1960s
1960s
60 65th Reunion Among Best Ever
We were sorry that so many classmates who had intended to come to the Reunion could not attend for a large number of reasons. Hopefully, more can make the next one, whenever that may be. Let me know your thoughts on luncheons and reunions, and whether you would attend. From Richard Daggett: To say that he couldn’t make the Reunion - And again thanks for the wonderful and loving job you have done over the years for our class. I considered it a ministry of faith and caring. From Jennifer Giaimo: Peter Giaimo has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and is having considerable memory issues. I had the opportunity to have breakfast on the Sunday before Reunion with Peter and Jennifer who had come to FL for one week. It was a very nice visit. Peter currently resides at son Joseph’s home and has round-the-clock care. From Joe Bock: Will keep Peter, Jennifer and Joe in my prayers. My mother had dementia then Alzheimer’s so I can relate to what they’re going through. I’ll always remember when Peter and I said the Rosary at the Grotto during our 50th Reunion. From Bob Koch, responding to Richard Krachun: Yes, Rich, it is I that lived on the 3rd floor of St. Ed’s with Mike Doyle (deceased) and gave haircuts our freshman year. Yes, our company made brass plated, occasional furniture. We are still in business but not making brass furniture anymore. What a great memory you have! Sorry we missed you at the 65th Reunion. From Richard Krachun: So, the mind keeps working even though the rest of the body is falling apart. I exchanged a few emails with Rich Juliani last year. Recently, I looked for Warren Joerndt, but he was gone. We were both on the Army ROTC Rifle Team. Stay healthy. From Kerby Neill: Sorry to hear about Colleen. Mary Ellen has advanced Parkinson’s and remains at home so far because we have long-term care insurance and have enjoyed remarkable support from our children and sometimes grandchildren without whom she would have been in a memory care unit during my recent illness. Thanks for putting the pictures together and sharing them with those of us who were unable to attend. From Keith Hauge: We are sorry to hear Colleen will not be joining us for the Reunion. Our thoughts and prayers are with Colleen and all family members. Nancy and I appreciate all you do for Notre Dame in addition to your other responsibilities. We look forward to seeing you. From David Jones: I’m so sorry to hear about Colleen. She and you and your family will be in our prayers. I lost a sister yesterday, April 10. She and her husband’s home is in the Syracuse area, but they have a winter home in Venice FL. We were planning a sibling reunion there the week after Easter (two other sisters, their husbands, Connie and I), but God had other plans. That leaves only three siblings remaining out of seven and I’m a bit upset with my sister who passed. We had been going in order and I should have been next. From Jim Radde, SJ: I’m so sorry to hear of Colleen’s health problems. And now she is in a memory unit. That has got to have been a most difficult decision to make. I’m happy your children are so involved and offering support. My prayers are with you and Colleen and your family. From Rick Juliani ’88: I am the son of Richard N. Juliani. I wanted to inform you of his unfortunate passing on the evening of Feb. 20. The funeral Mass was celebrated on Feb. 27 on the Villanova U campus where he had been a professor for the last few decades before his retirement. Three college friends who he had stayed in contact with were able to attend, and we have since heard from other ND friends to convey their respect, love, and admiration for the man that my father was--all reflections of the kind of place ND is and of the kind of graduates it produces. My father’s only wish for music was to have the ND Alma Mater play which the priest at Villanova (an Irishman from Chicago) was kind enough to facilitate. They played a beautiful rendition on the organ at the start of the ceremony and I got to read a eulogy that I had written (complete with references to the historic 1957 victory of ND/USC). — Joseph F. Jansen; 9190 Southmont Cove #103, Fort Myers FL 33908; 317-514-4478; jfjansen38@gmail.com
61 Hall of Fame
Congratulations are in order for John Keegan who was elected into the New Jersey Hall of Fame this summer. John has been chairman and CEO of the Charles Edison Innovative Foundation for the past 25 years. Rev. Denis O’Shaughnessy, my neighbor, is busier than ever in retirement as he makes his daily rounds at the Mayo Clinic Medical center in Jacksonville FL, administering the sacraments and comforting patients. Artie Armento texted me and shared some fabulous videos of Notre Dame’s thrilling 24-23 Sugar Bowl National Championship in 1973. Thanks for the memories. Jim Tynan, my fellow Marine and former helicopter pilot, now makes his home in North Adams MA. John Sanfacon retired after 27 years as a teacher at Delbarton Catholic HS in Morristown NJ. Bill Cronin has acquired a green thumb and now spends his leisure moments tending to his recently planted pomegranate shrubs. Clyde Hightower is now a yoga instructor in Marietta GA, helping fellow octogenarians stay limber. My sincere thanks to Chris Lund, who has kept me appraised first hand of the latest developments in the ND Admissions Office. Hosannas to Barry Schline and his wife who recently celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary in their hometown of Winston-Salem NC. Tim Hinghey contacted me to inform me of the passing of his beloved soulmate of 62 years, Nancy, following several months of illness. Thanks so much to George Mahan for his marathon in which he relates that his postgraduate days have been spent primarily in the oil business in various capacities and global regions. He now serves as a mentor with the Mendoza School’s graduate students, preparing them for careers in business. My condolences and my gratitude go out to John Willacker’s widow, Bonnie, upon the loss of her spouse in early April. Al Salvino has passed away. Condolences to his wife Carole and Family. Dick Lochner texted me with an encyclopedia-sized correspondence, focused on the beauty of life, entitled “TIME OUT.” It was a profound reminder for us to be ever grateful to our Creator for the countless blessings as we continue our respective journeys. Sue and Ed Stephan have retired to the small community of Poinciana FL where Ed serves as a speech and debate instructor at a local charter school. Ron Shubert checked in with his laundry list of accomplishments in the medical profession where he has served for three decades as a specialist in internal medicine. He resides in Canton OH where he still serves as the team doctor for the Canton Catholic HS football squad. Two of his four children are Domers. My baker’s dozen list of fellow classmates from whom I wish to hear are: Bob Donnellan, Frank Easel, Rudy Ehrensing, Jim Hallagher, Sam Haffey, John Irwin, Jim Kelly, Geoege Lesnik, Bob Maruyama, Jerry Matheis, George Weber and Ronald Zak. Please save the date for our 65th Reunion June 4 - 7, 2026 on campus. You can learn more about Reunion weekend at reunion.nd.edu. May the Class of 1961, Notre Dame’s best, continue to flourish and thrive. Pax vobiscum and Go Irish! — Arnold Leporati Jr.; 463 Tarrasa Drive, Jacksonville FL 32225; 904-703-4366; arnielep@yahoo.com
62 Still Working
In June, a $2,000 contribution from the Class treasury was made to the Transformational Leaders Program at the University. The funds are designated to benefit students from Cristo Rey schools, and others from very low economic backgrounds, and used for unforeseen and unmet emergency needs. John Nelson still practices psychiatry in Pittsburgh. He recently got patent approval on his “trust network” matchmaking application where one can anonymously sponsor a marriage-ready single to share their profile with others. “I am trying to solve a need I see often in my practice: highly qualified single people who are too busy professionally, or outside their natural networks, so it is hard to meet suitable people.” For more, go to his website — TrustedMatchmaker.com. René J. Muller, a psychologist, lives in Baltimore, where he is still active as a writer of articles and books. “I have tried,” he reports, “to better discern the meanings and structures of mental illness. This initiative evolved from what I and others believe is the inadequacy of the medical model of mental illness that proclaims all psychopathologies to be biologically initiated, while implicitly and explicitly denying patients’ misuse of their freedom in creating many of these aberrant conditions. For a long time, I played with the idea of crafting a different way of classifying mental disorders to replace the current standard, the DSM-5, based exclusively on the medical model, that would be rooted in the existential philosophy, psychology and psychiatry that I had become familiar with and believed in. These thoughts came together in my book, The Four Domains of Mental Illness (FDMI): An Alternative to the DSM-5 (2018).” René points out that, intentionally disruptive, the FDMI amounts to a plea for a paradigm shift in understanding and treating mental illness. Fred Triem still practices in AK and has five appeals in the briefing and ready for oral argument status, four before the Supreme Court of AK and one in the Ninth Circuit. “One is a case in which I sued the Alaska Court System for a ‘purloined judgeship’” because the legislature appropriated funds for a new judgeship for the town of Petersburg, where Fred lives, but, he says, the court system later “stole” the judgeship and moved it to Ketchikan. Fred’s opposition is based on the Separation of Powers Doctrine, and replicates some of the arguments that were made when President Trump took money from a Congressional appropriation for military housing and re-appropriated and refocused it on building the wall on the Mexican border. When not in court, Fred continues to run local marathons. Tom Collins is “hanging in there doing battle as a trial lawyer with cases pending in courts in WA, ID and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.” He noted that when the topic of retirement comes up, his wife looks alarmed at the prospect of him being at home for much of the day! Tom also learned that our classmate Paul Crotty is still presiding from time to time over cases in the US District Court for the Southern District of NY. “I read one of his opinions from several years ago discussing ID product liability law and found that it was a clearer recitation of the law on that topic than many of the appellate opinions from the ID courts. No disrespect to the ID jurists! It is just my admiration for Judge Crotty.” Don Gehlhausen died in Chatham IL on Jan. 22, Dick McCormick passed away in Chester NY on Feb. 16, Jack Slattery died April 23 in Tampa, and Greg Divis died May 13 in St. Louis. — Raymond Raedy; 5310 Rileys Ridge Road, Hillsborough NC 27278; 919-967-8816; nd62secy@medicinemanremedies.com
62JD Please Send Updates
I’d love to receive updates about you or classmates that you’ve kept in touch with. — Christine Stucko; christinestucko@gmail.com
63 Celebrating 63 Years in 2026
Your class officers are planning another reunion June 4 - 7, 2026. Since we are all members of the Golden Domers Club (classes 1975 and earlier), we are not restricted to every five years. Please let me know if you have an interest in attending. You can obtain additional information about the Reunion at reunion.nd.edu. Tom Conole’s brother, William, reported that Tom died June 9 in Albany NY. Tom was a career lawyer for NY State. When he retired, he established a law practice specializing in family law. Tom is survived by his wife, Jane, two daughters and four grandchildren. Tom loved Notre Dame with a passion and was the first to graduate in his extended family, after his father, Dr. Frank Conole ’31, who was followed by 14 Notre Dame graduates. I received a note from Tom McGowan saying that Oscar Wong, who was profiled in this column in the spring edition, died May 25 in Asheville NC, 11 days after celebration of Asheville’s “Oscar Wong Day.” Oscar is survived by his wife of 57 years, Anna, and two daughters. His obituary ended with, “So, let’s all raise a Highland favorite (his was Oatmeal Porter) for a life lived with meaning and care. Rest easy, Oscar. Your spirit continues to inspire!” Tom Gordon died in Kansas City this past January. His best friend, Brian Conway ’64, wrote the following: “After graduation, Tom finished his education at the U of Missouri Law School before moving on to his ROTC military obligation as a decorated MP and provost at a northwestern Italy army base. He joined the family law firm in Kansas City and volunteered as the legal adviser to a Catholic women’s college where he soon became its president. He raised money and changed the school into a coed university with new graduate programs and a competitive athletic program. He was appointed a US administrative law judge representing West Coast Native American nations and moved to Sacramento in that role. When he returned to Kansas City the bishop asked him to take the leadership in founding a new Catholic high school in a fast-growing suburb. The school is growing with a current enrollment of over 400 students. A man for others, an impactful life well lived!” Tom is survived by his wife, Earlene, and three children. My apologies to Kevin Hunt, who I called Kevin Hart in the last issue of this magazine. The Alumni Office has advised of the passings of the following classmates: Thomas B. Hotopp died March 23 in Pittsburgh, survived by his wife, Dona, and a daughter; John F. Willacker died April 2 in Palm Desert CA, survived by his wife, Bonnie; and Gerald A. Neumann Jr. died April 5 in Buck Hill Falls PA, survived by his wife, Susan. — John F. Dougherty Jr.; 915 Exeter Crest, Villanova PA 19085; 215-510-0844; johndoc969@gmail.com
64 It’s a Small World
As in Julie and Dave Garner driving 1,500 miles to a family wedding in Austin to discover they are attending Mass in a CSC parish. Not an everyday occurrence. Turns out the celebrant was the bishop of the Pensacola-Tallahassee diocese, an ND grad and a Holy Cross priest. In the receiving line after Mass, Bishop Bill Wack ’89 got a surprise “Go Irish” shout-out. Julie and Dave received the bishop’s blessing in return. Writing from Lynchburg VA, Gene Koster reports he had a wonderful visit with Joe LaNasa when Joe was in VA with a grandson for a junior golf tournament. Lots of time was spent swapping ND band and family stories. Joe lost his wife last fall and has been traveling of late. He spent a week in Vero Beach last December with former roommate Ed Sheridan. Leon Reymond shared the sad news that Lance Babst passed away last fall in Covington LA. After a law degree from Tulane, Lance practiced for several years before joining his family’s businesses. Described as an artist, a musician and a foodie, Lance was very involved as well with the Knights of Columbus. Wife Linda survives, along with six daughters, four stepchildren and 19 grandkids. Aeronautical engineering graduate Bill Fideli of Denton TX died in February. After Notre Dame, Bill earned his master’s from Maryland, before spending 35 years with the Office of Naval Intelligence. In retirement, he built upon this ONI background in projects with Booz Allen consulting. His wife of 58 years, Bernadette, survives, along with three children and nine grandchildren. Tom Zapf of Canal Winchester OH passed away in March. Following service as a Navy lieutenant, Tom enjoyed a successful career in sales and customer service. His wife of 52 years, Nikki, survives, along with a daughter and two grandchildren. Jim Dixon of Naples FL also died in March. An engineering major and veteran, Jim earned his MBA from Syracuse before beginning his career with Texas Instruments. He subsequently completed his teaching credentials and embarked on a second successful career teaching geometry to high school students for 10 years in FL. Wife Gail survives. Ed Clark of Maumee OH passed in April. With an OSU law degree, Ed practiced for 55 years, enjoying golf, gin rummy and gardening along the way. Wife Sharon survives, along with two children and two grandchildren. Steve Culliton of Glen Ellyn IL also died in April after a long struggle with cancer. His extracurriculars at ND included work as a cameraman for WNDU. Starting out as an accountant in the Chicago area, Steve spent over 40 years in the legal profession. He worked for DuPage County, then served as chief of staff for the IL attorney general before spending 13 years in leadership judiciary positions. Wife Ellen survives, along with eight children, 22 grandkids and two great-grandchildren. Finally, former wrestling team captain Jack Barry passed in May in Bloomingdale IL. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Jackie, five children and three grandchildren. He started his career in accounting, eventually finding his way to HR, most notably with a long and successful tenure in compensation at Motorola. He was an active, competitive athlete, focusing on racquet sports as he grew older. He lived his final years with a Parkinson’s diagnosis, navigating that arduous course with all its complications since 2013. — Paul R. Charron; 44 Contentment Island Road, Darien CT 06820; 917-860-5385; paul.richard.charron@gmail.com
65 Strong Faith
In early 2024, Jim Brocke was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Before surgery it had metastasized to his lungs, so treatment was switched to immunotherapy. Jim has a strong devotion to Our Lady. With prayers and the infusions, his metastatic lesions resolved by July 2024 along with dramatic reduction of the large primary tumor. For several years Jim and his wife, Marianne, have sponsored a foundation to establish a private Catholic school for girls in southeast Nigeria. The bishop of that region, Rev. Theodore Rothrock ’82, is involved with the project. Ken Geoly is a retired nephrologist living in Alexandria VA with his wife, Linda. During his medical career he was instrumental in developing the Epic software program into a crucial and commonly used component of health care within hospital and physician offices. Ken has the honor of being the oldest certified informaticist by the American Board of Preventive Medicine. Barry Branaga retired at age 61 and moved to AZ where he bought a mini ranch that is contiguous with an Indian reservation. Most of his time is spent planting saguaro cactus and mesquite trees on his property. Barry has been with his third wife for 35 years. After extensive traveling they are content to remain on their ranch. He keeps in close contact with Ed O’Gara who lives in Ketchum ID. After 40 years in the wine industry, Judy and Len Wiltberger have sold their winery, Keuka Spring Vineyards, in upstate NY. All four of their children, Mark ’90, Tom ’91, Jeanne ’95 and Joe ’01, worked in the winery. Over the years the winery has earned many accolades including NYS Winery of the Year, three Governor’s Cups and two-time winners of Best Wine in America at the prestigious San Francisco Wine Competition. Their retirement home is on Keuka Lake, but they plan to travel extensively. Bob Zielsdorf has become an amateur singer/songwriter. He was inspired by Father Bob’s theme, “What We Owe Each Other,” and wrote a song of the same name. After graduating from Northwestern Law School, Dan Ziemba practiced law in the Chicago area until retirement in late 2024. Dan’s focus was on real estate, probate wills and trusts. He has four children, of which two are ND grads: Nancy Lee Patel ’00 and Cheryl Ann Ziemba ’02. Pat is his wife of the last 18 years. Bob was a member of the Band of the Fighting Irish and was joined at our 60th Reunion by other band members, Bernie Zahren, Ken McCarthy and Chuck Silio. Last year Bernie’s family made a significant donation to the College of Engineering for research on combating climate change. During the reunion he was able to meet with several engineering faculties to review their projects. Bill Slattery wrote that last November his best friend in high school and college, Lou Loughren, passed away. In past years both Bill and Lou had joined John Hughs, Chuck Garrity and John Mayer to travel to Italy and Ireland. Lou earned his JD at Duquesne Law School then joined the Navy Reserve in the JAG Corps. Later he founded his own law firm, Loughren and Loughren, in Pittsburgh with two of his three sons. He is survived by his wife, Sandy, of 57 years. Doug Higgins died last February in Wheaton IL. He is survived by his wife, Gabriela, five children and three grandchildren. — James P. Harnisch MD; 6759 West Mercer Way; Mercer Island WA 98040; jphnd65@hotmail.com
66 60, But Who’s Counting?
Gear up mates, we’ll celebrate our 60th reunion under Our Lady’s Golden Dome June 4-7! I’ve made ‘em all and hope to keep the string going. The mindset is … make it happen, don’t wait for it to happen! Class web guru Jack Gerken will apprise planned activities and the attendee list via our real time website (1966.undclass.org). Prez Cappy Gagnon will preside, sharing cogent perspective based on his lengthy tenure in SB and his extensive familiarity with all things ND. Other special happenings on tap and use the website to offer thoughts, questions, suggestions. Hotel information can be found at reunion.nd.edu. Our committee, Gagnon, Gerken, Mike Rush and TSully, are all ears. Big turnout expected – be part of it! Rush reminds of the Gilbert’s motto: “one man tells another.” News - heard from Bill Hickey in Kensington MD, who forwarded his newly published book, a legal political thriller Uncertain Justice, using the pen name K Ryan Kerry, the names of his three kids. BH expressed pride in our class and all we’ve accomplished. George Palmer reports that he and wife Betsy will join Tom Begley and Shirley, Bob Corcoran and Sharon, and Paul Joubert at the 60th, and are looking forward to sharing memories. John Twohey from Chi updated on the Pete Duranko Fund. Many of us supported it in recent years to the tune of more than $300,000 – underwriting head injury prevention, treatment and research in ND athletes. July report reflected a $90,000+ balance and request to the Athletic Dept. as to how the remaining money will be used. Minch Lewis, now hanging with Judy in a SB condo near ND, Tom Bettag in the DC area, still teaching journalism at U, Maryland, joined JT and me in launching the Duranko initiative, honoring our stellar classmate. Thx to all who participated! Caught up with high school mater Bob Luetkemeyer, by phone, retired in Oklahoma City. Reminisced about our mates who came to ND from McGuinness HS, Ken Khoury, Dave Dodson and the late Jim Kelley. Reminded of Luke’s freshman year roomie Bob Curran, from Canada, a pal of my late 3-year roomie Mike Wadsworth of Toronto. Recall that MW became Canada’s ambassador to Ireland before serving as ND AD. Visited MW with my dad in the ambassador’s residence overlooking the Irish Sea. Larry Murchan referenced a call with Art Frigo, wondering about Doug Ford, who had a great career heading British Petroleum and served on the ND Board of Trustees. Dick Martiny in the Baltimore burbs, finished his second book, Kings Men of Maryland, about MD loyalists during the Revolution. Hopes to publish soon. DM reminded me that eight guys from O’Connell HS in Arlington VA are/were in our class, four of whom are still with us – Rush, Pat Lannon in CO, and Jim Hawkins in CA. Four have passed – Dan Morper, Jim Ballard, Bob Rivello and John Killian. DM in touch with Gar Isacco, also retired in the Baltimore burbs, hale and hearty and still teaching at Hopkins. Lost souls – my senior year roomie John Musto, Dick Kline, Dick McCarty. Anyone know about ‘em? Passings – Paul Sauer on 6/28. Great guy, VietNam vet and prof emeritus at Canisius College in Buffalo. John Lienhard, passed in Annapolis MD in June. Naval officer, VietNam vet, and career in commercial real estate. Irish grid teammate Peter Thornton departed in Portland ME in June following a career in real estate. More on these passings on our class website. Kim and I are relocating to Baltimore after five+ years experiencing the long cold New England winters. Nearer kids and friends. Hope to make the USC game. Send news! Go Irish forever! — Tom Sullivan; 143 Villabrook Way, Baltimore MD 21212; cell 773-454-4343; t66sullynd@gmail.com
66JD No News? Come On Guys
Please keep in touch and send any information you can. What’s going on with our classmates? At this point, hearsay will be admitted. — Scott Maxwell; 2781 Siena Lakes Circle, Unit 2444, Naples FL 34109; cell 215-920-0616; ndscotty@gmail.com
67 President Recovering
Class President George Goeddeke is recovering from lung surgery to remove cancer. George had a similar surgery a year ago on the same lung and recovered well. This time he had the Sacrament of the Sick administered to him, as he had done previously as well. When he is fully healthy he will need to consider hip replacement surgery at some point. George, Harry Alexander and Angelo Shiralli are the planning committee for the 60th anniversary recognition for the 1966 National Championship team in 2026. The University has dedicated the Rice game in 2026 and their reunion weekend. Angelo and his family visited Omaha Beach last Dec. 6 to memorialize his Uncle Angelo, who died the day before our classmate was born, and for whom he was named. Diego Tamayo writes that he and Dan Behles, Ned Stuart, Bill White and John Zone attended the 2025 Reunion and had great fun visiting all the old dorms and the spots where they used to hang out. They noted some of their room numbers had been changed in Lyons Hall, most likely to protect the innocent. Chuck Feicht and wife Roz moved into a new home in a senior living community south of Dayton OH where Chuck reports there are too many activities to get bored. His hobbies include reading, scrapbooking, playing the dulcimer and taking online courses through the U of Dayton. Chuck and Roz still travel extensively visiting five children and 17 grandchildren. They also traveled to CO to spend some time with Mark Hannen. Jim Sack notified us that James E. O’Reilly died in Lexington KY in January 2024 after a long illness. He was a longtime chemistry professor at the U of Kentucky. Sack also told us that Raymond Flemming passed away after serving many years as Florida State U chair in Italian literature. We all would love hearing from everyone in the class as your time permits. — Bert R. Bondi; 1891 Curtis St., Unit 1502, Denver CO 80202; bertrbondi@gmail.com
67JD Movin’ On; Movin’ Back
Marylyn and Ken Lazarus are both doing well. Marylyn suffered a mild stroke a few months ago, but her mind works just fine and she looks exactly the same with no lasting facial affect at all. She’s also able to get around and look after herself completely on her own. Marylyn does have some difficulty with speaking, and Ken has scheduled intensive speech therapy at a clinic in MI over the summer. Kudos to her caregiver, Ken. How many men do you know that would go to that effort and expense to increase their wives’ speaking ability? Seriously, Ken thanks God and appreciates everyone’s prayers and good wishes. Maureen and Jack Harty have decided to leave the beautiful Monterey Peninsula in CA and move back to beautiful Boise ID! Their son is there, and Jack will rejoin the commercial mortgage finance business they founded. The Harringtons celebrated the wedding of their grandson Tim and his bride, Sara, from Karachi, Pakistan. The ceremony had readings in English, Pashto and Arabic. Dick Muench writes that his highlight of the year was the wedding of his grandson Jack last June in San Clemente. Beth reports that Frank Verterano is still in the office seven days a week and that both are in excellent health. Lynn and Ted Sinars were on a winery tour in OR. Ted notes that visiting the tasting rooms of two wineries each day and imbibing at dinner sure can tire out a senior citizen. Margaret and Jerry Berthold are in the middle of their annual trip to the Columbia River Gorge with their two kids and their families. They rent a house for a month and enjoy the scenery, slow hiking, bad golf, etc. They are doing pretty well, age adjusted. Jerry will join his son on campus for the Purdue game in September. Bayou Bobby Barkley enjoys walking along the beautiful shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain near his home, with its 200-year-old oak trees and wildlife. But his real passion is fishing, especially fly fishing. In May, he was fishing with son Matthew ’99 and grandsons visiting from IL, and he’s planned a fly fishing trip to the Little Big Horn River in MT. In previous years he’s been on fly fishing trips to Belize, Honduras, Mexico, Bahamas, AK, CO and a bunch of other places he can’t remember. When not fishing he loves to travel with his youngest daughter and the “current Mrs. Reb” (his wording, not mine). Last year, it was Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons national parks. This year, it may be to the Badlands in the Dakotas. Flo and I had three grandchildren graduating college this year including our budding genius, Bridget, who graduated from Ohio State magna cum laude with specializations in marketing and finance. I’ve told her that the “genius gene” generally skips a generation (but not to tell her father, our son). — Jim Heinhold; 1200 Carmel Lane, New Bern NC 28562; res 252-638-5913; im4irish@aol.com
68 Meanwhile, the Living Carry On
If these notes followed the inverted pyramid structure of journalism — most important information at the beginning — you might be reading here about Jim Hutchinson’s presidency of the pickleball club he founded. At our age, however, isn’t the real grabber mortality? In recent weeks, everyone with an email known to ND, about 760 of us, has received word of the death of John Siciliano, the DC native who died in MA on June 19, and the death of Walter Filipek, the respected physician and South Bend native who died there July 3. The emails include photos, obituaries and friends’ memories. If you did not receive the emails or have forgotten them — remember the recent cognition test — tell me. Meanwhile, the living carry on, often with high living. Such was the case in CA when Jan and John O’Connor hosted Bibi and Dennis Withers, who were visiting a daughter. At about the same time, middle of June, a number of us repeated what has become an annual partaking of the Alexandria VA hospitality of Dennis Reeder and Elise Stephens and, on the following day, the same from Emily and Pat Collins in Annapolis MD. For the occasion, Pat had hired Ben, who begins his second Notre Dame year in the fall. If we needed a reminder of our aging, we had it in polite, alert, fit Ben. Carol and Dennis Gallagher were there. So were Muff and Mike Baroody, Sandy Dennin and Dan Lungren, Gloria and Myron Cramer, Carol Ann Dyer, Maggie and Brien Murphy, singing performers John Kamp and Bob Brady, Meg and Jeff Keyes, Ralph Neas, Anne Condon (grandmother of Niall Thomas Grade on July 7), Ed Kickham, Nancy Carlin Figel and Maureen Walsh McAtee. A health flare-up kept Dick Farina away, and sudden obligations did the same for Teri and Chris Manion. For Father John Sheehan, SJ, the death of a friend put a funeral Mass on his schedule. Ed’s presence and mine led to memory of plans we once had for teaching in Saginaw MI, something we recommended to Paul Ramsey, who would share an apartment with us. Showing his unforgiving Irish soul when we called him, Paul remembers that he received no notice of our changed plans and expected us to be in Saginaw when he arrived that fall. Where were draft-eligible Kickham and Figel? Ed and I could point fingers but who knows? Ed was busy managing the mock convention nomination of anti-war Republican Mark Hatfield for president and I was busy at the pinnacle of journalism, the Observer office. Nancy Carlin often was there, too. At any rate, we left Paul on his own in Saginaw. Like Ed, who spent the next two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia, John Grima had his own life-changing Peace Corps service in Thailand. In the history I requested and will use in a future Class email, John wrote, “Rob Burrows and I did that, and Mike McInerney.” John and his wife, Sunee, live in UT when they are not in Thailand or visiting their three daughters in Salt Lake City, Seattle and Chicago. Dan Collins would like friends to be in touch with Dennis Dorratcague, dedorrat@hotmail.com, who had a bout with COVID and a fall from a boat when he tripped on a cleat. Norm Jeddeloh has published a new novel, The Mystical Spirit of the Ol’ St. Joe. Back to Jim Hutchinson: He has qualified for NC’s senior billiards competition during the fall. — Tom Figel; 570 Sheridan Square, Apt. 3, Evanston IL 60202; 312-241-7917; tfigel@reputecture.com
68JD Our Golden Years
We had a great class and made many contributions in various areas to make this world a better place. Our ageless classmate, Charlie Weiss, was featured in the spring 2025 Notre Dame Magazine for his success as a corporate litigator and for his contributions in pro bono criminal defense work in which he has two victories before the US Supreme Court. He and his team were responsible for freeing several people wrongly convicted of murders they did not commit. He was named as a distinguished Pro Bono Fellow by the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2021. Charlie’s article points out several observations of Dean O’Meara’s days as head of the law school. On the first day of the dean’s meeting with our class, he mentioned that if you look to your right and then your left, only one of the three of you will graduate. As many of us were on scholarships, we quickly learned that remaining in the top 20 percent was difficult since more than 20 percent of the class were awarded scholarships. Many of us would lose scholarships. Another Dean O’Meara story was that many of us would proceed to the Grotto before exams in order to seek the guidance of the Lord. It was rumored that Dean O’Meara would wait until late in the evening and then blow out all the candles. Finally, as to Charlie’s lack of gray hair, Tom Curtin noted in an email that Charlie’s wife, Suzie, keeps him in a freezer while he is sleeping. As to the gray hair, I was Charlie’s roommate following graduation and had many opportunities to visit Charlie’s parents. His dad reached his 80s and never had a gray hair. Tom reported that he is still working full-time at McElroy Deutsch in Morristown NJ and remains active in the Notre Dame Law Association and its board. Charlie Weiss and Tom were back-to-back NDLA presidents in 2001-03. Tom continues to chair the US District Court Lawyers Advisory Committee following reappointment by the chief judge. He remains active in the NJ State Bar and the American Bar Association. Tom is also active in the Autism New Jersey organization to help his grandson, Tommy, and others with autism. Bob Sidman advised us that Mary joined him on a cruise that started on the East Coast, then headed north to the Canadian Maritime provinces, and then down the St. Lawrence River to visit Quebec and Montreal. Their older grandson, Oliver, graduated from high school and attends Marquette U. Their younger grandson, Fritz, started high school last year. Both of them are big Badger fans because they have grown up in Madison WI. Bob and Mary send fond greetings to all the NDL classmates and their families as they celebrate their many blessings. As for myself, I remain a lawyer at our firm. We merged with another Midwest firm and our name is UB Greensfelder and we have offices in St. Louis MO, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, Columbus, O’Fallon IL, Clayton MO, New York City, Boca Raton FL, LA and Washington DC. I was the 21st member of Greensfelder and we now have over 300 attorneys. I served in the past on the firm’s board of directors, on the Finance Committee and as co-manager of the Greensfelder Firm. As to the departure of Terry Kelly this past November, Ernie Abate noted: “I am sorry to learn of Terry’s death. My sense is that Terry’s moral compass always pointed in the right direction. His support for diversity, equity and inclusion was admirable.” Terry Bates, a member of the CO Bar, added: “He was a longtime pillar of the Denver legal community and warmly welcomed multiple Notre Dame lawyers to Denver through the years.” Our condolences to Alice and his family. Please remember the deceased members of our class: John Amerman, Emilio Belluomini, John Burgess, Albert Dudash, Richard Hirsch, Tom Kapacinskas, Terry Kelly, Joseph Ladd, Steve Madonna, Richard Manning, Larry Miller, Stephen Odgers, John Pusey, Jack Rowe, Jack Sandner, Robert Wilczek and Michael Williamson. Kind regards. — Dennis G. Collins; 2203 Derby Way, St. Louis MO 63131; bus 314-516-2648; cell 314-229-9286; dcollins@ubglaw.com
69 Multigenerational ND Families
Grandchildren and children at ND: Santiago Keefer ’29 admitted, a fourth-generation Domer — James Keefer ’44, Mike Keefer and Chris Keefer ’96; Teddy Goetz ’29 admitted, a third-generation Domer — Jim Goetz, Shannon (Gerne) ’97 and John Goetz ’97; Moira Green ’29 admitted, a third-generation Domer — Dennis Harraka, parents Melissa ’98, ’01MA and Brian Green ’02MA, and Aunt Lacy Rogers ’00; Natalie McDonald ’29 admitted, a third-generation Domer — Bernie McDonald, Patricia (Vasallo) ’96 and Marcus McDonald ’96; Judd Mercurio reports that his grandson Graham Mercurio ’28 finished his first year at ND. April: While visiting family in Naperville IL, Tom Altmeyer lunched with Ralph Williams and Tom Ladky (Sally). Mike Karowski reported that Albert Alter appeared on the ND Day streaming program to discuss the ND Club of Portland’s service projects. While volunteering at Merlefest in Wilkesboro NC, Frank Burke ran into Pat Mahoney, Jerry English ’70 and their wives. Bill Hurd published a memoir, Memphis to Madagascar: My Life in Focus. In honor of AF Capt. Reid Nishizuka ’05, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2013, Mike Cerre interviewed his brother — AF Lt. Col. Chad Nishizuka — and friends Dr. Malia (Lam) Shimokawa ’02 and Kahele Naeole ’04 for the 2025 Notre Dame Senior Alumni Memorial Day program. May: Frank Burke (Karen) and I attended our 60th high school reunion in Needham MA. While visiting Washington DC, I lunched in Alexandria VA with Tom Altmeyer, Pat Flanagan, Kevin Flynn, Dave Liss, Kevin McNamara, Tim Roddy, Jim Slattery, John Sturm, Rick Demer, and Carolyn Schliff Uanis ’69SMC (Mike). Messrs, Demer and Liss drove separately from NC for the occasion. Southeast Wisconsinites John Berres, Steve Kavalauskas, Tom Ladky and I had lunch in Rockford IL with Dick Farrell and John Leinart, who drove from Moline IL. Rear Admiral Herb Kaler (ret.), wearing his uniform from 25 years ago, was the keynote speaker at the Sunset Beach NC Memorial Day celebration. June: Dick Lajoie wrote that he was recently elected to a four-year term to the Metro District #2 in Arvada CO. He is also an emeritus director for the Manifest Gallery and Drawing Center in Cincinnati. Don Jacobson (Linda) returned home after an around-the-world cruise. While on a family trip to Italy, Steve Kavalauskas (Diane) visited Jim Gleason (Karen) in Tuscany for several days. Ken Bieschke published three new books this year and last: Trespassed; and Rahmbie: The Friendly Zombie; and Musings: A Collection of Prose & Poetry for Introspection, Meditation and to Spark Conversation. He has written 16 books since 2020. For 31 years, this group has played multiple rounds of golf in South Bend: Mike Brennan, Jim Burke, Ernie Gargaro, Fritz Gast, Steve Hext, Peter McInerney and Mike Satarino. Dave Heskin hosted the group at his club one afternoon. Mike Busby, Ebby Moran and Tim Schlindwein were unable to attend this year. The Class blog reached 1,969 posts since Jan. 12, 2017. That number stands at 1,991 posts as of July 20. In memoriam: Bruce Deichl, Nov. 18, 2024, Humacao, Puerto Rico; Bill White, May 8, Naperville IL; Jim DiDonato, May 10, Fort Pierce FL; Dan Diggles, May 31, Tucson AZ; John Shern, July 1, Atlanta. Memorials to them appear on the Class blog. Our sincerest condolences to their families and friends. Requiescant in pace. This will be my last Class Notes while I focus on some personal issues. I thank everyone for their support. It’s been great fun. — John Hickey; jphjr47@hotmail.com; notredameclassof1969blog.blogspot.com
69MBA That Time of Year Once Again
The months are passing by faster than we imagine, and I’ve not received virtually any news from our class. This column is being written one month before the first football game at Miami FL, so I’m hoping that when you receive this edition our Golden Domers are still undefeated. Our mainstay attendees on the Zoom calls are Joe Cavato, Nick Walz, Cliff Fleming, Wil McGuire and yours truly, with occasional call-ins from Jerry Claeys, Tom Gill and Dennis McCarthy. We have had some fine discussions on a variety of sports news and current events. Why not call in and try it? No political discussion allowed. The children of Maria and Tom Gill all reached out to many friends and family requesting a short video wishing him well for his 80th birthday. A neat idea and I know Tom was moved. As many of us reach that age, it is important to have the support of family and friends. Early RSVPs for the Boise State weekend include the Cavatos, Flemings, McCarthys, Jim Halas and me (Ken Samara). Jerry Claeys will be there for Saturday’s game but has Georgetown roommates in town for dinner in Chicago. Please send me news of your travels, family, hobbies and sports teams. And please continue to keep Sara Walz and Roz Castrogioani Hill from SMC in your prayers. Happy fall and Go Irish! — Ken Samara; 3030 McKinney Ave., Suite 601, Dallas TX 75204; 214-532-2187; kensamara@sbcglobal.net
69JD Lunch with Hondo
I had lunch with my Wayne Manor housemate, George Burgett, while I was in Chicago. George is fully retired and spends as much time in Chicago as the weather allows. Give George a call if you are in the city. My last column included the belated news of the passing of Bob Neirynick. I have received many responses. John MacLeod worked with Bob on the Lawyer. John considered Bob the best pure lawyer in our class. John praised Bob for his personal qualities in addition to his accomplishments as an attorney including being elected a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. John remembers Bob for his humility, quiet humor, giving back to the community and dedication to his family, his wife, Joyce, four children and a slew of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jim Mackin also worked on the Lawyer with Bob. He remembers Bob’s quiet confidence and sharp intellect. While some of us partied, Bob was busy raising two children. Dave Larimer did not know Bob well but, from the comments the Class has made, he wishes he had. Tom McCusker attended the 1989 Fiesta Bowl and had an extra ticket. Tom by chance met up with Bob who needed a ticket. I was at the game too along with Chris Carroll ’68JD. Bob Greene remembers how Bob helped him in law school by providing notes for missed classes and a sounding board for insights and concepts. Bob practiced in Bloomington IL. Tony “QA” Siemerr would have breakfast with Bob in Effingham when he was there for worker’s comp cases. Tony is fully retired. His poor eyesight prevents him from attending football games. Peter Laughlin wrote that he would consider his life a success if he would receive half of the comments made about Bob. Mike Lannon said his passing was the loss of another good guy and Midwesterner. Hank Catenacci remembers Bob as a terrific guy and worthy of all the praise from us, a sentiment echoed by Gary Stoff. Bill Keck is preparing for his mother’s 106th birthday. He is baling hay on the farm but hopes to attend the memorial for Frank Murray. Al Reed has been in touch with my old dope sheet partner, Matt Dwyer. Al and Matt played handball while we were in law school. Al says he let Matt win occasionally. Al retired from the Marines as an administrative judge. Matt sent me an email that he is still practicing law. He and Dennis “Superman” Mackin got together to celebrate their birthdays. Apparently, even Superman needs new parts. Matt also heard from Frank Mentone ’68JD. The two of them reminisce about their mutual friend, Mike Heaton ’68, ’71JD. Do we have another reunion in us? — James Starshak; 889 Kaohe Place, Honolulu HI 96825; res 808-395-0443; cell 808-778-4033; starman@hawaii.rr.com