Page 1 - Marching Along - Spring 2015

MARCHING ALONG A Publication of Beta Theta Pi at the University of Florida | Winter 2014-2015 | Gamma Xi Chapter Alumni Relations Offce | P.O. Box 80828, Atlanta, Georgia 30366 | 770-903-3987 | www.ufbeta.org From the Alumni Association Alumni Spotlight: John L. Gatz ’54 President Thank God I am a Beta reetings and Happy G New Year from by Fred Wallrapp ’79 Gainesville. Your hank God I am a Beta - that is how Gamma Xi chapter John Gatz ’54 signs his letters – continues to thrive, Tright above his name he writes this carrying forth the Men simple statement affrming his belief in a of Principle banner that higher authority and displaying, for all to Beta Theta Pi is known see, his pride in Beta Theta Pi. His pride for nationally. On the stems from the way Beta helped shape him UF campus Beta men rank high in both into the man he is and from the many Beta academics and athletics, and are prominent brothers he has called friends. There have in Student Government and the Florida been a lot of Beta friends over the years, Blue Key leadership honorary. Beta is and there have been a lot of years. You also one of the largest and most respected see, John pledged at Gamma Xi in 1949. John and his wife Jane enjoying a trip in Mallorca, Spain. houses on campus, with 34 new brothers He has been a Beta longer than most of us being initiated during fall semester. have been alive! Back then the UF Beta general convention in Lake of Bays, Ontario, Yes, it’s great to be a Florida Beta! Please house wasn’t on Fraternity Row – there was Canada. Naturally they stayed in Beta houses join me in being proud of what they have no Fraternity Row. It was on SW 2nd avenue, along the way. accomplished. The active brothers are very across 13th street from present day Tigert Hall. Brother Gatz likes to say he majored in grateful for the amazing alumni support, in Without air conditioning, that house featured extracurricular activities while at UF. He was both time and treasure, they have received. “sleeping porches” to make it habitable. John active in numerous campus organizations and The house is beautiful. If you haven’t seen grew up in Jacksonville, but his dad got a new participated in twelve intramural sports for it lately, please stop by. You will receive a job and the family moved to Gainesville so John the chapter. He was also in Air Force ROTC very warm welcome. could live at home during college. Ironically for four years. Due to this busy schedule and The Orange & Blue spring football enough though, John was elected as recording changing his major twice, he graduated one game is scheduled for Saturday, April secretary right after initiation which required semester later than planned. With the Korean 11th. We are having an alumni reception him to live in the Beta house. He continued to War winding down, the Air Force used this as prior to the game, including lunch and live in the house until his graduation. His folks an excuse to deny him the commission he was beverages, so please come by to see moved to an apartment behind the chapter house due to receive. Upon graduation, though, he the house and reconnect with some old so they could see him more often. His mom was drafted by the US Army. With his ROTC friends and possibly make some new ones. lamented that she still didn’t see John enough so training, he was tapped by the Army BΘΠ for their The Alumni Association annual board she enrolled at UF and took some classes with Counter Intelligence corps. meeting will also be held that morning at him. I don’t know if they had helicopters back Upon discharge from the Army, John went 10 AM. If you are interested in the Alumni then, but apparently they did have “helicopter to work for Proctor & Gamble in Memphis, parents!” After his freshman year he and two President (Continued on Page 6) other Betas took a road trip to attend the Beta Tennessee. After working there for fve years he was transferred by P&G to Dallas where he enrolled at Southern Methodist University and earned his MBA degree. After a nine year stint as an RV dealer ended, he sat for and was awarded his CPA certifcate in 1976. He built a very successful CPA practice and, at one point, had six offces in fve different Texas cities. At 83 John still works every day as a CPA for six months of the year. When not working, he and his wife Jane enjoy ocean cruising, and have taken seventy-fve cruises over the past twelve years. He also likes going to Beta general conventions, and has attended fve of the past six conventions. While at convention he always gets a list of Beta brothers from his era. Reconnecting with long-lost Betas gives John a special satisfaction. “I really enjoy seeing Betas from my day and See What’s NEW at the Chapter House - Page 3 Gatz (Continued on Page 6)