In Memory
Don McMasters ’53 donated more than 200 pieces of art to Wabash. 46 John F. Fee, 86, died August 20 in Monticello, IN. Born October 4, 1924, in Frankfort, IN, he was the son of Mae and Clarence Fee. He lived in the Monticello area most of his life and was a 1942 graduate of Monticello High School. He attended Wabash for three semesters and was a member of the football team and Kappa Sigma. He also attended the University of Wisconsin, where he played football. Fee sold insurance at Heiny Insurance Agency for several years. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Fee was an ISHAA official of football and basketball games throughout the state of Indiana for more than 25 years, including two state basketball championship games, and also officiated some college football games. He is survived by his wife, Doris Fee, 4481 N. West Shafer Drive, Monticello, IN 47960; daughters, Patti Wright and Suzanne Smock; and son, John Fee. Dr. William S. “Bill” Wright, 86, died August 7 in Sun City, AZ. Born September 18, 1924, in Crawfordsville, he was the son of Evelyn and Herman Wright. As a youngster, Wright caddied and played golf. He won the Indiana amateur tennis championship at the age of 16 and played varsity basketball throughout his high school years. While attending Wabash, he was a member of the basketball team and Kappa Sigma. Wright then went to Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN, and opened optometry practices in both North Carolina and Missouri. Throughout his working years, Wright enjoyed traveling and, especially, playing golf. He retired in 1986 to Leisure World resort in Mesa, AZ. Wright is survived by his wife of 63 years, Carolyn Wright, 10015 West Royal Oak Rd #227, Sun City, AZ 85351; three children; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
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Karl Overbeck, 92, died June 19 in Monticello, IN. Born February 16, 1919, in Indianapolis, he was the son of Emma and William Overbeck. Overbeck went to George Washington High School in Indianapolis, where he played football and basketball. He then went onto Wabash College, transferring to Indiana University School of Law and graduating in 1947 with his J.D. Overbeck practiced law in Fountain County (IN) from 1947 until 1950. He was prosecutor there from 1950 to 1960. He then moved to the Monticello community where he opened his law office on South Illinois Street from 1960 and practiced until 1975. Then he was appointed to complete the term of Judge Maurice Zerface in of 1975. He was then elected the Judge of
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White County, IN, Circuit Court serving from 1975 until retirement in 1987. Overbeck is survived by his wife, Carla Overbeck, 606 Orchard Lane, Monticello, IN 47960; sons, James “JimJimmy” Overbeck and William “Bill” Overbeck; stepdaughter, Melissa Alexander; stepson, Jon Noe; one grandson; and several step-grandchildren.
54 G. Richard Myers, 79 died July 4 in Hot Springs Village, AR. Born November 14, 1931, in Saltville, VA, he was the son of Eleanor and Clyde Myers. While attending Wabash, Myers was a member of the cross-country and track teams, Glee Club, and was an independent. After Wabash, Myers received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in library science from Kent State University. He served as a medic in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, stationed at Fort Lewis, WA. He is survived by his brother, Burwell Myers.
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Dr. John B. Fitzgerald, 80, died May 26 in Fredericksburg, TX. Born May 19, 1931, he was the son of Anna and Donald Fitzgerald. While attending Wabash, he was a biology major and was a member of the Sphinx Club, football team, and Phi Delta Theta. After graduating from Wabash, he entered Indiana University School of Medicine, where he received his M.D. in 1956. He moved to Houston and completed his residency in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at Baylor University College of Medicine in 1964. He practiced surgery at St. Joseph Hospital for 30 years, where he was director of general surgery residency program, academic chief of surgery, and chief of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery. He received several honors, including Distinguished Surgeon of the Houston Surgical Society. Fitzgerald published extensively and was active in various professional groups. He served as a seaman with the U.S. Naval Reserve, captain in the U.S. Air Force, Medical Corps; lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve Medical Corps; and thoracic surgeon at the 351st Surgical Hospital. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Roma Fitzgerald, 109 Scenic Ridge Drive, Fredericksburg, TX 78624; daughter, Kathleen Garant; sons, John Fitzgerald and William Fitzgerald; and nine grandchildren. Gordon Smith, 76, died March 22 in Indianapolis. Born May 15, 1933, he was a member of the Glee Club and Phi Gamma Delta while attending Wabash. Smith was in the private practice of law for more than 50 years with the law firm of Hume, Smith, Geddes, Green & Simmons, LLP, formerly known as Smith and Jones. He was a member of the Indianapolis, Indiana State, and American Bar Associations, and the Estate Planning Council of Indianapolis. He was a founder, former president and
board member of the IAC Sports Foundation and the IAC Arts Foundation. He was a lifelong Optimist Club member, and President and Lt. Governor of that organization. He is survived by his son, Gordon Smith; daughter, Linda Tatum; and ten grandchildren.
56 Richard N. Puls, 77, died August 25, from injuries sustained from a sudden brain aneurism. Born May 13, 1934, in Cincinnati, OH, he was the son of Charlotte and Rudolph Puls. He was a graduate of Walnut Hills High School of Cincinnati in 1952 and graduated cum laude from Wabash College in 1956. While at Wabash, he served as president of the senior class, president of Sigma Chi, and had a track record in the 440 that held for 10 years after his graduation. After Wabash he graduated from the University of Cincinnati Medical School in 1960. After an internship in Cincinnati, he came to the Ventura County General Hospital in 1962 for his residency. He was a diplomat of the American Board of Family Practice, served as chief of staff at the Community Memorial Hospital in 1989, and was president of the Ventura County Medical Association. He served the community for 46 years before retiring in September 2010. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Dolly Puls, 7398 Jackson Street, Ventura, CA 93003; children, Adrienne Leigh Jones, Allyson Scott Puls-Dharmadji, and Grady Puls; and four grandchildren.
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John Waechter, 74, died July 25 in Palatine, IL. Born December 20, 1936, in South Bend, IN, he was a member of the Sphinx Club and Delta Tau Delta while attending Wabash. Waechter was a professor and after teaching for 30 years at Northeastern Illinois University, he retired in 1997. He was an avid reader and loved to golf. He was past president of the Men's Club at the Glenview Golf Club. Waechter is survived by his wife, Karen Waechter, 493 South Burno Drive, Palatine, IL 60067; children, John, Jim, Julie, and Mick; four grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; sister, Barbara Good; and brother, Bob Waechter.
60 Robert S. “Bob” Ploski, 73, died August 8 in Crown Point, IN. Ploski was a graduate of East Chicago Roosevelt High School where he was a member of the undefeated 1955 State Championship Football Team. While attending Wabash, he was a member of the Sphinx Club and Phi Delta Theta. Ploski retired from Pepsi Cola Company after 42 years of service and was a member of Teamster's Local #142. Ploski was named a Sagamore of the Wabash by Indiana Governor Frank O’Bannon.