FarmHouse - Washington State University

Spring 2017 Newsletter

Washington State Chapter of FarmHouse Fraternity at Washington State University

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FarmHouse Almanac p . 2 Michael "Mike" Howell '61 Carries on the Values of FarmHouse rough His Work with the STAR Project To Be Builders of Men W hen Michael "Mike" Howell '61 was recruited to join the Washington State Chapter, he hadn't thought about joining a fraternity, and he wasn't familiar with FarmHouse. But, he was impressed with the general philosophy of scholarship, the quality of the men, and the focus on a small- group experience that wasn't about throwing parties. He lived in the chapter house for two years, which helped him academically. "e discipline of being around people who had similar con- cerns about doing well in school was helpful. Ul- timately, though, I went to school in order to get an education, and I really just wanted to get out and be able to earn a living as an engineer, but the leadership positions and the friendships I en- countered through FarmHouse were important to me as well," he said. Mike graduated with a bachelor of science in ag- ricultural engineering, and served two years of active duty as an officer in the U.S. Army. He spent 14 years in engineering-related fields be- fore changing careers and working as a certified financial planner and at Whitman College. rough the years, Mike has stayed involved with the chapter primarily through visits to the chapter house to help out with projects, paint- ing, or to attend the summer conclaves. ese experiences allow him to give something back to FarmHouse and to show current students the type of success they can expect from the Farm- House experience. Similarly, Mike has carried the FarmHouse experience, and the FarmHouse motto—to be builders of men—into his life post-retirement. He and his wife, Linda, were looking for an or- ganization to get involved with, and Walla Walla happened to be home to the Washington State Penitentiary. "e Good Book says, when you visit them you visit me, so we decided volun- teering with the prison might be a good place to start. We got involved with transition advising, and we would go and visit with young men who were scheduled to be released. Around 80%-95% of the inmates released will become our neigh- bors, and we realized how little support and as- sistance they were getting upon release," he said. Mike and Linda founded the STAR (Successful Transition and Reentry) project to help provide a support system to released inmates in Walla Walla and Columbia counties. "ere are three critical areas in which we try and help: to pro- vide stable, clean, sober housing; training to help them make better decisions; and job training and support. Our recidivism rate is below the state's average, and we are helping individuals and building men for life outside prison," he said. Mike and his wife, Linda, live in Walla Walla, and have been together since high school. ey have two sons and three grandchildren. Mike has been retired now for 16 years, and in addition to his work with the STAR project, he plays trumpet in the Walla Walla community band, is involved at church and with the local Lion's Club, plays some golf, and customizes and restores old automo- biles. You can connect with Mike at mehowell@ charter.net. Hendrick "Hank" Husby '54 and his wife, Joan, have lived for the past year in Warm Beach Mobile Manor, a retirement community in Stanwood, Wash. ey have met many new and interesting people and enjoy hearing their stories. "Joan continues to write and men- tor younger writers and I am CEO of the honey-do and kitchen patrol department." John Reitmeier '56 was the first freshman pledge to become a mem- ber of the Pullman FarmHouse fraternity. He is retired and spends time fishing on the Columbia River. He and his wife, Dixie, have been married for nearly 60 years and have three grandchildren. He recalls that a number of his FarmHouse broth- ers came to their wedding! E-mail: jacdix@comcast.net Frederic Blauert '57 retired from his position as an agriculture edu- cation teacher, and in addition to keeping up with farming opera- tions, he has volunteered for many organizations. ese include serv- ing as president of the Washington State Sheep Producers, serving four years on the American Sheep In- dustry executive board as a region eight representative, and 13 years on the Washington State Farm Bu- reau board of directors. He and his wife, Timmie, live in Washtunca, Wash. Jon Hatt '59 shares that his grand- daughter is a third-generation WSU student. He and his wife, Sally, re- side on the family acreage in Mo- ses Lake, Wash., where they raised three children. Karl Felgenhauner '60 serves on the board of directors of Fairfield Care in Fairfield, Wash. It is a non- profit assisted living facility provid- ing jobs, senior housing, and health care for the rural area of South Spokane and Northern Whiteman counties. He and his wife, Ione, live in Spokane, Wash. omas Keck '76 has been a prac- ticing veterinarian for 34 years at Dallas Animal Clinic in Rickeall, Ore. He and his wife, Margaret, have been married for 37 years, and have four children. ey live on a 95-acre grass seed and goat farm north of Rickreall. E-mail: mandtkeck@aol.com John Orange '77 moved to east- ern Washington in 2015, and is approaching 22 years with Cargill as a dairy consultant. He and his wife, Marian, have been married for 37 years, have four children, 11 grandchildren, and are now in the process of building their dream home in Zillah, Wash. E-mail: onkist713@gmail.com Marc Hildesheim '02 purchased a new home and moved to Rathdrum, Idaho, with his wife, Stephanie, and their three children. He is working Continued on page 4 ALUMNI NEWS

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