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 Celebrating 100 . . . And Then Some

I was so delighted to receive a letter in the mail from Peg Miniclier, who wrote on behalf of her husband, John Miniclier, from their home in Mount Dora FL. Peg writes that at 102, John is the last living member of the Battle of Midway (6th Defense Battalion). Originally from Duluth MN, he spent 34 years in the Marine Corps (where he met his wife!) before retiring as a colonel in 1977. They’ve been married over 75 years and a Google search turned up a FL news story from 2021 featuring the couple (John looking very sharp in a Notre Dame polo!) and John’s reflections on WWII. They raised four children in Longwood FL, including two sons, Gordon Miniclier ’73 and Paul Miniclier ’77. One can get lost in the sea of articles written with John’s stories and quotes. Though the University officially lists John as ’48, Peg indicated he’s considered ’44 and I’m pleased to tell his story here. Thank you both for your tremendous service to our nation. — Laura (Julian) Fraser ’00; 1021 Royal Bombay Ct., Naperville IL 60563; 773-255-9843; lejfraser@outlook.com 

 

45 Class Secretary — Melissa Erkins Rackish ’77;

1224 Campbell St., Williamsport PA 17701; 570-971-2296; mrackish@comcast.net 

 

46 Class Secretary — Paul Taggett;

mtaggett@tampabay.rr.com 

 

47 Moving Tribute

I heard from Mark Ackerman ’76 about his beloved father, Joe Ackerman, who passed away on July 8, 2022. Mark writes that his parents lived in Vetville on campus after WWII as his father studied for his PhD in chemistry: “My mom painstakingly typed his thesis which was full of chemical symbols and difficult context. They were married for 70 years before my mom’s passing and had four children including myself and my two brothers who graduated from ND as well. Dad lived a good life and we all celebrated his 100th birthday with him last year.” What a moving tribute to the devoted parents of an ND family, through and through. Thank you, Mark. I always enjoy hearing of and sharing your stories and updates, so please do keep in touch. Go Irish! — Eileen Z. Surprenant ’09, ’15; emzander@gmail.com

 

48 Birthday Wishes

We all wish a belated and very happy birthday to our loyal updater, John Cahill of Salt Lake City. In response to my virtual birthday wishes on April 11, John emailed: “Thanks for remembering. Today I have finished 99 years and I am now some 12 hours into my 100th year. Whee!” Whee indeed! We wish you many blessings on this, your 100th year, John! I close with my sincere wishes that this summer finds all readers and ’48 grads enjoying bright skies and warm weather. Go Irish! — Eileen Z. Surprenant ’09, ’15; emzander@gmail.com

 

49 In Memoriam 

Dr. Paul Peckham of Bridgewater PA died Aug. 22. Paul’s education extended from Notre Dame to the U of Wisconsin and Johns Hopkins. During 1944–46 Navy service, he married Katherine Francis and they joined in a family medical service for 31 years. He is survived by sons Stephen and Richard and by Richard and Hester’s cherished grandson. — Bill Slavick; whslavick@gmail.com