1950s
1950s
50 Forever Grateful
In February, I received a letter from James E. Truschel, who will celebrate his 92nd birthday in July. James wrote that he did not have money for college but a friend from school, who knew of his love for ND, described the situation to her father. This man wrote a letter that ultimately led to James receiving an academic and golf scholarship. What a blessing that turned out to be. “One of the many things life that ND taught me was the beauty and wonder of frequent Holy Communion. I’m not sure about school rules today, but in my time, mandatory weekday Mass checks were in effect. As a result, I got into the practice of attending Mass. After graduation and entering the business world and raising nine children, I couldn’t continue. Now that I’m retired and the children are raised, Mass and Holy Communion are normal parts of my day. Thank God for ND’s motto to not only teach how to make a living but how to live!” John A. Gariepy, 90, passed away Nov. 28 in Wilmington NC. Jack was a WWII veteran and a graduate of Yale Medical School. He was a surgeon in Connecticut for 33 years and when retired, he became a mentor to surgical residents. The Connecticut Post reported, “Jack had a very full life. He loved traveling, golfing, boating, reading and enjoying cigars with his friends and family.” Jack is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elaine (nee Roy), three children and five grandchildren. J. Michael O’Hara, 90, passed away Dec. 2 in Fort Wayne. He was a veteran of WWII and the Korean Conflict and earned a law degree at Michigan. He then joined the firm of Barrett, Barrett, McNagny and practiced law for 33 years. Mike was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Sally Ann (nee Berghoff) and is survived by five children, 15 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Wilfred D. Hamel, 92, died Dec. 17 in Tucson. After WWII, he used the GI Bill to graduate from Notre Dame in three years. Wil later managed a mortgage banking company and sold women’s sportswear, traveling across the country. He was preceded in death by his wife of 38 years, Beverly, and is survived by his wife of 16 years, Patti, seven children and two stepchildren, 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Also passing on Dec. 17 was Marlen P. Roberts, 94, late of Doraville GA and Lake City FL. Marlen was a WWII veteran and earned a degree in industrial engineering at ND. Richard H. Tamer, 90, of Middlesboro KY died on Dec. 27. He and his wife managed the family apparel business, Tamer’s, for 35 years. He also managed a landscaping design and nursery business, Landscape Specialists, for 15 years. Richard was a lifelong member of St. Julian Catholic Church, serving as the parish council president for five terms and chairman of the property committee. He also served for many years as a board member in several civic and community organizations. His obituary in the Middlesboro Daily News stated, “He had an amazing life. There is no question that he accomplished everything he set out to do.” Richard is survived by his wife of 66 years, Georgianna, seven children, 15 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. John J. Beckham died Jan. 8 in Washington DC. Jack earned a master’s degree from the U of Toledo and worked at the Beckham Insurance Agency. His obituary in the Toledo Blade reported, “He will always be remembered for his love for friends, family, travel and ability to make people laugh.” Jack is survived by his wife of 54 years, Josefina (nee Campero), two children and three grandchildren. James C. Maletis, 91, died on Jan. 10 in Portland OR. Jim was an Army veteran and later attended Willamette U Law School, graduating first in his class. He became an attorney with Cookingham and Hanley Law Firm and later started his own practice. The Oregonian wrote, “Forever grateful, Jim often let everyone know how lucky and blessed he was to have such a wonderful family. Jim was also defined by his strong spirituality and philanthropic nature. He supported numerous charities and organizations and later in life found great joy in visiting underprivileged schools where he read books to young students in their classrooms.” Jim is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joann, three children, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. If you have news about the class or stories from your time at ND to share, please let me know. — Jim Coogan ’91; 6018 Oxpen Court, Apt. 101, Alexandria VA 22315; jcooganv@alumni.nd.edu
51 Congratulations
Hi everybody. I hope all of you are having a good summer. First off, our congratulations to Coach Muffet McGraw and the women’s basketball team for another great season. The women’s team displayed an exemplary set of skills, sportsmanship and team spirit. We are so proud of her and the whole team. My first bio this time is about Bob Nickodem, Sheboygan WI, our class valedictorian. Bob had been the class valedictorian for his eighth grade and high school graduation class. Following graduation from Notre Dame, Bob enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the auditing department in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada. There he met his first wife, the mother of his eight children, Margaret Moran of Dumbarton, Scotland. Margaret passed in March 1996. Bob married Maureen McKinnon Yanko on Feb. 14, 1998 in Sheboygan. All eight of his children attended Catholic universities; three attended Notre Dame. Bob started in the banking business in 1954, becoming vice president of the trust department. Bob was an avid golfer and had the opportunity to play golf on prestigious courses throughout the US and most of the courses of Scotland and Ireland. When president of Pine Hills Golf and Country Club he even scored two holes-in-one. He is in long-term nursing care after a bad fall last July. We offer our valedictorian our prayers on his health issues. Our second bio of this issue is on John “Jocko” Muldoon. After graduating from Notre Dame, “Jocko” obtained his law degree from Chicago Kent College of Law. He started his law career at the City of Chicago Corporation Counsels office. As a lawyer in private practice, he spent most of his time representing nurses and other employees for Cook County Hospital. In 1957, he married Rosemary Kirby Muldoon. They raised seven children, of whom two graduated from Notre Dame: John ’80 and Mike ’82 who are partners in the firm of Muldoon and Muldoon LLC. He also has two daughters who graduated from Saint Mary’s College: Agnew in 1983 and Sheila in 1985. “Jocko” lost his beloved, Rosemary, in January 2018. He has always been a big Chicago Cubs fan. I received some sad news from Ann Arbor MI when Mary Bailey advised me that her husband, Al Bailey, passed away in January. Al was a professor at the U of Michigan and spent many years traveling and teaching around the world before settling in Ann Arbor. We also lost John Connell Jr. of Westford MA this past March. John practiced law for 41 years. He and Donna were married 62 years and raised eight children. Guys, that is it for this time. Please take care of yourselves. We are going to have a good football season. Let me hear from you. — Jim Gillis; 3267 Rossmoor Parkway, No. 4, Walnut Creek CA 94595; 925-932-6454; jimjanegillis@aol.com
52 Time Marches On
We’re saddened by the passing of our class vice president, Joe Straub. With a career that encompassed a judgeship and the diaconate, he said he had an “obsession with robes.” His funeral Mass was celebrated by the bishop, eight priests and eight deacons. “Notre Dame Our Mother” and the “Victory March” led the musical selections, just as he planned. Joe will be missed for his graciousness, sense of proportion and humor. A massive missive from Jim Jacobs tells us that he has recovered from his second hip replacement and is back on the golf links. Jim, who played on our golf and fencing teams, has a golfing triumph to his credit. The LA Times says that over three rounds of tournament play, Jim scored two aces and a birdie on the same par three, carding a four for the three holes. (Not a typo.) Jim reminds us that our freshman team included golfing great Billy Casper, who left school for the PGA Tour (à la Carl Yastrzemski of baseball fame). More on’52 golf: Frank Marzolf was the team’s co-captain. His master’s degree in social work from Ohio State led to a 40-year career with the United Way. Tommy Veech’s career included five US Opens and numerous Wisconsin championships. Jim’s West Coast show biz career included working with Joe Scott and Ed Waters, with frequent visits from footballer roommate John Pettibon. Norb Ganobsik and his wife have left their home of 52 years for senior living, as they celebrate the birth of their first great-grandchild, Cara. Your secretary has also joined the ranks of great-grandparents with the birth of Luke Hamilton McDonough. His parents are Marybeth and Ryan McDonough ’15. Bob Butler tells us that Jim Powers’ daughter, Julie Killian ’82, ran for lieutenant governor of New York. She didn’t win, but she “proved a tireless campaigner, who did herself and ND proud.” Bob noted how often the name Notre Dame seemed to open doors for him in his successful business career. It all started at Grand Central Station the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 12, 1948. That’s when he boarded the Pacemaker and met Chas Schubert, Jack Long and Ernie Masini, along with dozens of others heading Domeward. I was on that train, accompanied by two brown Samsonite suitcases, containing all my worldly goods. Jim Reynolds tells us that his leaning toward the Green Bay Packers stems from his wife, Isabel, whose father was the team’s secretary/treasurer. On Sundays, they can be found on the 50-yard line at Lambeau Field, named for the team’s founder and first head coach, Earl Louis “Curly” Lambeau 1918. Speaking of the Packers, George Heidkamp recalls that high school friend Jack Vainisi ’50 created the team’s college drafting system, and was instrumental in the hiring of Vince Lombardi. A baseball player whose average dips under .200, is said to be below the Mendoza Line. Our ’52 class roster has reached that point. Stay well, stay vertical. — Ron Zier; 164 Brewster Road, Wyckoff NJ 07481; 201-447-6667; cell 201-675-8899; ronaldirishguy@aol.com
53 50 Years
It was some 200 columns and 50 years ago that I learned the lesson: don't write and send highly critical letters when your “genius” is fueled by ethanol. It was that improvident act that merited the unsolicited task of being your interim class secretary. In vain, I have waited all these years for a talented, caring classmate to elbow me out of the way and become your permanent class secretary. The operative word is “unsolicited,” as the willingness to be terminated as interim created an edge to the performance which no doubt annoyed many through these years. Sorry about that, but I still am open to being replaced and I shall happily fade into obscurity where I really should and want to be. The Chicago luncheon date is Oct. 11, the Friday before the USC game. Details on registration and venue will be forthcoming. Information will be conveyed by class email, so if you haven't been receiving the emails, send your request for inclusion to my address as below. Dede and Tom Reedy recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Harry Synder responded to my request for information with the news that he and his wife enjoy reasonably good health. He is slowing down from work at the Saratoga Springs NY law firm he founded and bemoans the fact that all his fellow track team members have run their last race, as have a couple of very close friends. John Tuberty, our faithful UK correspondent, has downsized the number of vehicles with which he attacks life by land, air and sea. No plane and no motor home. He still travels, and the ski trips to the western US are an annual jaunt. Dave Sponseller related his friendship with Art Midili, both in the study of metals and Glee Club participation. Dave continues to function in the study of metals and apparently has songs in his heart. Pat Lee responded to the call for information with a medical odyssey after a fall a while back. It sounded like a final exam in medical school and evokes great sympathy. Pat is doing reasonably well considering what he endured. Ed DeBoer celebrated his 90th birthday, “still standing though on weak knees,” and may attend the lunch and USC game. He is happy to soon be a great-great-grandfather. Congratulations on both counts. Gerry Boehling is hanging in there as a spectator to the Virginia political fracas and wishing us all well. John Dwyer called to chat and he is headed “up north” to attend a college graduation, with stops between Hilton Head and Vermont. Lunch with Bernie Hester here in Naples was fun. Bernie will stop to see our Bionic Man, Dave Flynn, in Columbia SC on the way north. I missed lunch with Jim Rodgers but says he will be in Chicago. Our losses by death continue with Andy Hernon, John Flynn MD, Claude Zuba, Jim Malooly, Art Henken, Jack Kelley, as well as spouses of Louis Berry and Art Midili. Our Mass-A-Day program continues to gain importance with each passing day. Rev. Tom Smith, CSC, is adding his additional prayers for the Class of 1953 from his post in Africa. Thanks Father Smith. Thanks to the contributors. Again, if you are not receiving class emails, sign up as below. — Jerry Mulvihill; 51098 Heatherton Court, Granger IN 46530; res 574-287-3460; domerhill@aol.com
53JD Class Secretary — Bob Berry;
5806 Spaulding St., Omaha NE 68104; 402-457-4142; yokeemup@aol.com
54 Summertime
I write this column with a heavy heart. Anne, my beautiful wife for 65 years, a mother and grandmother, was called home by God April 9. When you lose a family member it hurts. The loss of a loving wife hurts more. Please remember us in your prayers. Our 65th reunion is over. For those who made it back to campus, it was a good time. A big thanks to Charlie Allen, Gene Henry, Tom Campbell and Hugh Haggerty for their hard work in making the reunion a success. Gene arranged for Rev. Ken Grabner, CSC, to be the celebrant at our Mass. The mystery speaker was our own Bob Nanovic. Thinking back to our 60th, Ray Tier was asked if any were interested in a 65th. Now I ask if any are interested in a 70th? God willing and health permitting, I’m game. With the summer months upon us and as we enjoy golf, tennis, the beach, pool, and barbecues, let us try to keep in touch with one another. As we age, our friendships are more special. Another gem from Msgr. Martin: Catholic Heart Attack. A man suffered a serious heart attack while shopping in a store. The store clerks called 911 when they saw him collapse to the floor. The paramedics rushed the man to the nearest hospital where he had open heart bypass surgery. He awoke from the surgery to find himself in the care of nuns at the Catholic hospital he was taken to. A nun was seated next to his bed loaded with several forms and a pen. She asked him how he was going to pay for his treatment. “Do you have health insurance,” she asked. He replied, “no health insurance.” The nun asked, “do you have money in the bank?” He replied, “no money in the bank.” She asked, “do you have a relative who could help with the payments?” He said, “I only have a spinster sister, and she is a nun.” The nun became agitated and announced loudly, “nuns are not spinsters. Nuns are married to God.” The patient replied, “Perfect. Send the bill to my brother in law.” I apologize for a limited list of our classmates called home to God. I will include the ones I missed in the next column. It has been hectic at this end. Called home by God were John Thomas Dillon, Jerome Joseph Kiskowski and Thomas McKeon. Please keep them in your prayers. — John Mertens; 78 Sparrow Ridge Road, Carmel NY 10512; res 845-730-5914; jacksparrow@comcast.net
54JD Class Secretary — Carl Eiberger;
14330 Fairview Lane, Golden CO 80401; 303-278-0707; carleiberger@comcast.net
55 Plan on It: 65 in 2020
Our class Daniel Boone, Don Shanley, reports planning to enter the Florida Trap Shooting Championship in Tampa. He tied for first the last time with a couple of young 70-year-olds. John Manion provided a great Irish musical blessing for St. Pat’s Day. Joe McGlynn led the St. Pat’s Parade in St. Louis for the 50th time. Congratulations. Dick Connelly reports on a successful Florida Fling. Here’s a rerun of the attendees: Mary and Bucky Janssen, Carolyn and Dick Connelly, Stephanie and Jack Flynn, Jeanette and Owen Sodetz, Gloria and Jim Costello, Yvonne and Tony Vallace, Jim Stevens, Deidre and Kevin O’Donnell, Marilyn and Chuck Doherty, Sharon and Howard Hart, Helen and Don Shanley, Jim Vachris, Judy Kilburg, Jim Ehret, Joan and Chuck Bennett, Susie Burns, Mary Ann and Don Pizzatello, Ken Woodward, Marcia and Bob Fisher. Not to be outdone, a solid group of ’55ers held the West Coast edition with this platoon attending: Maureen and Carl Peters, Class President Dick Burke and Maryjeanne, Nancy and Charles Pollnow, webmaster Bob McGrath and Joan, Kathy and Dick Mueller. Jerry Prassas reported on grandkids finishing up at Loyola Academy. Jac Fitenz had a speaking assignment at the Military Officers Association of America and the Village Veterans Club in San Jose. The topic was Navy intelligence. Mike Kelly reported some interesting stats comparing Chicago and Houston. Emeritus Paul Fullmer continues to provide ND sports reporting via the Splinters columns. Here are some book suggestions: American Priest, the new bio on Rev. Ted Hesburgh by Rev. Wilson Miscamble, CSC, ’77, ’80PhD, ’87MDiv and Memoirs of Chaplain Life by Rev. William Corby, CSC. Suzanne and Dick Beeman have settled in their new place after relocation from Chicago to Andre Place, Holy Cross Village (PO Box 303) at Notre Dame. They were greeted warmly by Mary and Jim Hesburgh. Dick and Suzanne look to participate in the McGrath Church Life Ministry. Dick Mueller and Paul Fullmer had some good telephone contact. Jane and Robert Copeland are relocating from Michigan to Florida. They just had the pleasure of a visit from their son, Robert, who celebrated his 20th year as a priest and is a pastor in Fenton MI. Stephanie and Jack Flynn, Marilyn and Chuck Doherty, Carolyn and Dick Connelly attended a Jesuit observation of Ash Wednesday in Tampa. Jim Stevens reports on the St. Pat’s Parade in Fort Myers. He’s been the chair of the local ND club’s participation for 15 years. One of Sam Budnyk’s former players, Mike Kissner, was inducted into Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame this year. We Magills have a grandson finishing at Providence in May. His sister will be a freshman there this fall. Dominican trained. Father Nealy would be thrilled. I enjoyed a long talk with Bernie Tracey. We shared lots of good memories and up-to-date talk. Hugh Schaefer’s widow, Angela, reported on a renewal of the Schaefer/Brisco golf tournament. It was a great success with 72 participants including Jerry Groark. Dick Galehouse had a major career with Sasaki Assoc. in Boston. He is the author of a book on the history of the U of South Carolina. He plans travel with Mary Anne to England and Scotland. Don’t forget the Class website, nd55.org. “God Bless Us, Everyone.” Prayer corner: Robert Copeland is wrestling with health issues. Our Lady is caring for Pat McCann, Thomas Hartzell, Don Cavett, Don Totten, George Vosmik, Tom Kernan, and Robert N. Haidinger. All have passed since our last update. — Tom Magill; 119 Atlantic Road, North Palm Beach FL 33408; 561-842-3019; magillt@bellsouth.net
55JD Class Secretary Needed
A special thank you to Jack Coyne for all his service as class secretary. Now that Jack has retired from this role, the position is open. If you are interested in serving as class secretary, please contact the Alumni Association at alumpubs@nd.edu.
56 Family Honor
Kay and Bob Welsh wrote, “A new banner flies over campus: Welsh Family Hall, Women’s ND Hall of The Year. What an honor for our family. Last time we won Hall of the Year was 2009-2010. The rector said granddaughter Abby Helme’s chairmanship of the Dad’s Weekend event recently was a real plus.” Henry Dixon wrote, “one of my twin sons, Buck, was promoted to brigadier general and is stationed at Colorado Springs with the US Northern Command. He’d been stationed in Poland, traveling through Baltic States and Ukraine.” Dan Allen ’07, ’11M.Div., spirituality program director at the Alumni Association, obtains a timely list of ND56 family in poor health as well as those who passed away recently. A candle is lit, and a rosary said each month for each person included. You are my only source of input either to add to the list or delete a name if no longer appropriate. Please help. Ed Cosgrove reported that All-American Mike McCoy ’70 (played for the Packers, Raiders and Giants) spoke at Buffalo’s Canisius High before 800 boys. He encouraged decency and Christian attitudes for the well-ordered life. The spring minireunion was held June 11-13. Celebrant for the Mass was ND56 chaplain Rev. Jerry Knoll, CSC, and Deacon Jim Revord, homilist. Since the last issue of Notre Dame Magazine, several ND56 men died. Dr. John G. McGraw died April 16. He is survived by wife Patricia at 78 Strathearn, Montreal West, QC H4X1X7. Richard “Dick” J. Manushaw of Youngstown died Feb. 17 at the Cleveland Clinic. Residence: 107 Westchester Drive, Austintown OH 44515. Ron Renner died March 22. He received his bachelor’s in business. Ron married Marilyn Suzanne Jones in 1961 and raised two sons, Christopher and Eric Renner. With his degree in business, he became CEO of Renner’s Express. Ron was a leading executive in the transportation industry. He was president of the Indiana Motor Truck Association and the National Labor Relations Board, Central and Southern Rate and Traffic Association and Indianapolis Traffic Club. He was a longtime member of the Notre Dame Library Advisory Council. Contact Mrs. Marilyn Renner at 5262 Windridge Drive, Indianapolis IN 46226-1448. Peter John Cannon passed away March 19 in Jupiter FL. He earned his degree in aeronautical engineering and added a master’s in 1958. Peter is survived by his wife, April Joy Cannon, children Kathleen, Daniel, Mary, Margaret and Edward, 11 grandchildren and one great-grandson. The residence is 350 Bush Road, Apt. 210, Jupiter FL 33458. Edward M. Kseniak, formerly of Muncie IN, died March 21. Survivors include his wife Dorothy P. (Parsler) Kseniak; children Patti (Rob) Parsons, Mike (Cindy), Maryann (Rick) Stanley; grandchildren Nicholas Erhart (Casey), Andrew, Anna, David and Grace Parsons, Michael and Lucas Kseniak, Abby, Louis and Stewart Stanley; and three great-grandchildren. Thomas J. Sweeney of the Galena Territory, a retired Chicago police officer, passed away Feb. 23 in Rockford. He was the loving husband of the late Kathleen Francis Pritchard. James P. McCarthy passed away peacefully on Nov. 15 at Shepherd Lodge, Coupeville WA. He was predeceased by Florence, his loving wife of 64 years. He is survived by Janice (Rob) and Barbara (Gord). He was the treasured grandfather to Jesse and Katie (Tyrell), Kyle (Rebekah) and Justin (Amber), great-grandfather of Asher, Everett, Shepherd and Haven. A Mass is celebrated on campus for each deceased classmate by the Holy Cross priests. Obituaries are posted at nd56.org. Move slow and smell the flowers. — John F. Manion; 78402 Silver Sage Drive, Palm Desert CA 92211; 760-772-6056; johndomer9@gmail.com
56JD Class Secretary — Lauren Sharkey ’09;
lksharkey@gmail.com
57 Remembering a Class Icon
Rev. John Smyth, one of the truly great men of our class, passed away on April 16. John was captain of the basketball team our senior year, was drafted by the St. Louis pro team but opted instead for the seminary and was ordained a priest in 1962. He founded the Standing Tall Foundation. (“No person stands so tall as he who stoops to help a child.”) Among the many awards John received are Notre Dame’s Laetare Medal, the President’s Child’s Safety Award presented by President Ronald Reagan at the White House, and the ND Club of Chicago’s Man of the Year Award. He was also inducted into the Chicagoland’s Sports Hall of Fame. Furthermore, he was awarded a laureate by the Lincoln Academy of Illinois, the highest honor Illinois can bestow on a citizen of the state by the governor. Jim Irving of Fullerton CA left us on March 8. He is survived by Antoinette (Toni), his wife of 55 years, three living sons and nine grandchildren. Jim earned an academic scholarship to ND and graduated magna cum laude. He continued his engineering studies, received his master’s degree at Northwestern in 1959, and was awarded his doctorate at Yale in 1966. He met his wife at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena CA. Retired Air Force Lt. Col. James F. Fluhr entered eternal life on Feb. 23. He is survived by wife Nancy and three sons. Thanks to Terry Bryne for alerting us to the sad news. Mike Mullen died on Feb. 8. Mike spent his freshman year in Farley Hall and then transferred to the Army. He was made an honorary member of our class. Jim Walsh passed from this life on March 29 after a long illness. He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Connie. Mass will be celebrated in his name in the Basilica. Classmate Gene Kopp and his wife Katherine were having dinner in a restaurant near their winter home in the Stuart FL area when Gene collapsed. Gene is now on life support. Please remember Gene and Katherine in your prayers. Thanks to Dick Allen for providing this information. Jeanne Guilfoile, the wife for 61 years of classmate Tom Guilfoile of Fond Du Lac WI, is in a nursing home with Alzheimer’s. Please say a prayer for Jeanne. Gary Paul Gates has been awarded ND’s 2019 Rev. Robert F. Griffin, CSC, Literary Achievements Award “in recognition of his outstanding achievements as a writer and producer.” The quote is taken from the plaque given to Gary at an award luncheon at ND on April 10. A week after graduating, he went to work for United Press International. He signed on to CBS News in the fall of 1969, where he scripted broadcasts anchored by Walter Cronkite, Harry Reasoner, Mike Wallace, Roger Mudd, and Dan Rather, among others. In 1973, he left to work with Dan Rather on the book The Palace Guard, a New York Times Best Seller on the inner workings of the Nixon White House. Congrats, Gary. And, don’t forget to smell those flowers. God bless us. — John A. Slevin; 6123 Mandalay, Peoria IL 61614; 309-453-8986; jslev57@gmail.com
57JD Class Secretary — Thomas S. Calder;
513-271-0560; thomas.calder@dinslaw.com
58 Departed Classmates
Our prayers and sympathy are offered to the families of six departed classmates. Richard “Dick” Riegel of Morrison CO passed away Jan. 5. He is survived by his wife Virginia, three children and five grandchildren. After graduation from ND with a degree in business administration, Richard enlisted in the Army and served two years in Okinawa. Thereafter he embarked on a 37-year career as a civil servant, serving at the Pentagon with the Department of the Army and the Department of Defense, and for 31 years in various roles with the Department of the Interior. His final role was serving as director of human resources for the Bureau of Reclamation in Lakewood CO. Paul Mantey died Jan. 20 in Boulder CO. A native of Sharon Springs KS, he earned his BS and MS at ND and a PhD at Stanford. A 27-year career with IBM began in Yorktown Heights NY where he was given an award for developing algorithms for automated cutting and sewing machinery. From 1967 to 1969 he worked in oil exploration and with NASA in Houston. He arrived in Boulder in 1969 where his focus shifted to magnetic tape drives and software design. He is survived by his wife Erma, three children and seven grandchildren. Robert Caira of Plymouth MA died Jan. 30. After graduation from high school, he decided, at the height of the Korean War, to enlist in the Air Force and served four years, achieving the rank of staff sergeant. He then enrolled at ND under the GI Bill with our class. While at ND Robert married Sue, his wife of 63 years, who survives. After graduation Bob took a job in advertising in New York and moved to New Jersey. In 1965, he and his family moved to Massachusetts where he worked in marketing for the First National Bank of Boston for 23 years. After retiring, he consulted with several other banks including the Cape Cod Bank and Trust. Marvin Kominiarek Jr. of LaPorte IN died Feb. 2. Marvin was born in Michigan City IN, where he returned after graduation from ND with degrees in finance and accounting and two years of service in the Army. He took over his father’s business, Kominiarek Insurance Agency in Michigan City, which he operated for almost 40 years. His favorite occupation, however, was income tax preparation, which he provided for 58 years. He is survived by his wife Mary, four children, five stepchildren, 15 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Martin T. Clowdsley, a native of Stockton CA, passed away Feb. 16 at his home in Portsmouth VA. He was a Navy veteran and retired as an electrical engineer at Naval Sea Systems Command with more than 30 years of combined military and civil service. He spent much of his retirement serving the Portsmouth community in various capacities of social ministry. His wife of 40 years, Mary Ruth, passed away in 2015. Survivors include four children and seven grandchildren. James E. Englehart died Feb. 20 at home in Bonita Springs FL. After graduation from ND, Jim spent three years in the Navy and two years at Detroit Edison before transitioning to the Ford Motor Company in 1963. He had a distinguished career at Ford, helping to bring many popular truck and SUV models to market, including the F-150 truck, Ford Explorer and Ford Expedition. Jim retired from Ford in 1998, ending his career as global head of product development. Jim is survived by Denni Englehart, his wife of almost 30 years, six children and 13 grandchildren. —Arthur L. Roule Jr.; 3725 W. Waverly Road, LaPorte IN 46350; alroule@yahoo.com
58JD Class Secretary — John F. Murray;
2036 Cheltenham Court, Woodbridge VA 22192; 703-494-2482; johnandnell66@gmail.com
59 Positive Impacts on People
Over the past 60 years, most in our class have made commitments to good causes, which have had positive impacts on many people. One of those is Tony Berejka with his wife Maureen Doan. They established the Doan Scholars Awards at Notre Dame. This award was inaugurated by a bequest from Maureen’s father, Franklyn Doan ’29 to recognize outstanding African American students in the College of Arts and Letters. About 100 students have been honored over 15 years. Tony also reported Joe Heil has published his second book, Judas In Jerusalem. Congratulations to Msgr. Milam Joseph on his 55 years of the priesthood. Another of our priests, Rev. Jim Thornton, CSC, presents marriage encounters around the country and has ventured also to Saipan and Canada. In the fall of 1959, Bill Carey and Ed Rohrbach hitchhiked through East Africa. Bill went back in February. Joe DeLuca has retired (MD and PhD) and is writing three children’s books, the purpose of which is to teach compassion. His last was titled It’s Fun to be Kind. David “Tip” Mann retired from the practice of law at the end of 2018. He remains special counsel to the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. Ron Green was missed when we did the Air Force list. He was the commander of several medical facilities throughout the country. He met his wife, Air Force nurse Betty Green, on a flight from Clark Air Force Base to Vietnam. Joe Molnar is a DO, FACOP who practices family medicine in northern Iowa. He chairs a national committee on medical ethics. He is also a member of the Association of International Medicine of Notre Dame Lourdes. Dan Crossen has worked for Notre Dame Development for 29 years. EJ Cunningham MD of St. Louis is alive and well and still working. He did general internal medicine for 30-plus years and now just his specialty, endocrinology. Bob Kaercher wants to be included in our Army group. He retired as a major in 1968. He lives in a retirement community in Issaquah WA. Gary Vondran, who resides in San Francisco, reports that classmate Chuck Wolfram wrote Modern Legal Ethics, a law school textbook. John Cortesio was not included in the Army list. As an Army JAG officer, he served in the Army Judiciary in Washington. He currently serves as “of counsel” with a Des Moines law firm. After about 40 years on the Connecticut shoreline, Jim Griffin lives in Middletown CT, home of Wesleyan U. Jim was in the Army in Korea along with classmate Joe Barry, who was in the Navy. Joe is the nephew of the late great Rev. Joe Barry, CSC. Both went to ND on the GI Bill. I am sad to report the following classmates have passed away: Dick Ryan 1/16/19, Sarasota; Bill Battaglia 1/28/19, Bar Harbor Islands FL; Rev. Mike Heppen, CSC, 2/4/19, Notre Dame; Jude McCusker 2/8/19, Corpus Christi TX; Bob Vondrasek 4/20/19, Oak Park IL; Joe Maier 3/30/19, Glen Ellyn IL. Joe was an avid Cubs fan. His death was announced at a game right after his death. Please visit websites for Faith ND at faith.nd.edu and the Senior Alumni at ndsenioralumni.org. Please send information. Wishing you peace and good health. — Jim Keegan; 1401 Clinton St., Wilmington DE 19806; 302-429-0545; keeganjm@dca.net
59JD Class Secretary — William J. Harte;
wharte@williamharteltd.com