233 fraternity and I came back to national headquarters to plead our case. The national headquarters was in Oxford, Ohio and it happened to be the fraternity’s 100th anniversary (1948). After we got back from headquarters, we had a big dance to celebrate the anniversary. Low and behold, my partner for that dance was Dean Dove’s daughter. I don't know whether she pulled strings or what. But she knew I was there because I'd taken the day to come over and visit Western States. Dean Dove escorted me on a tour of Western States. After that day I went back to school. It was my senior year starting in 1948. Then in the spring of 1949, my grandfather called me into the office. Dudley was there. He offered me a job. For four years, I served as an assistant sugar technologist and worked with George Stevens. After that I moved into sales holding many positions. My job consisted of lots of traveling; Hawaii, Canada, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, South Africa and throughout the United States. I became president at WSMC from 1970 to 1991 and retired after 42-years of service. — Bob Jones THE PEOPLE At Western States, we are serious about our work and at the same time we have fun. I acquired experience as an engineering clerk which helped me work in the cost accounting department for Dixie Kurtz. The three years I experienced in engineering and the seven years in cost accounting led me to the job I have today. I love working at Western States because of the people. Back in the 1970s, we had a softball team that didn’t win a game the first year. But after a few years of playing together, we won the city’s Industrial Softball League. Another time I remember the company allowed Carl Bell and Jim Neal to each give me 2-1/2 days of their vacation when my wife had surgery in St. Louis. The people of Western States were so compassionate and thoughtful when my son died suddenly four years ago. To date my greatest achievement is being with WSMC for 47 years (and still counting). While I have been at Western States, Dixie Kurtz by far had the biggest influence on me. I worked for her for seven years in the cost accounting department and I had the utmost respect for her because of her work ethic and the way she treated everyone in the company. — Ken Tobergte OLDIES BUT GOODIES John Madaffari left us on November 10, 2016. Before that time, I just couldn’t have imagined coming to work and not have Johnny. I saw him every day. Western States was a better place because of his presence and the effort he invested during the last 50 years. I always enjoyed talking and working with him. We are so thankful for his dedication, humility, hard work, cheerful attitude, and uncompromising spirit. My memories of Western States relate more to the sentimental things than funny things that have occurred here. It makes me sad seeing some of the “old ones” retire over the years and knowing how much we miss them - I truly miss them. — Angie Turner