Beta Theta Pi - University of Wisconsin

4 BETA THETA PI L ast spring, we celebrated the success of The Preservation of Alpha Pi House capital campaign. Over three years, we saw the number of donors climb to nearly 300 and the value of contributions exceed $2 million. I didn't expect to write one more article, as it had been easy to highlight cash contributors and thank the solicitors along the way. However, two individuals have contributed in ways that required exceptional time and talent. Don McLauchlan '71 Don has been running his own HVAC company out of Chicago for many years. Over the last three years, his involvement and expertise have reduced the cost of a new heating and air system by over $110,000. His involvement at the house started with preparing specifications for the steam boiler replacement, followed by drawings and specifications for the installation of a VRF heat pump system that upgraded the AC system for the dorm rooms and provided heating for mild weather with heat pumps where the boiler could be kept off until more extreme weather to save energy. Don also provided a strategy for routing the refrigerant lines that significantly reduced the amount of carpentry work and refrigerant piping. Finally, as part of the new doors to the veranda, he identified that expanding the use of the existing gas-fired furnace in lieu of adding steam unit heaters to replace the existing perimeter baseboard would result in significant savings. Bob Downing '91 Bob joined the BBA two years ago and has provided invaluable local "eyes on-site" during the restoration (even now, if you drive by the house and see someone cutting the grass and picking up trash, it is likely Bob or his crew). Through his firm, Robert B. Downing Landscape Architect LLC, Bob's landscaping contributions over the past two years have transformed the exterior of the Beta house. These projects included: • Dry scape/accent boulders along Mendota Court, including plantings boulders and brown gravel. • 15 tons of fieldstone rip rap to stabilize the shoreline. • A 25-foot wide, stamped and dyed concrete patio with fire pit. • Boulder accent wall at fire pit built into the slope of the existing yard. The time, talent, patience, and perseverance contributed by Don and Bob are hard to accurately quantify but made a huge positive impact on our renovation. Thank you, brothers! Yours in _kai_, Bart J. Kocha, #1613, UW 1980 Campaign Chairman (262) 210-7035 bkocha@wi.rr.com ALUMNI NEWS Richard D. Parlow '57 is still hanging in there. He has two ski trips to Colorado planned for 2022, with three scheduled for 2023. "Not too bad for an 88-year-old Beta!" He lives in Glen Allen, Va. Email: rdparlow@comcast.net Richard G. Neuheisel '58 is involved with the Arizona Sister Cities, Temple Corps Salvation Army, and Temple Kiwanis Club. He lives in Tempe, Ariz. Email: janeneuheisel@cox.net Gregory M. Gallo '63 retired after 10 years of practicing law in Palo Alto, Calif. He is married to a California graduate whom he met at Harvard Law School. He lives in Menlo Park, Calif. Email: gallo41@gmail.com William J. Conroy '68 is retired and moving back to Chicago from Vero Beach, Fla. He looks forward to seeing the Beta house before a football game or two. "Keep me in touch with what is going on." Email: wjc5368@aol.com Richard Schwarte '69 has lived at Lake Tahoe since 1972 and spends several months in the winter in Palm Desert. He skis, plays golf, bike rides, paddle boards, and boats. He annually gets together with the Beta funders. "I am a lucky guy and have to thank my experience in the Beta house for much of my good fortune." Email: dschwarte@whmtahoe.com Rod S. Taylor '72 looks forward to attending the Alpha Pi 150th anniversary in April 2023. He lives in San Clemente, Calif. Email: rst72badger@gmail.com Quinn P. Williams '72 has been a lawyer at Greenberg Traurig LLP in Phoenix for the last 40 years. He lives in Paradise Valley, Ariz. Email: quinnwilliams@cox.net Sam L. Haack '19 sells residential and commercial real estate in Jackson Hole, Wyo., and is getting into developing multi- family housing. He would love to connect with brothers in the real estate and finance industries. He resides in Moran, Wyo. Email: samuelhaack@gmail.com Time, Talent, and a Little Patience A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO TWO BROTHERS FOR THEIR EXPERTISE IN OUR CAMPAIGN

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