Major General Gerald H. 'Jerry' Bethke served as president of the Rufus King class of June, 1953. He did his undergraduate work at Ripon College and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army at his graduation from Ripon in 1957. His military schooling included Airborne, Ranger, and Air Assault School, the Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College.

General Bethke had a wide variety of command and staff assignments including tours in Vietnam, Korea, Germany, Hawaii, and Alaska. He served with several infantry, airborne, and ranger units and had four tours of duty with the 101st Airborne Division. He retired as Deputy Commanding General of Second U.S. Army.

General Bethke's awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legions of Merit (with three Oak Leaf Clusters), the Bronze Star Medal with 'V' Devise (with Oak Leaf cluster), the Meritorious Medal (with Oak Leaf cluster, the Air Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, The Army Commendation Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, the Army General Staff Identification Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Ranger Tab, the Master Parachutist Badge (with Bronze Star), and the Air Assault Badge.

General Bethke retired in 1989 after 32 years of service and now is involved in volunteer activities in Schertz, Texas. He is married to Phyl Highsmith of Springfield, Tennessee. They have two children and five grandchildren.