1960s

60 Aging with Grace

We had an interesting finish to a 2021 football season. There was lots of chat about the season overall, the departure of a 12-year coach and wishful thinking about a different second half in the Fiesta Bowl. Remember, our 2022 minireunion will be on the California weekend, Sept. 17. We hope to get a group of tickets again for those who need them. We had a nice discussion recently with Weejay Bundara. Weejay retired from the sheriff’s department in 2008 but was soon asked to return for a special assignment. Recently he was in the resident relations area and just retired. Weejay is excited about an upcoming wedding of a grandson and his fiancé, who are just graduating from Texas A&M. He hopes to attend the minireunion in September. Len Hanlock started a discussion on the results of the ND-Alabama series. It sounds like Rockne has the edge on wins, and ND leads the series 5-2. ND-Alabama will meet in 2028 and 2029, home and away. I received a communique from Seanne Adamson Moulton, middle daughter of Ken Adamson, and mother of two ND daughters. She is assisting Ken in getting onto our class website and needed a couple suggestions. They are planning with Ken to attend the California game. Tom Kurt has suggested a few times starting some Zoom meetings for classmates to stay more in touch with each other. We have had several Zoom meetings with class officers, and others with Guinness McFadden on wine tasting. It has been my experience that groups of more than eight or 10 are hard to control with respect to the participation of all attendees. Needing ideas, formats, volunteers, to start a group or two? What say you? I had an interesting discussion with Terry Keating about the fishing conditions on Mullett Lake in Cheboygan MI. On Jan. 18, the lake was almost frozen enough for the fishing tents and huts. There will be hundreds of fishermen on the lake. On March 15, all fishing gear must be off the lake or face severe financial penalties. It is fun to watch the ice fishing happen. I wonder if the Keatings get some of those fish. Pete Mootz had a recent TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement) and is doing his rehab, recovering well. I spoke with Tom Kamp recently. He was sorry to have missed the 60th reunion last September but looks forward to the September minireunion this year. Like most of us, Tom has been working on a few medical issues. A short note came from Bill Boland. Recently he sat with Mike DeHaemer at a senior lunch in Baltimore. Mike had an interesting 28-year career in the Navy. This included time as a commander of a nuclear sub and time spent dealing with Admiral Rickover. A couple of recent emails from ND showed promotions for Rev. Dan Groody, CSC, ’86, VP and associate provost, and Rev. Gerard Olinger, CSC, ’01, ’04JD, ’09MDiv, VP for student affairs. At this point, I have only 20 names on the list for the minireunion in September. I know more of you plan to come. Let me know. Previously unreported deaths: Ed Meyer 9-4-21, Al Sabal 9-27-21, Harold Eatinger 8-27-21, Eugene Holewinski 9-2-21, John Barrett 9-22-21. — Joseph F. Jansen; 9190 Southmont Cove, No.103, Ft. Myers FL 33908; cell 317-514-4478; jfjansen@aol.com 

 

61 Freshman Roomies Trip

Michael Morrissey writes to say that he and Jim Cain made a trip to visit with Tom Lynch at his home with wife Dorcas in Shortsville NY in the Finger Lakes region. He says the Lynches shared their beautiful home and gracious hospitality with the gents and their wives. None finer. This was in October, and it was their version of a minireunion of three roommates who spent their freshman year together in Farley Hall. They then moved together to Morrissey Hall, followed by the next year in Dillon Hall. On their way home to Indianapolis, they stopped in Cleveland OH to include Chuck MacMillan. All their wives joined in. In the “can you top this” competition, Jim Twohy writes what none of us would deny: that ND is a great university and that he and his family are proud to be a part of it. He has eight children who have or are working on degrees from ND. And if you count in-laws, Rev. Richard Berg ’59, one of the wives’ brothers who officiated at his sister’s wedding, that makes nine Domers in all. I thought Chris Monahan was going to win this friendly competition. I had a phone call from Jim Cadelli recounting the good life after ND. He is the owner of Tallano’s Italian Restaurant in Ft. Smith AR. I also got a Christmas card from Dick Lochner who writes that all is well in Pearland TX. At the risk of being wrong, I am analyzing a pretty family Christmas card. In a series of photos with no names but pretty children, it looks like Denis Retoske has three Domers. There is also a picture of a cadet in uniform with lots of ribbons and medals. Denis is also one of us lawyers. I count 11 people in the family picture inside the card, but I could only speculate who is who, so I won’t do that. Denis lives in Brentwood TN. As secretary of our class, I get a three-month report of deaths in our class. This quarterly report shows no deaths for the class. I certainly hope that is true. I have, however, received condolences on the passing of David (Rocky) Ryan’s wife from Vicki Bauer. Rocky was best man at her wedding. I also heard from Joe Libby. (The computer said it was spam. They must know Joe.) I think he talked to half of you in the past quarter. He was so fast I could not take notes. I am sure he will get with the other half of the class during the coming quarter and call me. This time we will haul out the recorder so I can tell you what he relates. Also, I heard from Mike Sammon at the last minute and due to word restrictions, I will have to relate his lengthy info in the next issue. I always have a climatological report in January. Usually, I am talking about people around here wearing shorts and flip flops while those up north are shoveling snow. Well, this year the report is a little different and spells an aspect of South Texas that is not regarded as a good thing. The US Weather Bureau reported that the month of December was the hottest on record since 1889. So, there you go, too much of a good thing. I know you are all wondering if the latch string is out on the front door. Well, Abbie wouldn’t let you down even though last week she had carpal tunnel surgery on her right hand. She is right-handed, so this presents some problems, but she is on the job and using her left hand. She says you are all worth it. She joins me in saying please drop by while you are passing on your way through South Texas. We’d love to see you. — Joseph P. (Pat) Kelly; 2103 N. Wheeler St., Victoria TX 7790; 361-573-9982; jpkellytx@sbcglobal.net

                                               

61JD Class Secretary — John N. Moreland;

jnmnd1958@aol.com

 

62 Reunion and Writing

If you have opted out of University mailings and emails and have not received anything about our 60th reunion, please contact me so I can bring you up to date. We will start with our traditional off-campus class dinner the evening of June 2. Please note that the cost for the weekend, if you register now, is $260 but will increase on May 1. The dorm accommodation is an additional $40 per person a night. More details can be found at reunion.nd.edu. Tom Eiff, knowing of my interest in events in Europe during WWII, sent me a very interesting book, A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell. It details the activities of Virginia Hall, who set up resistance groups in France beginning in 1940. After the war, she spent several years with the CIA and was subsequently honored by having a training facility dedicated in her name. It is fascinating reading and highly recommended. John Dailey has written his fourth book, Bennie the Woodchuck and Gold Cup. It is a fable written for children aged 5 and up. It is richly illustrated in color with several leprechauns. Dennis Keating has several books to his credit and recently has written two more. In Destroying the Berlin Wall: One Yank’s Memory, Dennis writes of his participation in the destruction of the wall. He spent most of his career working overseas, having a home in Munich for 20 years, and was given permanent resident status by the German government. After Dennis left government service, he bought a home in Guangzhou, China, where he lived for 10 years. His other new book is The Great Race: The Tale of the Animals of the Chinese Calendar. It is a children’s book written in poem form and explains the myth behind the 12 animals of the Chinese lunar calendar. Dennis, whose wife, Sandy, is Chinese, wrote the book for his son, Kayden, age 3. (That is not a misprint.) Dennis also noted that after he left government, he was given a foreign expert visa in 1997 to enter China by the Chinese government for the purpose of training young Chinese in international marketing. He then added, “If you noticed how the Chinese have succeeded and moved up in the world since 1997, I think you can say I did a pretty good job.” If you have an interest in obtaining any of the books, let me know and I can give you the information. During the fall of 2021 to mid-January, we lost nine more classmates, bringing the total to 30 for 2021. Ernest Venerus passed away on Sept. 25, Karl Heidbrink on Oct. 8. Lee Fleming died in Dallas on Oct. 31. In November, Bob Krause died on the 7th, Bill Cleary on the 11th after a long illness, and Craig Volhaber on the 16th. Dick Hodder, who battled heart problems throughout the year, died on Dec. 15. Bob Hanlon had a mass in his chest that was compressing his heart and if nothing was done, it would render his heart useless. Even though the surgical option was a long shot, Bob elected to go that route as it gave some hope, but he passed away about two weeks later, on the 22nd. Rev. Cornelius Ryan, CSC, passed away on campus on the 29th. Andy Burd died in a long-term care facility outside of Chicago on Jan. 11. Rich Jalovec passed away in a long-term care facility on the 18th. — Raymond Raedy; 5310 Rileys Ridge Road, Hillsborough NC 27278; 919-967-8816; nd62secy@medicinemanremedies.com

 

62JD Good Things

Norm Stark checked in to say hello and added this: “Things remain good in Erie. We live in an in-law home attached to the main home, owned by my son Brian, the 1988-89 ND leprechaun. He and his wife are physicians, who have five children. Their activities keep us young and interested in all that is new and vibrant.” It’s not too late to sign up for our 60th Law School reunion: April 29, April 30, and May 1. Danny Sullivan wrote to share the sad news that Jim Goethals passed away on Jan. 26. He was laid to rest next to his wife in the family plot in Sturgis MI. Rest in peace, Jim. Christine Stucko has been diligent in her efforts and has blocked 15 rooms at the Morris Inn, as well as a private dining room for Saturday evening. The rooms are also reserved for Thursday in case anyone wishes to arrive early. Christine reports the possibility of a stadium tour on Friday afternoon, golf tee times, having the Dean of the Law School visit with us on Saturday evening and Mass on Sunday morning. This is a big reunion, and we hope to see you there. Please pass the reunion information along to other classmates and please respond when Christine reaches out about attending the reunion or call me. — Tom Kelly; 847-714-2680; marianne1956@sbcglobal.net

 

63 Exceptional Generosity

Linda and Harry Fath recently committed $50 million to the University for undergraduate financial aid, the largest gift of its kind in Notre Dame’s history. Harry and Linda have been married for 51 years and have three daughters, a son, and eight grandchildren. Following graduation, Harry served in the Army and then earned a JD from the U of Cincinnati Law School. After practicing for a few years, Harry turned to real estate, founding Fath Properties. The company now manages more than 30 apartment communities. Harry and Linda have long been involved in Cincinnati civic activities, and Harry is a member of the ND Law School Advisory Council. The Faths have also pledged $10 million to the scholarship campaign at St. Xavier High School. Our classmate Randy Wise gives the next update: “I was in NROTC at ND and a few weeks after graduation I started BUDS, or Navy Seal training. It was the most difficult experience of my life. Some 31 junior officers started in my training class and only four of us graduated. I served in that capacity for three years, pre-Vietnam, and then it wasn’t considered an established career pattern. I wanted to stay in the Navy and then completed flight training and flew A-4 Skyhawks from carriers. … After 21 years in Virginia Beach and [I] took a position with Dean Witter, now Morgan Stanley. I had a 33-year career there and retired in 2017. I have swum competitively all my life and have also run and done competitive triathlons. I continue to swim, cycle and jump. Pre-COVID I did extensive international travel. I was married, but divorced 30 years ago. I have a married daughter and two grandchildren. … I have a bucket list item to accomplish next summer and that is to tour the western US on my BMW touring motorcycle. I serve as a director on several Seal support organizations, as well as church and not-for-profits.” John Cooney wrote, “After graduation I earned a JD from UCLA Law School, and then served in the Army JAG from 1967 to 1971. I was an assistant US Attorney in San Francisco for the next six years, and then a trial attorney for Bank of America in San Francisco for 28 years before retiring in 2004. I now travel and play in the San Francisco Banjo Band. I am fortunate to enjoy excellent health, and I hope to see and hear from classmates. I am active with a small (12 members) Notre Dame Club of the Peninsula just a few miles south of San Francisco.” John has two children and lives in Millbrae CA with his wife, Marilyn. John’s first wife, Mary, died in 1995. I spoke to Bill Lieber, who has been living in Macon GA since 2007. Formerly from Lake County IN, Bill served in the Army for two years and then ran the family’s nine-store bowling supply business until the late 1990s, during which he was on a team that won the ABC National Bowling Tourney. Today he is a real estate broker. Bill is a six-year leukemia survivor and has served the American Cancer Society as a regional director. He continues to be active in Kiwanis International and was president from 1992-93. Incidentally, Bill met his wife of 14 years, Alexia, through Kiwanis. He has two children, Mark ’89 and Shara, four grandchildren and a great grandchild. In the winter issue, I mistakenly noted information on John Delmore, when it in fact belonged to John Delee. I confirm names in my notes using email addresses from my contacts list and when I typed in John Delee, it came up John Delmore. I apologize for this error. And now for the real John Delmore. After graduation, he spent two years in the Navy as a CIC and legal officer, following which he joined Arthur Anderson in Chicago rising to senior manager. He later joined LTV Corporation as vice president and controller working in Dallas, Pittsburgh and Cleveland. John retired in 2012 and lives in Hudson OH with his wife of 50 years, MaryK. They have three children and three grandchildren. Larry Lynch passed away on Oct. 29 at his home in San Bruno CA, survived by his wife, Shaina. After graduation, Larry joined the Peace Corps and spent many years in Brazil where he was an area director and manager of volunteers in the fields of health care and agriculture. He later owned a company providing wheelchair van transportation for the disabled. Larry was a lifelong disciple and teacher of Irish step dancing and a one-time American champion. In his later years, he became an aficionado of bourbon and was often heard to say, “Drink up, you will be a long time dead.” The Alumni Association has advised of the following deaths of members of our class: Edward V. Rust died Oct. 4, survived by his wife, Judith, and three children; and John F. Clark died Aug. 22, survived by four 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 Noteworthy Celebration

Joe La Nasa, Gene Koster, Dick Stranger, Ed Sheridan, Paul Basbagil and Frank Corrado participated in a boisterous Zoom call to mark Rev. David Schlaver’s 50th anniversary as a Holy Cross priest. David has had many important roles within the order, including high profile positions at Notre Dame in campus ministry and publishing. One of the most remarkable was his connection to Saint Teresa of Calcutta’s Missionaries of Charity, ultimately conducting over 70 retreats for them around the world. Father Dave now works as an auxiliary priest at parishes, a nursing home and convent in the diocese of Portland ME. I had nice correspondence with Tony Rodriguez, writing from San Juan. After law school, a year in the Army JAG, a year and a half in Washington and two years with the then-governor of Puerto Rico, Tony came back to McConnell Valdes, where he had started his legal career. Tony was a partner for about 30 years, concentrating in tax exemption, which until the end of the 1990s was a very busy area. His clients were mostly US manufacturing companies that had subsidiaries in Puerto Rico. Faithful correspondent Jon James returned to his Premananda Orphanage Centre in Ongole, India, for his annual visit. He also got back to campus for a full week, including the USC game. Jon stays in touch with John Rurak of Columbus OH, Peter Murray in Charlotte NC, Richard Galiher of Jackson Hole WY, Jim Walsh in Honolulu, Rev. Mike Glouchner in Cincinnati, and Rev. Dave Schlaver, CSC. John Nelson writes from Montrose CO that he has a busted shoulder, requiring that he learns to eat and brush teeth with his left hand. He indicates that six operations in the past couple of years have slowed him down a bit, but only makes him appreciate the life he has lived. Clyde Fessler passed away in September after a distinctive, inspiring and exciting life journey. Born in Sheboygan WI, Clyde learned to work hard and pave his own way, ultimately becoming a creative innovator of products, marketing and branding strategies, and a shining example of how to live a fun and enriching life. He spent 25 years at Harley Davidson and played an integral role as the brand architect of a dramatic turnaround. Serving in a succession of increasingly responsible positions (director of marketing, general sales manager, vice president of general merchandise and vice president of business development), Clyde left a strong and indelible imprint on this iconic brand, retiring in 2002 and becoming an active marketing consultant and motivational speaker. He met his wife, River, in 2021 and they determined to be together forever and decided that forever should begin as soon as possible. They were married in August. Only days later, Clyde and River were exposed to COVID. Within a week, Clyde was very sick and ended up passing away on their one-month anniversary. Charlie Aten died in October. Charlie lived in Florissant MO for 55 years and had a distinguished career as an auditor for the US government. He loved boating with his family and being active in his church. He served in the Coast Guard Auxiliary for over 50 years. Wife Marilyn survives, as do three children and two grandchildren. — Paul R. Charron; 44 Contentment Island Road, Darien CT 06820; 917-860-5385; paul.richard.charron@gmail.com

 

64JD Typical Winter

Happy thoughts still emanate from our class while South Bend is mired in a typical winter that has been brutal and beautiful, made tolerable with the help of the University seminars, entertainment and other programs for those of us who chose to minimize the pandemic and health problems by staying here. Adel and Jack Kopko, former residents of Michigan, are enjoying their new home in Palm Desert CA. Mary and Jack Rammel took a cruise to the Yucatan and Belize to escape their home in northwest Chicago and to see Mayan ruins, tramp through the jungle and socialize with monkeys and alligators. Jim Slater and I had a chat and are giving some thought to getting together early in the spring in Santa Barbara. He is the retired circuit court judge for Santa Barbara County and finally admits to being mostly retired, including from his mediation practice. Bob Frost did what I wish more of you would do; he called me. We dissected the ups and downs of our football fortunes and are looking forward to the upcoming season with new coaching leadership and lots of field talent. He reports that he now has returned to good health after several years of various issues. Throughout everything, he remained a vigorous and supportive ND football fan, dedicated to the University. My old law school roommate Larry Gallick and I kibbitzed about the “good old times” at the law school in the early 1960s. What a lot of memories those years offer. Russ Bley and I held a spirited conversation on conservatism and liberalism at the school with no real conclusions but a lot of discussion. Charles Sacher remains very committed to the Montgomery Botanical Gardens in Florida with an almost daily schedule as a volunteer whose service commemorates his wife, Dorothy. Being a lawyer for all these many years was OK, but this is his passion, and he has assumed more and more duties in his new career. He even reports that he has his own golf cart and trailer for cleanup. Kay and Tom Conneely enjoyed a late summer driving trip through the Northwest and have returned to their home in the Bay Area. Frank Miele sends his best to all of us as he continues his physical fitness recovery program in Manhattan. He will appear at the NY Met when it reopens. Lou Pheiler sends his regards and prayers for everyone. — Richard B. Wagner; 1204 Erskine Manor Hill, South Bend IN 46614; 574-299-9888; rswagnersb@gmail.com     

 

65 Grant Honors Physician Father

Ed Burke’s father was a physician who majored in English and graduated from Harvard, but wisely chose to send his two sons, Ed ’65 and Frank ’69 to ND. The elder Burke established the John Burke Fund at ND that would grant at least a $1,000 honorarium to a liberal arts major who went into the medical sciences. Ed has continued to support this award. Returning last October for the North Carolina game, Ed landed at O’Hare and joined Jack O’Connell flying in from Florida and three others: Paul Tierney, Paul Charron ’64 and Tom O’Brien. They all drove together and stayed at John Gearen’s house in Michigan. After 50 years of practicing law as a trial attorney in Newark and Roseland NJ, Tom Hildner retired in December 2019. Tom and his wife, Barbara, live in Short Hills NJ. She is a professor at New Jersey City U and president of the faculty union. Tom’s retirement job is to serve as her unpaid legal advisor. Every week, Class of ’65 Lyons Hall alumni Charlie Smith (Mattapoisett MA), Tom Murphy (Fairfax Station VA), Tim Griffin (Beverly Shores IN), Bob Varga (Poway CA), Paul Knipper (Vancouver WA), John Pusey (Peoria IL) and Paul Meagher (Washington DC) convene by Zoom to reminisce and discuss the nation’s issues. Bob Dunn earned an MS in engineering mechanics at Penn State and then a PhD in aeronautical engineering at U of Illinois. After serving as VP of corporate manufacturing at IBM, Bob joined ND in 2001 as managing director of ND Nano (Notre Dame Science and Technology) and of the Midwest Institute for Nanoelectronic Discovery (MIND). Bob also served as managing director of Ascent, a microelectronics research center funded by the Semiconductor Research Corp and DARPA. Steve Hook, Etna OH, writes that Robert “Pat” Strickler has appeared as a spokesperson in an advertising campaign by the proprietary drug Prevagen. Pat’s career included working for the local newspaper in St. Louis followed by a stint at a public relations firm and briefly teaching communications at the U of Wisconsin. Steve taught the same subject at the same university but at a different time. Steve’s career also included hosting a sports radio program in Ohio and now he has an entertaining blog covering sports and politics. Jean and Doug Lovejoy continue to remain active in their parish in Annapolis MD, where Doug is a deacon delivering homilies and performing baptisms. Jean had a pacemaker implanted several days before the wedding of their daughter, Rachael ’91. As a retired colonel in Army intelligence, living in the Navy city of Annapolis is interesting. China is Doug’s area of expertise and language skills. Hopefully you have plans and reservations to attend our delayed reunion to be held at the Morris Inn May 31 and June 1. Details on the two dinners complete with entertainment and speakers are in University mailings. Golfers can sign up with tournament captain, Tom Hawkins, tee65bone@yahoo.com. Tom’s surgery and chemotherapy for lung cancer has been successful. — James P. Harnisch MD; 6759 West Mercer Way, Mercer Island WA 98040; jphnd65@hotmail.com

 

65JD Class Secretary — Henry Boitel;

324 Brower Ave., Rockville Centre NY 11570; boitel@mindspring.com

 

66 Together Again

At this writing, the opportunity to reconnect, reminisce and remember cherished classmates and friends, Reunion 2022, is slated for June 2-5 under the Dome. Enroll today because, as one wag said, “Life is what happens while you’re making other plans.” I’m reminded that the most precious commodity we have, especially later in life, is time and it’s a good idea to spend it wisely with people you revere and love. Always reliable Jack Gerken weighed in from Fountain Valley CA where he survived COVID. He reminded me that I neglected to note in my last missive that Bill Scanlon, in addition to enjoying a stellar career in health econ, is a proud member of the cohort of 34 alums of Notre Dame High School in Niles IL who graced our class. Bill and Martha reside in the DC area where he’s mulling retirement. JG sent word from Jim Cullen, another NDHS grad, who with Linda, is retired in Bradenton FL. JG related the sad news that Tom Phinney and Joe Fahey have passed, but no details are available. We heard from Lou Sharp, who is retired and living with Pattiann in the Chicago burbs. They winter in Venice FL, dodging COVID while enjoying golf and bridge. Interacting with their three kids and eight grandkids up north highlights their summers. JG continues his masterful spearheading of the class website (1966.undclass.org), which you must check out and register for. There are 336 of us enrolled to date and the last column stimulated the following to come aboard: Tom Callahan, John Devona, Bill Hill, Ron Rhoades, Bob Taylor and John Wetli. My column hits four times a year (well over 225 iterations since I picked up the cudgel from Dick Angelotti in ’68), while the website is current, and growing in popularity. Once enrolled, you can capture info on classmates and take advantage of the Live Feed and Engagement features. Log in at the upper right corner of the home page. Class president Cap Gagnon stays abreast of goings-on re: the ND sports scene and notes he has seen little impact on Irish athletes from the new NCAA NIL policy (pay for name, image and likeness). As a retired lineman who labored in the trenches, I doubt there will be much benefit for the “big uglies,” as ABC commentator Keith Jackson used to refer to those on either side of the ball, who endeavored to clear the path or stop the train. Jim Murray chimed in from Chicago’s North Shore, where he’s enjoyed a stellar career in the law. After law school at Northwestern U, JM served as an assistant US Attorney and a special assistant US Attorney and has argued before the US Supreme Court. He engaged in private practice and served as a state judge for nine years. JM and Sandra have been married for 51 years and have two kids and four grandkids. Classmate Dick Brown is JM’s neighbor. Dick, send us news. I received a great note from Dr. Jim Curran in Atlanta, retiring after 26 years as dean of the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory U. He will remain on the epidemiology faculty and serve as director of EU’s center for AIDS research, continuing to visit ND periodically as a consultant and lecturer at the Eck Institute for Global Health. We recall that Jim also served in leadership at the CDC and is widely recognized and credited as one of the pre-eminent pioneers advancing the frontier of AIDS research, ultimately saving millions of lives throughout the world. Jim and Juanita have been wed for 48 years and enjoy their two kids and two grandkids. Good friend “The General,” Mike Rush, sent word that he recently lost his mother just shy of her 102nd birthday. MR stays in touch with Dick Martiny and Fran in Columbia MD. Roger Kirwan retired and is wearing out the ski slopes near Golden CO. Bob Rivello is recovering well from heart surgery in Centerville VA. Bill Loftus is still golfing in Sacramento. Jim Hawkins is loving life in La Jolla CA. Fellow ND rugby-ite Pat McRedmond lives in Nashville and has become a beekeeper in his dotage. MR noted that John Blum hangs in Mishawaka and ushers for events at the DeBartolo Center on campus, and that John Buck is still active in real estate development in Chicago and Denver. I heard from George Blaha in Pontiac MI with the sad news of Jim Hayden’s passing in Beverly Hills CA. Jim enjoyed a stellar career in advertising, as an author and screenwriter, including a screenplay on the late Rev. Ted Hesburgh, CSC, ’39, which may yet come on the scene. GB is still broadcasting for the Detroit Pistons and the Michigan State Spartans. Former ND footballers over 40 are invited to participate in the groundbreaking study at Boston U, evaluating the health impact of playing major college football. The initial phase of the study is complete and will be published in a medical journal. Expanding the study cohort will yield more comprehensive and beneficial data. To join in the important research endeavor, call Alyssa Phelps (617-358-6545) or email NDstudy@bu.edu. Kim and I are wintering in Naples FL and down-sizing on Cape Cod, moving from Mashpee MA to Pocasset MA, nearer the water. Professionally, I’ve consulted for a dynamic national nonprofit, Shatterproof, which is making significant strides in reversing the substance use disorder (addiction) that is hammering the US. It is a tremendous resource for those afflicted (estimated to be as many as 40 million Americans), and all who love them. If you know folks who need help, check out Shatterproof.org. Be well, stay strong and keep moving. — Tom Sullivan; 1090 Shore Road, Unit 14, Pocasset MA 02559; cell 773-454-4343; t66sullynd@gmail.com 

 

66JD Another Classmate Moving to Florida

Tom Harvey sent a great update a day after I submitted the last class column. Tom and his wife, Cathie, are putting their New York home of 30 years on the market. After sorting through what’s been accumulated and stored during that period, they will be heading to a house they own in Palm Beach FL. Tom and Cathie have two children, both living in Seattle WA, which Tom notes, “is just as far away from New York as you can get. Perhaps it is a comment on our parenting.” Tom served in the Army as a paratrooper and got into the nasty habit of running marathons. Now, he says that he doesn’t even run for a bus. Family health is as good as it can be for folks of their age, and Tom boasts that his knees and hips are still original factory equipment. Sadly, the Alumni Association has advised of the death of Peter J. Ippolito on Jan. 22, 2021, in San Diego CA. Pete is survived by four children, Erin ’97, Gina, John and Kristin ’94. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. Pete was my mock trial partner, and he wanted to be the one who cross-examined the doctor involved in the case. Every time we practiced, he’d start the examination with the words, “Isn’t it a fact, doctor that…” At the trial, Pete excitedly asked the question, and the doctor answered, “Why, yes, it is.” Pete broke into a big smile, turned toward me, and mouthed, “No s--t!” It was one of the funniest reactions I’ve ever seen. That’s it for now. Remember, no news equals no column. Stay safe and healthy. — Scott Maxwell; 2781 Siena Lakes Circle, Unit 2444, Naples FL 34109; cell 215-920-0616; ndscotty@gmail.com 

 

67 Obits Only

Our Class Notes for this issue consists of obituaries that family of classmates have sent. If any of you have some time over the next couple of months to inform us of your activities and that of other classmates, it would make for some upbeat reading. Kevin McNevins sent us notice that John Augustine Sillup Jr. passed away July 17 in Worster MA from pancreatic cancer. John served in the Army, including a tour in Korea during the Vietnam War, then was in business in several positions, most recently in customer service. Kevin recalled several stories about John when they were roommates in Zahm with John Davis and Bob Wilks. Greg Householder was next door. Kevin recalled daylong five-deck Crazy Eights games with Joe Orloff stopping by after hockey practice with quarts of Miller and taking their cards with them during dinner breaks. Prom weekend was a highlight with motorcycle trips to the dunes. John was overheating his BSA 175 trying to keep up with Pat McGroder’s Bonneville 650 and Bob Guccione’s Norton 750. Kevin also recalled rooming with John at our 45th reunion when Kevin had a stroke and credits John with saving his life by getting him to the hospital for a TPA clot buster shot which got Kevin fixed. Kevin also sent Dr. Joe Murley’s obituary to us indicating Joe died Aug. 15 unexpectedly in Portland OR. Joe graduated magna cum laude and went on to Tufts Medical School after which he went into the Army as a captain and served in the DMZ in Korea where he was the only doctor. After the Army, Joe became a physician in the VA system serving in hospitals in San Francisco, Roseburg OR and Portland OR. Happy Fox forwarded us the obit of his brother-in-law Bill Keane ’53, who was a professor in the business school when we were students. Bill also taught at Florida and Duke, and later became a partner with PriceWaterhouse. Bill and his wife, Mary Joy, resided in Chapel Hill NC. Richard Lorey ’71 and his sister Mimi notified us of the passing of their brother Bob Lorey on Jan. 13 in Novato CA from Parkinson’s, which he faced with courage, dignity and optimism for the last 20 years of his life. Bob was born in Lawrenceburg IN, where his family operated Lorey’s 5&10. Bob was a standout athlete and played catcher for Jake Kline. Bob moved from Lawrenceburg after a few years to Cincinnati, then to Boulder CO before settling in Santa Rosa CA, his wife, Margi’s, hometown. For many years Bob was the sales manager for a printing company that served the Sonoma and Napa wine industry. Bob retired in his early 1960s. Please keep your keyboard handy and send some news. — Bert R. Bondi; 1891 Curtis St., Unit 1502, Denver CO 80202; bertrbondi@gmail.com

 

67JD Getting Old Really Sucks

But it is better than the alternative. Thanks to Jack Harty, Kip Roe and John Nelson for responding to my plea for news. Jack’s emails, rants and pseudo legal arguments always generate responses and bring a smile. Kip sent some very pleasant pictures of MaryJo and family. Nelson’s emails are always informative, listing his activities and leaving me thinking that I’m a couch potato. That is perhaps not far from the truth. John has had some medical issues of late, and he had his arm in a sling for five weeks. He lists his most recent accomplishment as eating with his left hand and brushing his teeth using his left hand. I don’t want to brag but I’ve been doing those things with my left hand since I was a toddler. John is on the advisory board of the Western Colorado Law Enforcement Academy and the County Sheriff’s Community Advisory Committee as well as acting president of All Points Transit. Your faithful secretary, Jim Heinhold, suffered a mild stroke in January. My right side is refusing to communicate with my left side, hand and leg. I’m able to walk slowly with a walker, talk with a lisp and type with one finger. I congratulate myself on my prescience, nearly 56 years ago, in marrying an RN who specialized in geriatric care. I couldn’t cope without her. Luckily, my mind is as sharp as ever, and though this has not been confirmed by my medical team, I firmly believe it. My personality also remains as pleasant as ever. This too remains unconfirmed by my medical team and may be disputed by my personal RN. — Jim Heinhold; 1200 Carmel Lane, New Bern NC 28562; res 252-638-5913; im4irish@aol.com

 

68 Shifting South

Certainly, in 1964, a Notre Dame parallel to the US Census Bureau’s decennial calculation would have put the university’s population center in Cook County IL, perhaps right at 505 Washington Blvd., Oak Park IL, recognizable to some as the location of Fenwick High School. These January days, as winter sets in, the mark moves noticeably south, pulled by classmates’ migration away from chilly weather. Naples FL is such a common destination that Roger Guerin has told class president Tom Weyer that the Naples St. Patrick’s Day Parade can include not only a Notre Dame float but a Great ’68 float. Roger and Chris Murphy will play golf at the area’s Royal Poinciana Club during January. Paul Dunn, Ken Collins, Eddie Haggar, Bill Sweetman, Steve Grace and Dave Boehnen have their own annual Naples meeting in mid-November for four days of golf. “This one was an unexpectedly shorter trip,” Paul wrote. “Dave got a positive COVID test the second morning we were together, and everyone immediately split for home. Dave holed up at his Naples condo and recovered fine.” The six plan to reconvene in Naples in March or April. Paul Ramsey and his partner, Richard Coburn, said goodbye to New York City as they take up winter residence in Cozumel, Mexico. Yes, they soak up sun and admire the ocean view when they are not raising funds and guiding the education program they established, Friends of Puerto Aventuras (friendsofpa.org). While vacationing in India years ago, they established and continue to support another program called The India Group (theindiagroup.net). Ellen and Pat Hermann confer often with Chris Manion from Tuscaloosa AL, where Pat is retired from the Medieval Studies faculty of the U of Alabama. Chris, who lives in Front Royal VA, and the Hermanns share views about Roman Catholicism. Chris writes forceful columns for the Wanderer. A current project for Pat is the launch of work that will assist whistleblowers in many spheres, including the Catholic Church. On top of that, the Hermanns dedicate time to ProLifeTuscaloosa.com. For 11 years, thanks to a recommendation from Houston classmate Ron Kurtz when Ron’s daughter was enrolled at Alabama, Pat coached the distance runners of the track team. Before joining the Alabama faculty, Pat was a curator at the Lincoln Museum in Springfield IL. In San Francisco, Richard Pivnicka and his wife, Barbara, attended the October 7 Stanford U memorial of George Shultz, whose 100 years included four cabinet-level positions in US government. Jim Woods, alert in Milwaukee, found One Week in America by Patrick Parr. The history centers on the spring 1968 Sophomore Literary Festival that the late John Mroz and 13 committee members grew into a gathering of writers: Ralph Ellison, Norman Mailer, Kurt Vonnegut, Wright Morris, William F. Buckley Jr. and Granville Hicks. The campus had other visitors: presidential candidates Gene McCarthy and Robert Kennedy. For some 1968 readers, the highlight is an account of a protest that 50 students (headed by Brian McTigue) made against the Dow Chemical president’s recruiting visit. Chuck Nau, Jack Lavelle, Richard Rossi and other names appear in the book, too. Bryan Dunigan had sad news Dec. 7: “(I received) a text from Lloyd Adams that his twin brother, Pete Adams, passed away peacefully late last night. In 2015, Pete was given 3-6 months to live with stage four lung and kidney cancer, which Pete then battled for over six years. Pete’s wife, Patricia, lives at 42 Apple Way, Marlton NJ 08053.” Lloyd’s email is davelloyd314@yahoo.com. Thanks to his former roommate Ken Wejman, we also know of the death of Indian Hill IL’s Paul Joseph Wallace on April 8, 2020. After Naval Air Reserve service, Paul made his career at WW Granger Inc. Paul and his wife, Nancy, are parents of four and were married 50 years. Please keep the Adams and Wallace families in your prayers and include Dennis Toolan and his family as they deal with Dennis’s sudden health problems. Tom Condon, in a pause between reports for the Connecticut Mirror, ponders starting a new career as proprietor of The Confections of St. Augustine. Oh, well. Please send me news and photos. — Tom Figel; 455 East Ocean Blvd., Apt. 202, Long Beach CA 90802; 312-241-7917; tfigel@reputecture.com

 

68JD A Response from a Long-Lost Friend 

While many of us “forget” some events, Owen Lopez responded in an Oct. 25 email to me that he wished to provide an update since the Class of 1968’s 50th reunion, which was held Nov. 16-18, 2018. On the positive side, Owen attributes his success to his wife, Vicki, who has been a stalwart supporter while raising two boys and a girl who have provided them with four amazing grandchildren. Upon graduation, Owen clerked for the Honorable Oliver Seth who served on the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. Upon the end of the clerkship, he joined the law firm his father established in Santa Fe NM, and then worked under Dick Morris, his mentor, who practiced natural resource law. Morris then left the firm and became general counsel for El Paso Natural Gas Company. Morris persuaded the firm to make Owen a partner because Morris “handed off” to Owen the clients he was representing, including El Paso, Anaconda, Shell, Chevron etc. Owen added that it was a heady and rewarding experience. Owen also became involved in Santa Fe community affairs and became president of the board of the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, a board member of St. John’s College in Santa Fe, and a board member of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation. He also joined the board of the International Folk Art Foundation, which led to him to become a board member of the Museum of American Art in Washington DC. After about 10 years, he left his firm and opened the Santa Fe office of the Hinkle law firm, which has offices in Roswell NM, Midland TX, and Amarillo TX. It is now the largest firm in Santa Fe. After he retired in 2012, Owen became the executive director of the largest charitable foundation in New Mexico, the McCune Foundation, whose mission is to improve the physical and spiritual well-being of New Mexicans. Owen continues to play golf and added: “I can’t believe I am 80 years old and realize the end of the road is not that far away, but I expect to make the best of it while I am still able. Please extend my best to all our classmates. It was a fluke that I attended ND Law School, but it seems to have worked out for the best. I hope and trust you are well and thanks for coming to Vicki’s and my wedding in Danville IL.” (Charlie Weiss and yours truly, Dennis Collins, attended this wedding.) I am sorry to report that we lost Tom Kapacinskas. Ernie Abate noted “that Tom really was a good soul. If my memory serves me correctly, he thrived in his participation in the so-called psychedelic seminar in which many of us were privileged to participate. That was a semester-long seminar that was organized and managed by the dearest of our professors, Tom Shafer.” Jim Seckinger recalls one of Tom’s greatest gifts: “Tom was a very fine person, received and gave much to society, not in law but in human life and relationships. He 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.” Please remember in your prayers our deceased classmates, including John Amerman, Emilio Belluomini, John Burgess, Albert Dudash, Richard Hirsch, Joseph Ladd, Tom Kapacinskas, Steve Madonna, Larry Miller, Michael Williamson and Robert Wilczek. (My thanks to J.C. Coyle, who keeps me posted.) Finally, I would appreciate everyone providing me with updates as to what is happening with you and your family so that we can share this information with class members. As Tom Curtin and Pete King note, “Go Irish.” — Dennis G. Collins; 2203 Derby Way, St. Louis MO 63131; bus 314-516-2648; dgc@greensfelder.com

 

69 Becoming 75 in 2022

Here’s to a healthy 2022 as most of us turn 75 this year. The Class of 1969 Blog celebrated its fifth anniversary on Jan. 12, with over 1,480 posts and one million page views. To commemorate the occasion, I posted a story listing its 20 most-viewed stories. Visit notredameclassof1969blog.blogspot.com and search “Celebrating Its Twenty Most Popular Stories.” Thank you to all 225-plus contributors over the past five years. Please contact me to do a “take-home” interview for the blog. As of June 30, the Class of 1969 Scholarship Fund stood at $201,150, with 2021 distributions of $9,278 and total disbursements of $18,678 over its first two years. Please consider contributing to the fund this year. Since 2002, a bequest by Dr. John E. Burke (1912–2002), father of Ed Burke ’65 and Frank Burke, has granted an annual commencement award in his name to the outstanding Arts & Letters premedical senior who has demonstrated excellent academic achievement and outstanding leadership qualities. In July, Mary Beth Yaboukian, wife of Dan Cox, published a book about her mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s: There’s Nothing Wrong with Her: A Memoir. In October, Tom Altmeyer, Dean Benner, Tom Breen, Dick Cimino, Delbert Hosemann, John Quinn, Tom Ryan, Greg Schatz, Matt White and Ralph Williams gathered for their annual football weekend to witness ND defeat the Trojans. Bill Hurd’s story “Eye on Equality” appeared on the Notre Dame cross country website. Bill continues to post his instrumental songs on YouTube. Diane and Steve Cassetta visited Sharon and Ed Weinlein in Hilton Head SC. In November, John Wehrheim published a story with photographs about King David Kalakaua’s first Hawaiian hydroelectric project for the Hana Hou! Magazine, “The Power of the King.” After a family wedding in Sheboygan WI, Polly and John Sturm had lunch with Kathleen (Larkin) ’71SMC and yours truly, John Hickey, Diane and Steve Kavalauskas, Sally (Strobel) ’69SMC and Tom Ladky, Patty (Hanna) ’69SMC and Mike McCauley, Naomi Lovinger and Bill Wade. In December, Sharon and Ed Weinlein celebrated their 50th anniversary — congratulations. Fifteen ’69ers met for a Christmas lunch at Chicago’s Willis Tower. From Chicago were Mike Brennan, Jim Burke, Mike Busby, Peter McInerney, Ebby Moran, Rick Redmond, Tim Schlindwein and Bill Wade. From Wisconsin were John Berres, Steve Kavalauskas, Jim Lyons, Brian Schmidlin, Tom Shannon and me. From Florida was Greg Ryder. While visiting family in the Northeast, Hub Miller saw Gene Hammond in Connecticut on Christmas Day. In January, Bob Gibbons published his 362-page memoir Growing Up on Oriole Street: A Rochester Boyhood and Beyond, which includes, of course, a chapter on ND. John Augeri accompanied the band Tilt-A-Whirl in “Held in Your Gaze” in a YouTube video. The Jackson MS media reported that Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann contracted COVID for a second time. Get well soon, Delbert. Joseph Ackerman ’47MS, ’49PhD, the father of Gregg Ackerman, celebrated his 100th birthday on Jan. 29. Rev. Ted Hesburgh, CSC, ’39 baptized Gregg while the family lived in Vetville. Bill Wade’s nephew, A.J. Meyers of St. Ignatius High School in Chicago, was accepted to ND’s Class of 2026. Still active: Mike Cerre produces NPR NewsHour segments regularly; Joel Connelly writes frequent columns for PostAlley.org; and Don Hynes posts his weekly poems to donhynes.com. Deaths: Daniel Michael Farrell, Aug. 16 in Tucson AZ; Thomas Policinski, Sep. 15 in South Bend; Anthony Martin Kennell, Dec. 17 on Long Island; Jay Canna, Jan. 10 in Chicago; Sandra Pike, wife of Parker Pike, Jan. 3 in San Diego. Our sincerest condolences to their families and friends. Please let me know if you know of classmates who have retired, been honored for an award, etc. Stay healthy, and God bless. — John Hickey; jphjr47@hotmail.com; www.notredameclassof1969blog.blogspot.com 

 

69MBA COVID Effects

Hopefully, by the time you read this, we are not continuing to be COVID-bound, but, as of this writing, hunkering down is still quite pervasive. Vince George has hopes of getting through Argentina to make a cruise to Antarctica, a once in a lifetime adventure. Joe Cavato reports on his grandkids getting COVID, thus further sheltering from the virus and the really cold weather. On a happier front, one of Joe’s granddaughters started school at Fordham U and lives around Columbus Circle in Manhattan and loves it. Joe and family found a window enabling them to catch a couple of Broadway shows while visiting. Nick Walz celebrated a big birthday with us on our biweekly Zoom call. He had a granddaughter graduate from ND this spring. She is in Law school at UVA. He has another grandson who has been accepted into the Class of 2026, but he hasn’t made his final decision. Nick has likely produced the largest number of legacy students of anyone from our class. Jerry Claeys had to alter his Christmas vacation plans to tend to his daughter who contracted COVID just before Christmas, so they had to quarantine and celebrate a week later with the rest of the family. Denny McCarthy shared the difficulty their business is having with staffing shortages. They are going through a lot to keep their stores open. Denny also had to abandon his beloved Blackberry when they stopped supporting his antiquated version. He replaced it with another Blackberry, which must be a collector’s item right out of the box. We had COVID run through our family in mid-January, but all have recovered. Feel free to jump into our Zoom calls whenever it fits your schedule. You can email me to get times, links, etc. Also, remember that our class minireunion will be at the Cal game this year. Missing these get-togethers is a lost opportunity, so be there. — Bob Dowdell; 31625 Coast Highway, Laguna Beach CA 92651; 714-381-6104; bobdowdell55@gmail.com

 

69JD Back to Work

Bill Keck sent me an email that he went back to work. Fortunately, he is working remotely from his St. Petersburg office escaping the cold of southern Ohio. He orders his groceries from Target, and they put them in his trunk when he arrives. Jim Barba did one better. His banker puts “a bundle” in his trunk. It turns out that a number of our classmates were at the ’88 Fiesta Bowl. I was there with my old Ironwood housemate Chris Carroll ’68JD, undergrad classmate Paul Cunney ’66 BBA, as was Bill Keck, Paul Rubach, Dave Prior, Bob Neirynck and Tom McCusker. Tom needed a ticket to the game and ran into Bob, who had one for sale. Tom is disputing Kelly as the ND coach with the most wins since his teams had to vacate 21 games at the behest of the NCAA. Tom says Kelly had more losses than any other ND coach. The Saga is now part of the Law School Depository. The Saga was emailed to our classmates at the addresses I have. If anyone has the contact information for the family of any of our deceased classmates, please send it to me. I am sure some would enjoy reading it. Jim Barba found an original playbill for “The Heir,” which will be added to The Saga. Stay healthy and stay in touch. Plans are under way for our reunion in 2024 and a minireunion in Las Vegas when we play BYU this season. — Jim Starshak; 889 Kaohe Place, Honolulu HI 96825; res 808-395-0443; cell 808-778-4033; starman@hawaii.rr.com