Beta Theta Pi - University of Minnesota

PAge 5 betA thetA Pi Our Mystic Shrine Sherlock C. Merrill '42 entered Our Mystic Shrine on May 25, 2014, in Eustis, Fla. He joined the U.S. Marines in 1942, attained the rank of captain, and served as a light bomber pilot transporting military brass throughout the South Pacific. After the war he graduated magna cum laude with a degree in business and then embarked on a career in sales, traveling first throughout the Western U.S. and later the entire country selling various lines of textiles, including woolens designed and manufactured by the Merrill Woolen Mills. Sherlock is survived by his children, Gregg and Nancy. Donald M. Anderson '50 entered Our Mystic Shrine on December 10, 2014. He is survived by his wife, Christine, daughter, Elizabeth, and two nieces. Don was a third generation banker, who blended business and personal relationships, which led to achieving a successful career as a leader in the banking industry. William D. Nordstrom '51 entered Our Mystic Shrine November 24, 2014. He was a resident of Paradise Valley, Ariz. Bill served his country as an officer in the Navy Supply Corps. After the war Bill joined his father in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where they started Nordstrom Oil Company, which had service stations under the Phillips 66 shield. As the oil business changed, Bill reinvented the company and turned the oil stations into convenience stores named HandiMart Food Stores. He also developed several retail locations and truck stops, and he partnered with the Amana Society in the motel business. Bill is survived by his wife, Cheryl, four children, and nine grandchildren. John A Thabes '56 entered Our Mystic Shrine on May 10, 2005. He was a resident of West Palm Beach, Fla. Bruce A. Peik '67 entered Our Mystic Shrine on December 23, 2004. He was a resident of Wayzata, Minn. Alumni News Stanley C. Goodsill '40 is 95 years old and lives a great life with his wife of more than 60 years. As a member of the International Executive Service Corps, they have traveled to Malaysia and Cairo, Egypt, where Stan set up accounting for the Malaysia Rubber Group and for an independent CPA. Stanley lives in Charlottesville, Va. Robert E. Orvis '43 turned 92 this year. He and his wife, Betty, live in Glendale, Ariz. He recalls, "At my wedding, there were eight Betas and their wives in attendance. It was truly terrific." Having had two strokes, Robert is bedridden and struggles to speak. He is grateful for his memories of Beta. E-mail: borv9520@yahoo.com John B. Baird '48 will turn 90 in July. "It's been a long life!" He lives in Oak Park Heights, Minn. Bruce R. Kelley '50 is the last surviving charter member of the Orono Lions Club. They sponsor the RED (Read Every Day) Lions Program, encouraging first graders at Orono School to read. Students reading 20 minutes a day receive a $25 gift certificate at the Book Case. Bruce and his wife, Irma, live in Orono, Minn. Email: bruce@foxwills.com Robert E. Harris '52 has a second home in Scottsdale, Ariz., during the winter months (October-May). In the summer, Bob has lunch once a month with Betas of the past. "Bert Leach '52 organizes these lunches. We would like more Betas from the late '40s and early '50s to join us." Bob lives in Wayzata, Minn. Ronald W. Schultz '54 and his wife, Natalie, live in Prospect, Ky., and have two daughters, Elizabeth and Pamela. Ron is active in his church and bible study. Email: schronkit@gmail.com Donald E. McGrath '55 and his wife, June, live in Spicer, Minn., and have four children. His grandson, Luke Gould, Case Western '17, joined Beta, and a good friend of his, Mason Williams '17, is a member of Beta Pi Chapter. Email: dmcg1@tds.net Robert W. Puschinsky '57 splits his time between Seabrook, Texas, and Hawaii (the big island) where he enjoys pistol shooting and scuba diving. Email: puschinsky@aol.com Stanley A. Thompson '59 remains active in wetland habitat improvements and management. He and his wife, Carol, live in San Marino, Calif. Email: sthompson@usfamily.net Mark E. Merrill '66 and his wife, Elizabeth, moved to Phoenix in 2012 to be near their daughter's family. They enjoy the gentler climate, hiking, biking, playing pickle ball, doing home improvements, and traveling. Mark and Elizabeth have two children, Jennifer and Benjamin. Email: merrill_liz@hotmail.com Christian A. Bungener '67 worked for the last 25 years as a cook, captain, and "gofer" on a Marine research vessel, RV Cormorant, around the California/Channel Islands with UCSB. He retired in 2012. Christian and his wife, Kristen, Beta Brother rememBers Jim Cashman '50 J im Cashman '50 was a close friend of mine and a Beta brother for over 65 years. He and his wife of 64 years, Billy, had nine children, 25 grandchildren, and 11 great- grandchildren. I don't know of anyone who loved Beta as much as Jim. He truly made lifelong friends. He was always singing Beta songs and reminiscing about his days as a resident undergraduate. He loved being with his Beta brothers. Jim was so outgoing, so friendly, so personable. He talked to everyone. He truly had an "Irish gift of gab." He was probably the best salesman Jostens ever had selling high school yearbooks throughout Minnesota. As a result of his success and great personality, he was able to provide a great education for his children and was very generous to his grandchildren. He and Billy owned a resort at Park Rapids, a beautiful penthouse in Florida, and a beautiful home in Hopkins. I first met Jim and Billy in September 1949 when I pledged Beta. I was so impressed with both of them. Over the years we were in a Beta bridge club that met monthly for dinner, cards, and fellowship. We also had good times together in Florida and went on a cruise in the Baltic with them. After Jim's diagnosis of Alzheimer's, when he could no longer drive, I had the privilege of bringing him to Beta luncheons and our holiday and spring banquets. It was bittersweet to be with him, watching his mental deterioration progress. I truly loved Jim. He was my brother. Yours in _kai_, Bert Leach '52 ALUMNI UPDATE (Continued on page 6)

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