1970s

70 October Reunion

Our third attempt at the 50th reunion, after COVID cancelled us in June 2020 and June 2021, will be Oct. 10-12. Instead of a dormitory, we have a choice of seven hotels, Sacred Heart Parish Center, and (by lottery) Morris Inn for our class and the Class of ’71, which also missed its 50th reunion. Students will be on campus. Highlights include terrific autumn weather, delightful reconnections, entertainment, seminars, a return to our source of inspiration and a class-wide ceremony for “Reunion,” our memorial green space along the St. Joseph River, dedicated by three classmates and the City of South Bend in November. Tentative plans call for an event Oct. 9 (ND at Virginia Tech), possibly featuring river tours, brief speeches, septuagenarian music and refreshments. Greg Sullivan has contacted the Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi’s descendants of 1830s owners of the land. The band engaged Rev. Stephen Badin of Detroit to assure continued residence in northern Indiana. The effort, based in Leopold Pokagon’s log house on what became Saint Mary’s Lake, led to transfer of property to Rev. Edward Sorin, CSC, for the 1842 founding of ND. Subsequent archaeologists found traces of Potawatomi dwellings along the river. No doubt the “Reunion” green space was once their fishing site. We hope to coordinate their history with ongoing education in South Bend recognizing the three honorees of “Reunion”: Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, CSC, Martin Luther King Jr., and John Dunne. Thanks to recent donors Barney King, Greg Ziombra, Hutch Schumaker, Greg Adolf, Al LaReau, Ed McGuinness, Dan Paddick and Tom Duffy. Congratulations to Terry McCabe, American Association for the Advancement of Science 2020 Fellow “for distinguished contributions to anthropology ... understanding how people adapt to arid rangelands of East Africa.” Professor of anthropology and director, Environment and Society Program of the Institute of Behavioral Science at U Colorado, he is one of few cultural anthropologists honored. For the news, I thank Greg Brown, retired biology professor at McGill 1981-2016. Daughter Meghan ’07JD was rector of Lyons for three years and now lives with husband and two children a mile from Greg. His wife, Sheila, died in 2009 but must have been quite proud of her family. Zoom aids mini reunions with Terry, Doug Allaire (retired U Iowa), Mike Eldred (retired Terre Haute Circuit Court Judge), Bob Englert (retired lawyer, Louisville), and friend John Kelly ’71. Barb and Dick Reynolds received COVID-19 vaccines and resumed visits to Door County WI. Grandchild No. 2 was born Nov. 1. Pat and I joined Jane and John Monnich for a lovely week in Lake Lure NC in April. Following Tim Sweeney’s death in December, First Tee Board colleagues in Madison have planned a memorial golf tournament and scholarship. Albert “Hutch” Schumaker is transitioning his Coca-Cola business to his son. Started in 1916 by his grandfather, the franchise centers in Columbus IN, home of Cummins Diesel and the hospital where Hutch served on the board 16 years. Larry Didier died Feb. 2 at home in Dixon IL after a long career in treatment and prevention of drug and alcohol addiction. Most recently in Rockford IL, he promoted smoking cessation legislation and was ND club president. He is survived by two daughters, two brothers and five sisters. I enjoyed travelling with him to Israel in 2019. Tour director and president Rick Libowitz had first met him on the freshman track team. Condolences to the families of Edwin Booth, Newport RI, survived by Margaret and two sons; Dick Salzbrenner, Albuquerque, survived by Shirley and three children; Tom Trankina, survived by son James; Joe Murray, Buffalo Grove IL, survived by Linda and one child; MacDonald Smith, Sioux City, survived by Constance and two sons. — Don Graham; 1901 Glenwood; Springfield IL 62704; 217-652-1560; fever1@me.com

 

70MBA 50th Anniversary

While I was chasing COVID vaccination appointments in February, like many of you I am sure, I had the good fortune to stumble across some pictures of Helen and Jim Millikin’s 50th anniversary and reached out to Jim. He reports that he is happily retired in Illinois. He plays a lot of golf in the summertime (short season in northern Illinois) and spends time in his shop in his barn most of the year. His three girls are doing well and spread out across the country. With our 50th graduation anniversary coming up, Jim Slowinski and I are trying to drive more responses from the class. As the guy who transferred into the Notre Dame MBA Class of 1970 after the first year from the U of Illinois (Urbana), I have always appreciated the wonderful reception that I received from the class. I have always been interested to learn how each of you ended up at Notre Dame for your MBA, 50-plus years ago. Please drop me a line or call and I will compile the information and use it for a forthcoming article. In the meantime, get vaccinated and stay safe and healthy. I have included my new email address below and cell phone number. Please feel free to text, email or call. — John Carroll; 4315 Alta Drive, Apt. 1301, Suwanee GA 30024; 404-281-6524; johnrcarroll@outlook.com 

 

70JD Summer Thoughts

With sorrow, I report the passing of our classmate Thomas Michael Harvick on March 18. Tom grew up in the Windy City and graduated from St. Mary’s College in Minnesota. He was a distinguished trial attorney and a partner in the Chicago firm of Kominiarek Bresler Harvick and Gudmundson. Tom served as president of the Illinois Society of Trial Lawyers in 1996 and found time to coach high school hockey for 10 years. He was known to enjoy a good Scotch now and then. He is survived by his wife, Libby Joyce, his daughters from his first marriage to Mary Hamblet, Sara and Anne, and seven grandchildren. Tom’s death was first brought to my attention by his close friend, Tom Sopko, who was deeply saddened by the news. As word of his loss spread, Jerry Perry and Jamie Cawley recalled that Tom always had a smile on his face and, as Mike Kelleher added, there was always a twinkle in his eye. Sterling Spainhour regretted that he had lost contact with Tom and had hoped, before the pandemic occurred, to catch up with him at a class reunion. I last heard from Tom in early February when he told me how much he wanted to get back to ND to see everyone again but confided that health issues might prevent him from doing so. Please remember Tom and his family in your prayers. In other news, efforts to reschedule your 50th Law School reunion will now concentrate on a 2022 gathering. Joe Murray writes from the Bay State that having recently recovered from a bout with COVID-19, he would have hesitated to travel to a reunion this year. Over the years, Joe held a judicial clerkship in his home state, prosecuted cases for the Plymouth County DA’s Office and then shifted gears to concentrate his career on criminal defense matters. His retirement is a work in progress. Bill Keck continues his practice with Milliken & Fitton in West Chester OH. He worked from home for over a year and believes it is more productive. By the way, hats off to Bill’s mom, Vera Keck, who at 102 years of age is still involved in running the family farm in southern Ohio. Phil Schmidt practices in Chicago and observed that the pandemic had slowed down the court system. Zoom conferences as well as virtual discovery and hearings have become common. Phil and his wife, Susan, miss seeing children and grandchildren who live on the West Coast. Those nearby visit at a social distance. Before the pandemic, Phil and Susan would occasionally travel to England to spend time with a son and his family who were living in London. On those trips Phil would revisit some of the old pubs he knew from his days as a London Lucky. Maureen and Don Schuering note with pride that their grandson, Jack, will be a senior at ND this fall. Jim Harrington writes from the Big Sky state that he is retired. He and his family are doing well and Jim sends his best to all. As those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer arrive, can you recall the summer of 1967 when many of us had just graduated from college and others were completing their military obligations? We were all about to head off to ND in mid-August. Tell me where you were and how you spent your summer in 1967 and I will share the same in a future column. Until next time, stay well and Go Irish. — John K. Plumb; jkplumb37@gmail.com

 

71 50th Reunion in October

The delayed 50th reunion has been set for Oct. 10-12. An agenda should be available from the Alumni Association website. All housing is off campus: hotels, VRBO, private homes, etc. Not such a bad by-product of the delay, versus dorms in June. If you have not been around campus for a while, several nearby homes are dedicated as rentals for special events, such as this. You may prefer to share these with friends. See Zillow, VRBO, Rent Like a Champion. Dr. Mike Collins published his last book in 2009. Since retiring from his orthopedics practice in suburban Chicago in 2019, he has had time to pick up the pen. All Bleeding Stops will be published this summer and is about a young doctor in the Vietnam War. It is available on Amazon and other outlets. Mike’s virus distraction and intellectual exercises include a monthly book club with Mike Cronin, Joe Mulhern, John Whitaker, Bob McCarthy and Brian Rafferty. Bob Oechsner, a native of Creve Coeur MO and Arts and Letters major passed away in December. A resident of LA, employed in the financial services industry, Bob was a longtime member of the Academy of Magical Arts, stage performer and mentor to young magicians. For those previously involved with, or current followers of, men’s golf and baseball, the spring season was enjoyable. Coaching changes made a couple of years ago led to improvements during the virus-shortened season that carried over. Both are ranked nationally. Another author in our midst is John Kelly. Deadly Defiance was just released as a sequel to Fair Ways and Foul Plays, free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Also, see kellyfairways.us. Condolences to Kathy O’Neill on the passing of Barry in August. A longtime employee of Sears in Columbia MO, he was a native of Pennsylvania, a business major, and he called Howard home. Dr. John Pepple, Waltham MA, passed away in January. A clinical psychologist, he received his PhD from MSU, practiced at the VA and was an assistant professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School. He is survived by his son Justin and wife Edie Blue. We will resume tailgating on the back patio this fall. All are welcome. — John Snider; 830 N. Saint Peter Street, South Bend 46617-1936; res 574-217-8961; cell 312-860-1779; jlscpa@yahoo.com 

 

71MBA Thanks for Responding

Thanks to all who responded to my all-class message. I heard back from 14 other class members. Planning to attend our reunion in Chicago are: Dick Denecker, John Halloran, Les Larsen, Robin Pfeil, Rich Sosin, Rod Spear, Tony Strati, Jack Sullivan, John Vaughan, Terry Walts and myself, Jim Fackelman. Others who responded but have not yet made plans to attend are Todd Helmeke, Efrain Palaez, Doug Sinclair and Maria Unemori. Most replied to all so we could learn what they have been doing. Tickets are still a challenge, but if we fall short, we will plan some game watches. — Jim Fackelman; 4635 Lakeview Circle, Slinger WI 53086; res 262-644-6245; cell 414-379-0968; jfackelman@alumni.nd.edu 

 

71JD Class Secretary — E. Bryan Dunigan;

19 S. LaSalle St., Suite 1202, Chicago IL 60603; 312-857-2114; bdunigan@duniganlaw.com

 

72 Patrick Minan, RIP

Patrick F. Minan passed on Dec. 13. Our condolences to his wife, Nancy, and their three daughters. He had come to ND from New Jersey. He retired in 2010 from his partnership with Ernst & Young, then traveled to Africa, China, Australia and Ireland. He played music, coached soccer and judged diving. Jerry Fenzel passed on Feb. 10. He came to ND from a Baltimore high school. After graduation, he obtained a law degree from the U of Baltimore School of Law and a master’s in law in taxation from Georgetown. Jerry founded a wealth management and accounting firm in Morristown NJ and owned and leased commercial and residential properties in the area. He was later the owner and CEO of Fairgate Rule Company, based in Rhinebeck NY. In 1997, he joined Bessemer Trust, New York City, where he remained until 2002, at which time he founded Airtime Manager, a software company that developed a suite of products allowing mobile professionals to track and record their billable time. In 2004, he returned to the Baltimore/DC area. Our condolences to his daughter and two sons. Robert Brinkmann passed on Feb. 12. He had majored in American Studies and obtained a master’s in the same field from Brown in 1977, and then a degree from Loyola Marymount. His legal specialty was media law. He retired in 2018 and moved in 2020 from Bethesda to Easton MD. Our condolences to his wife, Lisa, and other family members. Let us thank God for the presence of each other in our lives. Let us pray for each other, living and deceased, to the Mother of Holiness. — Jim Thunder; thundergroup@alumni.nd.edu 

 

72MBA Roommates to the Rescue

It was great to hear from my two former roommates, Olivier Couturier and Bill Effler. All three of us were deeply saddened by the sudden death last summer of our fourth roommate, John Doyle, and will miss seeing him at next year’s reunion. We are, however, hoping to see many of you at our 50th next June 2-5. Bill reported that he and his wife, Sue, had come down with COVID-19 but were much better and getting back to their normal activities. And Olivier related some good news. Last year, after 20 years as a widower and just two days before the lockdown in France, he married his girlfriend Géraldine. In addition, his youngest daughter is expecting her second child in June, Olivier’s eighth grandchild. I always enjoy hearing from my “old” roommates, but it would be fantastic to hear from the rest of you, too. Until that happens, know that all of you are ever in my prayers. Stay safe and well. — Alex McLellan; 913-991-0944; irish72mba@gmail.com

 

72JD Return to Normalcy, Maybe

I hope this column finds you vaccinated and beginning to return to some degree of normalcy in your lives. However, I have some sad news to report. Our classmate, Jessalyn Pendarvis, passed away on Oct. 27. Jessalyn spent her entire career practicing law in Washington DC where she held several positions in the federal government and retired as the director of the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs for the US Agency for International Development (AID). She also worked for the Justice Department, US Army Materiel Command, Civil Rights Commission and the House of Representatives. She was a proud alumna of Tuskegee Institute and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She was a native of Montgomery AL where she was living when she died. Anyone who knew Jess will remember her warm smile, her positive attitude and her welcoming personality. She was a friend to all of us and will be missed. On a more positive note, I have been exchanging emails with Don Gehring, who is retired and living in Richmond VA. Don was a vice president for Virginia Commonwealth U and the VCU Health System when he retired. He also worked at the Justice Department with Denis Hauptly, as well as several other legal positions before his stint at VCU. He is enjoying retirement with his wife, two children and five (soon to be six) grandchildren. This year’s “Energizer Bunny” award goes to Steve Stegich, who is still practicing law with Condon & Forsyth in New York City. Steve recently filed a petition for Writ of Certiorari in the US Supreme Court in a case involving the authority of US District Courts to render assistance in gathering evidence of use in an international commercial arbitration proceeding. His petition was granted by the Supreme Court, so congratulations, and good luck, Steve. Finally, keep in mind that next year, we will celebrate our 50th reunion (hard to believe) at ND Law School. Details will be forthcoming, so stay tuned. And if anyone has news they would like to share, please email me so I can share it in this column. Stay safe. — Chris Schraff; 1881 Marble Cliff Crossing Court, Columbus OH 43204; 614-227-2097; cschraff@porterwright.com

 

73 More Zooming

Apparently Zoom is popular among our classmates. I am happy to learn of all the advanced technological people in our class. TJ Kelly reported that he and a group of Morrissey Manor classmates participate in bi-weekly Zoom video conferences to “check on everyone’s health, share ideas, offer opinions on ND athletics and respectful banter, largely avoiding politics.” Here is a list of ’73 graduates who participate: Con Riordan, an attorney in Wheaton IL; John Planalp retired from Proctor & Gamble in Cincinnati; Bob Carbone, a retired physician living in Downers Grove IL; Gerry Nagle a retired executive at Walt Disney World in Orlando; Dave Cochran, patent attorney from Minneapolis; Vince Meconi, COO at Delaware River & Bay Authority in Wilmington DE; Ken Gillig, retired technology consultant living in Lake Forest IL; and TJ Kelly, a retired executive at Alcatel Lucent in Atlanta. What a super group. If there are any other people in our class who get together by Zoom, please let me know. I had a great email from Joe Butler who is enjoying the good life in Santa Fe NM. One of the outstanding athletes in our class, Joe retired in 2018 and his golf and tennis games are thriving. Joe also conducts Zoom meetings with Ed Ellis, Roger Burrell, Bob Higgins and Fred Giufrida every couple of months or so. Ed still practices law in Philadelphia. Bob is still active in his commercial real estate business in Chicago and resides part time in Phoenix. He still plays in an over-55 softball league. Roger is a retired attorney and world traveler who resides in his native Phoenix, showing superior prowess in pickleball. Fred recently relocated from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe where he continues to run his successful investment firm. Joe retired from a career in education and in the final decade of his career served as the assistant director of the New Mexico Activities Association, the governing body of athletics in New Mexico. I look forward to seeing you in the fall for golf, Joe. Thanks to Jack Keeney, who let me know that he was recently elected to the board of directors of the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs. Jack serves as the general counsel for the Association of Zoos & Aquariums in Silver Spring MD. Thanks to Mike Forte for the news that he recently retired from his 40-year biomedical research career at the Vollum Institute in Portland OR. Mike resided in Zahm Hall with Don Hricik, Kip Browne, Tom Masciangelo and John Phillips. Don is a retired nephrologist at Case Western. Kip is still running the Wadena State Bank in Minnesota, Tom is in internal medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and John is a banker in the Kansas City area. It is always sad to report the death of classmates. Thank you to Bill Devir, who sent me the obituary of Paul Larsen. Paul was a successful teacher and coach in New Jersey. I also note the passing of classmates Robert Welly, Greg Denby and Sam Romano. Finally, I received a great email from Chuck Voekler who is still practicing law in Pittsburgh. Chuck was one of the best golfers in our class along with Marty Best of Peoria. They play together each year in their member/guest tournament. I am always looking for news. We all should now have time to respond. — Michael W. Hansen; 3013 Sanctuary Court, Joliet IL 60435; mikehansen@mikehansenlaw.com

 

73MBA Crickets for 48th Anniversary

Gus Browne responds that all is well in Kankakee IL. I have had no further news for this month’s magazine. My wife and I had COVID-19 shots without significant side effects. With masks, we are getting out a little more. Stay safe with your families. We are all in this together. Please send me your updated email addresses. If you haven’t written in some time, please share your stories with us. Take time to think about what you would like to capture in ND Magazine for our 50th anniversary in 2023. You are always welcome to visit us in SoCal. — Thomas Jindra; tajindra@charter.net

 

73JD Some News

We have some news this month, but most of it is not good, as usual. Mary Martha McNamara emailed me with the news that Bill Elliott passed away on Feb. 16. She heard the news from Pam Sayad, who was contacted by his sister. The last address I have for Bill was in California, I believe in Salinas. As I usually do, I looked at University materials online for information and was reminded that he was our class president in our third year. While I hate to go out on a limb since it is based solely on my memory, I recall that he spoke at our graduation ceremony in the majestic Stepan Center. Our deepest condolences to his family. I had a nice call from Joe Schoellkopf, who lives only a couple of miles from us in Fort Myers. Typical for the time, we spent too much of our conversation comparing our pandemic experiences and celebrating getting “jabbed.” Hopefully, we will have breakfast before we head north, and I will be able to mine something for the next edition. By the way, while researching for background on Bill, I came across the annual report issued by Dean Shaffer in late 1972 reviewing our second year and his views on the state of the Law School. If you can find it, it will bring back memories, most of them good. — Paul Reagan; 16527 Heron Coach Way, Fort Myers FL 33908; cell 847-915-9796; pvreagan@gmail.com

 

74 Amazing Classmates

Atlanta businessman and classmate Milton H. Jones Jr. was elected the first Black chairman of the board of directors of the United Negro College Fund. Thanks, Milton, for making our class proud. Our classmate Mary Diane McDonnell Lapelle passed away. She was a managing director at the Bank of America. William Lapelle, her husband, is from the class of 1975. May Mary Diane and all our late classmates rest in peace. We have lost quite a few classmates, and we honor them at our class reunion memorial Mass. Retired justice of the Illinois Supreme Court Robert R. Thomas, affectionately known as Judge Thomas or Bob, now practices law at Power Rogers. Joe Power is also our classmate. Judge Thomas, who served on the Illinois appellate, circuit and supreme courts for over 30 years, was a talented football placekicker for our beloved alma mater and for 12 years in the NFL for the Chicago Bears. He attended Loyola U School of Law while playing professional football. How amazing is that? Bob is the fourth-leading scorer in Chicago Bears history and served as chief justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. I am hoping to secure an autograph from Bob for my book, A View from Two Benches: Bob Thomas in Football and the Law. I knew Bob would be a fair judge. We were in a class together at Notre Dame, and I was the only girl in the class with a professor who endlessly criticized me while I was giving a speech, to the point of not being able to finish a sentence. Bob told him to stop. I have admired him ever since. As I write this in April, it is great to hear that the 2021 POG is shaping up to be the biggest POG in history. Having missed 2020, the group planned to return to Destin FL April 26 to May 2. They booked two large houses (total of 18 separate bedrooms with baths) to accommodate all who wished to come. All POG patrons were encouraged to receive their vaccines so they could enjoy golf, pool, spa, beach, old stories and great meals. Those who committed: Frank (the Mouth that Roared) Murnane, Bob (Meatball) Cimino, Tom (Jenks/Scibbers) Jenkins — and, yes, Jenks is the brother of University president Rev. John Jenkins, CSC ’76, ’78MA — Jim (Phantom) McCarthy, Dr. Pat (Pinko) McGrath, Tad (Bear) DeOrio, Bob (Never met a mirror I did not like) Hettinger, John (Trimble) Trampe, Jim (Chill) Cahill, Rick (Topo) Esposto, Tim (Tuber) McCarron, Steve (Buck) Rogers, Tom (Fred) Torretti, Jim (Whales) Whalen, Bob (Rollo the Rich Kid) Cleary and Jeff (Hokie) Hart. Others who expressed interest include Tom (Big T) Ross, Charlie (Tuna) Morrison, Greg (Big Load) Szatko and Todd (Al Hague) Bender. Your class correspondent claims innocence on the nicknames and the final attendance list. However, these men provide classy annual gifts of which they have always presented one to me. Thank you, POG men. It is very appreciated, and no, I won’t attend, but it should be a grand time. Our class president Jerry Samaniego suggests we aim for the Wisconsin game in Chicago. Although not official as our class game, many will aim to venture to our beloved University to see one another and to thank Our Lady for everything she has done for us. Being a member of the two-shot COVID club is pretty cool. As always, thanks for emailing. Please continue to put “Class of 1974” in the subject line so I do not delete your email. — Dede Lohle Simon; domerdede@aol.com; dedersimon@gmail.com 

 

74MBA More About the Burnetts

Tom Eisele wrote that he retired from the practice of corporate law six years ago. Tom and wife Libby have two grown daughters, Anne ’02 and Kathryn ’05, ’11MBA, both of whom are also ND grads. In April 2020, Tom and Libby welcomed their first grandchildren, twins Mark and Eisele, a boy and a girl. Congratulations to Tom and Libby. Tom reported that he recently spoke with Jose Alphonso Rubio. Tom related that Jose, who lives in Monterrey, Mexico, is getting ready to retire from the business world. Congratulations to Jose. Helen and I were fortunate enough to get our first vaccine shots (Pfizer) in late January, with our second doses in mid-February. What a sense of relief upon receiving the vaccine. We had no side effects. We still wear our masks, practice social distancing and are careful where we go and who we see. The vaccine, however, has helped us to return to a semi-normal routine. We hope that all of you who want the vaccine have been able to receive it. For those of you who are still trying to schedule vaccine immunizations, be persistent and be diligent. We signed up everywhere we could until we finally connected with an appointment. Stay on top of these websites and call-in venues until you get your appointment. It is well worth the effort. Easter for the Burnetts was somewhat normal. All our children (most of whom had been vaccinated because they work in healthcare or education) and grandchildren visited at the same time for dinner and conversation. Luckily, the weather in Michigan cooperated and we were able to spread everyone out for the meal and utilize the deck and the yard for kickball and wiffle ball games and bike riding after dinner. Helen and I will be heading to Destin FL in early May for a wedding. Our grandchildren are the ring bearer and the flower girl. Since we are travelling so far for the wedding, we decided to make a vacation out of it. After the wedding, we will spend a couple of days in Point Clear AL on Mobile Bay. Then, we will go to New Orleans for a few days before returning to Michigan. I hope this column finds everyone healthy and happy. I still want to hear what is going on in your lives. I am sure that you have grown weary of reading about the Burnett family exploits. More contact from fellow classmates means less about the Burnetts. Stay safe. — Jack Burnett; 19248 Glen Eagles Drive, Livonia MI 48152; 734-464-3458; jburnet1@sbcglobal.net

 

74JD Sounds of Silence

Hopefully, no news means good news. Be safe and stay well. — Joe O’Reilly; 502-649-6955; joe.oreilly34@icloud.com

 

75 Julio Down by the Schoolyard

Julio Baez writes from San Diego that after he received his BS in chemistry and BA in languages from ND, he earned a PhD in biochemistry from Illinois and had a 40-year career in biotech. Now he mentors and lectures in bioengineering at the U of California San Diego’s Pruess School, a college prep charter on the university’s campus. Classmate Frank Schiavone, who used to haunt Morrissey Hall and then became a dermatologist in Jacksonville, is the proud papa of ND golf rising star, Chloe Schiavone. She was the low scorer for ND at the Purdue Invitational in Sarasota last fall. There is talk of a virtual class reunion this June. Watch your email and the NDAA class website for firm plans. COVID restrictions are still wreaking havoc on campus visitation, long-term and short-term planning. Let’s hope for fans in the stands real soon. In honor of our arrival at ND as freshman in September 1971, I wrote a poem and posted it on the NDAA class website and our Facebook page. Check it out and enjoy a lot of memories. Don’t worry, I didn’t use any real names; well, maybe a couple. Please continue to send me your news. Thanks. — Norm Bower; 3946 Fernwood Ave., Davenport IA 52807; cell and text 563-349-0469; normbower@mchsi.com

 

75MBA Class Secretary — Jim Ouimet;

215-862-3080; jimouimet@comcast.net

 

75JD Summer Notes

Ringing in the new year on Zoom chased away the winter blues. On my screen, I recall many familiar (albeit older) faces: Gene Smary, Ann Hart Wernz, Ann Williams (recovering from the coronavirus), Mary Sommer, Bob Billmeier, Joe Noack, Ken Klatt, Paul Murphy, Bruce Bower, Rev. Bill Beauchamp, CSC, Brian Short, John Henry Davis, John Lynch, Paul and Beth Mattingly, Mike McAra (linked in from Prague), Dennis Mulshine, Arturo Estrada, Jeanne Jourdan, John Kazanjian, Paul Fortino, Bob Foster and Dean Nell Jessup Newton. Sorry if I missed anyone. Sadly, the pandemic squelched our 45th reunion in successive summers, but the 50-year event is quickly approaching. That will be our golden anniversary or, to use the Latin, our “quinquagenary.” Tuck that word away for your next neighborhood barbecue. John Lynch recently retired from the active practice of corporate law in Boston where he was a managing director of a State Street law firm. He also retired as president and CEO of The Hundred Club of Mass., Inc., a charity providing benefits to surviving family members of first responders in Massachusetts killed in the line of duty. In his semi-retirement, John is the sole private trustee for several trusts and a trustee of two private foundations. He serves on the board of the Massachusetts Bar Foundation, where he is a Brandeis Fellow. John and Sandy, his wife of 51 years, reside on Cape Cod. John has interests in golf, studying history, bicycling, hiking, driving his sports car and finishing a novel he started several years ago. After law school, Marcia Gaughan Murphy spent two years practicing estate and pension law at Jones Day in Cleveland before joining the faculty at Case Western Reserve U School of Law, where she obtained tenure as a professor of law. She and her husband, Jim, moved to Washington DC in 1983, where she spent the rest of her career as a tenured faculty member and one year as acting deputy dean at the Washington College of Law of American U. Marcia taught first-year property, wills, trusts and estates, and created and taught a seminar on the planning and drafting of wills and trusts, including the legal counseling and professional ethics aspects of estate law practice (à la Dean Thomas Shaffer). Importantly, she and Jim raised a daughter, Meghan, and a son, Matthew. Both are married and have blessed Marcia and Jim with four grandchildren. In retirement, they are pursuing their life-long dream of travel rooted in a love of history and culture. Another classmate spent the bulk of his career in university settings but in different capacities. Ed Choate established an office in his hometown after graduation and had the pleasure of riding a case to victory before the Illinois Supreme Court. In time, he gravitated to Southern Connecticut State U, serving as a labor and employment attorney. After that, he became director of human resources at Minnesota State U in Moorhead, later assuming the same role at Missouri State. These days, Ed functions at Choate Consultation Services in Springfield MO, living with his wife, Lenetta, in the nearby town of Republic. As part of his consulting, Ed is a member of the Registry, an entity providing skilled personnel for interim positions in higher-education settings. He is also active in Freemasonry and has held offices in the fraternity in five states. Go Irish. — Frederick Giel; fggiel@gmail.com

 

76 ReZOOMion Fun

Quite a few members of the Class of ’76 celebrated St. Patrick’s Day this year by participating in one or more of three ReZOOMion calls. Many thanks to Bill Delaney, Chris Bury and Dave Szymanski for hosting the calls. ZOOMers included Bob Quackenbush, George Bienfang, Bill Borders, Bob Byers, Kevin Byrnes, Ed Byrne, Debi Dell, Ed Depaola, Sam Difiglio, Wendy Duffey, Mark Gibson, Jim Kresse, Chris Laragy, Will Morrissey, Jim Murphy, Tom Neagle, Tom Paulius, Joe Pusateri, Tom Ryan, Pat Sarb, Andy Schilling, Mark and Chris Gallagher Sever, Rich Steiner, Bob Thibodeaux, Dave Tulsiak, Mike Wade, Bill Wombacher, James Abowd, Tom Black, Tom Clemens, Bruce Ferraro, Jim Ferry, Peggy Foran, Frank Fransioli, Joe Klockenkemper, Greg Koos, Rosemary Lesser, Kit McCarthy, Mark Nishan, Ceyl Prinster, Fred Roggero, Gerry Hayden, Fred Zeilner, Sally Naxera Benson, Drew Brehm, Matt Cockrell, Michael Flynn, Sharon Haverstock, Tom Klein, Steve Klug, Mick Kratchsmer, Erik Larson, Roger Leon, Maryanne Reis Rogers, Shelley Muller Simon, Reid Webster, Jule Weatherbee and John Daly. Dave Tulsiak is an ER doc at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa FL. Dave Szymanski is spending time at Boyne Mountain MI and Bill Borders is on Mackinac Island. Ed Byrne often visits the Traverse City MI area, where his grandchildren live. Veteran tailgater Jim Rashid hosted a tailgate for the Blue-Gold Game in May. He was joined by Matt Cockrell, Wendy Duffey, Rich Steiner and Cathy Matthews.

Rick Santry wrote to say that the COVID-19 virus ended the more than 20-year tradition of meeting Pete Bialek, Steve Klug and John Albers at the first home football game of the season. They hope to resume the tradition this fall. Corboy & Demetrio partner Michael Demetrio was elected to serve on the board of directors of the elite International Academy of Trial Lawyers, a highly selective group of the world’s 500 most accomplished lawyers from both sides of the Bar. Karla Grazier and husband Ward Berlin were prominently featured in an April 7 Wall Street Journal article which included pictures of their beautiful home in Colorado Springs. John E. Harvan Jr., retired last year as CFO for Hospice of the Western Reserve in Cleveland after 28 years. He and his wife, Kathy, welcomed their first grandchild, Connor James Harvan, last year. Parents are Alexandra ’09SMC and John Harvan ’09. Sons Christopher ’11 and David ’17 recently moved back to Cleveland and are working for local companies. Augie Grace and his wife, Janice, relocated from Boston to the Tampa Bay area last year after his retirement, but they will return to Boston to visit two-year-old twin grandsons Michael and Benjamin. Marianne Reis Rogers welcomed her first grandchild, Josephine, in March. Denise and Dave Brenner ’73 became grandparents for the fifth time when Keri (Oxley) ’04 and Dave Brenner ’05 welcomed Hugh Oxley in April. Hugh joins two brothers and a sister. Our class did an outstanding job of supporting Notre Dame Day. Many of our classmates contributed to the Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, specifically for NKH research which has been championed by Lynda and Pat Sarb. This helped make Pat the top fundraiser for the Center and the No. 1 peer-to-peer fundraiser for Notre Dame Day. At this writing, we hope to be able to get together at our class’s minireunion the weekend of the Cincinnati game. Many of you have reserved tickets in the class block. Plans are incomplete but we hope to have plenty of opportunities to visit. Check your email for updates. — Mary Anne Kennedy Reilly; 7423 18th St. NE, Saint Petersburg FL 33702; 727-480-1251; mareilly@rfs.cpa

 

76MBA Man and Dog         

I heard from Tom Ritter. He sent a picture of himself and his dog out in the snow not too far from a picture of a glass of Guinness, nestled in a layer of snow on his deck. He was getting ready for St. Patrick’s Day. All is calm in Arendtsville PA. It was hard to imagine all the disturbances the virus caused, but it changed many things. He is looking forward to trout fishing and summer hikes in the Shenandoah. He is grateful to have the opportunity to enjoy such activities. He is well and hopes we are. You can reach Tom at 717-398-9353. I have always ended our column with “blessings to you and your loved ones.” Now more than ever, that is my hope for the MBA Class of 1976. Keep up the good work sending news. — Mike Norris; text 248-330-5366; mikenorris@alumni.nd.edu 

 

76JD Class Secretary — Virgil L. Roth;

625 Fair Oaks Ave., Suite 255, South Pasadena CA 91030; 626-441-1178; fax 626-441-1166; vroth@vlrlaw.com

 

77 Never Too Old to Be Awesome

Among classmates on the frontlines of this pandemic are Carol Cromer Clemens MD, featured as one of the “Fighting Irish Fighting COVID,” and Beth Neary MD, working as a COVID investigator/tracer with the City of Milwaukee Public Health Dept. from June to January, until she began vaccinating on the UW-Madison campus. Maj. Gen. Philip Volpe, DO, is an assistant professor at the Kansas City U of Medicine and Biosciences and consults in healthcare and leadership. Retired from the Army in 2013 after 30 years, his final duty assignment was as commanding general at the Army Medical Department Center and School in San Antonio. Volpe earned the Purple Heart, the Defense Superior Service Medal and a Distinguished Writing Award for his account as a task force ranger surgeon in Somalia in the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, also known as the Black Hawk Down incident. Volpe has been a friend and mentor to Kevin O’Connor, DO, Pres. Joe Biden’s White House physician. Maureen O’Brien Lee completed 22 years of military service in the Air Force and Army and worked for 10 years to create the economic stimulus checks. Dr. Jack Kasel DHA, PA-C is district medical director at One Medical in Austin TX. He also served as brigade surgeon for the 36th Engineer Brigade, and other roles since that time. Rev. Dr. Anne Dilenschneider PhD provided testimony for two months to the South Dakota legislature on anti-transgender bills. As an officer in the Southern Commandery of the Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem, Larry Merington helped raise funds for St. Catherine of Siena Church in New Orleans’ prison ministry efforts. Bill Scheible works with 12 northern Ohio councils of the Knights of Columbus, as a member of the board of Abigail Pregnancy Services. Dave Wallace has been a guest lecturer for Bob Essig’s sales performance class for the fifth time in the past three years and hopes classes may be in-person by fall. Still practicing law in Harrisburg PA, Mike Reed published his first book of poems, Degrees of Consanguinity, which explores connections in memory, history, justice and the examined life. The Irish Clover Award for faculty, staff or an administrator was named the Nancy J. Walsh Irish Clover Award in honor of the ND student government secretary of 25 years, wife of Wendell Walsh, for her service, particularly during the pandemic. Class members who enjoyed minireunions in March included Mike Schuff, Greg Inancic, Ken Patricia and Mike Carini, who had a pre-St. Patrick’s Day toast on March 16. Karen and Rich Wanders, Deb Kenny Ellsworth and Bill Ellsworth, Eileen O’Grady Daday and Steve Daday met in Naples FL. Bill Mueller, Paula and Kevin Butler ’77, Rich Evans, John Hanzel, Mary Ellen Kastenholz ’80SMC, Kathleen Kastenholz ’13 and Bob Kastenholz enjoyed gathering in Punta Gorda FL. Nancy Rix Kraft ’77SMC and John Kraft CLU, ChFC at State Farm in Plano TX, celebrated their “notable ninth” grandchild with daughter Megan Kraft Gray ’11SMC and her husband, Matthew Douglas Gray ’10. Oliver Douglas Gray was welcomed home by brothers Jack and Brady. David Feldman died in January after a long, courageous battle with COVID-19. David was a member of the ND men’s basketball team, later becoming a coach and mentor in youth sports, known for his encouraging motto, “Be Awesome.” David is survived by wife Jacqueline, and their children Davis, Jacqui and Nathan. John Engel, husband of Susan Reis, passed in April after a long illness. John, the father of Kristin (Jeremy), Matthew (Shanon), Andrew (Kelly) and Emily, was a biology major and rowed on the men’s crew of the Notre Dame Rowing Club. Kathy Mercer McLarty passed in April in her Florida home after battling a rare disease. She was surrounded by her husband, John, daughters Amy and Chrissy, and sons-in-law Alex and Allen. Susy Leonard Benjamin passed in April and was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. Susy had an impressive career in government service and leaves behind her husband, Tom Benjamin, son Brian (Caroline) and daughter Julie (Chad). Susy’s last days were cheered by friend and hospice nurse, Judy Donovan, wife of Joe Donovan, among her many friends and family. — Virginia McGowan Bishop; res 847-291-7510; classof1977@ alumni.nd.edu

 

77MBA Class Secretary — Alan J. Fisher;

alan@churchfisherlaw.com

 

77JD Class Secretary — Janey Bennett;

bus 574-243-4100; cell 574-298-9251; jbennett@maylorber.com 

 

78 Class Secretary — Jim “Souls” Coyne;

1801 Butler Pike, Apt. 20, Conshohocken PA 19428; 267-847-8808; jcoyne@cohs.com

 

78MBA Class Secretary — Mamie Anthoine Ney;

350 Alewive Road, Kennebunk ME 04043-6013; res 207-229-0989; bus 207-333-6640 ex 2020; irishwasherwoman@alumni.nd.edu

 

78JD Food for Thought

Congratulations to Patrick A. Salvi, who was recently inducted into the Lawdragon 500 Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees include just 34 attorneys from across the country, including the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who was honored posthumously. In a recent email, Irma Herrera (415-215-2315, irmadherrera@gmail.com) wrote: “I’ve been busy continuing my education on racial justice by reading books, watching webinars and engaging in discussions, on and offline. Every Monday, in my neighborhood, we stand on our street holding signs showing support for BLM. We have been doing this every Monday since June 8, following the large demonstrations protesting the murder of George Floyd. We must never remain silent about group-based hate and violence … During this past year, while theaters have been closed, I have been presenting my one-woman show, Why Would I Mispronounce My Own Name? online followed by small discussion groups to promote inclusion, unity and community, through conversations about equity and to consider what each of us can do to create a more just society. I present to students and teachers in high schools as well as law schools. My work is also used as part of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs at law firms, and other corporations.” You can learn more about Irma’s work at her website, irmaherrera.com. During the long Christmas break, I took a 30-hour online course from the London School of Economics on Art and Antiquities Law, which I may teach in the future. I periodically write a column for a prominent Chinese media platform to explain American legal and cultural issues to a Chinese audience. Many of the recent columns dealt with the presidential election, electoral college, inauguration and transition, and a six-part series on corruption in education. Most recently, I published an op-ed in Texas urging Congress to pass the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act. — Vincent Johnson; vjohnson@stmarytx.edu

 

79 Class Secretary — Barbara A. Langhenry;

res 216-651-8962; bus 216-664-2893; cell 216-509-8962; breclw@aol.com

 

79MBA Class Secretary — Patty Kennedy Kerr;

7750 Leonard St. NE, Ada MI 49301; 616-682-1223; kerrtaxcpa@gmail.com

 

79JD Frank Sabatino Remembered

Our remarkable and beloved classmate, Frank Sabatino, left us on Feb. 24 after a long and courageous battle with multiple sclerosis. As sad as it was to hear of his passing, he also gave all of us in the Class of 1979 a truly enriching experience. It came in the form of the continuing updates Pat Scott gave us about his declining health, his passing and the small graveside service he attended with Jim Schultz, Brian and Karen (Regan) Higgins and Peggy Foran. Included was the beautiful description Greg Murphy gave us about Frank’s memorial service and how much our Notre Dame experience meant to him throughout his life, and the striking pictures Scott Sullivan provided showing Frank “holding court” in the law school lounge, and “in action” in the talent show. Dean and Mary Pat (Frailey) Calland described their chance meeting with Frank while attending a Notre Dame football game at Penn State in the early 1980s. Ed Foley lit a candle for Frank in the Grotto and Deborah Griffith reserved a Mass for Frank in the Sacred Heart Basilica on campus. But mostly, the experience came from the many, many fond memories our classmates shared about Frank and their interactions with him at the law school. Many of them came from classmates we have not heard from in years, which speaks to the breadth of the impact Frank had on our class. In no particular order I mention Dave McTigue (claimed not to know we had a library but always knew the “place” to find Frank), Ron Crump, Bill Finch, Jon (Randy) Green, Chuck Wilson, Don Schmidt (Frank, front row, hand up and always right. Yikes.), Ray Marvar, Ray Biagini, Carl Pacini, Dan Pfeifer, Jill Sturtevant, Rose (Gill) Kenyon, Jim Kelley, Tom Brennan, Tom Burke, Dianne Ghaster, Jim Wiehl, Dianne (Sendek) Marchese, Pat Graber, Dave Beaudoin, Mary Kay (Rochford) Demetrio, David Evinger, Tom Fitzgerald, Mary Ann (Grabavoy) Heaven, Terry Karnaze, Chuck Kolstad, Robert (Jock) Michelotti, Ray Dalton, Dillon (Dalton) Costa, Janet Miller, Mary Murtaugh, David Worhatch, Kathy (Gallogly) Cox, Gerry Shea, Dora Pinder, Arthur (Tony) Vogel, Richard LaSalvia and John Petersen. The comments were uniformly sincere and touching. Pat Scott summarized them in a nice single document for use at Frank’s memorial service. Contact him at patrick.scott@gray-robinson.com or me at the below address if you would like a copy. Along with the comments, Paula Fulks shared the sad news that Anita Fields passed early this year. Anita was a 1L classmate but had to withdraw just before second year when her young daughter was diagnosed with leukemia. Anita took care of her for the next few years then entered a seminary and became an ordained AME minister. She then had a long ministerial career in Maryland. And her daughter is thriving today. Finally, this is an opportune time to remind you to remember Frank and our other deceased classmates by contributing to the Notre Dame Law School Class of 1979 Fund. Recall it was formerly named the Ellen Carpenter Fund, but it was renamed two years ago to honor all our beloved classmates as well, including John Vincent, Paul McCarthy, Larry Rice, Tom Ryan and 10 others. Many thanks to all of you for sharing your thoughts about Frank and our collective experiences at the Notre Dame Law School. As Rev. David Link said at our reunion two years ago, we are indeed a “special class.” Speaking personally, I am proud to have been a small part of it. — Daniel F. McNeil; 1001 NW Lovejoy, Unit 205, Portland OR 97209; 503-539-9188; mcneil.daniel12@gmail.com