Sigma Chi - Kansas State University

Attention: This newsletter is intended for alumni and parents. If your son is still attending Kansas State University, he will receive a copy at the chapter house. If he has graduated, please send us his permanent address. Thank you. Sigma Chi Manhattan Alumni Chapter P.O. Box 442100 Lawrence, KS 66044-2100 Address Service Requested CONNECT ONLINE f www.facebook.com/WildcatSig AluMni upDAte CHAPTER ETERNAL Dick Yemm '50, of Galesburg, Ill., entered Chapter Eternal on February 19 at the age of 89. Dick served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was stationed domestically and then served overseas in China and as an assistant to the battalion doctor in the Philippines. Upon returning home and entering K-State, both Dick and his brother, Bill Yemm '50, were charter members of Delta Upsilon. Dick graduated from K-State with a business degree. He began his career in the automobile business in 1951 as a salesman, eventually purchasing the dealership. Dick was a 60-year member of the Knoxville Masonic Lodge, the Knoxville Order of the Eastern Star, and the Knoxville American Legion. He belonged to the Royal Arch Masons, the Moline Consistory, and the Mohammed Shrine (Illinois Council). He was also a member of the Galesburg Elks, the Sons of the American Revolution, the Home Savings and Loan, the Cottage Hospital Board, and the director of the Illinois Auto Dealers Association. The three most important things in Dick's life were faith, family, and friends. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty; his children, Beth and Rick; and five grandchildren. ALUMNI NEWS Dan Oplinger '54 and his wife, Janice, moved to a retirement community at Lake San Marcos in 2013. Health issues have stopped their travels, but they are happy to be near their two daughters. He is proud to be a Sigma Chi. David Evans Jr. '55 and his wife, Paula, observed 50 years of marriage in August 2015. They live in Lebo, Kan. Kenneth K. Gowdy '55 and his wife, Dolores, have enjoyed trips to Ireland, Canada, and Alaska. He has published two booklets of poetry. Free copies are available to Sigma Chis! They live in Manhattan, Kan. E-mail: kgowdy@ksu.edu Denny Poer '61 and his wife, Loree, are moving to West Hartford, Conn., where she is the new vice president of sales and marketing for Travelers Persona Lines. E-mail: dpoer@icloud.com James Schroeder '63 makes his home in Leavenworth, Kan. He still works a bit for Great Western Manufacturing Company, where he was president and CEO before retirement. Most weekends are spent at his second home at the Lake of the Ozarks. E-mail: jschroeder2@kc.rr.com Russ Berlin Jr. '64 completed 33 years of teaching public school in Lee's Summit, Mo. He was the music director and conductor of the Youth Symphony of Kansas City and of the Lee's Summit Symphony. He was a frequent adjudicator and clinician in orchestra and took 13 trips to Europe with tours of Kansas Ambassadors of Music. E-mail: reberlinorch@ sbcglobal.net Byron Smith '67 enjoyed a great visit with Kathy and Nelson Van Gundy '65 in Truckee, Calif., last summer. He also spent the month of June celebrating birthdays for his grandchildren: Caleb (1) in the Republic of Georgia and Easton (15) and Madison (11) in San Diego. E-mail: byron@churchdynamics.org Hon. William Morris '69 is continuing work while his wife, Karen, has retired and is pursuing her love of painting. His daughter, Lisa, is currently working on a master's degree in computer science, while his other daughter, Jessica, has recently graduated from law school. E-mail: gkmorris15@gmail.com Gary Sheneman '73 retired from Tyson Foods in December of 2014. "My wife, Mary, and I have moved to Leawood, Kan., to be closer to our daughter, Lacey, and our two granddaughters." E-mail: gsheneman1951@gmail.com Jake Buckner '74 sold Rhevark FSI Sales to Acosta Sales and Marketing in August 2013. He is now senior vice president over the Kansas City and St. Louis markets. E-mail: jbuckner1974@ gmail.com Bob Porter '82 makes his home in the Chicagoland area, and is celebrating 32 years with Hubbell Inc. Ryan Porter '17 is now a Sigma Chi at Kansas State. E-mail: rporter@hubbell.com Jerry Connet Jr. '86 works for Citory Solutions, a commercial LED retrofit company in Florida. He has lived with his family in the Orlando area since 1995 and has two grandchildren. E-mail: jconnect@aol.com Thomas Mitchell III '91 was recently re-elected to a second-year term on the Blue Valley School Board. He and his wife, Chanie, live in Overland Park, Kan., with their three children: Danielle, Payton, and Thomas. E-mail: tmitchell@dirgroup.com Alexander Abi‑Mikhael '10 founded a digital marketing, website design, and development company in May 2014 called Digital Consulting KC, LLC. It currently employs four people and is comprised of 48 companies in Kansas City and across the country. Alexander lives in Leawood, Kan. E-mail: alex@digitalconsultingkc.com

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