1960s

60 New Class Website

It is with sadness I write this article in October for the Winter 2021 issue. In addition to the continuing pandemic, we have lost too many dear classmates in the previous several months. Keep active and enjoy life. Our October article was titled Call a Classmate. A number of you took the suggestion to heart and called classmates from a long time back. Signing in to my.nd.edu is much easier now and allows access to all pages on our site. The entire class listing is available to all of us who have signed in and updated our account. The Alumni Association has already connected us on the “Join” button we discussed earlier. Once we register our account, we can access addresses, phone numbers and email addresses for classmates who have provided that data to the system. If you have not registered, go to my.nd.edu create a new account to assure access to all the pages on our site. If you have problems, call the help desk at 574-631-1579, and if you still have trouble with it, give me a call. During the pandemic, I have had the opportunity to converse with a good number of you. It is always a pleasure to visit with you. Ed Krall says, “Was the John Connor in the recent obit you sent out the Wally Connor from Indianapolis that I tried to help pass college algebra? His wonderful career is proof, in my opinion, that an English major should not be required to take algebra.” Don Wood says, “I always enjoy the class article. After ND, I went to med school at U of Maryland. After my internship, I spent two years in the Navy and then went back to Maryland, where I practiced in cardiology on the Eastern Shore of Maryland for 42 years. I retired and moved to The Villages. My wife, Mickey ’60SMC, and I have been married 55 years. I would like to attend the January Naples luncheon. I am enjoying a lot of golf.” Jim Lekin reports he has sold his company but is maintaining an emeritus CEO position for two years. Tom Lauth and John Foote were on the track team together freshman year. They didn’t quite make the Olympics, though. Bob Skrzycki gave a report on his accident. “I am in a hospital bed at Wake Med in Raleigh. June 21, I broke my right femur in three places. I now have a stainless rod the length of my femur, and there’s a screw in there somewhere. Now I need to rehab the muscles that make the leg work. The hardest thing is trying to sleep each night. It is a slow procedure. This week I graduated from a walker to a cane. My surgeon told me to continue to work hard and be patient, as a severe injury like mine takes 9-12 months to heal. It is not the healing of the bone that restricts me, it is the rehab of the muscles that were cut during the incisions to repair the bone.” Emmett McCarthy says, “Kay and I are intending to go to the 60th. We have been married for 51 years and divide our time between Florida and Idaho. We have two children, Emmett M. in the Tetons, and Clare in South Florida. I fully retired many years ago.” Comments came from Bob Keeley on the passing of Paul Marto. “Paul was incredible, our drum captain in the band dealing with all the guys who tried out and didn’t make it and/or those who did and then building a drum section anew each year. He was humble, really bright, fun, quiet, totally trustworthy and a good leader.” It is difficult to believe that 60 years have passed since my graduation with a B.S. in electrical engineering. It’s amazing to have been involved in the evolution from analog to digital.  — Joseph F. Jansen; 9190 Southmont Cove, No.103, Ft. Myers FL 3390; cell 317-514-4478; jfjansen@aol.com 

 

61 Literary Giants

Dick Lochner has written a new book, I Am Your Constant. It is an interactive book available at gabrielslibrary.com for $3.99. He says it will fill your heavenly treasure chest. He is not referring to himself, but to the fact that our loving Creator never leaves us. When we stray, He is always awaiting our return. It matters only that we repent. His mercy is endless. Dick says, “This was our foundation at ND and the book is a return to that nexus.” As you know, several of our mates write about their children attending and graduating. I welcome those letters. I have a son who graduated in 1990. As a result, every time I write about someone with multiple grads, I keep hearing the ring of a cash register in my ears, and I can only imagine what it costs now. My son Marty told his sisters, “I don’t know why Dad and Mom sent me to such a hard school.” I thought it was his idea. So, if you are so moved, email me your own story. Dennis Retoske (one of the lawyers) emailed me weighing in on USMC classmates. Summer 1960, 13 of our class were Navy ROTC Marine option candidates: Ed Able (d.), Tom Carpenter, Jerry Crowley, Noret Flood (d.), Tom Geil, Al Gleason (d.), John Hamlon, Frank Keough (d.), Dan Leucke, Don Mars, Frank McGuane, Mike Mullen and Dennis. Tom Conneely wrote me  saying that Dick Hendricks died on July 15. They met as pre-med students when we were freshmen. Tom and Dick worked several projects at ND as members of the Student Government Social Committee. Tom was chairman of the Mardi Gras Ball our senior year and Dick was on the committee. Dick of Templeton CA was an otolaryngologist. (I think my computer almost exploded trying to spell that.) He retired a couple of years ago. Tom says he was a real nice gentleman. I heard from Tim Gorman ’60 that James D. Uhull died on April 10 in Albuquerque. He is survived by his wife Mary Ann. Tim and Jim were high school buddies in Peoria. Please remember these deceased classmates and their families in your prayers. While you are at it, please pray for each other (you and our mates). We have reached that age if you know what I mean. And I know that you do … ouch. A friend of mine down here was complaining about aches and I asked what it is from. He said he has A-G-E. Keeping you up on COVID-19 statistics, I read in Time that since the pandemic began, the national average for drinking is up 14 percent. I realize I live in Texas where everything is bigger, but it does not ring true to me. I previously reported that in our county about the end of March, liquor sales were up 50 percent and around May 1 another report that was not limited to any county they were up 300 percent. That makes me worry about the accuracy of the census. Abbie is finally showing some improvement after ankle surgeries and painful physical therapy but don’t think for a minute that she’s not at the door with the latch string out. Once or twice I have seen her with a pair of binoculars scouring the horizon wondering when she will see you. If you are not coming this way, please drop us an email and tell us what you are doing at home in this pandemic. — Joseph P. (“Pat”) Kelly; 2103 N. Wheeler St., Victoria TX 77901; 361-573-9982

 

61JD Class Secretary — John N. Moreland;

jnmnd1958@aol.com

 

62 Looking Back

September 18 marked 62 years since we arrived at the University for a week of orientation, and several sent remembrances of that day. Jim Olson said, “When I got to my third-floor room in Cavanaugh and looked out the window, the Golden Dome stared me in the face. Then, that night, it was lit up as though by some giant heavenly flood light. I felt I had died and gone to heaven.” Mike Joyce remembers the feeling of awe “when Joe Bendick and I walked onto the campus for the first time. We had been on the train for almost 20 hours from Scranton and were exhausted but seeing the Golden Dome and the campus itself was overwhelming. Every time I return the same feelings resurface.” John Beall said that after eating in North Dining Hall the first night, “several of us were amused that ND was everywhere, including on the butter pats. We then found the fire station and the railroad tracks. One said, ‘There is ND on everything here including the butter pats, there can’t be an ND railroad, too.’ We then saw a locomotive with the ND and Western painted on it.” Mike Rice came by train from NYC the night before, (with John Neidhart and Vin Miccuci), took a bus to campus, found Breen-Phillips and walked into room number 219 almost at the same time as Denny O’Connell. “We found that Pat Byrne proceeded us and already had taken the top bunk. I had almost everything I owned in two old Samsonite suitcases.” Pat Murphree and Tom Zlaket took the train from L.A. to Chicago and the South Shore to South Bend. Pat said it was a long hot trip and his parents had insisted he wear a suit and tie. “We arrived on campus right about dark. I remember getting out of the cab and looking up at the lighted Dome and tears ran down my cheeks. I had never been to the campus before and I felt so lucky to be there. I was the first one in my family to attend college. At the same time, I felt sad because so many students were arriving with their parents and mine couldn’t be there with me.” Mike Clayton, along with Paul Robb, also came by train. “We got off the train from Tulsa at Union Station in Chicago, with a footlocker and a large suitcase, got a taxi and managed to arrive at a stop on the South Shore rail line. I was struck by the number of old buildings and the steel mills along the way.” Mike Precobb said he “put all my stuff in a footlocker, took it to Railway Express and then took a flight to Chicago on a DC-7 with free cigarettes and chewing gum. My St. Ed’s room in the Annex was great and close to a fire chute for disposing of empties. Arriving early, I walked around campus, which I had never seen. After seeing some real football players, I decided to put my letter sweater back in my footlocker. I doubted anyone would know El Camino High.” A number, including John Lewis, Rich Catenacci, Charlie Lancelot and Tom Maxwell drove to campus with their parents. In other news, Neil Hitz reports the My Life Directory he developed sold more than 800 copies and was mentioned in a Wall Street Journal article. Dick Gemperle was elected president of the board of Hugo House, a non-profit in Seattle devoted to the art of writing. Tom Bull passed away on Sept. 16. — Raymond Raedy; 5310 Rileys Ridge Road, Hillsborough NC 27278; 919-967-8816; nd62secy@medicinemanremedies.com

 

62JD Keeping Busy

Paul Rooney reports that his son Keith Rooney became a solicitor in London and his grandson, Enlia, is in grammar school. George McAndrews reports that he and his wife, Kathy, and his mother-in-law, age 104, are on coronavirus lockdown at their beach home in New Buffalo MI. The family is well. He expects to move to his beach home on Marco Island FL during the first week of November, after he votes. He is proud of Amy Barrett and said she should make us and the Law School proud. Mike Kelly reports that after several attempts (i.e. the dog ate my homework) he finally found my email address and will keep in touch. Mike reports that he retired in 2013 and has been busy ever since. He and his wife, Margie, and the kids are well. Keep well and God bless you all. — Thomas Kelly; 802 Ambriance Drive, Burr Ridge IL 60527; marianne1956@sbcglobal.net

 

63 Men of Many Talents

More on John Kane. A mechanical engineering graduate, he began his career with SPS Technologies. On Christmas Eve 1963, John was drafted into the Army, earned a commission through Officer Candidate School, and then served as the intelligence officer of an artillery battalion in Germany. After the service, he joined the family business in the manufacture of commercial vehicles, leading the company as its chief executive officer until it closed in 1983. For the next 13 years, he worked in the distribution and sales of electronic equipment. John wrapped up his career as the director of community development in his hometown of Collingswood NJ, retiring in January 2010. Michael McCarthy reports that beginning in April and continuing to the present, 14 members of our class have been meeting once a week for a spirited, hour-long Zoom discussion. Andy Griffin organizes the weekly event centered on a topic chosen the week before. Very candid views are expressed by all participants on topics covering politics, religion, cultural differences, racial justice, foreign policy, the independence of the judiciary, the Presidential campaign, and analysis and appraisal of the debates. Michael said, “It’s wonderful to see candor, civility and enduring friendship so consistently combined.” Participants live in Seattle WA, Phil Kienast; Denver CO, John McCabe and Bill Haley; Kansas City MO, Jim Wyrsch; Chicago, Albuquerque and the Indiana Dunes, Andy Griffin; Winnetka IL, Bob Mc Neill; Montego Bay, Jamaica, John Kearney; Jacksonville FL, Ed Collins; Boone NC, Tom Mc Gowan; Providence RI, Dan Fennell; U of Rhode Island Al Kililea; Cape Cod, Mike Dunning; Brooklyn Heights NY, Michael Sennott; and the Mid-Hudson Valley NY, Michael McCarthy. Bob Johnson graduated from Tulane School of Law in 1966, and practiced civil litigation for 53 years in New Orleans. Bob started two successful law firms and maintained a mediation practice. Since retiring, Bob has been volunteering at the National WWII Museum, where he leads tours. Bob and his wife, Barbara, have been married for over 40 years and have three children and six grandchildren, all of whom are doing well. Bob reports, “I have had a fine life.” Bob also noted that Tom Rodgers died on June 9, 2019, of brain cancer. He was in Tucson, where he had retired. After graduation, Tom became a psychiatrist and practiced in the Navy in San Diego after which he served with the U.S. Foreign Service as a psychiatrist in Asia, Africa and South America. Bob also reports that Phil Ruddy passed away June 25 at Union Pier MI. Phil was a Double Domer, having graduated from Notre Dame Law School in 1966. He was secretary of his class. He had a successful legal career in Aurora IL, and during his retirement was a volunteer at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center at Notre Dame. Phil is survived by his wife, Colleen, and three children. The Alumni Association reports the following additional deaths: Michael D. Curran died on July 29. Thomas J. Kapacinskas passed away on Aug. 14 in South Bend and is survived by his wife, Dr. Judith A. Robert, and four children. Frank J. Martorano MD died on June 3 in Castle Rock CO. He is survived by his wife Mary and five children. Robert C. Juster died on June 11 and is survived by two children. — John F. Dougherty Jr.; 915 Exeter Crest, Villanova PA 19085; 215-510-0844; johndoc969@gmail.com

 

63JD Class Secretary — Bob Saxe;

15725 Ranchero Drive, Morgan Hill CA, 95037; bsaxe5@aol.com 

 

64 Life is Beautiful

That’s the word from Joe Mayer. After Navy service (MACV, Bronze Star and work on development of the Aegis system), Joe completed his MBA in finance and real estate at UCLA. His first career stop was a 12-year gig in administration, research and academic planning at USC. He then formed a real estate development firm building condos in Southern California before becoming a legal researcher primarily writing appellate briefs in the real estate/construction space. Retiring in 2004, Joe now travels extensively from his base in Palm Desert, still making lots of time available for his four grandchildren. Matt Storin is on the verge of his third retirement. His first role was as editor of the Boston Globe. His second was as a member of Notre Dame’s faculty and administration, and his third is as president of The Camden Conference, a volunteer organization sponsoring education programs in Maine. He has four kids and six grandchildren. Bravo! Terry Kollman is working on a project in L.A. that will gather together many musicians to raise funds for the homeless. He and Synda are in the Boca Raton/Deerfield Beach area of Florida. John McConville and Therese have been in York PA since 1976 when John completed his medical training in infectious diseases. He practiced at York Hospital for 31 years, assuming administrative roles as well. They spend winters in Vero Beach. John shared the sad news that our classmate (and his brother-in-law) Mike Dillon, passed away in July. Mike was a distinguished and frequently published political science professor at LaSalle through 1985, and a respected environmental lawyer thereafter until his retirement in 2007. Three children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren survive. Nick Muller started with the Gorsuch Kirgis law firm in Denver before becoming head attorney for Samsonite and Gates. He then partnered in the construction of private electric generation plants in Colorado, first gas-fired plants then wind and solar. He and Sally have two kids and two grandkids. Nick also coordinated a Zoom call with Rich Wolfe a month before Rich lost his battles with cancer and COVID in Phoenix. On the call in addition to Nick and Rich were Paul Charron, your class scribe, Jack McCabe, Bill Meeker, John Bradley, Jerry Bradley, Bill Chapman, John Hargrove, Tom Fox, Fred Heroman, Chris Fuller, Jon Spoelstra, Frank Fee, John Counsell, Bob Dunne, Joe Farrell and Bobbye Borchers Flecker. Rich was as cheerful and fun as ever, telling stories including some from the many sports books he has written. A consummate marketer, prankster extraordinaire and successful author, Rich will be missed. We lost Joe Farrell just a week after Rich passed away. A noted running back from Chicago, Joe even had the opportunity to play for Ara. He and Joan collaborated on 56 years of wedded bliss. This partnership produced five kids and nine grandchildren, in addition to a reputation for a most welcoming tailgate on home football weekends. Joe loved golf, his second home on Siesta Key and all those grandkids. Dick Kennedy, a “semi-retired” Colorado Springs attorney, writes that his former roommate, Bob Kaffer, passed away at home in Denver. Bob worked for the CIA, picked up a PhD in sociology, then embarked on a series of fascinating research projects before becoming a higher education recruiter. Don Peterson passed away in Seattle. After Peace Corps service, he continued a foreign service career, retiring in 2013. Wife Maria, two sons and two grandchildren survive. A full mail bag remains, so John Nelson, David Fuys and Nick Iuppa move to the next issue. — Paul R. Charron; 44 Contentment Island Road., Darien CT; 917-860-5385; paul.richard.charron@gmail.com

 

64JD News Galore

With sadness, I report that Steve Morse passed on September 3 in Traverse City MI following a long bout with lung cancer. Steve was an accomplished civil litigator, with the bulk of his practice representing the ACLU throughout Michigan and Indiana. He was recognized by the ACLU (and by several other organizations) with many distinguished service awards for his advocacy. He also was an adjunct professor at the Law School 1996-99 before relocating to Traverse City. Rest in peace, Steve. Jim Mercurio is celebrating his son John’s appointment as senior vice president of the Motion Picture Association, whose membership includes Disney Studios, Netflix, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. and other major players in the entertainment arena. John’s responsibilities encompass all global communications of the MPA, with a special focus on the association’s content protection efforts. Jim recently passed through the 80s age portal. Happy birthday, Jim. Jack Rammel remains our class youngster at somewhere “around 78.” Jack Jiganti remains involved in charitable activities, particularly the Gerald Vairo Memorial Fund, which he founded in Michigan last year. He also continues his day job in Chicago as a principal in a nationwide investment group. Kay and Tom Conneely remain in good spirits in Mill Valley, weathering the pandemic-induced boredom all of us endure while looking forward (as many of us do) to treks to the grocery store as entertainment. JoAnn and Gene Kramer recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, and we send our kudos to them. Lou Pfeiler is doing well in Dubuque IA, bracing for a severe winter, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. Bob Cash and Larry Gallick have returned to Venice FL after spending most of the summer in the Midwest and in upper New York. Bob Frost remains our class piñata, this time for eye surgery, and is recovering on schedule. Bob Hanlon has retired from his automobile defense litigation practice and sends his regards to everyone. I speak often with Charles Sacher in Miami and can report he (and his special cat, Ted) are well. Pat Weir continues his peripatetic schedule. He chairs the North Dakota State Parole Board, Horse Racing Commission, the State Historical Society and numerous other boards and appointments. Frank Miele no longer works as a supernumerary since the American Ballet Theater and Metropolitan Opera have cancelled their seasons. He is, however, still a workout warrior and in good shape and health. Russ Bley is well and mitigating boredom by mastering thousand-word puzzles, reading books for which he had no time before the pandemic and by viewing Turner Classic movies. Jim Slater has curtailed travel, increased exercising and reading. Finally, Sharon and I are well and send our best regards. — Richard Balfe Wagner; 1204 Erskine Manor Hill, South Bend IN 46614; res, 574- 299-9888, cell,760-567-1270; rswagnersb@gmail.com

 

65 Clean Energy

Bernie Zahren, CEO, Clean Feet Investors, continues his efforts to reduce our carbon footprint and develop sustainable energy sources. His first investment fund in this quest was successful and now his second fund will focus on developing a battery storage company in San Francisco to contain solar and wind energy resulting in a microgrid of electricity. Bernie lives in Avon CT and has a daughter, Ellen ’94. Tom Cihak enjoyed reading about his fellow Lyons Hall residents in our last column. His wife, Rogene, wrote that several years ago Tom had a stroke that among other issues resulted in expressive aphasia. Reading about his classmates and all matters concerning ND serves as a true tonic for his well-being. Prior to the stroke he had a great career with Equitable/AXA. They live in Yankton SD. Paul Ray retired as regional director for Latin America at Monarch Life Insurance. Paul and wife, Mary Ann, live in Easton MD and have three children, including John ’90. Two of their granddaughters are in college. Last fall, Marcy and Jim Longe celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary with a Mass at their local parish. Jim is winding down his small business mentoring with SCORE but continues to volunteer at a local St Vincent DePaul store. Bradenton FL is their winter home. Stillman St. Clair (Saint) is retired from sales and management positions at Maritz Inc. in St Louis and has relocated to southeastern North Carolina where he helps with the local food bank along with philanthropic efforts at local military bases. Saint’s retirement life is more active than he anticipated. Two of our classmates own award-winning wineries. Judy and Len Wiltberger have spent more than 40 years developing their winery (keukaspringwinery.com) on the shores of Keuka Lake, a Finger Lake in western New York. They feature dry white wines and their family (Mark ’90, Tom ’91, Jeanne ’95, Joseph ’01) contribute to the business. Irene and Ed Ojdana have a winery in the Diamond Mountain district of Napa Valley (ed@vineyard511.com). Their featured wine is cabernet sauvignon aged for 30 months in 100 percent French oak followed by 18 months in the bottle. Ed contributed this wine to our 50th reunion dinner and will again for our next gathering. Fortunately, the fires in Napa spared their home and winery and their grapes were harvested before the fires arrived. In July, Chuck Wetli died from lung cancer. He is survived by his wife, Geetha, four children and seven grandchildren. Chuck was a forensic pathologist who contributed significantly to the science of his profession via numerous medical journal articles and several books plus academic appointments. He served as chief medical examiner for Suffolk County NY. His most famous case was the explosion of the 1996 Boeing 747 TWA flight shortly after departing JFK. Chuck led the effort to meticulously identify all the victims. Bob Lee, class treasurer, and I have worked with the University to hold our delayed 55th reunion prior to their scheduled two Reunion celebrations next summer. Understanding the need to be proximal to the campus as well as not to interfere with other returning classes, we will meet on June 1-2 with the Morris Inn as our event facility. Our two dinners will be held there or in another campus venue. Donated wine and good speakers will add to the dinner. Attendees will be responsible for their own reservations at the Morris Inn or another facility. Registration, cost and payment details will be in our next column and via the University. Safety during this pandemic is paramount so availability of a safe and effective COVID vaccine is essential to the success of this reunion. Please, though, do make your reservations now. — James P. Harnisch MD; 6759 West Mercer Way, Mercer Island WA 98040; jphnd65@hotmail.com

 

65JD Class Secretary — John Donald O’Shea;

pelagius@qconline.com

 

66 Lava Lamps, Beatlemania, Go-Go Boots

Ring a bell? Those were among the hot trends during our time under the Dome. Now it’s largely about the COVID-19 pandemic and the political polarization that has afflicted the nation, not to mention TikTok, memes and social media. Go figure. I received an unexpected call from Bob Conway in London, who was seeking to connect with class president Cap Gagnon, who was rumored to be wreaking havoc on a South Bend golf course at the time. A former Goldman Sachs partner, Bob has been a stalwart ND advocate, serving on the Board of Trustees and providing significant philanthropic support, including Conway Hall for the ND exchange program in London. Of the same ilk is Doug Ford, who enjoyed a stellar career in the oil industry, including as president of Amoco Oil Co., and has likewise served on the ND board, while also being a generous benefactor. Thinking of Doug reminds me of Chicagoans Arunas Vasys and Tom Talaga, along with Bob Brandt, who used to hang together. I believe that late Windy City native Pete Andriotti was also part of that crew. Where are you guys and what are you up to? What about Cole Clarke, Bill Breen, Ray Neihengan and Frank Murtha? The late Chicagoan Jim Phelan’s name also came up in a recent conversation. Jim married my high school classmate, Judy Sherrod from Oklahoma City. Since we’re jaunting down memory lane, I wonder what the story is with some of you who lived near Wads and me in Stanford Hall: Ben Nelson, Jim Murphy, Tom Callahan, Pete Palumbo, Tom Belden and Ben Campbell. I’d also enjoy hearing about John Musto, my senior-year roomie in Pangborn, who is reputed to be in the Sacramento area. And what about our great Canadian mate Mike Webster, who used to work me over regularly in football practice and is said to reside out British Columbia way? I hear occasionally about my high school mate Bob Luetkemeyer, now comfortably retired but staying active in OKC. Jack Gerken’s yeoman service to the class continues. He designed, launched and maintained the class website (1966.undclass.org). Check it out for news, of which Jack has tons. And Jack did send word about Terry Casey and John Devona. Terry and Melinda live in Malibu, where John is retired following a stellar career in real estate development and property management. John and Virginia reside outside of Chicago in Western Springs. John also had a successful career, working for IBM and United Airlines before joining the group that manages McCormick Place and Navy Pier in Chicago. He also engaged with the organization that updated airport security at O’Hare and Midway following 9/11. Here is an update on the late Pete Riehm ’66, ’67, ’70, ’75PhD who passed away last April. He earned four ND degrees and spent his career as a mechanical and nuclear engineer, working for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and SAIC in the DC area. Pete loved ND and the family kept photos of the campus near his bed during his final illness. More sad news: Rich Sauget down St. Louis way shared that his good friend and sidekick Larry Mauch crossed over in September. I recall Larry well from our shared grid experience and he is remembered as a great family man who spent his career developing convenience stores for a major oil company. I enjoyed an early October round of golf with Luke McGuinness on Martha’s Vineyard. He and Gail are splitting their time between Chicago and Martha’s Vineyard. Mojo is building for a 55th reunion next June, pandemic permitting. Such a gathering would be phenomenal, and Cap and his planning gang will keep us posted on specifics. Jack Gerken will serve as communicator-in-chief for all things relative to the reunion, through the class website. Brian Graham has weighed in with thoughts as to program possibilities. Be well, stay safe and enjoy each day. — Tom Sullivan; 1108 Westwicke Lane, Lutherville MD 21093; cell 773-454-4343; t66sullynd@gmail.com

 

67 Orlando Peters

Don Peters tells us he last wrote to this column 20 years ago, and at that time we claimed he retired and moved to Orlando. All these years later, it is partially true. He winters in Orlando with his wife, Kathy (Penick) ’67 SMC, but he still is not retired, maintaining a boutique law firm he founded in Chicago in 1971. Don and Kathy live in Burr Ridge IL. Leo Collins writes from the Twin Cities where he has been in retirement for five years and still is active in the Notre Dame Club of Minnesota, where he helps serve the homeless along with classmate Joel Maturi. Leo avidly follows Irish hockey and marvels how far hockey has come from the days in Howard Park. He sees fellow puckster Tom Heiden, who is also still practicing law in high-profile civil cases. He mentions teammate Frank Manning passed away last year. Leo also frequently sees Alan Page, who is retired from the Minnesota Supreme Court and has a middle school in Minneapolis named after him. Paul Bevilaqua writes from San Diego, where he is semi-retired and on lockdown. He is a part-time visiting professor at Purdue for 30 days a year, but not this year due to COVID. He is finishing a book on the design and development of the F-35 that he and classmate Bob Cuccias worked on together. The working title of the book is It’s No Secret. A couple years back, Paul was awarded the Guggenheim Medal in Aeronautics. Paul saw Steve Vogel in Buffalo a few years back. Steve is happily retired. Joan Vernetti wrote to inform us her husband Jim Vernetti died in May from COPD. Joan and Jim had two children graduate from Notre Dame, Kathy ’91 and Brian ’01. Jim was active in the San Diego club. J. Kirk Davis published The Hero and the Beauty in 2019 and received five-star reviews on Amazon. Charlie Toeniskoetter writes that he and his wife celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary and have four children, two of whom are Domers. Three of his children work in the family businesses in Silicon Valley. He stays in touch with classmates who were members of the rugby team, and he serves on the team’s advisory council. Bill Stallings tells us that he observed two milestones in 2020. First, he celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary with his grad school sweetheart, Tricia, whom he met while pursuing a PhD at MIT. Also, Bill retired from his work as a textbook author on computer science and cybersecurity. Bruno Rizzo informs us that he turned over his 10-person law firm to his daughter Nicole L. Beddings ’94. Nicole attended Marquette Law after Notre Dame. Bruno has three daughters, and each has three children. As a going away present, his neighbor, 92, gave him COVID. Fortunately Bruno was asymptomatic and had no residuals. We were sent an obit on Dr. Bill Merrill who passed on August 30. Bill was on the 1966-67 National Championship fencing team. Bill went on to medical school at Marquette, interned at Yale New Haven Hospital, and taught at Yale, Tulane and the Medical School of South Carolina, where he was chair of medicine. After his retirement in 2016, the family moved to Louisville to be closer to their children. Michael Smolak tells us that 2020 has been tumultuous for him with COVID and the western wildfires. He and Barbara celebrated 50 years of marriage and he retired by turning over his business, Northwest Investment and Retirement Group, to his co-founder. Tom Hennessy met Cathy and Bill Ragan in Buzzards Bay in September, along with a couple of Navy buddies. Bob Dowdell made the local news in Southern California as Bob’s kidney donor from a few years ago died from COVID. The local news did a nice two-minute clip as Bob encouraged everyone to wear masks. Dan Madigan says the annual golfing mini reunion was held in Michigan, hosted by Pete Shirk and his wife, Jo. Dan even traveled to campus, which he hardly recognized. Also at the Shirk outing were Nort Schonfeld, Jim Quinn, Joe Belden, John Adams, Paul Ferguson, Joe Kehoe and Bob Denvir. Please write. — Bert R. Bondi; 1891 Curtis St., Unit 1502, Denver CO 80202; bertrbondi@gmail.com 

 

67JD Flu, Fires and Floods

An update from the Harringtons: daughter Maris is still suffering from multiple significant symptoms after COVID infection. Hopefully, they will fade with time but there is no guarantee. Jim is suffering from migraine headaches, and even a trip to the Mayo Clinic did not help. Prayers are appreciated. Sarah and Gary Kaup are fine, although Gary was found to have the COVID virus after a routine blood test, but he never had any symptoms. He has been in the COVID virus plasma program for months since diagnosis. The Kaups spend most of their time at the lake in Angola IN with Gary working in his pottery studio. Our West Coast classmates, John Hargrove, Dick Muench, Jack Harty and John Blasi report that they are fine with no imminent threat from the wildfires nor direct contact with the virus. The fire threat increases as you travel north along the coast. John, in San Diego, and Dick, a little further north, had some smoke exposure from a relatively small fire, but the smoke exposure increased significantly for Jack in the Monterey Bay area where the sky not only turned orange but an “eerie” orange that turned day into night. John Blasi, north of Seattle, had five days of bad air quality but was 75 miles from the closest fire. Bobby Barkley also reports that he survived the latest hurricane in which New Orleans was within the “cone” of probable impact at some point. The latest hurricane to hit near Bobby caused less storm surge than previous storms and no flooding. In this crazy whack-a-mole storm season, New Orleans has had a record six hurricanes and the threat doesn’t end until December. Lois Brenner spent the summer visiting family in New Hampshire and DC with lots of quality time with the older grandchildren. She is looking forward to returning home to Naples FL. Beth and Frank Verterano are healthy but have cancelled major travel plans for the rest of the year. Although ND and Penn State are playing football, the Verteranos cannot use their season tickets to either college because of attendance rules. Nevertheless, they have been using their condo in South Bend for a change in scenery. Frank Carey has a new email address, fjcareylaw@gmail.com. He is well and working from home. Mike Seng also has a new email, mseng@uic.edu, because his university, John Marshall, has been absorbed by the U of Illinois at Chicago. Nevertheless, his tenure is secured, although dealing with a large bureaucracy raises new challenges and ways of doing things. COVID has added to these challenges by forcing all classes to be online. Add to this, Mike is now teaching 12 credit hours rather than the normal six. Truth be told, he still loves it. John Nelson continues to be active or, is at least keeping the local doctors active. He had hip replacement surgery, carpal tunnel surgery, a stroke and then had a 95 percent blockage of the carotid artery removed. He still has two eye surgeries to go. John keeps track of the number of times “he should have died” and is currently at the 17 mark. I think many of us could match or exceed that number if you count, as threats to life, malevolent glances from our spouses expressing displeasure at our many failures. — Jim Heinhold; 1200 Carmel Lane, New Bern NC 28562; res 252-638-5913; im4irish@aol.com

 

68 Group Hug, Still Six Feet Distant

Class president Tom Weyer says the quarantine and the passing years (termed by Mike Suelzer “the lengthening shadows”) increase appreciation for words from his father Honest John, “I like how you guys take care of each other.” Tom marvels that anything could have kept him from attending Brian Sullivan’s funeral or from pushing into a packed Sacred Heart Basilica for Joe Kernan’s. Tom heard from classmates Chris Murphy, Rocky Bleier, Gene Cavanaugh, and Steve Anderson during a no-tailgate game: “All are lonely, all are in meatloaf withdrawal.” Fred Ferlic has an idea Tom endorses: “Use our 50-Year Club privileges and piggyback onto the 2021 reunion.” Jim O’Rourke forwarded a note that Notre Dame has revised the service that gives us access to online information, including the addresses and telephone numbers of friends from any class. Registration is easy at my.nd.edu. The 10-digit number on the mailing label of your Notre Dame Magazine will get you underway. The tool is a good one for contacting friends ahead of the type of reunion Fred Ferlic proposes. Retired FBI agent Rich Rogers wasn’t waiting for any online help when he was out for a bike ride in Jupiter FL and spied another man bedecked in the same Notre Dame splendor, from hat to shorts. Rich introduced himself and, in a manner of speaking, collared a classmate who has been hiding in the shadows for decades: “Fred Franco, a great guy who was a prosecutor in New Jersey dealing with organized crime.” Rich’s moral: “It always pays to wear your Notre Dame stuff.” Tom Culcasi, Joe Hale and others who enjoyed swanky Keenan Hall lodging freshman year have begun a regular Zoom session. Tom says the Keenanites so far are Tom Phillips, Mike Moore, Bill Cleary, Tom Curtin and John Soleau. Joe Hale, Mike Obiala, Marty Fino, Rob McDonald, Skip Schrader, Dan Collins, Ted Bratthauer, and Charlie Stevenson all the way from Australia. “Zoom shows that none of us has aged,” says Tom, “though a few of us part our hair with a much wider center part.” Pat Collins, who is under consideration for receipt of Notre Dame’s Griffin Award for writing, has completed Newsman (available at politics-prose.com/book/9781624292897). What Pat has written spans his DC upbringing through his years as a newspaper and television reporter and how news reporting has changed since he was Observer editor. Michael R. Ryan, head of the MFA program at the U of California-Irvine, has been productive and then some: five books of poems, an autobiography, a memoir, and a collection of essays about poetry and writing for which he has won strings of awards. Or try Tom Dorsel for Golf: The Mental Game. Or John D. O’Connor for the Watergate subjects probed in Felt and Postgate. Or Tom Condon for, among others, How to Hire and the sequel, How to Fire. Out in the blogosphere, Jay Schwartz has his One More Thing, postings at jayschwartzonthegrid.com. Forrest Hainline says John O’Connor has retired from legal practice and is now golfing thrice weekly with his wife, Nancy. In a good-old-days moment, Bill Matturro remembered attending a post-Stepan Center concert party where Linda Rondstadt was present. Bob Noonan participated in a Veterans Day panel Notre Dame videoed for alumni group distribution: “With me on the panel was retired Navy Rear Admiral Herb Kaler who was part of our class earning a liberal arts B.A., but also he graduated from ND in ’69 with a degree in aerospace engineering. Clearly an overachiever.” Rev. John Sheehan, SJ, seemingly ever in transit, is now chaplain at the U of St. Francis, Fort Wayne IN. Dave Graves has his own transition underway: Rich Rogers says that, under the care of Dr. Pat DeMare, Dave is recovering from coronavirus. Prior to the quarantine, Mike Thompson visited attorney Jim Carfagno and Susan in Atkins AR. Mike, an accountant, came from Evansville IN. Steve Anderson added the sad news of Joe Kernan’s death July 29 and Dennis Doherty’s death Aug. 8 with revelation of his own dire condition, a cancer that, Steve says will not prevent him from joining the class at the 2021 Reunion. “I can never thank you enough for what your friendships have meant to me and what each of you individually has taught me,” Steve wrote. Our blog, ndclass1968.com, has full news reports plus photos. Please send news and photos. — Tom Figel; 1054 W. North Shore, Apt. 3E, Chicago IL 60626; 312-241-7917; tfigel@reputecture.com

 

68JD Fondly Remembered

With regret, we report the passing of Steve Madonna. Our sympathy is extended to his wife, Sherry, and his family. Tom Curtin attended Steve’s service on Oct. 5. John Coyle was not able to attend because of COVID-19. May all of us recall the great memories at Fisher Hall 1965-66. Unfortunately, we also learned of the death on August 14 of Tom Kapacinskas. Our sympathy is extended to his wife, Judith, and his family. Terry Kelly summed up Tom as follows: “Tom Kapacinskas played a different drum. But a mighty fine drum it was, and he played it with fervor and beauty. And our music was much improved because of Tom.” In addition, Jim Seckinger remembered Tom as follows: “Tom played a very fine tune and left society better than he found it on a quiet daily basis, much like St. Therese of Lisieux. We all have our gifts, and Tom’s shone brightly in helping others.” On a positive note, Tom Curtin’s email dated September 21 generated some great information about our class. While many responded, I believe John Pusey summed up some of the great stories about our faculty. John sent the following: “Blakey: Was fearful some of us were Commies. (Not all of us.) Noonan: He was convinced we were absolute idiots. (We were idiots, just not absolute.) Rhoades: I tried in vain to get the name of his tailor. (It was Goodwill.) Lewers: Wonderful guy. (He was the one who recommended me to my future employers in Peoria, who never forgave him.) Murphy: Great teacher with great sense of humor. Shaffer: To quote Dean Dave Link, ‘Tom Shaffer was one of the smartest lawyers I’ve ever known.’ A lawyers’ lawyer. Peters: Gentle student and teacher of the law. Mentor to Willy Francis. The Chief: Thought the SCOTUS’s theme song was the ND Victory March. (That may soon come true.) Beloved guy.” While most of the class had some great experiences, there was one report that showed all was not perfect for everyone while at ND. Thanks to Tom for reaching out to the class, obtaining updates on our professors, and parties at the bomb shelter, Madison Manor, etc. As an update, Suzanne and I, Dennis Collins, visited Kansas City during the last week of September to visit the World War I Museum. While it does not compare to the World War II Museum in New Orleans, it was an interesting experience to learn the history from the start of the war in 1914 to the Versailles Treaty in 1919. During our visit to Kansas City, we had the pleasure of visiting with Jim Cooling. Jim demonstrated again that he has no fear. Notwithstanding strong storm warnings, Jim commandeered his boat from the Cooling Lakehouse with my wife and another friend to a local restaurant. (I drove to the restaurant in my car.) Happily, all arrived safely. Jim and his family are doing well and his son practices aviation law with Jim in Kansas City. Please remember in our prayers our deceased classmates including John Amerman, Emilio Belluomini, John Burgess, Albert Dudash, Richard Hirsch, Tom Kapacinskas, Joseph Ladd, Steve Madonna, Larry Miller and Robert Wilczek. As usual, I would appreciate everyone providing me with an update as to what is happening with you and your family so that we can share this information with class members. — Dennis G. Collins; 2203 Derby Way, St. Louis MO 63131; bus 314-516-2648; dgc@greensfelder.com

 

69 Authors, in the News, Zooming 

Authors, publishers and producers: David Coulter published two books, Bringing in the Sheaves: Poems and Essays and Unlikely Heroes: Three Saint Lawrence River Novellas. Peter McInerney wrote Tellings of Youth and Age about his family, ND and some important people in his life. John Wehrheim produced the third edition of his book, Taylor Camp. He also wrote “Sheltering in Place” in Society Sunday, documenting refuge and survival in a secret Hawaiian valley. Don Wycliff wrote “The Pillars that Hold Us Up” in the summer 2020 ND Magazine. Don Barkman’s company published Trump and the Demise of Democracy. Gary Campana published his 14th novel, Suited for Death. Bill Tenuto published the novel Dancing with the Spirits. Jim Pellegrin published in the autumn Notre Dame Magazine a story dedicated to Rev. Ernie Bartell ’53: “What We Learned about Today Back Then.” Several ’69ers have been in the news. Mike Cerre produced the 22-minute podcast “Leading from the Front: Racial Equality in the Military” for the Marines Memorial Club. The South Bend Tribune published a story about Frank Criniti. The Sierra Club’s spring 2020 newsletter published “Nature as Spiritual Inspiration: The David Coulter Story.” Black Domers by Don Wycliff and David Krashna ’71 was part of a University-wide online Shared Reading Experience. The ND Club of Harrisburg honored Jon Tocks for his work with its Adopt-a-Highway project. Jim Burke, Fritz Gast, Ernie Gargaro, Jim Lyons, Mike Satorino and Jim Slattery had a three-day golf outing in South Bend. Distant relatives Joe Thimes and Jim Voelker discovered through a class blog story they were ND classmates. Delbert Hosemann fully recovered from his bout with COVID-19. In August, Jeannie and Jim Burke, Nada and John Hodel, Peggy and Jack Gannon, Colleen and Jay Cana, and Cathy (Mrs. Jack) Van Etten gathered at the Hodels for a barbecue. In September, student managers and trainers began Zooming: Mike Busby, Tom Feske, Terry Fiorina, Fritz Gast, Terry Magee, Brad McConville, Len Moretti, Tom Shannon, and Pete Sullivan. Tom Vos hosted a virtual tailgater for the Duke game with Dennis Beissel, Bruce Boyle, Jerry Haddock, and Joe Mansur. The “Farley Bros” Zoom every three weeks or so: Jim Conway, Tom Flanagan, Errol Flynn, Gene Hammond, Mike McCauley, Hub Miller, Larry Pezanko, Gary Rimlinger, Greg Ryder, Dick DeSimon, Chip Stumpf, Bill Waldron, and Ed Weinlein. In October, Mike Cerre, retired Navy Rear Admiral Herb Kaler, retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Pete Sullivan, and retired Army Lt. Gen. Bob Noonan ’68, participated in a recorded Zoom video as part of an ND Senior Alumni November veteran’s program. More 50th anniversaries from 2018: Jane and Bruce Myers in March; Nancy and Clint Sullivan. 2019: Linda and Ron Cuchna in August, Winnie and Roy Arnn in September, Marian and Dennis Furey and Mary and Mike Malloy in December. In 2020: Joann and Tim Swan in January; Sue and Dennis George, Pam and Pete McFarlane in May; Sharie and Mike “Buzz” Busby in July; Mary Jo and George Coughlin, Chris (Kennedy) ’70SMC and Jack Mahon, Jenean and Jim Springrose, Kathleen (Larkin ’71SMC) and yours truly John Hickey, Cindy and Dan Merritt, Celia and Len Moretti, Ellen and Rob Narucki in August; Barbara and George Arkedis, Patricia (Sweeney) and Rick Boland, Claudia and Rich Kernan, Kerry and Tom Shannon in September; Colleen and Jim Miller in November. Congratulations. Deaths: Michael Bright, 28, son of Lawrence Bright, died on August 12. In August, John McCoy’s remains were found after he disappeared and had been pronounced dead while skiing in New Mexico in January. Architect Tom Genis died in Washington DC September 5. Earl Mellor, husband of Fritz Keppler, died in Arlington VA October 12. Our deepest condolences to their families. Take care and God bless. — John Hickey; 262.385.1961; jphjr47@hotmail.com; notredameclassof1969blog.blogspot.com 

 

69MBA News from Zoom

Since we have held our biweekly Zoom calls, there has not been any material submitted for the column, so I will give you some information derived from the calls. Will Pollard ’93 shared with us his experiences as a Black man in America, and it was an eye-opener for most of us. That led to several initiatives by Joe Cavato, Sue Jerutis, Jerry Claeys, Cliff Fleming, Nick Walz and others. We learned Bill McGuire is an artist with lots of paintings in his studio/garage. Cliff Fleming is doing a 50/50 lifestyle between northwestern Indiana and Florida. Ken Samara of Dallas has successfully navigated a couple of surgeries. Tom Gill lives in NYC but plans on moving to Seattle before the end of the year. Bob Orthey, in the Twin Cities, seems to be spending a lot of time at his grandkids’ games. Vince George of Dallas spent a lot of time at his lake house with visits to Chicago. Dennis McCarthy is working hard in northern Michigan, adjusting to the effects of COVID restrictions on his businesses. Jerry Claeys, on the other hand, has slowed down a bit after retirement. Yours truly, Bob Dowdell, has played more golf this year in the afternoon than I ever imagined — work in the day and golf in the evenings — pretty cool lifestyle. — Bob Dowdell; 31625 Coast Highway, Laguna Beach CA 92651; 714-381-6104; bobdowdell55@gmail.com

 

69JD Aloha, George 

George Rice passed away after a battle with lung cancer and COVID-19. The many emails I have received from our classmates have praised George as a person, father and lawyer. His first court victory was representing John MacLeod, as a 1L in a traffic matter in southern Indiana. George and John were on their way to Louisville when their trip was interrupted. George made an impassioned statement to the judge (who was the town optician) on the deficiencies of radar in traffic cases. The judge saw it George’s way, laughed and dismissed the ticket. It was George’s first of many court victories. George was a wonderful person in many ways with a great sense of humor and will be missed by his family and his classmates. Mike Lannon later was referred a case by George that involved land in Kentucky owned by the Diocese of Long Island. John MacLeod has written another book, this time a legal mystery novel, Justice Hill. The book is available on Amazon. Hank Catenacci retired on Sept. 1 though, technically, he will remain a partner in Connell Foley and will decide what — if any — matters he wants to take on. He and Kathy are looking at a trip to Hawaii once traveling is safe. Nick Trogan has “escaped” Puerto Rico, and he and Judy are safely back in Michigan. Sue and I missed getting together with them when we were in Saugatuck. Please be safe. Hopefully, we can have a real reunion soon. — Jim Starshak; 889 Kaohe Place, Honolulu HI 96825; res 808-385-0443; cell 808-778-4033; starman@hawaii.rr.com