Delta Upsilon - University of Kansas

THE SUNFLOWER KAnSAS Du Alumni p.o. box 1611 lAwrence, KAnSAS 66044 Address service requested 2018 Distinguished Alumnus William J. Shea '79 The Memories and Friendships Will Last Forever "T here was no comparison," Bill Shea says of his decision to join Delta Upsilon over other fraternities. Bill had visited the Kansas Chapter house many times while his brother, Tom '72, was an undergraduate. He saw there was a special bond between the brothers and appreciated the diverse group. Rush Co-Chairman Tony Bertoglio '76 signed Bill, Gene Camarena '79, and George Benfield '79. "We lived in the house all four years because we didn't want to miss out on anything." Joe Heinen '81 later completed "the Salina Boys ensemble." Even back then, Bill knew that they'd refer to that time as the good ol' days. Delta Upsilon membership influenced Bill in many ways. "Everything I encountered during my years in the house helped make me the person I am today." He and his brothers experienced many successes (Hill championships and Rock Chalk Revue victories) and struggles (the 1978 house fire and tough academic semesters). The fellowship developed in the house also taught Bill how to listen, empathize, and negotiate. Perhaps most importantly he learned to appreciate differing opinions. "Those experiences have been invaluable resources throughout my personal and professional life." After earning a bachelor of science in business administration and accounting, Bill has had a varied and successful career in accounting, finance, acquisitions, integration of operations, and divestitures. He is the EVP for Ruffin Companies, a diversified holding company with interests in gaming, lodging, manufacturing, oil and gas, and real estate. In 2007 the company closed on the sale of Frontier Hotel and Casino at the highest sale price per square foot—then and still—for a Las Vegas strip property. "That's what I do for my money; what I do with my money, in addition to investing in publicly traded markets, is invest and own private businesses with Gene Camarena and another friend/partner, through what I like to call our 'adventure' capital company." They've had numerous ownership holdings, such as Marriott-franchised hotels, a graphic design company, and a medical equipment company. Highlights through the years include cofounding the River City Brewery in 1993, the second brewpub in Kansas since prohibition, and successfully selling six hotel properties (The 6-Pack) in 2013. Bill is also "in the chicken business" with Doug Farha '80. They've co-owned Stroud's restaurant in Wichita for 18 years. Bill says one of the biggest rewards of his career is having the privilege to work regularly with his friends, including several Delta Upsilon alumni. In fact, when he received an email from John Esau '78 last fall, Bill believed it was concerning a real estate holding in Lawrence. He was surprised instead to find out he was being recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus. "I was humbled. It is a great honor and very meaningful to me to be considered worthy of the recognition." Bill is proud of his DU membership and has been a loyal contributor. With his longtime friendships and business connections, "I can attest that our chapter has been a contributor to Building Better Men." Bill attends the annual alumni banquet regularly and hosts an era dinner with "life coach" Mark Jabara '77 on the Friday before ("Everyone's welcome!"). They also host a weekly meeting in Wichita. "The memories and friendships we made and maintain will last forever." Bill and Catherine, his wife of nearly 31 years, "a wonderful woman, friend and partner," live in Wichita. They have two children, Matt and Jessica, and a "marvelous" 3-year-old granddaughter, Ava. Bill enjoys reading, traveling, and playing ping-pong and tennis, and he is considering taking up golf and sailing. He can be reached at wjshea57@gmail.com. Chapter Eternal Dr. John M. "Jack" Holt '57, 82, of Lenexa, Kansas, passed on to Chapter Eternal February 2, 2018. Jack graduated from Fowler High School in 1953 and married Charlette Handy in 1957 while he was a first-year student at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Jack graduated from medical school in 1961, then began his residency in Wichita at St. Francis Hospital. He opened his internal medicine practice in Great Bend in 1965, where he practiced for 24 years. Not quite ready to retire, Jack returned to Wichita in 1989 to serve patients and fulfill his love of mentoring residents at the KU School of Medicine and the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center. Jack is survived by his wife of 60 years, Charlette, and five children, John, Robert, Elizabeth, Thomas, and Mary. Other survivors include brother James Holt '61, 13 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He lived selflessly for his faith, family, and friends. James R. Scholten '62 passed on to Chapter Eternal January 28, 2017, at age 77. After graduation, he pursued a career in medicine, graduating from the KU School of Medicine in 1966 and joining the United States Public Health Service as a medical/ surgical captain detailed to the Peace Corps in Taegu, South Korea, from 1967-69. Jim was appointed assistant dean of curriculum development of the Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Va., where he helped facilitate the program's full accreditation in 1972. Jim married Elizabeth "Betsy" Poer in 1993 and returned with her to their hometown of Salina in 1997, where he served as medical director of the Emergency Department of Salina Regional Health Center until 2000. "So many of his best, longtime friends and his funniest, most meaningful memories were a result of his time in the DU house," writes his Betsy.

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