1940s

47 Returning to Campus

As I thankfully do not have any sad news to report this issue, I thought I’d share some anecdotes from our family’s recent trip to Notre Dame. We visited family and friends both on and off campus, including Rev. Thomas Blantz, CSC, ’57, ’63MA, from whom I took an excellent US history course as an undergraduate. Father Blantz was kind enough to autograph my copy of his most recent book, The University of Notre Dame: A History. We were blessed to introduce him to our four children and share some stories before we hit the road to MI. During our subsequent travels, we serendipitously met several wonderful Domers and ND fans, including a 1971 grad after Mass near South Haven. He had recently been to campus for a memorial golf tournament for several late classmates. Please keep in touch with your memories of campus life, as I always look forward to hearing from you. Go Irish! — Eileen Z. Surprenant ’09, ’15; emzander@gmail.com

 

48 Summer Vacation

My family and I visited South Bend in July (please see Class Notes from ’47) and my 5-year-old son said his favorite part of our entire vacation — other than fishing with his favorite uncle — was walking around campus. Please keep in touch with your memories of campus life, as I always look forward to hearing from you. Go Irish! — Eileen Z. Surprenant ’09, ’15; emzander@gmail.com

 

49 Rest in Peace, Bill

We are saddened to report that Class Secretary Bill Slavick passed away on May 3. From his obituary: “Bill was born in TN to Henry W. Slavick, a Memphis radio pioneer, and Lenore O’Hara. He was the 1945 valedictorian of Bartlett High, Gleaner editor, basketball letterman, Eagle Scout and Red Cross senior lifeguard. He graduated from The University of Notre Dame with a Ph.D. Bill is survived by six of his seven children, as well as 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His eldest daughter, Susan, said, “Dad never stopped talking about his transformative experience at Notre Dame.” The class is in search of a volunteer to assist with the quarterly Class Notes.