1940s

40 Class Secretary — Rebecca Smith;

542 Fairview Ave., Glen Ellyn IL 60137; 630-254-4485; rebecca.antas@gmail.com

 

41 Class Secretary — Meg Julian ’03, ’06JD;

804 Jersey Ave., Spring Lake NJ 07762; 646-246-5480; megjulian@gmail.com

 

42 Class Secretary — Ann Schanuel;

annjolene2@aol.com

 

43 Class Secretary — A. Robert Masters ’05;

1906 E. Madison St., South Bend IN 46617; res 574-904-8315; bus 574-234-0121; armasters@nfmlaw.com

 

44 Class Secretary — Laura (Julian) Fraser ’00;

1021 Royal Bombay Court, Naperville IL 60563; 773-255-9843; lejfraser@outlook.com 

 

45 We’ve Never Met, but You Are My Family

I received a postcard from a ’45 classmate, feeling his frustration when he ran out of postcard space with still more to say. Others expressed frustration with the epidemic situation. Frustration was again expressed as one thanked God each morning for awakening and then later in the day wondered, “Why am I still here?” John A. Knorr wrote that after being discharged from the Navy in 1947, he returned to campus, finished his degree in electrical engineering, got married and found a job in a motor manufacturing plant. After two years, John decided engineering wasn’t for him, so he changed careers and went into retail. John was with W.T. Grant Co for 25 years, moving 14 times in 17 years. Tired of moving so often, he sought a more stable job, and ended up with T.G.&Y. He helped T.G.&Y expand nationally and continued to work for them for 25 years, retiring in 1988. After a few years, John went back to T.G & Y part time until retiring permanently. Because a fall damaged his legs, Frank is now a resident of The Arbors retirement community in Tulsa OK. John wishes a “great and healthy rest of 2020” to his other active classmates. Sadly, Dr. William E. Castle III passed away on June 11 in Lockport NY at the age of 97. After Notre Dame, the Navy paid for him to attend dental school at Marquette. There he met his future wife, Jean. Bill received his diplomas from both schools in 1946. The day after graduation, he and Jean were married. As a lieutenant junior grade in the Navy, Bill served as a dentist for the Army on Guam. After being discharged in 1948, he moved back to his hometown and established his dental practice. He retired in 1989. Bill enjoyed golfing, fishing, running, bridge, painting, football, and time with his family. He picked up his first pair of golf clubs at 19 and continued golfing until he was 94. He shot his age several times, a coveted feat for any golfer. At 57, he was inspired to start running and competed in many marathons, including the Boston Marathon. He achieved Life Master status in bridge. Bill loved Notre Dame football and the Buffalo Bills. He is missed by his seven children, 24 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren. Frank McFadden called classmates Robert (Bob) Thomas and Jim Griffin to share that he experienced the worst year of his life. In 2017, Frank and his wife, Jane, moved back to Birmingham to a gated community close to one of their sons. When the pandemic hit, they thought they were safely situated. Sadly, Frank lost Jane due to complications from the virus. He also tested positive and was hospitalized for three weeks. He still has a residual shortness of breath but hopes it will disappear. Frank toasts “cheers” to his buddies. Bob, whom Frank contacted, commented, “I never dreamed that I would live to be 95 years old.” Bob was interviewed by the Naval Postgraduate School about his fantastic Navy career. His article appeared in the Naval Submarine League Review. Jim Griffin and his wife have been at home in Connecticut for the last nine months. When we spoke, he was sitting in the garden. His beautiful eastern location has had little rain, so the intense fall colors are a little dull. Somewhat like his aging Walsh Hall buddies, the colors are showing their age. Jim put it beautifully when he signed off: “Bless us. We have been.” — Melissa Erkins Rackish ’77; 1224 Campbell St., Williamsport PA 17701; 570-326-4289; mrackish@comcast.net

 

46 A Quaker in the Navy

We lost my former roommate D. Martin Trueblood, 94, on April 13, 2020, at Foulkeways in Gwynedd PA. He was born July 26, 1925, in Indianola IA. He was the first child of the late D. Elton and Pauline Goodenow Trueblood, both Quakers. As the son of a professor and chaplain who believed children learned best by travel, Martin grew up on university campuses including Harvard, Guilford College, Haverford College, and Stanford U, living a “chaotic and nomadic life,” in his own words. Martin and his brother Arnold had many escapades together, particularly near the Stanford campus. He attended Westtown School near West Chester PA and graduated from Earlham College in Richmond IN in 1947. A week later, he married Margaret, who also graduated from Earlham that year. The year before, he graduated from Notre Dame as a Navy officer. Because he was opposed to combat, he had intended to be a medical officer, but the Navy placed him in engineering. In 1952, he was recalled during the Korean War and, as a Navy intelligence officer, was stationed in Pearl Harbor, where he did classified military surveillance. He also learned the hula, snorkeled, and gazed endlessly at volcanoes. The parents of Martin and Margaret came from Quaker families dating back centuries to the birth of Quakerism in the 1650s in England. Their family trees were constant sources of fascination and discussion. Returning to the Philadelphia area to live in Gwynedd in 1954, the family of four joined Gwynedd Meeting. They soon became a family of six, and Martin worked at Standard Pressed Steel Company in Jenkintown PA until 1970. At one point, he rose to the position of “assistant manager of the nut division.” He also spent time in Galway, Ireland, and Sheffield, England, managing SPS plants in those cities. In 1970, Martin radically changed careers, becoming associate director of Foulkeways at Gwynedd, thereby beginning his career in retirement community administration. Martin took the helm as director of Pine Run Retirement Community in Doylestown PA in 1974. In 1976, he oversaw the creation and building of Broadmead Retirement Community in Cockeysville MD and was its first director. In 1986, he became director of Williamsburg Landing Retirement Community in Williamsburg VA. Martin’s expertise, knowledge, and wisdom about creating and running Quaker retirement communities made him a highly sought-after consultant for continuing care retirement communities. His great gift was his ability to imagine, cultivate, and guide vibrant, comprehensive communities for retired people serving all well-being needs. Martin achieved success in every part of his life, professional and personal, because he sought to help others reach their full potential. Although he was often the boss, he never made anyone feel inferior, and he was always accessible. Martin modeled inclusivity. He connected authentically with every person he encountered, recognizing people’s abilities, and took time to mentor and foster others. People truly loved him for this quality. He taught by example and, without intending to, encouraged the best in others. He loved spending time at the family cottage at Lake Paupac in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Trueblood; four children: Rachel Trueblood, Craig Trueblood (Marilyn), Peter Trueblood (Cindy), and Christopher Trueblood; seven grandchildren; a brother, Samuel J. Trueblood (Mary Ellen); a sister, Elizabeth “Honey” Trueblood Derr (Dan); and a sister-in-law, Caroline Trueblood. His brother Arnold E. Trueblood died in February 2020. — Paul Taggett; 10 W. Grove Ave., D15, Lake Wales FL 33853; paultaggett@gmail.com

 

47 Sons of Notre Dame

Hello dear friends from ’47. I do not have much to report this quarter but what I have is significant. We lost two loyal ND men in June. I am sad to report the recent passing of Jerome P. “Jerry” Hendel on June 17 and Dr. Eugene F. “Gene” Diamond on June 1. Please keep in touch with stories and memories. Your classmates and I enjoy hearing from you. — Eileen Z. Surprenant ’09, ’15; eileen.surprenant@gmail.com

 

48 Rest in Peace

I am sad to report the recent loss of three loyal sons of ND this summer: Dr. John N. Olinger on Aug. 12, John J. Prendergast on June 13, and Dr. James C. “Jim” List on June 5. May they rest in peace. I heard from Cathy McCabe Gonzalez concerning the passing of her father, James R. “Jim” McCabe, on April 5. Jim was born in Davenport IA on Sept. 17, six years before the start of the Great Depression. He graduated from ND in mechanical engineering and his work took him all over the country and the world. As a true gentleman of “the Greatest Generation,” Jim served with Gen. George Patton’s Third Army and received the Bronze Star for his efforts in the Battle of the Bulge. Given his innate curiosity and penchant for travel, he visited every state of his beloved USA and many different countries, from Latin America to the Middle East. A man of deep faith and devotion, Jim gave of his time and energy to several community organizations, settling ultimately in Peachtree GA where through his love of golf, his Catholic Church, and his many other pursuits, he found a cherished group of friends. Known for his humor, he leaves behind memories of quick-witted one-liners and entertaining stories, not the least of which was allowing his much-loved hospice caregivers to believe he was a veteran of the Spanish-American War. His large extended family remembers his suggestion that, at funerals, the hymn “How Great Thou Art” should be sung as “How Great Thou Wert.” And that, dear Jim, you were. With a prayer to St. Anthony on his lips, or as he said, “to my friend Tony,” Jim peacefully departed this world on Easter Monday at the age of 97. Peace and blessings to all the Class of ’48 gentlemen. I always look forward to hearing and sharing your stories and memories. — Eileen Z. Surprenant ’09, ’15; eileen.surprenant@gmail.com

 

49 Class Secretary — Bill Slavik;

billslavik@myfairpoint.net