One of Dan’s last wishes on this Earth was to establish a Student Benevolence Fund at his alma mater, Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. This fund would serve students who need help paying living expenses that may burden their ability to receive a quality education. The fund will be available through the University Lutheran Church in West Lafayette.

Back when Dan was a student at Purdue, he crossed paths with a student who was homeless, and he didn’t have the opportunity to help him. He said that now and then, he would remember that missed opportunity, which would bother him. But Dan wanted nothing more than to help students like that and believed the best way would be through the church. This way, the church could connect to students down on their luck who may desire a relationship with God.

Dan R. Stoppenhagen was a member of the National pan-Lutheran Fraternity Beta Sigma Psi while he attended Purdue. He continued to support Beta Sigma Psi for the rest of his life, acting as Alumni Vice President and joining other alums to restore the landscaping and exterior at the house in early 2021. Alumni President Jeffrey Williams had this to say about Dan;

“His leadership, insight, and drive have been instrumental in fundraising, running the business of our fraternity, and keeping to our core values. Without his guidance, I don’t think we would have pulled through the COVID-19 years as well as we did.”

Instead of flowers or other condolence gifts, please consider donating to Dan’s Benevolence Fund.

Thank you, everyone,

Danielle, Austin, Laurie, and Gloria