1960s
1960s
60 65th Reunion Starts Soon
I just figured that this must be about my 600th article to the Greatest Class Ever. Plans are completed for our upcoming 65th Reunion. Your class officers started working on this last April. Our present list of classmates and spouses now totals about 70 people. Please register at reunion.nd.edu. From Bob Frassanito: “Recalling Class luncheons we had 20 years ago at Carl Strauss Brewery in Carlsbad. Attendees then were Bill Roche (dec.), Dave Huarte (dec.), Tom Keegan (dec.), Bill Howard, Dave Jones, John Cihak, Frass and myself.” From Pete Heinbecker: “I would like to go back to ND for a visit. I haven’t been back since Coach Tom Fallon died and we stopped having tennis reunions. We still enjoy the football games every Saturday. The women’s tennis team no longer comes out to play BYU and the U of UT. The University used to allow me to take the tennis women to Sundance after their match. In 2002 I was allowed to take the cheerleaders to do their cheers at the Utah State Hospital children’s unit before going to a barbecue and a movie at Sundance. The Notre Dame Club of Utah has been thriving after some early struggling years. Butte MT and Anaconda MT are hotbeds of Notre Dame spirit.” From John Glockner: “I was saddened to hear of the passing of Drew Barton. If my fading memory serves me correctly, Drew and Howard Foley roomed next to Paul “Pete” Becker and me junior year on the second floor of Dillon Hall. Pete and I also roomed together senior year in Alumni Hall.” And your editor (moi) roomed with Drew senior year in Alumni. From Ted Dudley: “We normally return to FL shortly after Christmas. But, as we are legal residents of FL, we vote there. So, we’ll be coming down there a few days before Nov. 5, and staying there for a month. Then, it’s back to MN for December and Christmas in the cold. I’ll probably make it to our 65th. I injured my left knee in 2021. It then became infected, which necessitated my left leg’s amputation above the knee. I’ve been wheelchair-bound since then, so my travel is limited. However, if our son (ND ’90) goes to his ND reunion, then there’s a chance that I can attend ours.” From Joe Bock: “I remember Drew, Joe. Looks like he led a good, Christian life of which Notre Dame should be proud. Will keep him and his family in my prayers.” From Dick Daggett: “What is Dan Lyons’s mailing address? While unfortunately age will not allow me to attend our 65th, I would like to send a donation to support the Class dinner.” From Chuck Sawicki: “Do you know that the Gettysburg Notre Dame Club has been the best of the small alumni clubs forever with only 7,800 residents, and I am one of their few Notre Dame alumni but they must have 150 battlefield alumni with regular Masses at Father Corby’s statue.” Chuck and his friend Martha were the first responders to Class email regarding our 65th. From Bill Comeford at the time of Mike Lodish’s passing in April 2024: “Condolences from TX to Mike’s fellow classmates. Mike was the first classmate I met when I moved into the second floor of Farley Hall in 1956. He had already been on campus for several weeks because he was on the football team and showed me around. He also sorted the mail and took the 10 p.m. room check.” Keep those write-ups coming in the Notre Dame Magazine, as well as the notices about the passing of our classmates. Drop me an email with short stories! Thanks. — Joseph F. Jansen; 9190 Southmont Cove #103, Fort Myers FL 33908; 317-514-4478; jfjansen38@gmail.com
61 Spring Has Sprung
Easter greetings and spring salutations to all my classmates. My Cavanaugh Hall former next-door hallmate, Jim Ehrman, checked in with a synopsis of his event-filled career since receiving his BSEE. Upon graduating, Jim opted to remain on campus until 1963 when he earned his MSEE, marrying shortly thereafter. He relocated to Baltimore where he joined the Westinghouse Corporation. Jim earned an additional master’s degree in research operations from Johns Hopkins U. He remained with the newly merged Westinghouse-Northrup Grumman Corporation for 43 years before retiring in 2006. Four of his five children are also Domers: Greg ’86, Chuck ’87, Father Terry ’91 and Kristin ’99. Father Terry is currently a professor of theology at Notre Dame. Jim’s granddaughter, Kelly ’26, is an undergrad. I received a call from Don Ralph’s widow, Margaret, who shared with me a brief, heartwarming narrative of Don’s truly amazing life. Don attended Notre Dame on an athletic scholarship for his tennis prowess. While at Notre Dame, he led the Irish tennis team to an NCAA National Championship in 1959 while earning All-American honors in 1959 and 1960. Don received his master’s and Ph.D. degrees in clinical psychology from Catholic U in Washington DC. Subsequently, he was inducted into the KY Psychological Association Hall of Fame. Don was selected for a special postdoctoral program at Harvard Medical School in 1970. This program was created to train professionals to become administrators and policymakers, setting the foundation for the remainder of his illustrious career. His final 17 years of service were spent joining the U of Kentucky’s faculty in the Department of Psychiatry, providing psychotherapy services in the department’s outpatient clinic, supervising and mentoring students until his retirement in 2011. Well done, good and faithful servant. In my January news notes, I created a baker’s dozen list of names of classmates from whom I requested feedback in order to include them in my next news article. I hope the new names on this list will text or call me with an update on your most recent whereabouts. Here is the new list: Barry Schline, Ron Shubert, Mike Nash, Andy Lawlor, John Juliano, Ed Stephan, Ron Gregory, Nick Ferlazzo, Mike Terry, Frank Dinger, Jerry Crowley, Tom Brennan, Frank Giacopelli, Myron Pottios and Roy Regan. I received a call from Tom Melroy who recently returned from Costa Rica after a late winter cruise; Tom now plans to spend the mid-year months at his family’s cabin in northern MN. From Scottsdale AZ comes warm wishes from the recently transplanted Michigander Jim Wareham. It may come as a surprise to all, but Jim is the baseball trivia champion of our class; in fact, he puts the King of Baseball to shame — really! And speaking of baseball trivia, the following is a baseball stat that flabbergasted even Jim: The all-time Major League record for most games played during a career for a single team is 3,308 games. This record is held by our very own classmate, Carl Yastrzemski! Way to go, Yaz! A big thank-you to Mose Glynn who wins the prize for most communications with this writer during 2024. And finally, I called my fellow high school grad, fellow Bengal Bouter and fellow Marine, Bill Welch, while he was practicing his golf swing on the driving range. As we were both waxing nostalgic, Bill shared with me the exhilarating feeling he experiences making a hole in one. Congratulations, Bill. In memoriam: Pete Schippa and John Linehan. May they walk with the angels forever. Here is the column that was mistakenly left out of the winter edition of Notre Dame Magazine: Happy New Year! The triumvirate of Joe Libby, Nick Ferlazzo and Dan Palmer father from time-to-time in their Northern Virginia roosts for lunch, laughs and to wax nostalgic. To John Keegan, I send sincere thanks for giving me tickets to see the Irish football contests versus Navy and Army. Hello, Bernie Craig in Kansas City. The Hawkeye State’s favorite son, Mike Kennedy, closed the doors for the last time on the law firm that he and his brother, Kevin ’71, operated for 57 years. Their offices are located in New Hampton IA, home of the famous movie Field of Dreams. I recall the many discussions Mike and I engaged in concerning baseball during our freshman year. I received a warm, uplifting text message from Jerry Kearns, who offered to be my liaison concerning any significant University news, ready to perform the necessary reconnaissance for me. Thanks, Jerry. Tom Marciniak and his wife, Kay, celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary with an eight-day Alaskan cruise. Mike Mullen wrote to say that his fellow North Dakotan, Jay Monory, passed away in Grand Forks ND. Mike later called me to share that he and his children have been enjoying summer reunions in his “home away from home” in the beautiful White Mountains of NH. Mike retired as the Attorney General of North Dakota. I also received a supportive message from George Niemyer and his wife, Ginny. Mail has been pouring in from well-wishers, including Ted Dawson, Clyde Hightower, Bill Indelicato, Bill Cronin, Joe Libby, John Linehan, Tom Whalen, Tom O’Donnell, Tim Monahan, Frank Annese and Roger McMahon. From Los Angeles came the call from Mike Mahaney, an erstwhile member of the varsity swimming team. Mike has called Los Angeles home for over 40 years. Where are Jim Nack and Paul Flemming? I last saw them at a Fourth of July reunion in Huntington, Long Island. Bill Welch called from his retirement villa in Fort Myers to say that he and his fellow Bengal Boxing Bouts teammate, Tom De Pretoro, are enjoying retirement in Fort Lauderdale, hitting the links on a monthly basis. Another Bengal Bouter, Denny O’Shaughnessy, now serves as a chaplain at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. My dear friend and fellow New Yorker, Pete Murphy, died on October 1. I am profoundly indebted to Pete and his wife, Ginger, who treated me like family and showered me with countless kindnesses. I had the good fortune of watching the Irish football game with Pete two weeks before he died. And now a request: will the following members of our class please take a few moments to text or call me to update all of us on your whereabouts and latest activities: Terry McGovern, Art Barile, Ned Perry, Bob Brewka, Jack Lofy, Tom Romans, Don Ralph, Ray Vales, Tom Paulick, Charlie Hoffman, Bob Campbell, Jim Tynan, Carmen Civella, Dave Thomas, Charlie Sacher, and John Sanfacon. Now for some baseball trivia. The all-time lowest career earned run average for any hurler who has pitched for the Irish varsity nine is held by our very own Nick Palihnich. How about that, sports fans! And finally, in memoriam: Dave Balane, Dave Ryan, Danny Fusco, Danny Griffith, Jerry Pape, Jay Mondry, John Davey, Jack Castin and Pete Murphy. May they sleep with the angels forever. God bless and — Arnold Leporati Jr.; 463 Tarrasa Drive, Jacksonville FL 32225; 904-703-4366; arnielep@yahoo.com
61JD Class Secretary — John N. Moreland; jnmnd1958@aol.com
62 Spring Updates
John Roberg turned out to be very perceptive last September when he made hotel reservations in SBN in anticipation of a possible December home playoff game. John said he paid about 25 percent of the price charged once the game was announced. Jerry McKenna, who spent 27 years on active duty with the Air Force, was inducted in the Air Force Airlift/Tanker Hall of Fame. Following his retirement, Jerry has sculpted a number of Air Force luminaries, in addition to the several on campus. John Rathman was an aero major and, upon graduation, joined Allison/Rolls Royce in Indianapolis. When he retired after almost 40 years, he started to volunteer with their aviation museum established to promote and encourage STEM courses for elementary and secondary students. Recently they hosted about 60 ND engineering students for a day. John said, “Although they asked many technical questions, they also wanted to know how things were back in the ‘dark ages’ when slide rules were the tools of the trade.” Bob Kenny reminded me that the “crowning non-academic achievement in our four years was the NCAA Pocket Billiards Championships won in 1961 by Jim Finucane — an unprecedented accomplishment.” The following year, Jim was the runner-up. Willie Mosconi, who at the time was the world’s all-time greatest pool player, oversaw the matches and then played a full game with Jim after he won his championship match. At one time, there was a picture of Jim and Mosconi in the pool room of the LaFortune Center. It may still be there. Geoff Flagstad said his son, Daniel, is an ’85 grad and his granddaughter, Hannah, who graduated in 2017, is now a practicing physician. Mike Precobb is looking forward to a healthy 2025. Last year he underwent two spine surgeries and another on an eye. Unfortunately, we have lost several members of the Class. Jim Loula died Aug. 14 in Moline IL. Jim was a respected high school teacher and football coach in addition to acting in many Shakespearean plays. On Aug. 29, Chuck Collet died in IN where he had practiced law. Bill Beaver died Oct. 14 in CA and was a member of the Stanford Business School faculty for many years. Dave Faulkner died Sept. 23. Manny Porrata died in San Juan on Nov. 9. I got to spend part of a day with him and “Paco” Del Valle, along with their wives, several years ago. Andy Cavallari died Nov. 18 and had been a restaurateur since leaving school. Gene Kieffaber died Dec. 14. He was living in The Villages FL after retirement. Sean Schaeffner died Dec. 23 in SC where he had a very large real estate brokerage firm. John Mader, who contracted lung cancer several years ago, died Jan. 6 following a fall at home. We, along with our wives, went on a cruise together just before COVID hit. — Raymond Raedy; 5310 Rileys Ridge Road, Hillsborough NC 27278; 919-967-8816; nd62secy@medicinemanremedies.com
62JD Class Secretary — Christine Stucko; christinestucko@gmail.com
63 Lives Well Lived
Raymond Kelly, a triple major at ND (English, philosophy and classics), debate team member, editor of The Juggler, member of the Wranglers and president of the Bookmen, went to Oxford following graduation earning another BA and an MA. He enlisted in the US Army, earned a commission as an officer and spent four years on active duty in military intelligence, including a year in Vietnam. Later, he joined the US Army Reserve, where he served for 15 years, attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel. Following release from active duty, Ray married his wife, Kathleen, sister of our late classmate Dennis Brennan. The Kellys had five children, two of whom went to ND — Laura ’03 and Raymond J. Kelly IV ’92 honoris causa, who died at age 21 from Ewing’s sarcoma — and eight grandchildren (Liam, now a junior, is fifth generation ND and fourth generation Sorin College/Hall). After military service, Ray entered the stock brokerage business, where he remained until retirement in 2017 at age 74. They reside in Flushing MI and spend the winter on Siesta Key FL, and otherwise spend time traveling in Europe. Ray speaks seven languages and is conversant in another three. Phil Bertoni checked in to say that following graduation he served in the US Navy for six years. He then married and has three sons. Phil taught junior high school, high school and community college students for a combined 38 years before retiring. The Bertonis moved to South Bend in 2015, where they enjoy the cultural and other offerings of the University. They also travel extensively. Phil says, “Life has been good to both of us … we are truly blessed.” Jim Woolwine wrote that he and his wife of 57 years, Sue, have lived outside of San Francisco for 45 years, having started out in Chicago, and then Boston and Los Angeles. All of their children and grandchildren live on the West Coast. Jim retired in 2000 after 50 years in the banking business. He looks forward to visiting campus annually and taking the opportunity to visit with Jim Stouffer. Jim Pauer ’74 reported the passing of his brother and our classmate, Lyle Pauer, on Nov. 1 in Rocky River OH after an extended illness. Lyle was a physics major who subsequently earned an MS and Ph.D. from John Carroll and Case Western Reserve, respectively. He worked for several leading aerospace firms, including Lockheed Martin, from which he retired as a senior physicist. He held four US patents and was an expert in the fields of sonar, submarine simulation and aircraft missile defense. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Veronica, four children and nine grandchildren. MaryAnne Rodriguez wrote on behalf of husband Gilbert Rodriguez MD, who, after graduation, earned an MD from Temple Medical School in Philadelphia. From 1974 to 1997, he was chair of pediatric asthma and immunology at Medical College of Virginia (now VCU). In 1996, they moved to Blue Bell PA when Gil joined Allergy and Asthma Associates and MaryAnne ran Bank of America’s Private Bank. They both retired in 2012 and returned to Richmond. They have three sons; Andres is ND ’93. Maryanne also noted that Ken Marty died Nov. 9 in Northern VA, survived by his wife, three sons and nine grandchildren, and J. Roberto Ramirez passed away Dec. 31 in Puerto Rico. The Alumni Office has advised of the passing of the following classmates: James L. Hughes III MD died Aug. 7 in Sarver PA, survived by his wife, Jane, and James M. Turkey died Oct. 12 in South Bend, survived by his wife, Sharon. — 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 Worth the Wait
Ten years after my request for an update, Jack Mulligan responded. Retired and living in Indian Land SC with wife Maureen Cahill, Jack had a fascinating career in the nuclear power space. As a young Navy officer, he worked for Adm. Rickover and the nuclear power schools. That led to an MS in nuclear engineering and bizarre assignments as project director for upgrades to Russian-designed reactors after Chernobyl and construction of two civilian nuclear power plants in North Korea (supported by a multinational group which included the US). He closed out his career as project director for two nuclear waste processing facilities and as head of TRW’s environmental management company. David Manion checked in from the Bay Area. After USAF duty, law school and an MBA, he spent 42 years managing global technology enterprises. Cutting back on the heavy travel, David more recently applied his leadership experience to “SING, Danville,” his parish job ministry. This group provides practical, real-time job search and career development strategies in a variety of settings, helping over 6,000 people find new jobs and professions. David stays connected with Dick D’Amico, Rich Damm and Jeff Neubert. Kathy and Jay Sommerkamp are busy managing a busy travel schedule: Japan, Sicily and Scotland last year, a cruise and Morocco in ’25. Bill Jones reached out to advise that Stewart Ryan passed away in September. Bill and Stu were fellow physics majors at ND and spent five years together working on Ph.D.s at Michigan. After Yale and AZ, Stu settled in at OK. Lauded as one of the best educators at OU, Stu was an electric physics professor whose student-oriented style of teaching made his Physics for Poets class a smash hit for over 15,000 OU students. With popularity cemented by his alter ego, “Dr. Indestructo,” Stu risked life and limb to entertain while educating. For details of the crazy-cool stuff he did, look up his obituary. He could have had a career on Broadway, or in the circus. Stu’s unconventional teaching methods earned numerous accolades, and his influence promoting science in the state of OK will be felt for generations. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Rita, as well as three daughters and two grandchildren. Jim Olson ’62 shared the sad news that Tim Kelley died in Denver. He is survived by wife Barbara, two daughters and two grandchildren. After the Peace Corps in Peru and with a UCLA MBA in hand, Tim began a career in global banking at Citigroup. He and Barbara lived in eight different countries before retiring to Beaver Creek CO. George Lang passed away in April in St. Paul MN. A Vietnam veteran and retired VP of The St. Paul Companies, George is survived by two children and extended family. John Siegler shared the news that Dave Lattanzio passed away in Scottsdale AZ just before Christmas. A CPA, Dave began his career at KPMG Peat Marwick before moving to the client side at Heinz. He spent the balance of his career in a series of senior financial management positions across industries. Dave is survived by his wife of 25 years, Rosa, and by two children and extended family. The Hon. Dan Manion passed away in South Bend last summer. A Bengal Bouts champion and Vietnam vet, Dan earned his law degree at IU, then entered private practice. In 1986 he was nominated for a position on the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. He served until his retirement in 2022. Dan is survived by wife Ann, four children and six grandchildren. Bill Belden died suddenly in Canton OH, his home since 1946. He applied his EE degree in a series of local companies until becoming president of Belden Brick in 1983, retiring in 2015. Bill is survived by his wife of 60 years, Karen, two sons and eight grandchildren. — Paul R. Charron; 44 Contentment Island Rd., Darien CT 06820; 917-860-5385; paul.richard.charron@gmail.com
64JD Class Secretary — Richard Balfe Wagner; 1204 Erskine Manor Hill, South Bend IN 46614; 574-299-9888; 760-567-1270
65 Reunion
Remember our 60th Reunion will not be held during the All-Class Reunion, but separately on June 14 and 15. The venue will be the Morris Inn. Several mailings from the Alumni Association have detailed this separate event and the need to register at 1965.undclass.org and purchase a $200 per person ticket to cover the two dinners which will be held at the Morris Inn. Other concurrent events at the Morris Inn will limit available accommodation. Alternatively, rooms should be available at the Embassy Suites or Fairfield Inn in Eddy Street Commons. Locations of the dinners, Class Mass, campus bus tours and other events will be available on the Class registration website in May. During the day and prior to dinner we can meet casually on the terrace behind the inn. A new policy will prevent reserving the area just for our Class. If the weather is inclement, the large lobby will be available. The Class golf tournament will be on June 14. Contact team captain Carl Giombetti at cgiombetti@comcast.net for a tee time. Janie and Jim Epstein have secured the first tee time. Doug Branson is the Sell Chair in Law (Emeritus) at the School of Law at the U of Pittsburgh. Doug and his wife, Cynthia, have a condo in Seattle where their family lives, plus a home on Shelter Island NY and a condo in Vero Beach FL, but they still call Pittsburgh home. Doug has published 28 books, with the first 20 on law, and the recent in August was titled Southern Brigadier Generals in the American Revolution. He reports that Bill Predebon passed away in 2023. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, a daughter, son and grandchildren. He was the dean of mechanical engineering at Michigan Tech where he taught for 47 years. Bill was a gifted athlete and a Bengal Bouts champion for three consecutive years. Last November Frank Hinchey passed away in Delaware OH. He earned a master’s in journalism at Ohio U and was a lifelong newsman. For several decades Frank was an editor at the Columbus (OH) Dispatch. He is survived by his wife, Martha, a son, and daughters Elizabeth ’93 and Mary Martha. In December Bernie Kompare of Lemont IL passed away from cancer. Bernie was an attorney and earned his JD from Northwestern Law School. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn, daughter Lesley Anne and brother Ed Kompare ’61. Tom Brejcha said the eulogy along with Bernie’s daughter. In September Don Salomoni died in Bowling Green KY. He is survived by his wife, Valerie. In January 2024 John “Fitz” Fitzgerald died in San Francisco and was buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery on campus. He had devoted the last 40 years of his life to the poor and homeless as a social work educator in the St. Anthony Foundation in San Francisco. To honor his memory, Tom Muldoon and others put together a website, rememberfitz.com, to chronicle his life in service to the poor. It contains poignant letters that Fitz wrote every year highlighting his experiences with individuals and the world. Tom is a retired VP for labor relations with the Pepsi Bottling Group. In December Tom “Hawk” Hawkins passed away in Naples FL after battling lung cancer for several years. Pat Zilvitis, Jim Dwyer, Dick Berry, Dick Murray, Tom Hogan, John Schneider and Don Zone attended his funeral. He was a retired ob-gyn who earned his MD from the U of Illinois and practiced in the Chicago area. Tom was always smiling and energetic. He was one of the first classmates that I met upon arriving as a freshman at Keenan Hall. He is survived by his wife, Beth, three daughters and a son. — James P. Harnisch MD; 6759 West Mercer Way; Mercer Island WA 98040; jphnd65@hotmail.com
65JD Class Secretary — John Donald O’Shea; irishplaywright1@gmail.com
66 Saying Something
Jim Egan in Oak Brook IL, retired attorney, related Tim Duda’s September passing in Chicago. Tim was an attorney for McDonald’s. Jim, along with Joe Robinson and Al Augustine, keep the Socrates Society going. Jim reminded that longtime UND pilot Pat Farrell was a four-time Bengal Bouts champ. Arthur Minaldi, now retired, communicated from Naples FL. Arthur did grad work at MSU and Ohio State before a stint as a naval officer, then at Northwestern for a degree in internal architecture. He worked in Chicago, Boston and Miami and plans to return to campus for a visit. He related that Bob Harmichar is retired from architecture and living in Cleveland, and reminded that Len Belcore from Chicago passed away last year and that now-deceased Bernie Killian was a judge in Springfield IL. Tim Streb sent word that his roomie “George” Rentschler commented on the recent passing of Tom Talaga in Chicago. Tom was a great guy and Irish teammate. Streb noted that his roomie Mike Donahue’s home in Pacific Palisades CA survived the fire. Mike is an attorney and his wife, Jennifer, is a noted interior designer. Art Frigo hailed from Downers Grove IL where he works part-time consulting in engineering for Argonne National Lab. He and Judy, a retired MD, have a townhome near campus, where Art spends time attending senior and local alumni events. Barry Barth was spotted in Hilton Head, where he was wintering. He reminded me of his good friend, former IN legislator Pat Bauer, living in the SB area. Our website guru, Jack Gerken, shared items on Niles grads who are also Domers. Father Joe Landauer, an Opus Dei priest since 1978, has served in Milwaukee, South Bend, Boston, Houston, Dallas, Miami, DC and now in Pittsburgh. Father Mike Geisler, also an Opus Dei priest since 1979, has served in DC, Chicago and St. Louis. He published novels on the lives of early Christians and joined Father Joe in concelebrating Mass at the Niles 50th reunion. Bill Scanlon, an economist from Oak Hill VA, focused on access to and quality of health care. Bill’s travels have included a Rhine River cruise, Thanksgiving in Chicago and planned spring trips to Cancun and Maui. Terry Casey has spent his career developing corporate real estate and shopping centers. He lived in Malibu CA but lost his home near the Getty Villa in the fires. Fortunately, Terry has a retirement home in Santa Ynez CA. Margaret and Tom Triebat live in Rio de Janeiro but get back to campus. Originally in finance in NYC, Tom joined Columbia U and has been their rep in Brazil since 2005. Jack G. also noted the sobering news that we’ve lost 360 mates to date, about 25 percent of the Class. Reminder: sign up for the ’66 website (1966.undclass.org). Class Prez Cap Gagnon hears from Mike Hannigan and Xavier Maruyama. I had a conversation with former Irish football captain and teammate Phil Sheridan, retired from his NJ law practice and living with Kathy in Falls Church VA near their daughters. Phil keeps in touch with teammate Bob Meeker in Akron OH. I spoke with Rich Sauget, who’s well in southern IL. Rich mentioned Dr. Larry Allen. I heard from Walter Babst in NOLA, where he and Bebe were getting ready for Mardi Gras. SB resident John Blum weighed in from Cabo San Lucas, where he was wintering. Like all of us, John wonders how we got this old! — Tom Sullivan; 1090 Shore Road, Unit 14, Pocasset MA 02559; cell 773-454-4343; t66sullynd@gmail.com
66JD Happy, Healthy 2025
I hope that all of you enjoyed the 2024 holidays. Unfortunately, you may have consumed too many of your favorite celebration beverages, because no news has been submitted to me. As you already know, no news means no column. C’mon guys, step it up for the summer edition. — Scott Maxwell; 2781 Siena Lakes Circle, Unit 2444, Naples FL 34109; cell 215-920-0616; ndscotty@gmail.com
67 Ara
Mark O. Hubbard ’72 completed his authorized biography on Ara Parseghian titled Ara: The Life and Legacy of a Notre Dame Legend, published by Notre Dame Press. Many will find it very interesting as it offers previously unknown insights into Ara’s hiring and his relationship with Fathers Hesburgh and Joyce. Names in the book will be familiar to most classmates. Jerry Pascale, living in San Diego County near the beach, writes that he thoroughly enjoyed the book. Ron Jeziorski is improving after his toe amputation, per a note from Angelo Schiralli. Unfortunately we lost Tom Rink last November. Tom was an accounting major who went on to Notre Dame Law School graduating in 1970. He served in the US Marine Corps for four years, during which time he earned a master’s in law from George Washington U and then began practicing tax law in Cincinnati for 50 years, 40 of which were at Strauss Troy as chair of its tax department. Tom served as chair of the tax section of the Cincinnati Bar Association and the Southwestern Ohio Tax Institute. He also served on the Indian Hill city council for 10 years and as its mayor for four years. Quinn Denvir ’20, son of our classmate Bob, was included in a Jan. 18 article in The Athletic authored by Pete Sampson about Irish fans who traveled to multiple bowl games. Joe Dilillo lost his home and all his belongings in the Pacific Palisades fire in Southern CA. Joe and his family are fine. He spent four hours watering down his home hoping to save the structure, to no avail. His Notre Dame diploma burned with the house and he is seeking to replace it. Information has been running very thin for our Class column, so please take the time to write and let us know what’s happening with you and any classmates for you know. — Bert R. Bondi; 1891 Curtis St., Unit 1502, Denver CO 80202; bertrbondi@gmail.com
67JD New Year
Mike Seng had another successful study trip to the Czech Republic in October. He was joined by a record number of 24 students and other interested parties from the US. Mike also picked up another honor when he was presented with the Gratias Agit Award by the Czech foreign minister at a ceremony at the Czernin Palace. The award is given to non-Czech citizens who have contributed to the well-being of the country. A previous award winner was the former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Mike is a still an active professor of law at U of Illinois in Chicago. Roseanne and Jim Harrington enjoyed a wonderful, diverse Thanksgiving with their children, grandchildren, spouses and significant others. There was a Catholic ND grad and one from U of Michigan, a Druze from Lebanon, a Pakistani, and an Indian from Delhi. The conversations must have been entertaining. The Harringtons then traveled to FL for their annual visit with in-laws. Dick Muench is looking forward to his grandson Jack’s wedding to his high school sweetheart in June. Lynn and Ted Sinars are in the Florida Keys for their annual break from Chicago winters. They’re planning a trip to Portugal this summer after attending three grandchildren graduations in AZ, TX and NC. Frank Cihlar competed in his third power-lifting competition, deadlifting 105 kilos. His goal is to lift 140 kilos. Frank is heading to Zurich for business and to a French friend’s wedding reception at his chateau in August. He hopes to have one or more trips in between the ones scheduled. Perhaps another fly-fishing trip in MT with Bob Barkley. Kip Roe sent a terrific picture of more of his grandchildren (the exact number boggles the mind) raised as Irish fans including Jill, a third generation of Roe ND grads, who will graduate from medical school this spring. — Jim Heinhold; 1200 Carmel Lane, New Bern NC 28562; res 252-638-5913; im4irish@aol.com
68 Gratitude for Greatness
Neither Rev. Robert Austgen, CSC, who died in August, nor Prof. Donald Costello, who died at age 93 on Dec. 26, were Class members. That’s true. But if our Class has greatness in it, isn’t it because of what such people poured into us? As Bob Chiles tells of Father Austgen and as many of us know from Prof. Costello’s enthusiasm, they invested decades in us. After surviving Brice Parker, Brien Murphy, Tom Schoen, Monk Forness, Eddie DeBartolo, John Pergine, Jeff Keyes and others as rector of Stanford Hall, Father Austgen became dean of the Graduate School. His secretary was Elsie Orban, aunt of Bob Chiles’ wife, Gloria. Bob remembers Christmases at the Orban house. On one occasion, Father Austgen said, “Bob, your class was one of our great classes. There probably will never be another like it.” Don and his wife, Christine, regularly hosted student gatherings for film discussion and good times. We had the benefit of learning what life needed from us and what we could bring to our futures. Because the printed magazine has space limitations, please watch for emails that contain photos and links to material such as obituaries. Jean and Roger Guerin attended Jerry Cherubini’s funeral in Milwaukee. Jerry, Roger’s roommate, died Oct. 20 following a career in finance and decades of involvement in Milwaukee causes, especially his family’s parish. The same month, Lloyd Adams suffered the loss of his wife, Helen, a Bronx native who overcame her own challenges as she became the grandmother whose happiness brightened all about her. A January Christmas letter from Father John Sheehan, SJ, reports his new assignment at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, not far from Princeton where he grew up. Bill Dewey, who excited classmates with his smart writing about entering Notre Dame and then endangering his presence there by joining a couple of Farley battles, first against the Michigan State band and then through steam tunnels to Cavanaugh Hall, must have been hiding in a tunnel when Pat Collins assembled an Observer staff. What if Bill had combined his tunnel knowledge with upperclassman Bob Farmer’s knowledge of routes up the Dome? Impatient friends are not waiting around for campus reunions. Judy and Tom Culcasi, Marilyn and Mike Obiala, and Ellen and Tom Phillips met for a Chicago lunch in November. Bill Clark wrote: “Former River Edge, New Jerseyites Mike Carroll, Terry Adrian and Bill Clark gathered at Bill’s son’s place in Yarmouth, Cape Cod, in September, along with childhood friend Rick Dawn. Probably the principal activity was laughing. Nothing quite like old friends.” Bill and Maureen often travel from Lafayette CA to Cape Cod and Basel, Switzerland, because of two grandchildren at each location. John O’Connor saw Eddie Broderick and Pete Farrell while in NY. In Chicago, Roger Guerin and Tom Gibbs hosted a table of swells for the December Irish Fellowship Luncheon: Rick McPartlin, Class President Tom Weyer, Bryan Dunigan, Tom Durkin and Tom Figel. Skip Strzelecki, most Irish of all, had to be elsewhere. Retired Evanston IL lawyer John Kukankos will never retire from the commitment he developed during Peace Corps service. Each year, he visits El Salvador, where his organization ConTexto is a provider of help for education. Like Paul Ramsey and his late partner Richard Coburn in Yucatan and India, like Mike Carroll with his Romanian Children’s Relief Fund, John can claim an impressive impact on young people. Chris Murphy’s status gives this report a big close. His Mayo Clinic exam in October produced the best of reports: all cancer gone. And Gene Cavanaugh, too, continues on a fine track after his bladder surgery. Please send news and photos. — Tom Figel; 570 Sheridan Square, Apt. 3, Evanston IL 60202; 312-241-7917; tfigel@reputecture.com
68JD Class Secretary — Dennis G. Collins; 2203 Derby Way, St. Louis MO 63131; bus 314-516-2648; dgc@greensfelder.com
69 Hall of Fame
Terry Hanratty was named a 2025 College Football Hall of Fame inductee; the ceremony will take place Dec. 9 in Las Vegas. Congratulations, Terry, on a well-deserved and overdue honor. Belated congratulations: John Kainady was the St. Louis Archdiocese’s 2022 Catholic Man of the Year award nominee; Chuck Nelson received IUSB’s 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award. August: The Ohio State U College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Science honored Bill Mitsch at a ceremony introducing the Bill Mitsch Wetland Collection Room in the Heffner Building, Schiermeier Olentangy River Wetland Research Park. October: Tim Russell played the monster in A Minnesota Frankenstein at the Pavek Museum in St. Louis Park MN. From Oct. 24 until Dec. 8, the Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum in Bratislava, Slovakia, featured John Wehrheim’s photographs of Taylor Camp. The Chicago press reported that Tom Breen was the defense attorney in the trial of former IL House Speaker Michael Madigan. While visiting the Midwest from Maryland, Lamar and Bill Murphy dined with my wife and me. Varsity fencers Roy Arnn, Rob Babineau, Bill Coutros and Roger “The Kid” Holzgraffe ’70 met for the Stanford game. November: Mike Cerre’s Notre Dame Senior Alumni Veterans Day video program featured seven-year Army officer Eric Goins, an MBA student and placekicker for the football team. Jeff Powell wrote: “I see David Snediker and Eric Wieschaus from time to time. I’m now ‘retired’ [from Yale] but keep going, directing an international research team focusing on mosquitoes on islands in the Southwest Indian Ocean, Madagascar, etc. I have one book in production and am halfway through a second. All on mosquitoes that I first learned about in George Craig’s lab at ND some 58 years ago.” Bob Gibbons did a webinar for his high school’s alumni about his book Becoming Aquinas, a history of the school. While visiting their daughter’s family in New Zealand, Linda and Neil Short visited Karen and Neil Harnisch in Auckland. December: Theresa and Patrick Rocchio celebrated their 52nd anniversary with their children (four of them ND grads!) and grandchildren at the Basilica and Rohr’s. Tom Flanagan, Greg Ryder and some of their family members attended the ND-IU game in the CFP’s first round. The Class blog, with 1,920 posts, hit 1.4 million page views. January: Dewey and Brad McConville attended the Sugar Bowl while visiting family in New Orleans. Linda and John Rank attended the Orange Bowl. Dave Heskin wrote about the classmates he saw and attended games with this past fall: “I made every home game except for Stanford, when I was on a Traveling Irish trip in Portugal with Mike Karwoski. Mike came to the ill-fated NIU game. Dr. Bob Burke came to the Miami (OH) game with two grandchildren. Dr. Dave Seeley and I played in the NDSA golf outing and he stayed for the Louisville game. He returned for the Indiana game. Part-time South Bend residents Maggie and Dennis Fenn joined us and were also at most of the other home games.” Jim Burke, Mike Brennan, Mike Busby, Ernie Gargaro, Fritz Gast, Steve Hext, Pete McInerney, EB Moran and Jerry Teagan attended their 31st annual ND basketball outing. Diane and Steve Kavalauskas and Gene Hammond visited an ailing high school classmate in Point Reyes CA. Kevin Daly wrote that he and Helena moved to Donegal, Ireland. In memoriam: Dick Gilmour, April 2016, Burnet TX; Dr. Ralph Pagano, April 2023, Phoenix; Joe Kramer, April 2023, Rehoboth Beach DE; George McLaughlin, Dec. 1, Piedmont SC; Mary Burke Ryan, wife of Mike Ryan, Dec. 7, Mequon WI. Our sincerest condolences to their families. — John Hickey; jphjr47@hotmail.com; notredameclassof1969blog.blogspot.com
69MBA Happy New Year
I’m wishing each of you all the best for 2025. I have not received much news for this edition, so please send me any travel or news items you’d like to share. Congrats to our football team, making it all the way to the NCAA championship game. The future looks bright for Marcus Freeman and the players. Dennis B. McCarthy represented our Class and attended all CFP games, including at Notre Dame, New Orleans, Miami and Atlanta. I believe both sons, Dennis P. ’96 and Brian, attended as well. Rita Knittel announced the birth of their third great-grandchild. With the new year comes new challenges, especially for seniors who are targeted by scams. I can share that it is no fun, so be very vigilant throughout the year. No other news, so please send or call me with news for the next issue. Please also continue to remember Sara and Nick Walz in your prayers as they continue to provide the best care for Sara. Regards. — Ken Samara; 3030 McKinney Ave., Suite 601, Dallas TX 75204; 214-532-2187; kensamara@sbcglobal.net
69JD 80 Is the New 65
A number of our classmates reached the age of 80 and have decided to retire. Tony Siemer wrapped up his practice at the end of last year. Tony is a “leap year baby” so technically, he is only 20. Tony had enough trying to satisfy the CLE requirements, an attitude shared with Dave Prior. Al Bannon is also retiring after turning 80. His wife, Cathy, retired as a law librarian, a career she started at ND. His son, Sean, is a practicing attorney. Al will enjoy spending more time with his special daughter, Jenny. Peter Loughlin sent his New Year greeting to the Class. He hasn’t received the word about retiring. John Reid also sent his greetings for 2025 and has been enjoying the CFP games. I attended the CFP game at Notre Dame Stadium as did Jim Brady. Jim could have been sitting right next to me and I wouldn’t have known it. We were all bundled up against the cold. Everyone was on their feet for the entire game. John Macleod sent word of Dave Larimer’s retirement at age 80 after 37 years on the federal bench. One of Dave’s more infamous cases involved a bank robber dressed as the Easter Bunny, which was the subject of a Dave Barry column. Dave recounted the day that Ronald Reagan called him to let him know he was nominated for the federal court bench. He was in a meeting and asked to be excused to take a call from the president. He and his wife, Karen, who he married in law school, will escape the cold of upstate NY for the warmth of Naples FL. Dave has three children and six grandchildren. Our classmate and my housemate, Tim McLauglin, passed away. I had dinner with Puma and his wife, Lynn, after the NIU game. All Hail. — James Starshak; 889 Kaohe Place, Honolulu HI 96825; 808-395-0443; cell 808-778-4033; starman@hawaii.rr.com