1940s
1940s
40 Interesting Lives
Greetings, class. I have a couple of updates for you this quarter. I heard from Patrick Callahan ’64 who thoughtfully sent over a copy of the book written by his father-in-law and Class of 1940 graduate, Maj. Gen. John P. Henebry. In his book The Grim Reapers, John details his active combat years in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He flew a remarkable 219 missions and his planes included a B-25 that he named “Notre Dame de Victoire” after his alma mater. The second chapter of his book is set at Notre Dame. From the moment John arrived on campus as a business major and resident of Sorin Hall, he focused his efforts toward aviation. The day after graduation he reported to the Federal Building in Chicago to join the Army Air Corps. The story that ensues is remarkable. John was a hero of World War II and the Korean War. He was decorated with every obtainable Air Force medal. By appointment of the Queen, he was named Honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. When John retired from the Air Force in 1976 he had served 37 impressive years of duty for his country. It has been wonderful to learn about John and read of his wartime experiences. I encourage anyone interested to look for his book on Amazon. John was not only a pilot, but also a lifelong sportsman, successful businessman and author. He was living in Winnetka IL when he passed away in 2007. I learned from Tom Donohue that his brother Phil Donohue ’40 passed away on April 3 in Sioux Falls SD. Phil was born in Sioux City IA and attended Trinity High School. He excelled at athletics in high school as a golfer, basketball player, and football running back. Though he was named as an All-State Iowa running back as a high school senior, he turned down an offer to play football at Notre Dame, opting instead for a spot on the golf team. Phil was one of two NCAA All-Americans at Notre Dame in 1940. He captained the golf team to an undefeated season his senior year, and continued playing as an amateur golfer after graduation. His impressive athletic achievements earned him a spot in the South Dakota Golf Hall of Fame and the South Dakota Athletic Hall of Fame. Phil was also co-founder, board member, and the initial president of the South Dakota Golf Association. Phil served as a first lieutenant in World War II and later attended Iowa State U before returning to work at the Sioux City stockyards. He ran a firm selling cattle for farmers and ranchers until the mid-1990s and wrote several articles on the cattle and grain markets for agricultural publications. In 2006 he co-founded the Sioux Falls Regional Livestock Market Inc., which operates three livestock auctions and is the largest independent livestock sales company in the region. In his spare time Phil was an avid hunter and fisherman and was also known for a rich tenor singing voice. At the age of 73, he earned a role in his first theatrical performance in the musical Carousel. It was stated that Phil “made friends wherever he was and whatever he did.” Undoubtedly that is a great motto for us all. Please continue to call, email, or write with class updates. I love hearing from you. Enjoy your summer, and go Irish. — Rebecca Antas ’08; 505 N. Lakeshore Drive, No. 3401, Chicago IL 60611; 630-254-4485; rebecca.antas@gmail.com
41 Class Secretary — 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; 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 A Brief Update
The University notified me of the death of Rev. Joseph M. Hayden in January. His obituary in the Catholic Star Herald indicated that he had served the Diocese of Camden NJ for almost 70 years. May he rest in peace. I send prayers for good health for everyone in this class. Please continue to keep in touch. I enjoy hearing from you. — Laura (Julian) Fraser ’00; 989 Belaire Court, Naperville IL 60563; 773-255-9843; lejulian00@yahoo.com
45 Classmate Honored
The 1941-42 student directory listed him as “Farre Joseph” but everyone then called him Tex, and now he is widely known as Joseph Pequigney, professor emeritus of English at State U of New York at Stony Brook where he taught literature for 35 years. This spring he was awarded the Gala ND/SMC award for distinguished academic achievement for his pioneering work in LGBTQ studies. His study of Shakespeare’s sonnets was the first to present the case that there was a consummated sexual relationship between the poet and his friend. His exploration of same-sex love themes in Dante’s Divine Comedy has been influential and is widely cited. The award notes that “themes in our literature of same-sex love are today recognized and taught with greater honesty is a credit to Joe Pequigney.” Frank Delaney Jr. died in late February. He is survived by his wife Joyce, four daughters and two sons. Frank Linehan died in early January and is survived by his wife Dorothy, two daughters and a son. In its listing of deaths in the previous issue, the magazine noted the deaths of Gerald O’Brien Jr. and Brock Lynch. Faithful readers of this column will recall several items describing Brock’s retirement career with a senior singing group which achieved national and even international recognition and was featured in a motion picture. — Ted Weber Jr.; 1400 Geary Blvd., Apt 1409, San Francisco CA 94109; 415-674-8771; theodoreweber@comcast.net
46 Class Secretary — Paul Taggett;
10 W. Grove Ave., D15, Lake Wales FL 33863; paultaggett@gmail.com
47 70th Reunion One for the Record Books
The 70th reunion of the Class of 1947 was held in June on campus and the turnout was YUGE. Photos of the crowd confirmed that it was possibly the largest crowd ever for a 70th reunion in the history of such gatherings. Bob Pavlin emailed that he is still “hanging in there.” He has a nephew starting his freshman year in the fall. Jerome Hendell called to share that he will be 94 in October and is expecting a grandchild then from his son, Robert Hendell ’93. Jerome grew up on a 200-acre farm raising potatoes, beets, and carrots on Long Island and lives nearby. He counts 61 ND football games in 74 years, recalling hearing his first on the radio at age four. Knute Rockne was his childhood hero. After the Navy V-12 program, a tour of duty, and graduation, he worked at Great Lakes Chemical for his career. Classmates who will be missed include Charles Edward Borders, 91, of Indianapolis who died on Jan. 5. Charles retired from Indianapolis Power & Light Company as senior vice president and had been an avid golfer with the trophies to prove it. He began playing golf when he was 12 on the Linton Golf Course in Linton IN. Upon his graduation from Notre Dame, he married Margie. Eventually, they moved to Indianapolis and he went to work for IPALCO. He retired in 1991 to travel and pilot his boat in Bocilla FL. He loved to sing and often would get up and entertain in local restaurants. His involvement included service as president of Better Business Bureau, chairman of Indianapolis Home Show, Indianapolis Opera Company, Indiana Region of National Conference of Christians and Jews, The Indiana Electric Association and the Indiana Electric League, International Center, chairman of WFYI Tenth Anniversary Celebration, Indianapolis Housing Authority, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Town Board of North Crows Nest, and co-founder for the Committee of Jobs and Energy. He was cited for civic work by the Bethel AME Church and Kentucky Colonel. He enjoyed membership in the Service Club of Indiana, having served in the Navy V-12 program as an officer and later released from the Navy Reserve as a Lt. JG. He was survived by his three children, three grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter. Lamar E. Gohn, 93, of Elkhart died on Jan. 30. Lamar served in the Army Air Corps in the South Pacific for more than two years during World War II as a weather observer. He graduated cum laude in business administration from the Notre Dame. He was a member of the Sorin Society and a life member of the 1842 Loyalty Society at Notre Dame. Lamar was owner-operator of Gohn Brothers in Middlebury from 1947 to 1986. He served on the Middlebury Town Council, St. Paul's Lutheran Church Council and First State Bank Board of Directors. He was a former member of Maplecrest Country Club. Lamar enjoyed fishing, hunting and bowling. He was a sports enthusiast, an avid golfer and enjoyed winters in Florida. He was a lifelong Notre Dame and Cubs fan. Survivors include Marilyn, his wife, two daughters, three grandchildren, and two great-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 Loyal Sons
It is with deep sadness that we report the recent passing of several loyal sons from the Class of ’48: Arthur H. Seltzer on May 7, 2016; William F. Holton on Oct 31, 2016; Ralph Schumaker on Dec 16, 2016; George A. Sullivan on Dec. 30, 2016; John P. Welsh on Jan. 10; Dr. Jack L. Mulligan on Feb. 4; and Joseph Q. Reninger on Feb. 20. Please stay in touch and send your updates to Dan or Eileen at the contact information below. We would love to hear from you. — Dan Gentile; PO Box 2671, Scottsdale AZ 85252; res 480-425-1240; Eileen Surprenant ’09, ’15; eileen.surprenant@gmail.com
49 Moving Along
Jack Molitor of Carmel IN emailed to assure us that he was still standing, having just reached 90 years. He has 10 grandchildren to help him stay young. He loves ND but has been disappointed with the football program. However, he does get considerable consolation from the Irish men’s and women’s basketball teams. Al Lesko is recovering at home after a three-week stay in the hospital. Al required complicated major surgery and is doing well now. He recalls a day when 18 specialists visited his hospital room all at the same time for a team consult. Say an Ave for him. Say another Ave for Charles C. Carter, DC. He’s recovering too, from a broken hip. Sam Hazo has done it again. He has published his latest book, Outspokenly Yours, through Word Association Publishers of Tarentum PA. In it Sam reveals his reaction to the path our country has taken over the last decade of the 20th century until now. The Alumni Office sent along this listing of recent deaths of our classmates: Thomas T. Adams, Carmel IN; W. Robert Aylward, Overland Park KS; Loren E. Bullock, Salt Lake City UT. Rest well, old friends. — Joe O’Brien; 18120 Cloverleaf Drive, South Bend IN 46637; 574-271-8323; obie49nd@comcast.net