Beta Theta Pi Society of Minnesota
Dinkytown Station-P.O. Box 13225
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Address Service Requested
the
betA Piper
OUR MYSTIC SHRINE
Richard B. "Dick" Weigel '42 entered Our
Mystic Shrine on February 14 at 95 years of
age. He served in World War II as a U.S. Navy
lieutenant on LST #447 in the South Pacific, and
then spent his working career as a CPA, business
and financial manager, serving in his last
professional decades as CFO of the Frederick
O. Watson real estate businesses. Dick loved
to play tennis and was a regular finalist in club
championships at the Interlachen Club well into
his 90s. He is survived by five children, Richard,
William, Nancy, Kati, and Charles; two sisters,
Marian and Patricia; 11 grandchildren; and three
great-grandchildren.
William F. Appel '49
entered Our Mystic
Shrine on April 8. He
was a devoted husband
to Louise Appel for 65
years, who preceded him
in death, and is survived
by his loving children,
Nancy, Peggy, James, and Elizabeth. Bill was a
nationally renowned pharmacist for more than 60
years. After serving in the Navy as a lieutenant,
he began his lifelong career in pharmacy when
he joined Appel Pharmacy, founded by his
father in 1915. Highlights of his distinguished
career include receiving the Harold R. Popp
Award and Daniel B. Smith Award, earning
an honorary Ph.D. from Philadelphia College
of Pharmacy and Science, serving as vice
president of the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy,
and serving as president and treasurer of the
American Pharmaceutical Association. Bill had
many outside interests, including spending time
with his family, golfing, and boating on Lake
Minnetonka and the St. Croix River.
Donald E. Hanscom '49 entered Our Mystic
Shrine on September 1 as a resident of Louisville,
Ky. He served in the Navy during WWII, then
went on to work in sales and management in
the corrugated box industry. He retired in 1992
and enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, and lake
time in Dale Hollow, Tenn. Don was a charter
member of HCCC and a member of Christ
Church Methodist. He is survived by his wife
of 63 years, Lorie; children, Kurt and Sue;
grandchildren, Walt and Nelsen; sister, Dorothy;
and nieces and nephews.
Ames E. Anderson '56
entered Our Mystic Shrine
on December 23, 2014, at
the Oak Hills Living Center
in New Ulm. He is survived
by his wife, Ruth; daughter,
Greta; twin grandsons,
Dylan and Zachary; and
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ALUMNI UPDATE
sister, Barbara. Ames received his bachelor's,
master's, and doctorate degrees in music from
the University of Minnesota. After graduating,
he taught music at St. Olaf College in Northfield
and then at Martin Luther College in New Ulm
from 1961 to 1998. Ames was united in marriage
to Ruth Vornholt on June 9, 1962, at St. John's
Evangelical Lutheran Church. His career as a
church organist began in his teens and continued
throughout his life. Ames regularly presented
recitals at Martin Luther College and throughout
the Midwest. He was an avid scholar, a lover
of opera, and traveled extensively. Ames was
a member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran
Church, American Guild of Organists, Sioux
Trails Guild of Organists, and the Minnesota and
Brown County Historical Societies.
Michael C. LaJoie '73 entered Our Mystic
Shrine unexpectedly in June as a resident of
Aurora, Ill. Michael is survived by his wife,
Susan; three children, Graham, Christine, and
Morgan; and sister, Cathy.
ALUMNI NEWS
Todd C. Myers '00 says his favorite memory
from the Beta house is Tom Books cooking
great meals, the incredible fellowship, and
singing Beta songs as loudly as possible. Todd
works in executive search with Kensington
International, and owns and operates a career
coaching business called Midwest Talent
Advisors. E-mail: tmyers@kionline.com
VISIT US ONLINE
Secure Beta Pi's
continued excellence by donating
online at www.btpbetapi.kintera.org/
donate! Contact Branden Peterson '05
at branden.peterson@target.com
with any questions.
