Beta Theta Pi - Miami University

ALPHA CHAPTER HOUSE COMPANY P.O. BOX 940 OXFORD, OH 45056 Address Service Requested Shepardson Award for his lifelong service to the Fraternity. Ron became the sixth Alpha brother to receive this award, with three other honorees in attendance to cheer him on (Fred Brower '51, Bob Cottrell '54, and Pete Barnhart '67). Other recipients include H.H. Stephenson Jr. '39, and Shelby Molter '54. Ron continues his service today by serving on the board of Finlandia University and as past president of his Rotary club. He has invested deeply in the Michigan Tech community and works with Little Brothers- Friends of the Elderly and the humane society while supporting other local organizations, including the public library. In July 2013, Ron was recognized with Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity's National Key Award for 30 years of service to the Michigan Tech University Phi Kappa Tau chapter. Beta Theta Pi has greatly impacted Ron's life, and he is eager to ensure others gain as much from Beta as he did. He tells younger alumni, "Work hard, set goals, overcome challenges, enjoy life, and serve Beta Theta Pi. There are hills and valleys in life, so be diligent. Success can and will come." He is thankful for his many Beta friends and enjoys his 1955 class reunion every five years with a dozen or so Beta brothers. Ron launched a newsletter five years after graduation called 55 Facts that has been published every five years since 1960. Ron and his wife, Lou Ellyn, live in Chassell, Michigan. They have two sons, Randy, founder of Central Michigan's Beta Chapter, and Roger, president of the University of Michigan Beta Chapter. Lou Ellyn and their daughter, Betsy, are both KKΓs, and Lou Ellyn served Kappa Kappa Gamma national and Panhellenic at Michigan Tech. Ron and Betsy's grandson, Alex, is a sophomore and became a Beta at Michigan State in November 2013. Ron can be reached at ronh713@gmail.com. Ron Helman '55 (Continued from page 3) supply bases in the United States. After his dis- charge in 1946, he and Lydia returned to Oxford, and he became the general manager of Capitol Varsity Cleaning Company. In this position, for over 20 years, he built the company from a main plant in Oxford with 53 stores to six cleaning locations with 115 stores. He also developed the athletic equipment conditioning business. After Miami University, Capitol Varsity was the largest business in Oxford with about 350 em- ployees. Herb also became very active in local affairs. He was Beta Theta Pi House Company president; Oxford's Citizen of the Year in 1959; chairman of the board of McCullough-Hyde Me- morial Hospital its first year of operation; organiz- er, charter member, and president of the Oxford Lions Club; Oxford Federation of Clubs president; co-founder of the TRI program and Lane Library; Community Improvement Corporation president and helped with attracting Square D Company to Oxford; Blue Cross executive committee and vice president; Rotary Club charter member board; Oxford View Development Co. president and developed the Oxford View Nursing Home and Condominiums; Oxford Country Club president; member Oxford Chamber of Commerce; Ohio Dry Cleaning Association; real estate broker; Na- tional Association of Real Estate Boards; Butler County Airport Zoning Board of Appeals; and Michigan's Crooked Lake Association president. For Miami University, Herb was a member of the advisory council for development, member of the Towers Club and Presidents Club, and co-founder of the Tip-O-The-Mit Miami Alumni Association in Michigan. He is a member of the Oxford Presbyterian Church. Herb and Lydia are generous philanthropists, donating to Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, Mc- Cullough-Hyde Hospital, Miami University, the Talawanda Middle School art fund, and the Ox- ford Development Council among other char- ities. During renovation of the Alpha chapter house, he bought eight Beta Theta Pi carved chairs, and Lydia, a well-known local artist, beau- tifully painted them. He has donated seven chairs to the administrative office and the eighth chair will join the others when he passes. To this day he still wears his Beta ring! During their 66 years of marriage, Herb and Lydia have enjoyed golfing, fishing, boating, trav- eling, and flying in their plane. Herb was the pilot, but Lydia could land the plane if necessary. They enjoyed living in the summer at their Michigan home on Crooked Lake and wintering in Florida. Lydia passed away in 2008. Their family includes daughters Lindsey Zink (DePauw '66) and Mar- cia Haughey (Miami '70), two sons-in-law, Jim Zink (Purdue '60) and Tom Haughey (Miami '67), five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. For his 100th birthday, Herb was greeted and serenaded by nearly 20 Betas of the adminis- trative office staff at his home in the Knolls of Oxford. heRbeRt bAlDwin wiepking '41 (Continued from page 3) ALUMNI NEWS Paul R. Pavlinek Jr. '49 says he's still enjoying life with his Miami bride of 65 years, Thelma! Paul has many fond memories and says of Miami University, "It's a great school!" Richard S. Morgan '54 has lived for the last 14 years on a wooded 60 acres in the Hocking Hills and says if any brothers are in the area, stop by. Frank S. Koffend '55 was the owner of A-Lure LLC. Since retiring, he has been conducting guided tours through the Appleton, Wis., sewage disposal plant, "where our motto is, 'Here comes the sludge.'" He and his wife, Jean, have two children, Jennifer and Christopher. Email: fjkoffend@gmail.com Harry A. Hattenbach '60 spends the warmer months in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and winters in Naples, Fla. Summers consist of golf, tennis, swimming, and boating. In the winter he does some snow skiing. Email: usmcharry@aol.com Look inside for a photo spread and recap of the 175th Convention! SPECIAL EDITION Update Your Email Most of our upcoming communication will happen electronically, so please update your contact information in the Alpha directory at http://mybeta.org, or by emailing Phil Fernandez '06 at phil.fernandez@beta.org.

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