Beta Theta Pi - Purdue University

John Brebner '45 Howard Harman '51 Harold Wochholz '58 Philip Kuebbeler '60 Ralph Mason '60 James Corliss '61 Robert McLean '62 George Shortle '62 David Thompson '64 Grant Martin '67 John Kestler '85 Thomas Brazina '86 Kent Whitaker '86 Edward Usher '92 Thank You, Loyal Brothers, for Your Generous Gifts B eta Mu extends its sincere thanks to the following brothers who gave to our summer appeal for dues and donations. Your commitment to our brotherhood means so much to our undergraduate brothers as they navigate a fall semester unlike any other. To join these loyal brothers in supporting Beta Mu, please visit purduebeta.com and make your gift today. 3 BETA THETA PI AT PURDUE UNIVERSITY I n October of 1953, my pledge class was initiated into the Beta Mu Chapter of our Fraternity. With that event, I became part of an organization dedicated to helping young men acquire a higher education. There were four of us in my pledge class; we called ourselves the "Mystic Four." We became close friends and still stay in touch. All four of us went on to earn advanced degrees. One became a distinguished Purdue professor and has a building on the West Lafayette campus named in his honor. We have all been fortunate to live full and productive lives. The Beta Mu Chapter helped me prepare for a successful adult life. I learned to focus, to be self-sufficient, and to speak up for the things I believed in. I also learned to work with others in a group to establish objectives and accomplish collective goals. These skills helped me in a long and rewarding career with one of the world's outstanding corporations, IBM. My experience has taught me that education is one of the most beneficial aspects of an individual's life. Being denied an education due to a lack of funds is a terrible waste. Thus, I feel it is incumbent upon me to share with others the bounty that education has helped me acquire. Because I value my membership in Beta Mu, I felt it appropriate to establish a scholarship through the Beta Theta Pi Foundation to help current and future Beta Mu brothers obtain their degrees. In the coming years, I hope to contribute additional funds to that scholarship in order to assist as many deserving Betas as possible. John lives in Camano Island, Wash., and can be reached via email at think937@yahoo.com. THE TRUE VALUE OF EDUCATION By John Young '56 ALUMNI UPDATE MEMORY AND OUR MYSTIC SHRINE Thomas Popcheff '73 passed on to Memory and Our Mystic Shrine from COVID-19 on April 5, 2020, his 69th birthday. He served as the director of administration for Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (IHSN) and as the chief administrative officer of the IHSN Building Corporation. He retired in 2017, at which time he was inducted into the society's honorary membership. Tom also had a 15-year career in state government, where he served as deputy commissioner of the State of Indiana Department of Administration. He was a past president of Indiana Society Association Executives and was named 2014 Association Professional of the Year. Tom was the recipient of numerous other awards, including the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash award, bestowed by the State of Indiana. Following his retirement, Tom became actively involved with the town of Speedway where he grew up and resided. He served on the Speedway Library Board and had been the president of the Speedway Redevelopment Commission for the last two years. He was also in the process of helping to form the Speedway Historical Society. Tom was an avid fan of the Colts, Pacers, and his beloved Boilermakers. He loved the Indianapolis 500. The month of May was his favorite time of year and he spent countless hours at Indianapolis Motor Speedway photographing all the sights, cars, and drivers. He also enjoyed watching baseball, playing golf, and hanging out with friends and family. Tom leaves behind his wife, Karen; daughters, Nikki, Alexa, and Kristin; son, Nick; and seven grandchildren. Steve Ramey '86 passed on to Memory and Our Mystic Shrine on September 15, 2020, at 57 at Riverview Health in Noblesville, Ind. He was an architectural sales manager for 20 years with CertainTeed. Steve was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Harbour Trees Golf Club, and the Flint Rainbow Club in Michigan. Steve's passions included golfing, shooting pool, mountain biking, and, most of all, fly fishing. He cherished the best yellow dog in the world, Riley. Steve loved sharing his time and experiences with those in the community. He volunteered for many years as a coach for Noblesville Youth Baseball and the Boys and Girls Club of Noblesville. Steve was also proud to volunteer with Project Healing Waters, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities including education and outings. Steve is survived by his wife, Amy, and their sons, Austin and Jackson. ALUMNI NEWS Daniel C. Weis '87 has many great memories of living at the Beta Mu Chapter House and wishes he could come back to visit more often. He recently spent five days in Pawley's Island, S.C., with Chris Lee '87, where they golfed, enjoyed cocktails, and had some rest and relaxation. Three words that come to mind when Dan thinks of Beta are friendship, trust, and camaraderie. He lives in Kennesaw, Ga., with his wife, Carlene. Email: dan.wcs@comcast.net

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