From the heart
Feeling of Belongingness
Still Strong 65 Years Later
J
ohn Weydert '48, at 89 years young,
cherishes his time at Indiana Alpha as
much as he did as when he was initiated in
1943. He keeps a photo of the brotherhood in
his study to remind him of "those wonderful,
carefree days at 690 Waldron," he says.
"I can still recall every name of those 64
pictured, including Laddie, our huge Saint
Bernard mascot. Now, most of those SigEps
have passed on, but I'm sure that each in their
own way enriched our society."
Being a member taught John that SigEp
was a bond that would last forever. "Where
else, but belonging to a fraternity, could
one develop lasting friendships with so
many? After parting ways 65 years ago, I
still maintain correspondence with several
brothers," he says.
John's studies at Purdue came to a halt just
a few short days after June 6, 1944, when
he waded ashore onto the Normandy Beach.
"My first duty was as cadre in a forward
replacement battalion which processed
replacements for the battle losses of other
units. We quickly learned the ABC's of
survival from bombing and shelling. Later,
I was transferred to an engineer battalion.
Near the end of the European conflict, we
constructed a 300-yard floating bridge across
the Rhine River in Germany: a pathway for
troops and equipment to achieve German
capitulation," he says.
After his service in the military, John returned
home to 690 Waldron and continued to
treasure his time spent at Purdue University
with his SigEp brothers. "It was a great feeling
to be back on Purdue campus," he remembers.
"No more sleeping in fox holes, and rejoining
many other veteran brothers returning from
the war. After a three-year interruption, it was
great to return to academics and even have
some coeds to admire."
John's most lasting memory from Indiana
Alpha "is of the feeling of belongingness
to a brotherhood of fine young men of
diversified backgrounds, talents, interests,
and ambitions." However, his most comical
memory is from an "unforgettable" weekly
meeting when a bat flew down from the
dorm and interrupted their business agenda.
"Members retrieved their squash paddles to
attack the intruder!"
John has since retired from a 40-year
career at Sandia National Laboratories as a
mechanical and structural design engineer.
Today his hobbies include designing and
making toys for children of friends. "I still do
some craft work and also continue to study
my favorite topics of anthropology, geology,
and paleoanthropology. I'm still trying to
discover where and when life started, and the
long fascinating road to us, who occupy our
planet today," he says.
John and his wife of 56 years, Anne, a
graduate of Agnes Scott College, reside in
Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The AVC would like to wish our alumni, undergraduates,
parents, and friends Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
President
Jarod Overton '00
president@purdue-sigeps.com
Vice President Finance
Matt Brill '02
avc-finance@purdue-sigeps.com
Vice President Operations
Dick Blum '64
dickblum1@aol.com
Board Members
Vice President Brotherhood
Development
John Weir '01
Brian Rodell '99
jdweir@kelso-burnett.com
avc-development@purdue-sigeps.com
Board Member
Ted Hazledine '72
Chapter Counselor
Jason McGill
tedhazledine@benchmarksteel.com
chapter-counselor@purdue-sigeps.com
Property Manager
Tom Hurlbutt
Vice President Facilities
tom@exo-llc.com
Wade Langley '00
avc-facilities@purdue-sigeps.com
Faculty Advisor
Parents Club
Ralph Merrill
Sandi Phalen
merrillr@purdue.edu
parentsclub1@purdue-sigeps.com
Secretary
Luke Gorski '04
avc-secretary@purdue-sigeps.com
Vice President Alumni Relations/
Website Coordinator
Jay Bilunas '99
avc-relations@purdue-sigeps.com
Vice President Alumni Relations
Farhan Haq '02
avc-relations2@purdue-sigeps.com
Board Member
Mike Phillips '03
mike9phillips@gmail.com
AVC Advisor/Mentor
Renato Villacorte,
California Mu '91
rvillac2@aol.com
Sigma Phi Epsilon 3
