1950s

50 75th Reunion Recap

I was a fortunate participant at Reunion weekend (May 29 to June 1) and volunteered with the Alumni Association at Ryan Hall, the headquarters for Golden Domers Club. What an experience! This was my first Reunion and first chance to sleep in a dorm room since the early 1990s. I was struck by how different the campus was but was also comforted by the small kernel of familiarity that I sensed when I was walking on the South Quad. I can only imagine how members of the Class of ’50 would feel if they tried to find the old landmarks. I enjoyed great food and stimulating conversations with new friends, including Cathy Uhl Stock ’75, daughter of the late Robert Uhl. My name tag (“Class of 1950 / Class of 1991”) was definitely a conversation starter! The biggest highlight of the weekend was getting to spend time with Caesar “Chuck” Giuliani, the only member of the Class of ’50 able to attend. I met most of Caesar’s family and watched while he and his son, Dominic Giuliani ’00, were interviewed for the Notre Dame Alumni Association Father’s Day video (later posted on social media) at the Giuliani Family Bench located just south of the Jordan Hall of Science. We were also joined by Tim Angelotti ’85 and Dave Angelotti ’85, sons of the late Nick Angelotti, who attended the meet-up to pay their respects to their father’s classmate. Perhaps his most interesting comments were focused on the traditional “God, Country, Notre Dame” motto — he suggested that “Family” be added to the list, since it has such an impact on all our lives. When I was assigned as volunteer class secretary, I’d never considered whether there might be a reason other than a random confluence of events. However, I was recently informed by my cousin, Bonnie Coogan Moran, that I may have been writing these notes all these years with heavenly assistance from the late Robert M. “Bob” Moran, who was a proud member of this Class. Eugene J. “Gene” Phillips celebrated a major milestone (April 14). His wife, Mary C., wrote to tell me that his “children, Therese Phillips ’81, Martin Phillips and Merre Phillips, hosted a 100th gala birthday bash for Gene. The mayor of Tiffin OH read a proclamation to honor him for his many years of volunteer work for the local school for children and adults with special needs. In good health and good spirits, Gene connects with ND every Sunday morning as he watches Mass from the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. God willing, we hope to celebrate our 70th wedding anniversary on Oct. 15.” Dr. William B. O’Connell passed away Jan. 8 in Canandaigua NY. After graduation, Bill earned a doctorate in math education from the U of Rochester. He later worked at Eastman Kodak in Rochester and taught math and science at West Irondequoit High School. His family reported that Bill “was an avid Notre Dame sports fan and active alumnus; [he] enjoyed traveling, wintering in FL and spending time with family on Canandaigua Lake.” Bill is survived by his wife, Elinor, four children (one predeceased him), seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. His first wife, Edith, passed away in 1976. — Jim Coogan ’91; jcooganv@alumni.nd.edu

51 Rest in Peace, Jack

Jack Coyne passed away peacefully on April 18. Thank you to his son Terry for the note. Jack also received his law degree from ND in 1953. Please send updates.
— Jim Jennings; jimj4703@gmail.com

52 Family and Friends

For this edition of the notes I asked the class to send some information about family and friends who may have done something a bit unusual or noteworthy. Tony Messina writes, “There was nobody famous in the family, but I would have said grandmother Messina was as she and Grandpa raised seven boys from 189? thru about 193? in the Italian district of Kansas City MO. She went to Mass every day, and despite the mafia influence, the boys never got involved, but a lot of their classmates were killed in gang wars or by the police. Dad said when walking down the sidewalk the non-Italians would walk out in the street. When uncles Jack and Sam got out of the army after WWII, they started a construction company in KC and undoubtedly had dealings with the mafia. When Sam’s son John was in the Latino Peace Officers Association, there was a convention in the Middle West, and John met the police chief of KC and he backed away from John when he mentioned his great uncles in KC because of the mafia, or because of the three or four large Buicks Sam and Jack totaled.” John Minck writes that in his 37 years with Hewlett-Packard, “I got to know both founders personally. I was the 1,500th employee. One day a letter came in, and the mail room supervisor, who told me the story, brought it to Bill Hewlett, who said he could use this. At a Friday beer bust celebrating something, in a small group, Bill handed the letter to Packard and said, ‘I’m glad my name is Hewlett.’ The letter was addressed to The Hewlett-Packard Company. One night I was working very late, around 10 p.m., maybe 1970s. HP buildings were large acre-sized open desk floors. Way on the far end, a young man was making copies on the old Xerox clacking office machine. When I walked by to the restroom, I noticed he was copying sheet music. Maybe an hour later, the stack was about a foot high, and I noted to him that while HP policy allowed generous use of resources, that seemed a bit much. His answer: ‘My dad said it was OK, he is Bill Hewlett.’ I found out later that son Hewlett had been offered the paged music collection of his high school music teacher and he was preserving it. My class at Chaminade College, a small Catholic boys’ high school, included Robert H. Moore, the middle son of a prominent St. Louis physician and soon to be known in headlines as Hot Rod. He made good-enough grades with no apparent effort and received the silver Larin medal at commencement. Our graduation party was held in the Moore home at No. 1 Portland Place; Bob and I went out for a smoke break during which he showed me how to hot-wire my parents’ car. I don’t believe Bob ever injured anyone while driving, but the papers delighted in describing high-speed chases through our city’s neighborhoods and down the highway. I went off to college and then into service. Shortly after returning I met Bob in a bar; he’d aged, and the worried look had settled in. He said he was married and working in Chicago, where he didn’t need a car. The marriage and the job, sadly, didn’t last, nor did the many that followed. Time passed. When I called our class secretary long-distance to confirm my attending our 25th reunion, I asked about Bob. He said Bob was selling cars in St. Charles County and had thanked him for the invitation but declined. When Bob’s obituary appeared in the paper years later, the online responses were fielded by a son who found mine girlish, let slip he stood well over 6 feet, and remembered being taught to drive by and like Bob, there standing at a bar a full afternoon matching drink for drink with Robert Mitchum, and Bob’s coming west to see him off to Vietnam. The memorial event was scheduled for a large, scarcely furnished Methodist chapel. When I arrived, the front was filled with an indistinguishable mass of younger people; I stood alone in back as the scheduled time arrived and passed. A friendly man in a sport coat approached me and identified himself as Bob’s younger brother. We chatted for a while and went our ways. Once while I was in a county government office Bob’s name was somehow mentioned, and when I said we were friends a little fellow’s face lit up. ‘You knew Hot Rod Moore? He was my boyhood idol! I had a bulletin board where I’d post stories about him, and later I’d put them in scrapbooks.’ If Chaminade were a university the scrapbooks would be in its archives.” — George Heidkamp; 9308 Linden Reserve Drive, Prairie Village KS 66207; 312-206-4128; georgeaj@rcn.com

53 Rally Sons of Notre Dame

It was great hearing from some of you following my introductory Class Notes section in the last issue. Dr. Ralph Argen and his wife, Muriel, are doing well in Rockport TX, attending their local Vietnamese Catholic Mass every Sunday. They have also attended the last several class reunions together. Bernie Hester and his wife, Mary Therese, were on campus to attend their grandson Bobby’s wedding at the Basilica on July 11 to Jane Young ’22. Bernie and Mary Therese spent quality time with their other six grandchildren who were in attendance as well. Bernie has also been enjoying his time with his great-grandson, Beckham, who will hopefully be ND Class of 2046. In some somber news, Frank Woidat passed away Feb. 23. Frank and his wife of 63 years, Marilyn, were residing in Northlake IL. Notre Dame was a cornerstone in Frank’s life. He and Marilyn are very proud to have all four of their children graduate from Notre Dame. Rev. Herb Yost, CSC, ’71, ’74MA, ’89MSA, presided at the funeral with all 27 family members in attendance. Frank’s final resting place is in Cedar Grove Cemetery on campus. I am also saddened to share that Paula Flynn, wife of late classmate David Flynn, passed away April 24. Paula had been suffering from esophageal cancer. David preceded her in death on March 9, 2024. I am looking forward to continuing to hear from the Class of 1953; keep inspiring me. — John Olson; 630-272-2110; jolson5@alumni.nd.edu

54 Florida Weather

I cannot enjoy hot humid weather. It can knock you out and make you feel listless. On the personal side, life is bright and happy. When I proposed to Elizabeth she made a remark that has stuck with me. She said I told God I wasn’t looking, but if You send me someone, fine. I showed up and love took over. Two classmates sent notes but computer problems erased them. Maybe it’s time for a new computer. Now for the obits. If you remember any, say a prayer and if a close friend, reach out to the family. Called home were Eugene Henry, James Coyne, John Poirier, James Lyons and James Pontow. — Jack Mertens; 550 Wilmette Ave., Ormond Beach FL 32174; 845-216-7251; jacknd54@gmail.com

55 The Czar, RIP

When I entered Zahm Hall for the first time in early September 1951, the second person I met was Don Shanley. He was Jim Sherer’s roommate. As our class proceeded through our four years, Don’s behavior was bizarre enough that he naturally became The Czar. After graduation, he served in the Army for two years and then owned and ran the Dubuque Yacht Basin for 30 years. The Czar died in June and was survived by his wife, Helen, and daughter, Eileen. In 1953, Notre Dame was scheduled to play an away game at Georgia Tech. But the Georgia Tech administration would not allow us to play in their stadium because we had two Black players. So the game was played in our stadium and we won 27-14 and ruined Tech’s 31-game winning streak. We ended the season 9-1 and were ranked No. 2 nationally. Our backfield of John Lattner ’54, Neil Worden ’54, Joe Heap and Ralph Guglielmi are thought by many to have been the best backfield that Notre Dame has ever had. In June, Jerry Hughes sent me a note telling me that Larry Buckley, his roommate and friend of 73 years, had died. Larry was survived by Eileen, his wife of 67 years. He and Eileen were the parents of six children. Two sons and five grandsons graduated from Notre Dame. A son and a grandson were on the swimming team. Larry served as a naval officer on a destroyer. Dave Scheele called to tell me that he went to our 2025 Reunion and paid his bill and signed the register, and that that made him the single and only member of our class to attend the reunion. I told Dave he deserved to be number one because of the fine way he played the great glockenspiel part in the “Notre Dame Victory March.” John Lochtefeld died in April. He served in the Army in HI and thereafter earned a master’s degree in fine arts from the U of Hawaii followed by a teaching position at a private school in HI. At that time, I was assigned by the Marines to the naval station at Pearl Harbor and that gave me the opportunity to meet Judith, John’s wife, and eat dinner at their home. In 1968, John opened his studio and gallery on Nantucket. He also spent 29 years teaching fine arts at the college level, the last being Marymount College. He is survived by Judith, his wife of 68 years, and four children. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Beth. When I was on the Marine Corps assignment to Pearl Harbor, Lieutenant Pat O’Donnell took me for a ride in his airplane. He was a naval aviator stationed in HI at NAS Barbers Point. Jerry Groark suffered a bad fall in June resulting in fractures. Pray for him. I received a note from Don Yeckel. Don lived next to me in the Sorin basement and I always thought of him as an athletic, muscular sort of guy. He probably still is. After all, he was on the same high school football team as Jackie Lee and Frank Varrichione. Yet, he told me of a horrendous fall he took and that actually made me feel less embarrassed about my upside down trip down the 17 front stairs in my home. To paraphrase Jerry Mulvihill ’53: Let us be grateful for the joys our Class of 1955 connections brought us and pray for departed classmates. Dominus vobiscum. — John Connaughton; 1516 Marquette Blvd., South Bend IN 46628; 574-289-1445; jcithaca37@yahoo.com

56 Remembering Our Classmates

As I write this, we must honor some of our recently lost classmates. Jim Finnegan (Chicago) died in June. He was a man of devoted and dedicated faith. He will be remembered for his aggressive promotion of pro-life causes, marching alongside Cardinal George and leading the parade. He won his lawsuit against the City of Chicago to have the Nativity scene prominently displayed in Daley Plaza. Attending his wake and singing the ND Alma Mater were Paul Noland, Bud Bechtold, Dick Allison, Bonnie and Leo O’Donnell, and Pat and Jim Revord. Praise the Lord Jim Finnegan. In June, we lost our great classmate Ed Gilbert. He came to us as a veteran and joined us in a new commerce program: Program for Administrators (PFA). Ed had a wonderful career with Michigan Bell and the Ford Motor Company. Our lives were enriched with his military exploits and his charming way. John Balance Sr. died in March having lived most recently in Wilmington NC. He enjoyed a 37-year career at IBM. He was president of the National Space Club, longtime tennis fanatic and successful oil painter. He enjoyed 70 years of marriage with four children and numerous grandchildren. I received a very nice note from Jim Brennan, who retired from a family business and is finding love and consolation living near his son in Boise ID. Jim asked how many classmates are still living. Good question. The Alumni Office has an email list of just over 200, so that would equate to about 10 percent of us. Bill Stotzer keeps us informed on the football recruits and other athletic highlights regarding ND. We have made plans to have lunch with Dick Brown in July at his residence in Hilton Head SC. Hopefully Dick Yeager will join us from FL. A wonderful note from Karl Martersteck about the sensational career he has enjoyed: Bell Labs, The Apollo Program (the flagship product of AT&T Systems), then president and CEO of Array Communications. Karl is a life fellow at the Institute of Electrical Engineers. He’s been an enthusiastic tennis player for 50 years with 68 years of marriage and still resides in Southern CA. His email address is karlemjr@yahoo.com. Send him a note! Mary Pat and I will host Dr. Angelo Capozzi for the ND vs. Purdue football game in September. It’s been a number of years away from the campus for the Doc, who aims to reminisce at the Grotto. Please reach out to me by phone or text or email so we can keep up to date. — Joe Kalbas; 317-679-1550; hjkalbas@yahoo.com

57 Welcome Pope Leo XIV

First off, a hearty welcome to Bob Prevost, aka Leo XIV, and to the cardinals who elected the first American pope — even if he did not graduate from Notre Dame. Friends of mine had lunch with him last summer in suburban Chicago. I’m jealous but also pumped. I still remember the sunken feeling I’d get whenever I reached into my mailbox in Cavanaugh Hall freshman year and found it empty. Which it usually was. Even my high school sweetheart of that year stopped writing after taking up with her school’s starting quarterback. I mention this because I am getting the same feeling when I find nothing from classmates for this column. So a tip of the editorial hat this issue goes to Joe Santos who sent me a poem, no less, inspired by his grandson’s class assignment. Titled Where I’m From, the last stanza tells us where he expects to end up, which is with his deceased wife, Peggy, “as she waits for me to come home again. / We will be together again on the seventh-floor niche at Our Lady of Sorrows Cedar Grove / Cemetery to be in the arms of Notre Dame Our Mother.” For a guy from Ecuador that’s quite a distance traveled. Here I report the death of a dear friend and classmate, Dr. Jim Eggers. I got to know Jim, and his lovely wife, Joan, after moving to Chicago, but I already admired him as one of the first physicians to join “Dr. Jack” McConnell’s Volunteers in Medicine, which grew into a network of retired physicians providing free health care to the underserved in more than 100 US communities. Well done, good and faithful servant. The Alumni Association reports the deaths of classmates Charles Bona, Conrad Conway, the Hon J. Norris Harding, John Juerling and Ronald Henne. Rest in God’s peace. — Kenneth Woodward; kennethlwoodward@gmail.com; 1155 N. Dearborn St., #1202, Chicago IL 60610

58 Fondly Remembered

Paul B. Coffey of New York NY passed away Feb. 24. After receiving his undergraduate degree, Paul returned to earn a law degree from Notre Dame in 1961. While at ND, Paul met his future wife, Elizabeth, a Saint Mary’s student, who he married in 1962. Paul spent the majority of his legal career in the Office of the General Counsel of Ford Motor Company. His philanthropic efforts included establishing an academic scholarship at Notre Dame. He is survived by his three children and five grandchildren. Philipp Maersch of Arvada CO passed away Feb. 25. Phil entered the Moreau Seminary after the eighth grade, but left the seminary one year short of ordination, graduating in 1958 with a BA in philosophy. He earned a master’s degree in education from Johns Hopkins U, and began a career as an educator teaching high school mathematics in Kohler WI. Phil is survived by his wife of the past 10 years, Gloria Woodyard, and his first wife, Patricia O’Keefe, along with his four children, three stepchildren and 14 grandchildren. Robert W. Annis Jr. of Mishawaka IN passed away Feb. 25 at the age of 95. Bob was a lifelong resident of South Bend and served in the US Army after graduating high school before attending ND on the GI Bill. Bob is survived by his wife, Kathryn, and two children. Bob spent his career of 44 years with the South Bend Medical Foundation, serving as vice president for his last 10 years before retirement. James M. McGuire of Wilmington DE passed away April 23. Jim earned a degree in chemical engineering at ND, followed by a Master of Science in chemical engineering at the Newark College of Engineering. Jim spent the majority of his career at Mobil Chemical Company, retiring in 1997. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Reasel, three children and three grandchildren. Richard Kwak of Fountain Hills AZ passed away May 9. After graduation, Rich served in the US Marine Corps from 1958 to 1971 before embarking on a successful career as a stockbroker. Rich is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary Ann, four children and 11 grandchildren. — Arthur L. Roule Jr.; 114 Sagamore Parkway, La Porte IN 46350; alroule@yahoo.com. Assisted by son Mark J. Roule ’98; mroule@gmail.com

59 Zahm Revisited

Thank you to all who pray the Rosary on Saturdays. The world needs our prayers. Although the effect appears to be a bit understated. This Class Notes column “revisits” Zahm Hall, home to one-fourth of our class during the 1955-56 academic year. A year “highlighted,” and not always so fondly remembered, because of the rather strict rules of Rev. Paul Fryberger, CSC, ’32, rector of Zahm during our freshman year. An academic year that featured the world-famous “Zahm Indoor Winter Track Meet,” which ended in the non-existent gold medal being awarded to the winner of the 50-yard corridor dash. There is a wonderful, but perhaps not entirely accurate, Wikipedia history of our beloved residence hall, which can be found on the internet at “Zahm Hall Notre Dame.” It is definitely “must reading” for all classmates! To reignite those wonderful, happy days, we are listing the names of ’59 Zahm Hall residents and their room numbers: John Ambre (226), Paul Anderson (109), Tony Araneta (250), Phil Arce (434), Joe Bairley (154), Joe Balisteri (213), Dean Barelli (216), Ted Bares (216), Bill Barrett (248), John Bellairs (127), Ben Bellas (256), Rich Benoit (256), Harold Bick (246), Bill Bittner (218), Timm Bodensteiner (128), Pete Brady (219), Bill Brelsford (258), Bob Brennan (219), Roger Breslin (227), Joe Brocato (220), Bo Broemmel (220), Chet Broussard (128), John Buck (223), Francis Buckley (358), Adolph Bulleri (232), Bob Burns (117), Bob Busse (345), Bob Byrnes (121), Frank Cahill (137), John Casey (129), Ed Cawi (252), Alex Cemeron (226), Karl Chambers (347), Dick Chapura (323), Jim Clark (347), Ray Clifford (120), Marty Clynes (241), Jim Colosimo (141), Richard Conley (348), John Connolly (258), Jim Crisman (206), Mike Cross (348), Francis Crowe (124), Dave Culligan (350), Terry Daly (247), Ray Darda (348), Leon Dargis (358), Joe Daschbach (131), Crane Day (359), Buzz DeBaene (361), John DeFellippie (313), Pat DeFoe (317), Warren Delaney (121), Bob Dempsey (331), Art DiSabatino (349), Mike Dugan (341), Al Ecuyer (426), Jerry Eddens (331), John Elder (320), Ernie Fatta (436), Dan Ferrone (122), Hugh Ferry (129), Ed Finlay (248), John Finn (122), John Fochtman (123), Jim Fowler (313), Harvey Frem (161), Pete Furnari (434), Bill Fury (156), Jim Gallagher (141), Joe Ghegan (232), Bernie Gillespie (313), Don Gillies (148), Dave Glow (356), Jack Grady (317), Pete Graven (147), Henry Gray (450), Don Greco (304), Ron Green (356), Larry Greene (362), Dave Griffin (315), Alan Haesche (424), George Hahn (224), Ron Hammond (354), Al Harding (222), Joe Harrison (124), Jack Hasley (431), Don Hassinger (327), T.Y. Hayes (156), Ken Hiegel (315), Tom Hill (202), Jim Hilliard (150), Craig Hillyer (222), Hank Holmes (311), Will Holmes (157), Mike Hughes (251), Jim Hutelmyer (133), Mike Ireland (241), Jay Jones (329), Richard Jones (432), Richard Kavaney (309), Jim Keenan (357), Mort Keilty (354), Joe Kelly (357), Bill Kerrigan (245), Mark Kessenich (245), Bob Kill (343), Gene Killeen (211), Jim Kineen (204), Dick Kirsgalvis (303), John Ladner (333), Ed Lahey (145), Tom Lalley (233), Joe Lechman (409), Frank Lennartz (316), Bob Lensing (224), Dick Mandile (322), Vic Maragni (333), Jim Marshall (319), Paul McAllister (147), Don McCauley (432), Tom McDonald (233), Pat McGreevy (450), Tom McIntyre (321), Bob McKenzie (305), Ed Mezzapelle (451), Nino Moretti (254), Al Myers (329), Bronko Nagurski (141), David Neal (252), Jim Niesen (301), Paul Niklas (321), Chuck Noll (303), Lou Noto (148), Pat O’Daniel (205), Norm Odyniec (231), Pete O’Reilly (123), Bob O’Shea (202), Chuck Ostendorf (145), Mike Parentice (201), Gerry Parker (201), Steve Pence (203), Wayne Pence (157), Jim Petonic (159), Richard Pitlik (203), Frank Ponzio (302), Bob Putnam (261), Brian Quinn (302), Paul Quinn (259), Dick Quinn (334), Burke Reilly (259), Carl Reilly (439), Frank Reitter (113), John Renfree (158), John Rizner (332), Bud Robben (149), Jerry Rutkiewicz (332), Denny Ryan (334), Harry Ryan (151), Joe Ryan (151), Mickey Schmitt (143), Jim Schreiner (227), Dave Schwartz (251), Joe Shaw (231), John Shields (236), Mark Shields (229), Don Shoulberg (243), Ted Slaughter (234), Mike Smith (449), Steve Smith (209), Tom A. Smith (211), Harry Soisson (159), George Spahn (228), Quinn Stepan (243), Dan Sullivan (206), Jim Sullivan (356), John Sullivan (356), Bill Sullivan (352), Tom Sweeney (326), Leo Swiat (422), Frank Tatulle (229), John Thurin (154), Ron Thyen (362), Bill Toussaint (234), John Trainor (162), Gene Vaichulis (359), Jim Vaughey (209), Phil Vella (436), Gus Verhoff (459), Dan Walter (451), John Weikert (451), John Weiner (411), Dave Weland (462), Bob Welch (326), Larry Wentz (452), Bob Wetoska (426), Bill Whalen (162), Ross Wilkinson (336), Bob Williard (326), George Wilson (433), Phil Winskunas (405), Bob Wirth (257), Jerry Wolf (403), John Wolf (118), Richard Wolfe (345), Chuck Wolfram (319), Don Woolford (217), Andy Wyrick (316), Bob Young (351), Jack Zaback (217) and Ralph Ziola (118). — Bob Brennan; 855 Clubhouse Drive, Ballwin MO 63011; 314-807-1011; bobbrennan76@gmail.com