ lives in Benton City, Wash. Email: russ@hamiltoncellars.com Dave Bowman '77 is still the owner of engineering/contracting businesses serving hospital facilities. In his spare time, Dave loves golfing at Medinah Country Club. He has been married to Barb for 45 years, and they live in Arlington Heights, Ill. Dave enjoys traveling, scuba diving, and underwater photography. Email: dave.bowman@premier-companies.com Claude Plumlee '80 lives in Indianapolis, Ind., where he enjoys a flexible schedule and watches Purdue basketball and football. Bryan Fleck '04 resides in Carmel, Ind. Bryan is a firefighter/paramedic with the Indianapolis Fire Department. He also founded Blue Creek Knives, an online knife shop that carries the best brands in the world. Email: bryan@bryanfleck.com M E M O R Y A N D O U R M Y S T I C S H R I N E ALUMNI ALUMNI NEWS NEWS

• Cover