1940s
1940s
40 Class Secretary — Rebecca Antas ’08;
505 N. Lakeshore Drive, No. 3401, Chicago IL 60611; 630-254-4485; rebecca.antas@gmail.com
41 Goodbye to a Friend
I am sad to report the passing of Martin Ingwersen in October, just one month short of his 98th birthday. Marty was a great correspondent in the recent years and kept me updated about the many things keeping him busy. Whether by email or a note on social media (he had connected with me on LinkedIn a few years ago), he loved sharing what he was involved with down in Vero Beach FL. I appreciated his commentary on Irish sports, and news that he was still getting back to campus once a year. Marty was back in South Bend in September for one last game with four generations of his family. He was beloved by his fellow members of the ND Club of Vero Beach, where he was active and is already greatly missed. He was also a member of Elks Lodge and Power Squadron of Vero Beach. A fantastic athlete, Marty played offensive and defensive end at ND under Coach Elmer Layden. After graduation, he entered the Navy, serving in Portsmouth NH and then in the Pacific during WWII. Marty went on to a distinguished career in shipbuilding and was president of Lockheed Shipbuilding at the time of his retirement. Marty was married 62 years to his wife, Blanche (also known as “Bink”), who passed away in 2009. Marty’s final resting place, alongside Bink, is Cedar Grove Cemetery. He was a great Notre Dame Man who is missed by family members and friends. Please remember them in your prayers. — Meg Julian ’03, ’06JD; 11 E. 36th St., No. 603, New York NY 10016; 646-246-5480; megjulian@gmail.com
42 Class Secretary — John Kirby;
110 Upland Road, Kentfield CA 94904; res/fax 415-925-0544; cell 415-272-4016; Ann Schanuel; annjolene2@aol.com
43 Class Secretary — Bob Masters ’05;
202 Remington Court North Drive, Apt. C, Mishawaka IN 46545; res 574-904-8315; bus 574-234-0121; a.robert.masters@gmail.com
44 Would Love to Hear from You
It has been a quiet quarter for communications. I hope that you are enjoying sunny, warm weather and good health somewhere. Send me a postcard. — Laura (Julian) Fraser ’00; 989 Belaire Court, Naperville IL 60563; 773-255-9843; lejulian00@yahoo.com
45 Changing of the Guard
The University notified me of the passing of James C. Butler in October. Raymond F. Baddour and Brother Fulgence J. Dougherty passed in December. I will add more information when family contacts me. Pete Hosbein, son of John Waldron Hosbein, contacted me about his father. John went peacefully in his sleep in March 2016. At Notre Dame, John joined the V12 Navy College Training Program. John served in WWII as a lieutenant in the Pacific Theatre on the USS Terror. Later while stationed in San Diego, he met Rosemarie. They married and raised their family in Glencoe IL. John worked for M.H. Derrick Company until his retirement as president in 1995. He rode his bicycle to the train station every day of the year to catch the train into the city. Following retirement, John moved to Prescott AZ, then to Woodstock GA to be closer to family. John was a brilliant man, the guy who soldered together Heathkit radios and later built computers. John could speak on all topics. He had wonderful life stories to share with his grandchildren. James “Jim” Ruff’s daughter wrote of her father’s passing on Dec. 15. Sue described her parents’ last trip to ND. Sue wanted something special as her father’s health was declining and her mother had Alzheimer’s. Sue won an auction package to the Notre Dame-Navy game: airfare for four in a blue and gold single engine private plane, game tickets and dinner. Sue and her husband outbid everyone, so Jim and his wife could experience the Golden Dome one last time. It was a wonderful trip, which they talked about many times, despite the Alzheimer’s. They say early memories never fail, and it was as if they were back on campus in the 1940s. Jim also collected more than 20 Notre Dame baseball caps of various colors and sayings. The caps are being distributed among the grandkids and great grandkids. Mike Cushing ’80 shared the news that his father, Vincent Cushing ’45, ’46MS, passed away on February 1. “When growing up, I didn't fully appreciate his great affection for Notre Dame,” Mike wrote. “I'm still not sure I comprehend the depth of that affection. He was the last of the children of John F. Cushing, after whom the Cushing Hall of Engineering was named. His father graduated from Notre Dame, as did three of his brothers, five of his sons, and three of his grandchildren. He leaves Marie, his wife of 72 years, eight children, sixteen grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Notre Dame's Vincent and Marie Cushing Scholarship fund continues to support students at this very special school.” Our prayers are with the Cushing family. Robert “Bob” Thomas recalled that he met Jim Ruff in February 1944 when some Navy V12 men transferred to the NROTC program. Bob, Jim and roommate Jack Phipps lived in Walsh Hall. After graduation, Bob did not see Jim until the mid-1960s when they got together in Chicago, San Diego, San Francisco, and later in Plano TX. They attended reunions together in ’85, ’90, ’95, ’00 and ’05. Though not many of this class are still living, Bob has contact information for John Caron, Bill Glad, Thad Harrington, Jack Hasten, Art Kartman, Frank McFadden, and Denny Scully. If in Monterey CA, look for Bob. He moved closer to his daughters and enjoys a nice retirement place about a mile from the ocean. “It is hard to keep a sailor too far away from salt water.” Bob Thomas provided a great class memory. One night four NROTC guys returned to Walsh Hall after a few beers. They had a horse with them. Yes, a real live four-legged horse. They brought it into Walsh and got it onto the second deck. (Floors were called decks in those days). With a lot of manpower, they managed to get that horse back down to the ground floor and eventually to the owner’s farm. The four culprits regretted that the farmer had only one horse. If they had found three more, they would have brought them also. Thereafter they were called The Four Horsemen. — Melissa Erkins Rackish ’77; 1224 Campbell St., Williamsport PA 17701; 570-326-4289; mrackish@comcast.net
46 Class Secretary — Paul Taggett;
10 W. Grove Ave., D15, Lake Wales FL 33853; paultaggett@gmail.com
47 Bowling and Other Musings
Ed Sweeney wrote to correct my missive about the recent first Irish bowl victory since 1994, which was the last Irish Jan. 1 bowl game win. John Molinarolo wrote, “the days to get Christmas needs completed are short. At 91, and nearing 92, I am thankful for life as it moved through the years. My military history is linked with Notre Dame and I feel good that Notre Dame and Navy were good to have known. At my time in life, I would hope the seven-hour drives to enjoy a ND game and a walk through the campus, but not so. A visit to the Grotto or Mass in beautiful Sacred Heart Basilica. Let us have another Go Irish.” Classmates who will be missed include George A. Conway Sr., 94, of Maplewood NJ, who died on Oct. 1. George was born in Morristown NJ and lived in Summit NJ, and Chatham NJ, before moving to Maplewood four years ago. He served in the Army during World War II as a master gunner with the Coast Artillery in Hawaii, and then as a sergeant chief surveyor in Saipan. He graduated from Notre Dame with a BS in aeronautical engineering and went on to receive a master's degree from Stevens Institute of Technology. From 1979 to 1987, George was president of Conway & Grant Engineering in Summit, where he was also an active member of the Knights of Columbus and the Old Guard. He was an avid outdoorsman with a lifelong love of skiing, fishing, and boating on the waters of Chatham and Cape Cod. George is survived by two sons and four grandchildren.
Charles L. Becchetti, 94, of Bloomington MN died on Aug. 12. Charlie was an accountant in the mining and health insurance industries. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Filomena, who told me he was an amazing provider, husband and father. They have two children and five grandchildren. I look forward to hearing from class members with news and stories. Call or email me. — Michael Morris ’80; 949-433-8568; michaelmorris07@gmail.com
48 Fond Farewells
Phyllis Peters Look of Royal Oak MI wrote to update us on the passing of her husband, Carl, and his brother, Tom. Carl A. Look died on June 24, 2015 at the age of 92. He was the older brother of Thomas Look, who died on Dec. 28, 2016. Carl and Tom both died at age 92. Tom was the last of four brothers, three of whom were members of the Class of 1948. We are also sad to report the passing of Thomas J. Hessert Sr. on Oct. 15, Thomas L. Phillips DDS on Dec. 10 and Joseph T. Kivlin Jr. on Dec. 19. Please send updates and memories, as the Class of ’48 appreciates hearing from you. — Eileen Surprenant ’09, ’15; eileen.surprenant@gmail.com
49 Let Me Hear You
I enjoyed a chat with our old coach and classmate Terry Brennan in the press box at the North Carolina State game. Terry was honored on the field that day. We talked a bit about our classroom days and even recalled with delight his great touchdown run against Army. As we talked, a call came in from John Lujack congratulating Terry on the recognition. John was unable to get to the game but just had to make the call. Two of our greatest athletes were kibitzing via the phone. President Al Lesko moved his headquarters temporarily down to Key Largo for a little snowbird R&R. This season, women’s and men’s varsity basketball teams have been plagued with injuries to key players. I haven’t seen so much tape being used for our cagers since they prepped Kevin O’Shea’s knees for games in the old fieldhouse. Do you remember? Very little news is coming this way these days. As the ranks dwindle, so do the efforts to get updates on events, awards and highlights from classmates. Can you help? — Joe O’Brien; 18120 Cloverleaf Drive, South Bend IN 46637; 574 271-8323; obie48nd@comcast.net