Beta Theta Pi - University of Kansas

4 MeMory and our Mystic shrine Nation Meyer '43 entered the Mystic Shrine on November 12, 2020, at 98 while being surrounded by family at his home in Hutchinson, Kan. He attended the University of Kansas until late 1942, when he joined the U.S. Navy as a naval aviator. Nation served until January 1946 and then began his career at e First National Bank of Hutchinson. In 1960, he was named president of the bank. He retired in 2016 as senior chairman aer 70 years of service to the bank. Nation served as president of the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce in 1954. He was also instrumental in the merger of the two local hospitals to form Hutchinson Regional Hospital. Nation and his wife, Tucker, had four children, nine grandchildren, and one great-grandson. George E. Nettels '50 entered the Mystic Shrine on March 5 at his home in Pittsburg, Kan. A dedicated Jayhawk, George was a lifetime Trustee of the KU Endowment Association, serving on the executive committee from 1979-1989, was a life member of the KU Chancellors Club and KU Alumni Association, a member of the national KU Alumni Board, where he served as national Chair from 1977-1978, and was co-chair of the Adams Alumni Center Steering Committee. In 1980, George was awarded the KU Distinguished Service Citation, in 1982, the Fred Ellsworth Medallion, and, in 1985, the Distinguished Engineering Service Award. George spent most of his professional life in Pittsburg where he owned and operated Midwest Minerals, Inc., and in 1970 was named Chairman of the Board and, later President and CEO, of McNally Manufacturing. He was preceded in death by his wife of more than 60 years, Mary Joanne. He is survived by their four children and their families. Dan Winter '80 entered the Mystic Shrine on February 3, 2021, at 62, where his loving husband, John Forsgren, was at his side at their home in the Chinatown neighborhood of Portland, Ore. He was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease in December 2017. Aer doing post- graduate work at the KU School of Business, Dan joined the staff of the former Fourth National Bank of Wichita for two years before rejoining the First National Bank in Lawrence in 1982. He then joined Commerce Bank of Kansas City before moving to Peoples National Bank in 1988, where he stayed until 2008. He and Wynne Wurster of Mission Hills, Kan., were married on New Year's Eve, 1983. Dan and Wynne lived in Fairway and Mission Hills, Kan., before moving to Kansas City, Mo., where they raised their three children. Dan and Wynne enjoyed a close and mutually supportive relationship until his death, despite divorcing in 2008. aluMni news Victor F. Poulos '74 is still working as a lawyer at Poulos & Coates LLP, in New Mexico. e governor appointed him chairman of the New Mexico Human Rights Commission. He owns a winery in Texas, Zin Valle Vineyards (to which many brothers have been), and a larger winery in Tuscany, Italy. Victor owns and flies a 1941 Waco airplane as a hobby. He and his wife, Teresa, live in Las Cruces, N.M. Victor has two children, Ryan and Sarah. Email: vfplaw@aol.com Charles Peterson '77 is enjoying retirement despite COVID-19. He and his wife, Debbie, travel and spoil their grandkids. Charles participates in municipal and hospital advisory boards, but still plays golf and fishes oen. He is active in model railroading and has discovered his talent for creating dioramas. Gene M. Diederich '81 is a partner in a multifamily office firm, the Moneta Group. ey recently opened a KC office, where longtime friend Al Simmons '82 joined Gene's team as a partner. Gene and his wife, Kim, have been married for over 40 years and have four children, Amy, Jill, Steve, and erese, and six grandchildren. Gene and Kim live in St. Louis, Mo. Email: gdiederich@monetagroup.com Michael Brown '87 shares that, thanks to the wonderful generosity of Preston Randall '87, the Mercury Men of 1987 held their class reunion in October 2021 on the warm beaches of South Texas. Michael lives in Montclair, N.J. Email: michaelhbrowndvm@gmail.com Alumni Update T he weekend of February 19, Alpha Nu alumni from the class of 1975 came to the house to celebrate 50 years since their initiation. Friday night, Todd Johnson '75 brought delicious BBQ from his KC restaurant, Plowboys, for dinner. ey replayed old memories while touring the house and singing songs in the music room. House Mom Melanie Moss said, "ey all sounded great; it was such fun." At a Sunday brunch they all took turns sharing fun stories of their time in Usher Mansion. e attending alumni included John McNeil '75, Steven Dillion '75, Todd Johnson '75, Jeffery Gerhart '75, John Mastio '75, Mike Bessel '75, Mark Kane '75, Winn Halverhaut '75, Mark Sinning '75, Paul Arnold '75, Matthew Benson '75, Jack Shelilto '75, Lynn O'Neal '75, and their pledge trainer Paul Shelilto '73. It was a great weekend. The Beta house is always open to pledge classes and alumni looking to return to Lawrence and rekindle memories of times living in the Usher Mansion. Please contact Melanie Moss at (913) 220-7692 or melaniemoss17@gmail.com to make arrangements. Party Like it's 1975 Brothers Celebrated 50th Anniversary Members of the 1975 graduating class gathered in February to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their initiation.

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