Dan Otto

It's Thursday evening and time for the Little Apple Chorus Chapter meeting - - - great barbershop harmony, close friends, meaningful fellowship and fresh-baked treats! Life doesn't get much better than that! Unfortunately, one part of that Thursday evening experience has ceased since Ron Zelch, the provider of those treats, moved on to a new location. Ron, one of our star basses and the Director of Cake and Sweet Goods Production at the American Institute of Baking (AIB), and his lovely wife, Jan, have moved to the Kansas City area where Ron will begin a new phase of his career as the Director of Technical Assistance with the American Ingredients Corporation in Kansas City, Missouri.

For the past 9 years, Ron has been a very active member of the Little Apple Chorus. During his time with the Chapter he served as the President for two years, as the Vice President for Chapter Development and a Member at Large, each for one year, and as the editor of the InCider Press for three years. A staunch bass in the Chorus, Ron also has sung bass with the Melodians (quartet) for the past 3 years. Jan, likewise, has also been very active in support of the Chapter by helping with costumes, serving on the Creative Committee and even appearing on stage. How's that for getting two for the price of one?

It is interesting to note how Ron got started in Barbershop. Since he knew a number of Chorus members who attended the same church he had been asked several times to join; he didn't join but he routinely attended the spring show in McCain Auditorium. Dur

ing one of the performances as Ron hummed along to one of the melodies, the lady seated next to him suggested that he join the chorus. That set his mind to thinking but he still didn't join. Sometime later as he lay on his back in the hospital, the "Manhattan Music Machine" came and sang to him to raise his spirits. At that moment he decided to join the Chapter. We're certainly glad that he did!

Now, back to those fresh-baked treats. Ron, born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, is a fourth generation baker. (His son, Chris, is the fifth generation.) He graduated from Kansas State University in 1971 with a degree in Baking Science. For five years before moving to Manhattan, Ron and Jan owned and operated the Zelch Bakery in South St. Louis. Here at AIB, Ron served as the Director of Bread and Roll Production for 12 years and as the Director of Cake and Sweet Goods for the past 12 years - - hence, the fresh baked treats. Ron and his assistants teach the wholesale baking industry's bakers from around the world the art of making delicious baked goods. After the students have tasted their wares, there are always many tasty morsels remaining. Rather than allowing the remaining "goodies" to go to waste, the Little Apple Chorus has gladly consumed many of them. Thank you, Ron, and thank you AIB!

What are Ron and Jan's feelings about moving to a new community? Obviously they are torn and leave with mixed emotions. They will be leaving behind many dear friends; they will miss their beloved KSU (Jan also is a '72 KSU grad). On the other side, they are looking forward to the challenges of new jobs, the adventure of meeting new people, and perhaps living in a townhouse where someone else takes care of the lawn and gardens. Ron says he will be back to attend our Spring shows and will most likely seek out another Chapter after settling in at their new home.

In closing, here's one final tidbit about Ron. Several years ago he was chatting with a guest who was attending a Chapter meeting for the first time. The guest related that he had been a teacher in a specific school in St. Louis. Ron remarked that he had attended that school and remembered his sixth grade teacher by the name of Mr. Lewis. With that he glanced at the guest's nametag to read, "Bill Lewis." What a small, wonderful world we barbershoppers live in. Ron, thanks for singing with us. Find that next chapter soon and do your part to "Keep The Whole World Singing."