1950s

50 Rest in Peace

On March 23, 2014, Richard Vollstedt passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife of almost 64 years, Donna Mae (Windishar), three of their six children and the oldest of their 16 grandchildren. Dick also had four great grandchildren. He was a wonderful husband and father. Dick often said that besides marrying his high school sweetheart, his greatest assets were his six children, all of whom graduated from the Catholic university or college of their choice. Dick loved Notre Dame and especially enjoyed watching the football games. He could name almost every coach and every player every year up until his passing. He will be missed. This class is in need of a new secretary. Please reach out to the Alumni Association at ndalumni@nd.edu if you’re willing to take over this column.

51 Alumni Band

Hi everybody. The football season ended. We had some highlights and some disappointing moments. Now, we go forward with a new year and high hopes. I want to start off by telling you a story that I was not aware of, submitted by Bob Murphy of Granger IN. Did y’all know that we had an Alumni Band, a band from all graduating classes that numbers about 600, and plays openly every four years? Anyway, I didn’t. Bob Murphy is the only member from our class who is a member. Since the Stanford Band was banned from playing at Notre Dame several years ago because of half-time antics on the field, the Alumni Band marches from the administration building to the stadium and at half-time does the same routines as the student band. Remember, however, they only perform every four years, so 2018 will be the next time. Bob has marched and played with the Alumni Band since it was initiated about 15 years ago. Bob says it is a total thrill to participate. Bill Kelly of Louisville relates that he attended Leo Brennan’s funeral in Bloomfield Hills MI last summer. Bill said that he and Leo had been close friends since their freshman year in ’47. Leo spent many years with the Ford Motor Co. working in their charitable foundation, passing out Ford money for worthwhile causes. As a personal note, I can agree with Bill in saying Leo was one of the really nice people in our class. Al Bailey of Ann Arbor Ml advises that in early September he and Mary represented Notre Dame when U of Michigan had an inauguration for their president. Al said he asked the new president to help in getting the two football teams back playing again. That’s a good thought. Guys, in our last column, I mentioned that my Jane has a new book out: Prominent People of Notre Dame, Past & Present, Cookbook. It is a wonderful book with recipes submitted by Father Jenkins and Father Malloy, Lou Holtz, Lou Nanni ’84, John Huarte ’65, Andy McKenna and many more. Each of you will be proud to have this book. It is much more than a cookbook. For those of you in the South Bend area, it is in the bookstore. Others can let us know, and we will tell you how to order. Our bio this time is from Walton Collins, a really outstanding writer. Writing was his career. After a short period with a small newspaper in central Indiana, he moved back to South Bend where he joined the newsroom staff of the South Bend Tribune, becoming the paper’s associate editor. In 1969, he went to work on the South Bend campus of Indiana U. In 1983, he became editor of Notre Dame Magazine, a job he held until 1995. He also taught in Notre Dame’s journalism program. Walt and Carol Huebner, a Saint Mary’s graduate, were married in 1952, and raised five children. They met at a Sunday tea dance. Remember them? Parkinson’s has hurt Walt’s activities in the past few years, but he and Carol are happy. He has stayed at a place that he loves. They live in Holy Cross Village. Guys, consider joining us at the Reunion in June. We promise you a good time, and you will leave saying, “I am glad I came.” Also, don’t forget our Mass Fund, which is getting low and needs your support. — Jim Gillis; 3627 Rossmoor Parkway, No. 4, Walnut Creek CA 94595; 925-932-6454; jimjanegillis@aol.com

52 New Names and Older Ones

As I write, our faithful and effective class secretary, Ted Foley, lies in a hospital bed just a few miles from here in Jupiter FL, recovering from a fractured femur and broken rib. Ted suffered the breaks in a fall in a gym while he was working out and had surgery on the femur a couple of days later. It will be a lengthy recovery but hopefully, by the time you read this, Ted will be moving around again and leading his normal, active life. In the meantime, Ted asked me, your class VP, to prepare this edition of our Class Notes. During the winter, Colleen and Ted live about a half mile away from Mary and me, so it was easy for him to see that I received all the letters he had received from you. One of those letters was from his fellow New Jerseyite, Bob Butler. Bob’s career included roles as chief financial officer and board member of several large American corporations. He recently was inducted into the Financial Executives International Hall of Fame. Bob readily credits the education he received at ND for helping to prepare him for his successful business career. Bob and Eileen enjoy time spent with their three sons and several grandchildren. Brian Duff also checked in with Ted. He and his wife, Florence ’53SMC, enjoy five children and 11 grandchildren. After his discharge from the Navy, Brian graduated from DePaul Law School in 1962 and embarked on a career which took him into the insurance industry. He became a member of the Illinois legislature, spent six years as an Illinois state judge and finally was a US District Court judge. Brian has been involved in many community activities and maintains a special interest in the ND fencing team. When he was a student at ND, Bob made two trips to the National Fencing Championships. Carl Eiberger is another classmate who had a very successful legal career. Carl showed his appreciation for that success by doing lots of pro bono work for impoverished clients. He served on the ND Law Association Board as well as the ND Alumni Club in Denver. Carl is suffering from partial loss of hearing. Some of our classmates have also achieved success in the news industry. Bob Flynn spent 38 years working for the Birmingham News in Alabama. He feels bad about the modern condition of journalism and believes we have too many opinion makers and too few news reporters. Bob and his wife, Mary, moved to Prescott AZ in 2005, and he is thankful that she was able to nurse him through his recovery from open heart surgery three years ago. Bob and Mary have four children. Rudy Unger is another journalist who got in touch with Ted. As freshmen, Rudy and I lived down the hall from each other in Zahm and since we were both journalism majors, it’s always good to hear from Rudy, who spent 39 years in the newspaper industry in Chicago, including 36 years as a reporter-writer for the Tribune. After he retired, Rudy began writing books on a wide variety of subjects, including two travel books and one about Tinley Park, the near south side neighborhood where he and his wife, Theresa, grew up and where they still live. Bob Daugherty spent most of his career making it possible for American industry to compete. After graduation he was employed as a sales engineer in St. Louis for a machine tool distributor. The company closed in 1972 so Bob founded Daugherty & Associates and for 50 years he sold tools and supplies to manufacturing firms all over the Midwest. He served on the board of directors of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and was its president in 1980. During his term, the society formed an education foundation that offers scholarships to engineering students, including several who attended ND. Bob and Rosemary, who now live in Overland Park KS, were married on Jan. 29, 1955 and are celebrating their 60th anniversary with their five children on the very day that these Class Notes are being written. Happy anniversary to Bob and Rosemary. I was glad to see that Ted got a note from a fellow Iowan, Bill Kramer. Bill and Joyce live in Ottumwa IA and have five children. While a student at ND, Bill was a football manager and fought in the Bengal Bouts. He continued his interest in sports by being a successful coach and teacher at Ottumwa High School. He and Joyce are enjoying their retirement by paying attention to their garden and their golf games. They also enjoy taking in the school and other activities of their children and grandchildren. Chuck Linsenmeyer writes from St. Charles MO. He and his wife, Ginny, have enjoyed 51 years together. Chuck graduated from ND with a degree in civil engineering and became an MD in 1959. He practiced orthopedic surgery in St. Charles until 2005. He and Ginny now spend most of their time enjoying their 12 children and many grandchildren. Ted also heard from Dana Fitzpatrick, who was in the Navy after graduation. After his discharge he joined the family business, Fitzpatrick & Weller, which is 120 years old. The company is part of the wooden furniture industry. Dana is chairman of the board; his two sons run the company, which has about 100 employees. He and Bernice just celebrated their 59th anniversary and their marriage was blessed with five children and 10 grandchildren. Dana and Bernice actually met while skiing, and they still maintain an interest in skiing at Ellicottville NY, a small town south of Buffalo. I am confident that Ted will be able to write the next edition of Class Notes, so please make his job easier by keeping information coming to him. — Joe Straub on behalf of Edward F. Foley; 212 Ocean Road, Spring Lake NJ 07762; 732-449-0753; tedfoleysr@aol.com

53 Spring Is Coming

Andy Adelhardt “celebrated” his 86th birthday riding a Mid-Valley Club bus from New York with his five children, their mates, and two grandchildren to attend the Stanford game. Tailgating dulled the reality of the rain-plagued game. Andy pledges to “do it every year he can.” Jim Ehinger is temporarily headed to Hilton Head to avoid the Lansing winters. Jack Coyne retired just in time to care for wife Mary, who fell and broke her hip. Mary is improving at this writing. Terry Britt has relocated from Denver to Tucson. He joins John Fortino. Terry reports that Dick Casper and Jay Curly are well, though slow to join him on a trip to Costa Rica. Ron Wong reports that after 15 years of supporting various ND alumni programs, he is turning his attentions to the local veterans’ group. “From California, that’s a lot of frequent flier miles.” We recall that Ron retired from the Navy after 20 years and is known for his cheers at Class functions. He regrets he couldn’t lead a cheer for Larry Murray, our hard-working webmaster. John Murray notes that he and his wife are “without life-threatening” problems and that a grandson is a freshman at ND, “enjoying life except for the team’s collapse.” John Tuberty has sent a couple of nice notes from his home in Weybridge, Surrey, England. John took issue with my broadcast reference to his having lived on a “houseboat.” It was a yacht. John is seeking information as to the status of Bob Sebold’s airplane building, a shared interest. Dave Fox is “playing Nurse Ratchet” to his wife who broke her wrist in early December. Assuredly she is healing rapidly under his care. Gus Freda, retired professor of metallurgy at Pitt, moved to Kokomo to be closer to his sons. One is in Kokomo and the other in South Bend, working at ND. Gus is going to Hawaii to visit a granddaughter and her three children. Pat Lee is positioned right off a golf course in Palm City FL. Pat is a devoted golfer and writer. Some physical problems have limited his golf and that of his wife but they are soldiering along. Their four children are fine. Charles Manion winters in Ft. Myers. He keeps in touch with his Louisville roommate, Dennis Haugh, a retired lawyer. Charlie is a friend of Dodger manager Don Mattingly, an Evansville friend, so the Manions are pulling for the Dodgers to win the World Series. Due to a balky computer and a pronounced inability to get off my caboose, I have been neglectful in acknowledging individual Class Mass Fund contributions. Don’t allow my neglect to diminish the appreciation. Father Tom Smith, CSC, assures me of inclusion of our classmates and families in need of his daily prayers. Please continue your thoughtfulness. Checks should be made payable to ND Class of 1953 Mass Fund. Two recent reported deaths have diminished our group: Father Gene Gorski, CSC, and Father Gene Zimpfer, SJ. Father Gorski entered the Holy Cross seminary after graduating with a degree in commerce. He accumulated more than one doctorate, studied abroad, taught at the college level, and was an acclaimed rector on the ND Campus. His avocation was music and theater, though his subject was theology. He lived in retirement at Corby Hall. Father Zimpfer earned a degree in physics and entered the Jesuit seminary immediately after graduation. His career was leading Jesuit high schools in the Buffalo area, and he enjoyed a reputation as a noted innovator in computer learning and sports affiliations. Health problems necessitated his move to a New York Jesuit facility for the last two years of his life. Please pray for the deceased and ailing classmates and families. Send information about your activities by letter or email, and sign up for the email broadcasts if you haven’t been receiving the missives. — John T. Mulvihill; 60413 Sumption Trail, South Bend IN 46614; res 574-287-3460; domerhill@aol.com

Class Secretary — Bob Berry;

5806 Spaulding St., Omaha NE 68104; 402-457-4142; Yokeemup@aol.com

54 Thanks, Food for Thought

I’d like to begin by asking each of you to take a few moments to thank God for the many gifts we have received during our 80-plus years, beginning with our spouses, our immediate family, our extended Class of ’54 family, our health, successful careers, living in the United States, and the prayers many of us have received for ourselves and family during illnesses. You can expand the list as applicable. Here is a 2015 football coaching news flash: Milt Beaudine moved to an assisted living facility in Clemson SC on Jan. 21 in order to scout the Clemson Tigers in an effort to help Brian Kelly in preparing for the game with Clemson on Oct. 3. Notre Dame has not decided what will be the Senior Game in 2015. As in past years, Tom Campbell will continue to have a tailgate gathering for our minireunion and before every home game. The following is my schedule for ordering group tickets. In February, I provide the Notre Dame ticketing committee with our estimate for 2015. Remember, the class group tickets do not impact the lottery application numbers you can apply for on a general basis. You can also order tickets through me for friends and family and yourself. I’ve ordered 30 tickets for each of the past three years for our class for the Senior Game. In March I confirm our estimate, as well as let them know if we need any handicap seats and give them the name of the person who will be picking up the will-call tickets. In April I will be invoiced. Father Dave Burrell, who is responsible for the educational activities of natives in Bangladesh, returned to Notre Dame on January for rehab after suffering a mini stroke. I recommend you go to our class website (http://1954.undclass.org) to read some of his comments regarding the people in that part of the world. Young at heart: On Aug. 15, Carol Kraus, the wife of Paul Kraus, set another milestone for our class by skydiving from 14,000 feet to celebrate her 80th birthday. Again I refer you to our website for more details on the jump. Tom McHugh, a high school coaching legend, was inducted into the Toledo Central Catholic High School Hall of Fame in recognition of the school having won the 1962 Ohio State Football Championship. Is this our Tom? I just learned that Leon Blank published on Kindle and Nook his fourth novel, The Nun’s Baby. The following is a financial update: In 2013-14 students received $115.5 million in University need-based scholarships. This was 2.6 percent over the previous year. Studies conducted six months after graduation show that Notre Dame student entry salary was $54,510. That is more than $10,000 above the national average. Total gifts to our class endowment fund as of June 2014 totaled $171,092 and cumulative distributions were $84,941.The following are the known deceased since our last issue: John Gorman, James Kalo, Robert Martin, Louis Tabley, Kevin Doyle, Raymond Bubick, William Burke Jr., Joseph Depies, Kenneth Melchior, Gerald Turley, Bob Ineich, G. Thomas Kellton, Karl Gensler, Cater Joseph. Additional details can be found on our website. — George Koch; 4758 Curtis Lane, Clarkston MI 48346; 248-623-0973

54JD Remembering a Hero

I just got word of the death of George Hero in Florida. He was class of 1952 undergrad and would have been ’54 or ’55 law but had to go into the Army for the Korean War. He then got his JD from Miami, and of all things, became Miami U general counsel. George was a great person. He was the first Rudy, 20 years before Rudy. He worked double shifts, 16 hours a day, doing tough work in hot Gary steel mills to pay for his ND education. I was a garbage man 28 hours a week. I also worked in the loud ND kitchens, losing now 60 percent of my hearing, which is bad for a preeminent trial lawyer. I know we all had it tough and many of us worked on the graveyard shift at Studebaker while in school. I thought this was amazing that George worked l6 hours a day and many summers to get his ND education. Truly, George Hero was a hero. Let’s hear from you. Don Ward says rumors of his death were wrong. — Carl Eiberger; 14330 Fairview Lane, Golden CO 80401; 303-278-0707; carleiberger@comcast.net

55 Register Now for 60th

If you haven’t yet registered for our big 60th reunion, do so today. You can do it online at my.nd.edu, or with the printed form. Hats off to Angela and Hugh Schaefer, who hosted their 20th Desert Fling. Early registrants included Dick Mueller, Bill Clusserath, Ellie Fox, Jim Rickling, Mike Jackman, Charles Pollnow, Dan Moore, Bob McGrath, Joe McGraw, Denny Conway, Dick Burke, Carl Peters and your scribe. Father Joe O’Donnell again was the celebrant. Father Jim Blantz, his compadre in Phoenix, spent the summer in southern California. Chuck Doherty, Dick Connelly and Jack Flynn chaired a Florida Fling that attracted Jack McMahon, Jim Costello, Art Sullivan, Bucky Janssen, Tony Vallace, Owen Dugan, Ed Dempsey, Don Pizzatello, Jim Vachris, John Murnane, Jim Barry, Jim Stevens, Owen Sodetz, Chuck Bennett, Don Shanley, Bob Fisher and Suzie Burns. The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine has established the Queenan Fellowship for Global Health in honor of John Queenan’s work in the field. I bumped into Warren Youngstrom at a jazz concert here in the Desert. Walt Flaherty is still tearing up the Hilton Head golf courses, while Sandra just posted a 73 to join the ‘Shoot Your Age’ club. Any other new members of that club? When not travelling, Pat Kearns enjoys the recently installed elevator to the second floor master bedroom. I believe Hollywood just made the life story of Paul “Birdman” Cardinal. Our Birdman captained the California Tennis Club’s senior 3.5 team to a tie for the championship, and Paul was named MVP. Who else plays tennis regularly? Frank Tonini spent the holidays with his son’s family in Australia, and then checked in from Singapore on his return home to Rapallo, Italy. It is always good to hear from Leo Callaghan after another trip to assist the needy parish in Haiti. Moira Fox, Ed and Ellie’s daughter, joined Leo’s group for the trip. Connie McCarty isn’t too happy with some of Coach Kelly’s assistant coaches and lets Splinters hear about it regularly. Jim Stevens sent me photocopies of some 1950s shots, one an interior of Sacred Heart with Jim in the front row, and the other a wedding party with John Sennett, Bob McCaron, Jim Korte and Jim in the photo. Jack Battel again enjoyed a family Christmas gathering at his son’s home in Gulf Breeze FL. After 10 years of retirement, Larry Harrison is working part time as a consultant at the only nuclear research reactor in Idaho. John Connaughton sends word that Ed Kelly is still practicing law in Indianapolis. Tom Magill asks that I tell Jerry Hughes that he never suffered a TKO, but did wind up a bloody mess after most Bengal Bouts (although he only lost one). Bob Phillips again hosted his family for Christmas at the Harvard Club in New York. I enjoyed receiving Joe Meyer’s electronic postcards from Turkey. Emmet Root, who spends the winter in Scottsdale, arranged an earlier golf trip to Bandon Dunes. John Aquilla’s long and distinguished baseball career may be over after tearing up his left rotator, muscles and tendons, although he hopes to continue operating his senior baseball academy. Web master Bob McGrath again skiied the Vail slopes, and it’s great that my other amigo, Bill Kreps, is recovering after a rough period in the hospital. He wants to thank all those who made contact with good wishes. It is great to have him back on the job. It is always good to hear from Rick Hicks, John Slavick, Skip Reiner, Chuck Meyer and Jim Sieger. Memorial Masses have been requested for John Groben, Bob Baudenstiel, Bob Hanrahan, Pete Connolly, Jackie Lee, Lou Huber, John Sennett, Jack Goetsch, Bob Ready, Ron Makowski, John Tuttle and Harry Niemannn’s wife, Joanne. — Paul Fullmer; 87 Heatherdowns Lane, Galena IL 61036; 815-777-2008; psfullmer@gmail.com

Class Secretary — John Coyne;

john.coyne@abm.com

56 Minireunion Oct. 10

The ND’56 minireunion date is Oct. 10, the Navy Game weekend, advises Class co-president Mark Burns, who is chairing the event. He has reserved 50 tickets for the game for those who did not win in the alumni lottery. The annual memorial Mass will be at 11 a.m. in Welsh Family Residence Chapel. Luncheon following Mass is scheduled for noon in the Morris Inn. This venue was a successful experience last year. Chairman of the ND’56 Endowed Scholarship Fund, Larry Kennedy, is assisting Mark with the planning. He will present the 2015-16 Class honorees and 2015-16 scholarship recipients selected by your officers and previous honorees. Details will be provided in the ND’56 website/class news link, and in the morning newsletter treasurer Ed Cosgrove asks you to drop him a note with news of what’s happening in your life. And include a check for $25 or more payable to ND’56 Class Fund. It will be needed with plans for Re¬union 2016. Mail to Ed Cosgrove, 525 Delaware Ave., Buffalo NY 14202. A high school friend of mine and his wife put together a brunch last Sun¬day in Marco Island with Ara Parseghian, his wife Katie, Sharon and me. Ara is doing absolutely great. What a guy. He turns 92 this May. From Hamilton OH, we learn that Jim Mense no longer has access to email nor the facilities at his insurance office of many decades; he’s fully retired, and is anxious to chew the fat at home, 513-829-5754. Bob McKenty (bardware@aol.com) loved Stan-the-Man. I had his autograph. I sent him an eloquent letter ask¬ing if he would blurb my book, but the letter came back unopened, refused, I think. I don’t blame him for that. I think his health was failing at the time. Deaths since the last issue included R. Denis Berry, who passed away Jan. 21 after a long illness in Glendora CA. Mrs. Carol Berry can be reached at 1272 Indian Springs, Glendora CA 91741. Anthony J. Russo passed away on Dec. 24 in Buffalo NY. Sister Patricia Russo can be reached at 87 Seminole Parkway, Buffalo NY 14210. Thomas Gordon Bennett died Nov. 26 in Buffalo. Mary Ruth Bennett can be reached at 71 Parkledge, Buffalo NY 14226. Daniel M. Wasleski died Nov. 24 in Blue Springs MO. Thomas Edward Murphy MD died Nov. 21 in Glenview IL. Mrs. Jane Murphy can be reached at 888 Independence Ave., Glenview IL 60025. A Mass will be celebrated on campus for each by Holy Cross priests. A full obituary for each deceased classmate is available on our website: nd56.org. We share the deep sorrow of Jack Kegaly and his family on the death of his wife, Peggy, on Jan. 15 at home in Willowbrook IL. Jack can be reached at 827 Emer¬ald Court, Willowbrook IL 60527. It seems that the basketball, soccer, lacrosse and softball teams are having great seasons this spring. I hope it shakes out that way. Enjoy your favorite baseball teams; we’ll all miss Ernie Banks. Be good to each other and go slow to smell the flowers. — John F. Manion; 78402 Silver Sage Drive, Palm Desert CA 92211-1348; 760-772-6056; nd56.org

56JD Hope to Hear from You

Please keep me updated. Feel free to write, call or email me. — Lauren Sharkey ’08; 1121 W. Webster Ave. Unit 2W, Chicago IL 60614; 703- 927-2089; lksharkey@gmail.com

57 More Deaths in the Family

I hate to start out with bad news; however, deaths are expected given that most of us will turn 80 this year. Peter M. Raffetto died Oct. 16 and is survived by his wife of 55 years, Carol Raffetto, and five children. Pete lived primarily in Richwood NJ before retiring to Raleigh NC. In the last issue, we congratulated Tom McMurtry for his distinguished award commemorating his extensive flying experience of more than 15,000 hours and 106 different types of planes. Tom got a new set of wings on Jan. 3. Surviving are his wife, Mary Louise, and seven sons. Dick Kolodziej died Jan. 10 from end-stage Parkinson’s disease. He was survived by his widow, Madeleine. Edward “Ed” Murphy died on New Year’s Eve. He was preceded in death by his first and second wives and survived by seven children. He resided in Phoenix. Thomas Vincent Huguelet passed on Jan. 2 in Scottsdale. He was survived by his wife, Kay, and four children. After a career with IBM, Tom established a computer consulting firm. John D. Dodge died Jan. 1. He was survived by his wife of 57 years, Nancy, and three daughters. In addition to his degree at ND, John earned an MBA from Loyola U and was an avid sailor on Lake Michigan. I recently learned that William M. Garvey died on Sept. 12. Bill was survived by his second wife. His first wife passed away in 1991. Thomas J. Nowak died Dec. 12. He lived in Joliet and was survived by his wife, Carol, and three children. Robert T. Orner died on Nov. 22 in St. Augustine FL and was survived by his wife, Ann, and five children. On Dec. 6, Conrad Joseph Urban passed. He was survived by his wife, Judy, and eight children. Ronald J. Brinkman who lived in a suburb of St. Louis, died Nov. 2. He was survived by his wife, Mary Jane, and their two children. Robert Joseph “Bob” Mines died Nov. 10. Bob was survived by his wife, Marge, and four children. He lived in Park Ridge IL. Word of Bob’s passing came from Larry O’Connell, who with Bob, were in a class of engineering students at Fournier Institute of Technology when the school closed in 1955. Larry and Bob and three others transferred to Notre Dame that fall. John F. Beggan, with whom I spent the summer of ’56 working out of Atlanta, died on Feb. 1. He was survived by Mary Lou and two daughters. They lived in Glenview IL. John R. Reistroffer left us on Dec.17. John lived in Chicago. How about some good news for a change? Henry “Gus” Luepke wrote that Mark Maley had open heart surgery right after Christmas (two valves replaced), and the good news is that he is recovering well. Gus went on to write, “The rest of us, Matt Wiese, Ray Roth, Jack Crowley, Charlie Wittenberg, Joe Ross, see each other each month at the ‘Golden Domer’ lunch to compare the traumas of old age.” John Gorey has gotten extremely active in the thoroughbred horse business, both breeding and racing. John is interested in forming a syndicate to acquire and train a Kentucky Derby winner. If interested, contact John at Four Green Fields, Inc. Jim Weber wrote to Tom Schriber to slow down on those obits, signing it, “Summa Cum Lousy Dining Hall Number Checker.” Richard Allen, the political guru of our class, wrote of a recent trip to Europe and has great suggestions for anyone going that way for the 100th anniversary of the battles of World War I. Stay well my friends and smell those flowers while we can. Peace. — John A. Slevin; 456 Fulton St., Suite 425, Peoria IL 61602; 309-676-8986; fax: 309-676-4130; jaslevin@sbcglobal.net

Class Secretary —Thomas S. Calder;

513-271-0560; thomas.calder@dinslaw.com

58 Farewells to Classmates

In our previous column, we published several inaccuracies when reporting on the passing of our classmate, Francis E. Gibbons. We apologize for the errors. Frank passed away on July 29. He is survived by his beloved wife, Janet, to whom he was married for 51 years. Frank enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in Korea before enrolling at Notre Dame in 1954. He graduated cum laude and went on to DePaul Law School in Chicago, his hometown. After receiving his law degree, Frank was accepted for special agent training by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. His 20-year career with the FBI was challenging and rewarding, as he handled complex foreign counter-intelligence cases. Frank retired in 1981 and went on to practice immigration and real estate law in Miami FL for many years until he and Janet moved to Vero Beach FL in 2007. He will be missed. With regret, we report the deaths of three more classmates. Schiele A. “Bud” Brewer MD died Sept. 4. He is survived by his wife Heleene, two daughters, five sons, and many grandchildren. He served on active duty with the Air Force after medical school and retired from the Air Force Reserve as a colonel in 1997. He engaged in private practice as an ophthalmologist for 30 years and continued teaching ophthalmology residents and working with the VA in Syracuse until a few months prior to his death. News of his passing was submitted by his son, Paul Brewer ’88. John C. Hirschfeld, who was also a 1961 graduate of ND Law School, died Nov. 30 after a long and debilitating illness. His daughter, Laura L. Hollis ’83, ’86JD (associate teaching professor at ND and concurrent associate professor of law at ND Law School) wrote to report John’s passing. John is survived by his second wife, Mary Eleanor Hirschfeld, and his children: Laura; John S. Hirschfeld ’85; Christopher C. Hirschfeld ’86; Jennifer E. Ryan ’87SMC,’91MBA/JD; Adam B. Hirschfeld ’88, ’91JD; Catherine P. Murphy ’91; and Robert F. Hirschfeld. Also surviving are 23 grandchildren; his first wife of 38 years, Rita Porteous Henneman; and his brothers, A. James Hirschfeld MD ’60, Jerome Hirschfeld MD ’66, and Joel G. Hirschfeld ’81. Laura describes her dad as a proud son of Our Lady’s University, and perhaps prouder that many of his children attended ND. If any classmates have any stories or photos they are willing to share, Laura can be reached at lhollis@nd.edu or laura.l.hollis@gmail.com. John M. “Mike” Matthews died Dec. 30. He is survived by his wife, Patricia, and son, Patrick. After Mike obtained his BA in journalism at ND, he spent three years in the Army and then settled in Southern California, working for more than 30 years in public relations for several aerospace firms. His career provided him with a “ringside seat” for aerospace programs such as Apollo, Pioneer, Jupiter /Saturn, the Space Shuttle and the B-1 Bomber. He was director of communications and public relations for Rockwell’s aerospace division when it was acquired by Boeing in 1966. He retired in 2000 and settled in Palm Desert, where he became active in parish and community activities, including serving as member and chairman of the board of Birth Choice, a pro-life organization, and board member of the Catholic Charities of Riverside/San Bernardino Counties. Fred Genovese passed away on Jan. 13 after a long fight with cancer. Fred was a College of Commerce major. He is survived by his wife, Maureen, two sons, Bob ’86 and Mark ’88, and six grandchildren. He grew up in Asbury Park NJ and lived in Ocean Park NJ for most of his life after graduation. May the Lord bless these departed brothers and comfort their loved ones. — Arthur L. Roule Jr.; 3725 W. Waverly Road, La Porte IN 46350; alroule@yahoo.com

58JD RIP Dusty

Several of our law school classmates hold ’56 undergraduate degrees. Tom McNeill and I attended a minireunion of that group at the North Carolina football game in October. All of us newly minted octogenarians did our best to look fit and trim. Nell and I received Christmas greetings from several classmates, including Jerry Curran, Bill Engel, Ray Drexler, Ed Denn and Ray Tam. Ray also sent along his latest literary effort, With Honor and Compassion, a tribute to his high school, Saint Louis School in Honolulu HI, and particularly his graduating class of 1951. The book profiles the careers of 16 of the 186 members of that class with emphasis on the values they developed there and their accomplishments over the years. One remarkable feat is that four were elected to and served as presidents of renowned organizations, including the American Cancer Society and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. One of those featured is Walt Cabral ’55, whom many will remember as one of “Leahy’s Lads.” In an effort to avoid some winter blasts, Nell and I will head south and hopefully socialize with the Drexlers in Saint Simons Island GA, the Engels in Sarasota, and Jack Callahan and wife Sally in Naples. One of ND Law’s longest serving professors died in November. Robert E. “Dusty” Rodes taught for nearly 60 years and had strong connections to our class. He started teaching in our first year of law school; we were his first graduating class. He was only slightly older than we were, and he and his lovely wife, Jeanne, attended all our class reunions over the years. Dusty was indeed a good and faithful servant. May he rest in peace. — John F. Murray; 2036 Cheltenham Court, Woodbridge VA 22192; 703-494-2482; jonnel662@verizon.net

59 Spring Thoughts

We pray that all of you in the class are doing well and staying active. On a future visit to the campus you can go into the Joyce Center and look up and see Tom Hawkins in the Ring of Honor. Dick Buhrfiend, Deanne and Ed Caulfied, Jim Coorssen, Anne and Dan Crossen, Nick Dempsey, Sylvia and Rich (“Quince”) Komyatte, Rosemarie and Jim Merz and Joe Mulligan were among the ’59ers in attendance for the impressive celebration of Tom Hawkins’ Ring of Honor Ceremony at ND on Jan. 17. Father Jim Connelly, CSC, is superior of Holy Cross House, the residence on the north side of Saint Joseph Lake for 50 of his fellow Holy Cross priests and brothers, with temporary accommodations for an additional six or seven religious in rehab situations. Jim taught history at the U of Portland for 16 years. He continues to serve as archivist for the congregation. Congratulations to Jim on his 50th anniversary as a priest. Phil “Blackie” Pier reported in from Tonto Verde AZ. Following medical school at the U of Illinois, and a stint in the Air Force, Phil had a private surgical practice in Neenah WI. He and his wife, Marna, have eight children, including two sets of twins, and 11 grandchildren. Ray Grubbe has spent his retirement in San Jose CA, where he says replacing body parts and rehabbing has taken up his time. He hopes to get back on the “table tennis tournament circuit.” At ND, Ray captained our intercollegiate bowling team, playing with Tom Jablonski and Fred Vida. Bob Strobach and Martie live in Lee’s Summit MO. He was a family doctor for many years and retired in 2000. They have six children, 11 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Congratulations and good luck to Rich Lombardi and his new wife Kim, who were married on Sept. 28 in Woodstock IL. Ed Mertz retired from a life-long career with General Motors in 1997, after which he and Alice moved to Scottsdale AZ. Ed is still deeply involved with photography and produced a book of celebrities he photographed at ND. It can be seen online. (Google: Celebrities of the late 1950s by Ed Mertz or go to blurb.com/b/1162377-celebrities-of-the-late-1950-s. Click on the preview banner on the book image and thumb through the book.) John Uebbing and Roberta Ann have lived in Palo Alto CA since 1963, after graduate studies at MIT and Stanford. He has worked at several electronics companies in Silicon Valley; his largest field of endeavor was in LEDs at Hewlett-Packard. He has 33 US patents and is still consulting. Three of our classmates have intertwined with ND in unusual ways. Dick Quinn of Middletown RI had an architectural company, Quinn Associates Inc., and did the work for the new ND bookstore and Eck Visitors Center. His firm was merged with Slam Associates. They are now working on ND’s new Crossroads project. Dick’s friend Rich Loarie of Boulder CO was one of the architects for Houston’s Astrodome. Marty Kelly was COO of the Astros Baseball Team and in the late 1970s was part of an unofficial visit to Havana in an attempt to normalize relationships. The Astros played a game against the Cuban National Team. Here we are 35-40 years later. Mike Kohout lives in McCall ID where he is secretary of a foundation that funds a children’s home, the only one within 300 miles of any population center. The president of the foundation is Jim Trino ’58. Mike is also busy with the local Optimist Club. This past October, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in NYC honored Gene Bertoncini with its annual “All Night Soul” program in which legendary jazz musicians play for, and with, the honoree all night long. I am sorry to report the following deaths: Herman Yopp on Aug. 1 in Kensington NH; Ken Noth on Dec. 1 in Schererville IN; Rick Grimler on Sept. 5 in Ft. Collins CO; Phil Coogan on Nov. 14 in Franklin TN; Mort Keilty on Nov. 16 in Mystic CT; Dave Roemer in November in Tucson; Karl Bick on Aug. 7 in Boise ID; Mike Hanahan on June 7 in Walloon Lake MI; Madeline, wife of Fritz Jelinek , on Nov. 17 in East Falmouth MA. Please visit Faith ND at faith.nd.edu and the Senior Alumni at ndsenioralumni.org. Peace and good health. — Jim Keegan; 1401 Clinton St., Wilmington DE 19806; 302-429-0545; keeganjm@dca.net

Class Secretary — William J. Harte;

wharte@williamharteld.com