Bill “Moley” Mohlenbrock MD, FACS ‘61 has done many interesting things in his life… member of the Illini Varsity Basketball team, married Betty Burch, Chi Omega ’62 – the Illini Homecoming Queen, served as a Naval flight surgeon aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Yorktown during the Vietnam War, completed an orthopedic residency at the University of California, San Diego, served as assistant clinical professor since 1973, and practiced orthopedic surgery for more than 25 years at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, CA. He and Betty raised a wonderful daughter Kem, who has blessed them with four grandkids. Any of these activities would make for a fascinating interview and many of Bill’s peers are content to settle into retirement with a lot of golf and some Continue reading
Category Archives: ATO Alumni News
Congratulations Illinois 8A State Football Champion Coach Mike Stine ‘84
When someone reaches the pinnacle of their profession it’s certainly worth noting and one of our own, Mike Stine ’84 did that this past weekend. Mike is the Head Varsity Football Coach at Naperville Central High School and his team won the Illinois State 8A Football Championship on Saturday. The Redhawks had an incredible year fighting through the DuPage Valley Conference, arguably the toughest in the state, and then proceeding to win four straight in the playoffs against the best teams in Illinois to win the prestigious 8A crown (largest school class in Illinois).Continue reading
Mike Small ’88 in the Wall Street Journal
Check out this great article in the Wall Street Journal that quotes Illini Golf Coach and Gamma Zeta ’88, Mike Small – How Snowbelt Schools Lure Top Golf Prospects – Their Message: Bad weather Is Good for Your Game – http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304011304579220140423470258
Rob Kneupfer, Jr. 1974 Dennison recognized with Order of Merit from Hungary
“…to have no narrower limits within which to work together for the elevation of man than the outlines of the world…”
We all know those words from the ATO Creed but few exemplify them better than Robert C. Knuepfer, Jr. 1974, Dennison. Normally, we reserve reporting here for Gamma Zeta News and Rob wasn’t a Gamma Zeta. But, his grandfather, Russell S White 1917 was GZ Worthy Master in 1916/17 and his uncles, Robert L. White 1946 and David N. White 1954 are Gamma Zetas. Also, Rob served as Gamma Zeta Chapter Consultant and went on to be National Worthy Grand Chief… so, we’ll proudly claim him.
On Friday, November 22 at a reception in Chicago, Rob was honored with the Order of Merit of Hungary by Zswolt Nemeth, Deputy Foreign Minister. Rob was recognized for his years of service to Hungary and in large part for his efforts in helping Hungary transition from socialism to capitalism. Just to put Rob’s influence in perspective, he also oversaw the opening of Baker & McKenzie offices in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kiev, Tashkent, Baku, Warsaw and Prague, and helped bring high-profile U.S. companies to Hungary, including General Motors, Ford, General Electric and Pepsi.
Here’s a link to an article in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin which provides a great deal more detail about Rob – “A knight-like recognition” – http://www.chicagolawbulletin.com/Articles/2013/12/02/Amicus-Curious-Knuepfer-12-2-13.aspx
Bob Simonds (Gamma Zeta ’46) was invited to represent ATO at the reception honoring Rob. Bob was unable to attend so he invited John Aymond ’80 and Dane Luhrsen ’77 to stand in for him and they were honored to represent ATO in support of Rob at the reception.
Chapter Eternal – Dr. Mick Turk ‘61
Jim “Dobie” Dobrovolny passed on the sad note that Dr. Mick Turk ‘61 passed. Here is a link to Mick’s obituary:
http://www.news-gazette.com/obituaries/2013-11-22/michael-turk.html
“He was great friends with Dr. Bill Mohlenbrock ’61 now from San Diego. They grew up together in Murphysboro. Mick played baseball at UI and Bill played Basketball for Harry Combs here. Mick learned that he had had cancer in both of his kidneys very recently. He was a very generous and gentle man who donated much of his time in retirement to providing dental services to kids in need. I think he has a grandson on Notre Dame’s nationally ranked hockey team. Mick always had a smile and kind word for anyone, loved to play golf, smoke a cigar, and help kids.”
Jim “Dobie” Dobrovolny ‘70
“We have been the closest of friends since about the 7th grade. We played football and basketball together and no two young guys could have been closer. He left U of I early when he had the opportunity to take a seat in the dental school. He was one of us Taus. Mick had been retired for 5 or so years and was content and happy.”
Dr. Bill Mohlenbrock ‘61
Mike Finke, son of Jeff Finke ’90 signs with Illini Basketball
Jeff Finke ’90 starred on the Illini Basketball and football teams back in the late 80’s. Now his son, Mike has followed his dad’s footsteps to play for the Illini. John Groce announced this week that Mike has signed to play basketball for the Illini. Here’s a link to the announcement at FightingIllini.com – http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/111613aaa.html
Congratulations to the Finke’s!!
Chapter Eternal – Patrick B Kehoe ‘69
PK Johnson ’67 has passed on the sad news that “our good friend” Pat Kehoe ’69 passed away last week. Here’s a link to Pat’s obituary – http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20131115/news/711159736/
Honoring Gamma Zeta Servicemen on Veteran’s Day
Last week on November 11, our country honored our servicemen on Veteran’s Day. This past Saturday, the Illini football team wore helmets honoring the ten Illini football players who died in the service with special helmets displaying ten stars, one for each of these men. One of those stars recognized Gamma Zeta Bruce Capel ’65 who was killed in action in Viet Nam.
Gamma Zeta has a proud tradition of service to our country. During WWI and WWII, the house was closed down for a time due to so many of our brothers leaving for military duty. Many more served during Viet Nam and though today. Three Gamma Zetas that I’m aware of have risen to the very top ranks of our services – Major General Edward B. Giller 1940 – Air Force, Brigadier General Frank E. Blazey Jr. 1946 – Army and Rear Admiral William D. Masters, Jr. 1965 – Navy. However, over time, I’d like to record and recognize all of our Veterans in some way so please send me the information.Continue reading
Chapter Eternal – Stephen Hill ’55
We’re very sorry to pass on the news that Stephen Hill ’55 passed away last November. Stephen was originally from Springfield, IL but in his later years, lived in LaGrange. He was part of a great group of guys who became Gamma Zetas from Springfield at that time including Carl and Bob Baker, Bob Phillips, Dick Kurz, Paul Hayes and Dick Walbaum.
He earned his undergraduate degree in commerce and law in 1955 from the University of Illinois and continued his studies in law, passing the Illinois Bar Exam in 1957. Continue reading
Scott Tolzien’s Proud Father – Mike “Var” Tolzien ‘75
Check out this podcast that Bill “BB” Barry ‘77 just passed on which includes an interview that Mike “Var” Tolzein ‘75 recently did on a Wisconsin Sports Radio show regarding his son Scott who has just become the starting QB for the Green Bay Packers.
Here’s the link – http://www.620wtmj.com/podcasts/news/wisconsinafternoonnews/231800291.html
Scott was 24-34 for 339 yards last Sunday against the Giants.
Congrats to Scott and Var!!
Go Packers!!!