Sigma Alpha Epsilon - University of Montana

Spring 2017 Newsletter

Montana Beta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity at the University of Montana

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Phyllis and Bill Bouchee '63 Receive the Order of the Grizzly Award AROUND THE WORLD AND BACK GARY FISH '62 FOLLOWED HIS PASSION WHEREVER IT TOOK HIM PAGE 2 Continued from page 1 audition, not be picked, and still win the beer. But since three males showed up, they decided to take all three. Turns out, I really enjoyed it. And even when my fraternity brothers teased, I still got to spend time with the attractive ladies on the team—eat your hearts out you turkeys!" After graduation, Gary followed his passion for teaching history and drama all the way to Japan. "I intended to stay two years, but I fell in love with Japan and taught for 25 years there." Gary and his wife, Alaete, a Brazilian native, both have a heart for education and made teaching a priority. "I didn't just teach the subject matter to my students, but taught the importance of being caring, respectful, and compassionate human beings and to never stop learning. It is so important to value and educate our youth properly if we hope to have a strong, compassionate nation." Since retiring in 1995, Gary has traveled around the world. He dabbles in photography, writing, singing in the community and church choirs, and acting. Gary has done extra work in movies, commercials, and student films. "I love doing comedic plays, which wouldn't surprise my fraternity brothers; I did a lot of stand-up comedy as an undergraduate at fraternity functions." While living abroad, Gary lost touch with many of his fraternity brothers, but since returning stateside, he has tried to reconnect. "We began to have our reunions in Big Fork, which helped, and I've tried to stay in touch with Bob and Tom, as well as Harold Gilkey '62, Jimmy Tecca '65, Dick Ford '65, Ron Long '62, Bill Beecher '63, and others too numerous to mention." Gary hopes to be more involved with the chapter in the future and says, "I'm incredibly impressed with the work being done to help revitalize the chapter and build our membership. My hope is that Montana Beta will continue to grow and foster the same values we had as members so long ago and help lead other students to more wholesome lives both on campus and beyond." To contact Gary, you can send him an e-mail at grizzfishes@wispwest.net. CHAPTER ETERNAL Robert "Bob" Rehfeld '49 entered Chapter Eternal on January 16, 2016, as a resident of Lewiston, Idaho. While at the University of Montana, Bob was part of the newly resurrected Grizzly football program after the end of WWII. Bob earned a degree in forestry, but his fascination with the subject started as a young man when he worked as a smokejumper. He recorded 11 jumps out of a Ford Trimotor in the summers of 1945 and 1946. Bob served for several years in the Army and later found his career in forest management until 1982. Bob is survived by his wife, Joyce; sons, Bob, Denis, and Kurt; daughters, Marcy and Teresa; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His son, Denis, says, "Dad had a great life as a Griz and an ΣAE!" ALUMNI NEWS Harold A. Gillet '53 has worked in the life insurance industry for 54 years and met with two parties who are interested in purchasing his agency. He looks forward to spending more time with Montana Beta brothers. E-mail: happyhal@blackfoot.net John Ferro '58 is doing well in Billings, Mont., and says, "I totally enjoy reading the quips in the alumni news section of The Beta Beat. I am also an alumnus of the kitchen crew with Larry Nitz '58, Jim Peterson '58, and Bill Bradford '57. Unfortunately, all of my mates have joined the Chapter Eternal. I agree with Gary Fish '62—that the pizza was fantastic! If memory serves me correctly, the recipe came from the mother of Jerry Nordmark '58. Another memory, Mrs. Yonce would make chocolate chip cookies for lunch and fill two or three large mayonnaise jars every day. Every morning the first thing she did was check the jars. When she saw they were empty she would shake her head and say, 'I don't know—you boys eat so many cookies,' and then smile. She was like a mother to all of us. Brother Dick Ford '65, thanks for all that you do for us. The online version is great. Fellow alumni, keep the stories coming!" E-mail: j.ferro384@yahoo.com Lawrence P. Mooney '58 golfs two to three times each week in Las Vegas, Nev. He and his wife, Jeanne, have two sons, Mark and Scott, and one grandson, Tylor. Ronald A. Long '62 has fond memories of his undergraduate years. "I loved all the singing, pledge sneak, Mrs. Yonce's cooking, and being in the company of my brothers." E-mail: pral@3rivers.net Col. Michael Baker '64 retired from the Army 14 years ago when he started teaching. He and his wife, Patty, take care of their daughter, Wendy, full time as she battles MS. Caring for her prevents them from traveling outside of Santa Barbara, Calif., but Michael hopes to make it back to see his Montana Beta brothers in the near future. E-mail: catnbak@yahoo.com D uring the University President's Dinner at Homecoming 2016, Bill Bouchee '63 and his wife, Phyllis, a Kappa Kappa Gamma alumna, were honored for their continued support of university students through scholarships they have funded. Over the past 16 years, their generosity has provided full tuition scholarships to 24 University of Montana students. Their involvement with the university and Missoula community has been lifelong. The Order of the Grizzly award is the highest honor given by the University of Montana Foundation. Dick Ford '64 comments, "Of course I am partial, but this is a fitting honor for two fine and generous people!" Congratulations, Bill and Phyllis! ALUMNI UPDATE Continued on page 4

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