Prescient Class President Tom Weyer advised as 2014 dawned that this would be the year when the Class of 68 would be 68. The transition, already being led by Tom Condon, Dennis Reeder, John Walsh, Tom Figel and others, has left plenty of spring in the slowly maturing group. At the same time, Jim Hutchinson reminds us that he, Rich Rogers and Neil Rogers lie outside the normal range: the three will not reach age 68 this year, despite some personal identification carried at social functions during our University years. (See Jim, pictured above.) Jim’s mocking note is no surprise to those who long have put up with these near-Millennials’ behavior: helicopter parents demanding that their precious ones be given favored places at football games, tantrums about column attention inferior to that of a Bryan Dunigan or a Mike Helmer.
Besides, anyone who could handle the past winter can handle a new birthday. For Pat Collins, the D.C. area Channel 4 television news reporter, the unusual amounts of snowfall burnished his fame when Pat took to measuring the snow with a stick and wry humor. John McCoy sent a link to a March 6th Tony Kornheiser radio show: at 17 minutes of the show’s second hour, the hosts burst into a lengthy paean to Pat: he is called “iconic”, “at the mountaintop (of reporting)”, and “one of the last great characters (of the news business.” Dennis Gallagher saw causality in Pat’s reports: send him to the Bahamas or another place where there would be no snow to measure, Dennis said.
Dennis Toolan, who promised Mary Lou the sun, moon and stars when they married in April, 2013 gave her a South Bend snowfall that day and a Chicago one for their first anniversary. Jean Guerin and Carmie Murphy had the sense to be in Naples, FL during some of the winter; they played golf with husbands Roger Guerin and Chris Murphy.
On Florida’s east coast, Jerry Murray set up a sure thing: a Singer Island beach party. Jerry wrote: “(After attending three losses in 2013), I set up a guaranteed win party for the Blue Gold game. Hosted Bob Kubiak and Sharon and a number of other ND fans. Cookout and pool party was a blast in 82 degree weather plus ND and the Yankees won.”
In an annual ritual, a group of classmates and many children attended the Chicago White Sox’s season opener (a victory). Tom Weyer counted 40 regulars, including former Pangborn Hall social animal Mick Hyland, Bryan Dunigan, Dave Kabat, and Rick McPartlin, who ran the tailgate brats operation. Dennis Emmanuel and Nancy, present from Ottumwa, IA, revealed themselves as closet White Sox fans, said Tom.
Mick Hyland said the late Sandy Carrigan will be the St. George High School, Evanston, IL “Man of the Year” when his classmates gather in May for their 50th anniversary.
Paul Ramsey, whose global sightseeing includes the sight of misery he won’t ignore, has become one of the leaders of a new organization giving direct help to Indians needing healthcare or other services. Continuing to consult globally on the kinds of education issues he addressed as an executive of ETS, Paul dedicates much time to The India Group, www.theIndiaGroup.net.
While in New York during March, I stayed a night with Paul and almost saw Gini Waters Enright, SMC 68, who is neighbor to a Brooklyn home where we were visiting. Did a phone call to Gini have her bound out her back door, vault the fence, and arrive for a warm hug? Nope. Reflecting on this, I realized I never mentioned Pat (Jake Keenan) or Jim Davis: Gini figured they were not present. I had not mentioned Tom Condon, Pat Collins, and Tom McKenna: they could have been present. Gini did say she had the flu, and sounded true. (See a following article sent by Gini, Chuck Perin’s reminiscence about The Shaggs.)
Larry “Monk” Forness had the Internet spiking with emailed prayers and encouragement as he readied for heart surgery on April 24, 2014. The 2014 ND hockey season taxed the heart of the Grainger, IN classmate.
The Maryland legislature lobbying season ended, Jay Schwartz will be traveling during early May in Istanbul, Jerusalem and Barcelona. See our class blog, www.ndclass1968.com, for photos of Jay in his fine travel garb: ND cap, cameras slung around his neck, alpine walking stick in hand, wife-beater shirt, creased bermuda shorts, socks to the knees. (Here’s a photo of Jay, relaxing after battling a pious group of Ecuadoran women for access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre:)
The May 25, 2014 wedding of Pat DeMare‘s daughter Sarah reunited Pat with the Eagle Lake crew of Bob Santaloci, Dave Graves, Pat Furey, Rich Rogers and Neil Rogers. (original and retouched photos shown below, photos provided courtesy of Jim Hutchinson. Jim, who was not in attendance – and maybe not on the guest list – notes the matching ties worn by the Rogers twins: “I wonder if they coordinated outfits or if their sister picked them out for them.”)
The approach of the Kentucky Derby brings memories of John Fowler, the gracious Louisville classmate who died last year. May John and the rest of our departed friends remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Send news to: Tom Figel, 1054 West North Shore, Apt 3-E, Chicago, IL 60626, tel. 312-223-9536 (office), tfigel@lake-effect.com.
