Class of 63 Returns, Sigma Chi Sweetheart Honored

Although the rain and lightning may have disrupted the plans for the Purdue football game, they did not dampen the spirits of those returning for the ninth reunion gathering of the Class of ’63 on September 13, 2025, at the Quality Inn, West Lafayette.  This remarkable group of brothers was led by Bill Vahle and Doug Wilton.

L-R: Bill Weigel, Nick Fritsch, Bill Frey, Eric Helt, Mike Smith, Jim Lopeman, Bill Vahle, Jim Latham, Jim Ritchie, Doug Wilton and Ralph Kuhnert

Class of ’63 Celebrates

Special thanks to Doug Wilton, Jim Lopeman, and Brenda Jeanne Althoff Wilton, who, in addition to being a gifted designer, artist, soprano, and other credits, proved once again to be a master organizer.  And thanks for the constant encouragement from Ralph Kuhnert and Nick Fritsch.

In attendance were brothers Jim Ritchie, Jim Lopeman, Bill Weigel, Jim Latham, Mike Smith, Doug Wilton, Bill Frey, Ralph Kuhnert, Nick Fritsch, Eric Helt and Bill Vahle.  In addition, seven wives attended.

Nick Fritsch ’63 wrote to all those who returned, “I am very grateful to each of you for your priceless gifts to your pledge brothers for all of our “Gatherings” over the past five decades. You have retained and enhanced the spirit, values and love we shared from 1959-1963. Life doesn’t get better than this.”  Nick presented each of his pledge brothers with a copy of the 1962 Boilermaker Sig.

Honorary Sweetheart Jill Anderson

Honorary Sweetheart Named

The Class of ’63 also took this opportunity to recognize Jill Anderson as an honorary Sweetheart of Sigma Chi.  Jill, who at the time worked for Purdue’s alumni association, had gone above and beyond to arrange for the previous returns of the Class of ’63 and Class of ’58.  Bernie Sergesketter ‘58 noted that at their last reunion Jill had arranged for his classmates to have a 30 minute visit with Purdue President Mung Chiang, a golf cart campus tour, and visits with representatives from IFC and a historian who detailed the early years of Purdue.  Phil Steele ’77 presented Jill with a Sweetheart trophy made especially for this occasion, while the brothers in attendance serenaded Jill with the Sweetheart song.  Which Bill Vahle ’63 remarked, “Sounded like we were still at 202 many years ago.”

Jill sent a text after the event:
“You have NO IDEA what tonight meant to me.  I was caught off guard in the best kind of way.  Thank you for being so gracious about me having my son in tow.  Having him see the presentation made it even more meaningful. (You all made quite an impression on him by the way.).  I am full of gratitude!”

Class of ’63 Sigs and their spouses at the Class of ’63 reunion on Sept. 13, 2025