Theta Chi - Iowa State University

THE TOMAHAWK 5 Theta Chi at ISU Remembering Brother Alan "Al" Beavers March 6, 1946 – July 25, 2021 A l Beavers '69 and I were pledges together at Alpha Mu in 1964. Hard to believe it's been 57 years. We had a small pledge class, but we were at the leading edge of a new era. At the time, a new three-story addition and rec room were being added to the house, and by the next year, the membership had grown by leaps and bounds. Shortly after, Al was president; a thankless job, but I think he did very well. Everyone looked up to him, and I truthfully never heard anyone say anything negative about him. Al was very musical, and for years, was the song leader for the fraternity. I'll never forget that, before leading us in a song, he blew into his little pitch pipe and moved his arms like he was leading a band. It was another thankless job, but he never gave up. I seem to remember him shaking his head sometimes at our lack of skill or enthusiasm. Of course, he was an excellent pianist. The week before he passed, I sent him an email asking about the little group he formed in college. It was called the White Chapel Trio (which I'm impressed I even remember!). I saw them perform on campus and asked if it was for a charity event. He said it was a talent contest, and it was won by a group imitating Peter, Paul, and Mary. Although many years have passed, he ended his letter saying, "I'm still mad about it." That was the Al I knew to the very end, and I can picture him laughing while saying it. Al served as an Armor Officer in Germany from 1970 to 1972. At the gravesite in Davenport, a unit of veterans rendered a 21-gun salute followed by taps. Mary, his widow, received the flag from his coffin. Almost single-handedly in 2005, Al organized a reunion of brothers from our era who had lived at the house over 35 years before. It was Al's idea, and his effort and planning made the reunion a success in 2006. We just had our fifth reunion in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. We were able to Zoom on the computer with Al one afternoon, since he was too ill to attend. We will never forget what he has done for us. In later years, Al and I always agreed that living at Theta Chi was one of the most important formative experiences in our lives. None of us will forget him. Fraternally, Ross Isaacson '69 The fall 2021 pledge class. Welcome, brothers! Caleb Askelson North Liberty, Iowa Finn Barney Elmhurst, Ill. Johnathon Beuter Ankeny, Iowa Gabriel Christofferson Johnston, Iowa Liam Dacre Elmhurst, Ill. Brody Dyre Monona, Wis. Jacob Ford Polk City, Iowa Luke Friedrichs Long Beach, Calif. Luke Harms Kansas City, Mo. Jesus Perez Luna Des Moines, Iowa Justin McKenna Kildeer, Ill. Thomas Pedote Elmhurst, Ill. Sam Russet Shakopee, Minn. Jimmie Strege Buffalo Grove, Ill. Alexander Tiedens Granger, Iowa Joshua Uehling Elkhorn, Neb. WELCOME, NEW MEMBERS At the end of July, a group of our alumni reunited in Idaho. Back, from left: Dave Barz '71, Jack Phipps '69, Tom Amosson '70, Howie Kuhns '70, John Stalter '69, Richard Cram '69, John Laurie '66, and Roy Aasen '69. Front, from left: Dennis Babcock '70, Ross Isaacson '69, Gordon Gorychka '69, Dick Klimesch 'XX, and Keane Bonath '73.

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