Laurence “Ron” Letson #575, (initiated 1959)
August 11, 1940 – June 6, 2023
Salem, South Carolina – Laurence Ronald “Ron” Letson, 82, of Salem, SC, passed Tuesday, June 6, 2023, after a courageous 17-year battle with vascular dementia. He was born August 11, 1940, in Lincoln, NE, elder son of Evelyn and William Letson.
Ron grew up in Red Cloud, NE, then graduated from Wentworth Military Academy (MO). A mechanical engineering degree from the University of Nebraska and the ROTC rank of Colonel followed. He honorably served four years in the Quartermaster Corp and as a military advisor in the US Army. Upon receiving a Juris Doctorate from George Washington University, he practiced intellectual property law for 30+ years at IBM Mas Hamilton and in private practice in Lexington, KY. Desk bound weekly, he was a weekend entrepreneur with Linc Graphics.
He was a 60-year mason, with membership at Charity Lodge of Red Cloud, Franklin Lodge and Oleika or Hejaz Shrine Temples. Initiating a program to fly critically burned Eastern Kentucky children to Cincinnati Shrine Hospital, he combined his passion for flying and serving others. Ron was a proud member of Acacia Fraternity, Virginia Bar Association, and US Supreme Court Bar. He was previously a Louisville Zoo FONZ Board Member.
Ron was an avid sportsman who loved being outdoors, hunting, fishing, and boating. He deeply loved his family, dogs, Nebraska football, Kentucky basketball, and military history. He was always ready with one liners and practical jokes.
Cherishing his memory are Dianne, wife of 58 years; children Laura (Russell) and Wally (Jettie); grandson Jay and Lauren, Russell’s daughter; brother Michael; niece Alison; nephew Michael Jr. (Elaine); in-laws and other relatives. Thank you to Rodney, MSA Hospice, and Park Place memory care staff for the love and compassion you shared with Ron.
A Celebration of Life service will be held in early September on Fripp Island, SC. The family can be contacted at LRLetson@earthlink.net.
Ron believed vascular dementia should be better understood. Please consider memorial donations to MUSC Foundation (843-792-2677, designate. Campbell Neuropathology Laboratory), Shriners Hospital for Children or The Louisville Zoo.
–Source: Spouse Diane Letson legacy.com/us/https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/kentucky/name/laurence-letson-obituary?id=53005320obituaries/kentucky/name/laurence-letson/obituary?/id=53005320
Ken Rhylander #633 (initiated 1965)
Ken Rhylander, #633, (Ret. USAF) passed away October 22 in Honolulu, Hawaii, having lost the battle with lymphoma. He served as Rush Chairman in 1966 and Venerable Dean in 1967. He was an ROTC member and, following his graduation in 1969, he had a long career with the Army. He is survived by his wife Rolen, stepdaughter Chrisca, and daughter Kathy, as well as a son by a previous marriage, Col. Erik Rhylander USAF.
Ken with the rendering of the new house on Vine St for 1968
More Stories coming in the future:
—John Thompson #651
Jeff Gottula #775 (initiated 1974)
Jeff Gottula passed away October 17th, 2023. This is his picture from the 1976 house photos. Mark Nelson and I visited Jeff last summer while he was temporarily receiving inpatient skilled nursing care here in Omaha as a result of complications from a leg amputation. I encourage you to Google Jeff’s name and read the obituary in the Lincoln Journal Star. There is a great summary of his career in ground water and environmental management. What I always remember about Jeff was his smile. It looked just like the smile in this picture…like he was always ready to have fun! Jeff shared with us that day this house photo from 1976, which he carried on his iPad. Jeff had great memories from his days at Acacia and had remained good friends with Ken Koop, who alerted me to his passing.
–Written by Jim Veline (#751, 1973) on Oct 27th 2023
Michael Wiedel #986 (initiated 1986)
Michael J. Wiedel, Jr. of Chicago, Illinois, the son of Michael John Wiedel (Jack) and Cheryle Ann (Paugh) Wiedel, was born December 8, 1966, in Hebron, Nebraska. Michael passed away on Sunday, October 16, 2022, at the age of 55 years. Michael began his schooling in Hebron, graduating from Hebron High School. He obtained his
undergraduate degree from University of Nebraska and his master’s in business administration from Northwestern University.
Following college, Michael was honored to serve in the Peace Corps, volunteering first in Togo, Africa in 1990, educating on and implementing farming systems. Following two years of service overseas, Michael was then positioned in Chicago, Illinois, handling recruitment efforts and program administration.
Michael met his devoted partner, Humphrey A. Granger, in 2007, and they enjoyed building their lives together in Chicago, where they were engaged to be married. They shared many interests, including travel, cuisine, and spending time in nature. Michael was embraced by his partner’s family and friends in France, where they enjoyed many travels and experiences. Michael was a respected colleague at The Gallup Organization, where he held several positions over the course of his career, most recently serving as a Senior Research Consultant. Michael was proud to have been recognized often by the company for his excellent and valuable contributions.
He is survived by his partner, Humphrey, his sister Dawn Wiedel and wife Rhonda Henning of Lincoln, Nebraska, his brother, Jerrod Wiedel and wife Haley of Hebron, Nebraska, his aunt, Sandra Carbonneau and husband Jim of Hebron, Nebraska, his uncle James Paugh and wife Alta of Hebron, Nebraska, his aunt Tana Benavides of Corpus Christi, Texas, his aunt Jeanette Else and husband Kenny of Hebron, Nebraska, his uncle Ron Hintz of Hebron, Nebraska, his aunt Darlene Emanuel of Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, nieces and nephew, Koti Wiedel, Jay Henning, Kari Pester,
Alexandra Fintel, a host of cousins and friends.
Michael was a registered organ donor and an avid proponent of the cause; memorial donations can be made to Live on Nebraska at https://liveonnebraska.org/give. Memorial services to be announced at a later date.
–Written by Tom Macy (#1012) May 12th 2023
He was a pledge brother of mine and was Venerable Dean. Mike passed away suddenly of a heart attack in October.
Mike went on to join the Peace Corps after his time at UNL and then to work for Gallup in Chicago. He lived there until his death.
Additionally, Sue Osterberg Bath (former Acacia Sweetheart and friend of Mike’s) and I worked with the NU Foundation to setup a scholarship in Mike’s name. Individuals can make donations by going to https://secure.nufoundation.org/give?fundid=01159910&tribute_type=memory Donations should be made in Mike’s name to the NU Foundation Holding Fund.
Michael S. Burchett (#1001, initiated 1987)
( December 14, 1967 – September 01, 2023 ) Michael (Mike) Scott Burchett, 55,of Lincoln, passed away at his home on Friday, September 1,2023, after a strong, 27-month fight with brain cancer. Mike was born in Las Vegas, NV, during a snowstorm on December 14, 1967,to Michael and Jane (Miller) Burchett. His father was in the Air Force, so they moved around before landing in Wymore, Nebraska. Growing up, he played football and ran track, but his main love was baseball. When summer leagues ended each year, he looked forward to spending a few weeks with his grandparents at their farm in Mills County, Iowa. He adored them and loved helping his grandpa on the farm and enjoying his grandma’s treats. They regularly went to Omaha Royals baseball games at Rosenblatt Stadium, and he became a huge Kansas City Royals fan. Mike graduated from Southern High School in 1986. Mike then attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where he earned his bachelor of business administration degree in finance. He was honored with a prestigious internship in New York City. After college, Mike married Cami Althouse on June20, 1992, where they were blessed with three children and divorced in 2006. After working as an insurance agent with American Family Insurance, he changed careers and became a loan officer at Liberty First Credit Union in December 2000. He excelled in this role, growing to be one of the company’s top loan officers due tohis strong work ethic and integrity. He helped many people finance their dreams and also build and repair their credit. He loved his job at Liberty First and considered many of his coworkers some of his closest friends. He always kept his insurance license current as a safety net.
Late in 2011, he met his soulmate, Angela (Bailey). They became good friends before officially dating in June 2012. They married April 18, 2015, and he was blessed with two step-daughters. A banner year for Mike, the Royals won the World Series later that October in game five.
In addition to being a lifelong Royals baseball fan, Mike Love cheering on the Huskers, faithfully watching every football game until the end. He even got a side job parking cars so he could get free entrance to the games. He followed other Husker sports, including baseball and men’s and women’s basketball. Mike was a wonderful father and stepfather and enjoyed attending all of his children’s activities. He really wanted to teach his kids and step kids practical things to help them in their lives. But it wasn’t all instruction; he was the ultimate jokester, pulling off great April Fool’s Day pranks, under-breath funny comments, Dad jokes and more. Mike was also an amazing husband and partner to Angela, and they enjoyed many vacations, concerts and experiences; many occurring after his glioblastoma diagnosis in June 2021. He enjoyed watching birds, craft beer, hiking and spending time in nature. The couple’s motto was “Live BIG,” and they demonstrated that by doing everything they could possibly do while they could still do it, including a twice-rebooked Yellowstone trip this summer, seeing the Royals play the Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago and enjoying one more concert just the week before his passing. They were actively involved at Lincoln Berean Church, where they were blessed with a caring and supportive life group.
Mike will be remembered as humble, hardworking and good-humored. He was amazingly strong and resilient, kept working full-time and lifting weights until he couldn’t. He adapted with every new challenge that came his way, surpassing so many odds related to the disease. His faith in the Lord was so inspiring to all who knew him, and he spent time reading the Bible and praying for others daily.
Mike is survived by his wife, Angela Burchett of Lincoln, NE; children: Briana Burchett, Brett (Jensyn) Burchett, and Brooke(Justin) Svoboda all of Lincoln, NE; stepchildren: Lauren and Hayden Coniglio of Lincoln, NE; parents: Mike and Jane Burchett of Henderson, IA; sisters: Lisa (Kris) Hoge of Lincoln, NE, Heidi (Jeff) Peebles of Fort Worth, TX, and Emily (Dave)Carr of Beatrice, NE; in-laws Donny and Jean Bailey, and sister-in-law: Aubrey (Adam) Sundberg, all of Parker, CO; aunts and uncles: Susan (Arnie) Shirley of Shenandoah, IA, Doug (Diana)Burchett of Malvern, IA, Patrick (Candice) Thomas of Bismarck, ND, Linda (Craig) Klebe of Statesboro, GA, and Lori Castle of Atlanta, GA; nephews: Kreighton, Cristian, Cameron Hoge all of Lincoln, NE, Zachary Carr of Washington, DC, Austin and Jackson Paul of Fort Worth, TX, Graham and Wesley Coombs of Parker, CO; nieces: Madelyn Carr of Omaha, NE, and Allyson Paul of Fort Worth, TX; grandniece: Delilah Smith of Omaha, NE; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by: grandparents, Creighton and Marjorie Miller and James Burchett and Helen “Joan” Christian; and nephew, Devin Carr.
Funeral Service: Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Lincoln Berean Church, 6400 S. 70th St. Visitation: Wednesday, Sept. 6, from 4-7 p.m. at Butherus, Maser & Love Funeral Home,4040 A St. Celebration of Life: Friday, Sept. 8, from 2-6 p.m. at Cappy’s, 5560 S. 48th St. The funeral service will be livestreamed here : https://lincolnberean.org/funerallive
Private interment at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Bryan Foundation – Cancer Center, Tabitha Hospice or Lincoln Berean Church.
–From Brother Steve Keedy (#996 in 1986) Source: https://www.bmlfh.com/obituaries/print?o_id=8668061https://
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