Assembling and Renewing

Before getting to the news – of classmates lost, of reunions, triumphs and changes – please indulge this request: make sure you have registered at my.nd.edu. The more of us registered – that is, the more of us with a preferred email address recorded – the more of us able to be in touch with email. Not registered? Go to my.nd.edu and find “Register”. Click there, enter your preferred email address and you are easily on your way. If you have no grandchild or adolescent neighbor at hand, let me know and I will help:tfigel@reputecture.com.

If Bryan Dunigan or I send an email through my.nd.edu, we are able to use a list exceeding 800 classmates, including many of us who are registered. We registered ones are able to use features such as a directory of nearly every Notre Dame alumnus. And by the way, registration is open to people who are not Notre Dame graduates, to people who want to be informed about our class or other groups. 

In the near future, on Saturday October 30^th, three hours before the North Carolina game, Fred Ferlic and Class President Tom Weyer will lead our class in dedication of a bench and tree honoring Joe Kernan. The affection and the generosity of Joe Kernan‘s classmates have met the $25,000 cost of the installation in a campus area already linked to our class: the memorial will be near the new Architecture School building donated by our classmate Matt Walsh and his wife Joyce and the Raclin Murphy Art Museum donated by Chris Murphy and Carmie. The gathering of classmates will continue before and after the game at the Great 68 tailgate near the stadium. If you are one of the 800+, watch for an email with the ceremony details in the days before the game.

In the very near future, August 11 and 12, in Chicago and suburban Lemont, Tom Culcasi has planned two days of reunion events for about 25 people, the core of them friends from freshman year in Keenan Hall: e.g., Joe Hale, Tom Phillips, Dan Collins, Phil Mika, Mike Moore, Ted Bratthauer, Tom Curtin, Steve Laplante.

Class President Tom Weyer praises “Our Anchor Men, the South Bend guys” for quick arrangement of a reception for Rocky Bleier during an early May visit: “Class Consigliere , Dr. Fred Ferlic and Sgt.-at-arms /Flag guardian Gene Cavanaugh organized a lavish pizza and beer evening at Rocco’s. In attendance were locals Pat Barth, Dan Harshman, Tom Cuggino, Dr. Steve Anderson …looking good during treatment. The Toms were represented by Tom Gibbs, myself and Tom Durkin. Skip Strzelecki, who dressed us all elegantly in Ara sweatshirts and Great 68 hats, was there along with Bryan Dunigan, Denny Toolan and Roger Guerin. Rocky was quite surprised and rather touched. Our mini-tailgate proved how much we miss each other.”

 Larry Maloney has added to the ND68 literary canon with Unto the Altar of God, his coming-of-age novel based on five years as a high school and college seminarian with the Franciscans in Pennsylvania (available at https://www.amazon.com/Unto–Altar–God-Memories-Seminarian-ebook/dp/B093QM3HY4). Larry came to our class in junior year and, after graduation and service in Vietnam, became a Deputy Editor with U.S. News & World Report and then Editor/Publisher of Design News. Already, the coming-of-age novel about a high school student’s response to the feelings and events of a world encountered in vacation bursts and family contact as well as within the seminary has earned in mid-July 18 five-star ratings on Amazon. Boston radio station WROL did a 12-minute segment with Larry and other papers, including two in the Gannett chain, have interviewed him. “My book started at Notre Dame in a class on creative nonfiction with Professor Ron Weber, a terrific teacher,” Larry said. “I wrote a short story for him based on my seminary experiences, and he encouraged me to try a book at some point.” 

The following posts on our blog are obituaries and memories of classmates we have lost: Bill Betz, Richard Calone, John Tilelli, and John O’Brien‘s wife Karen nee Scherkenbach, Boyd T. Barnes who died during March, Tom Bettler who died in November, 2020, John Alzamora who died in May, 2020, and Raymond DeFabio who died in May, 2021. Remember all of them in your prayers and, if you know the family, please contact them and console them. Please remember, too, Jim O’Rourke‘s wife Pam, who is recovering from surgery for removal of a tumor and Pat Collins‘ wife Emily, whose femur shattered in a fall on July 4^th.

Boyd T. Barnes and Tom Bettler, top row; Raymond DeFabio and John Alzamora, bottom row

Please send news, including photos, to: Tom Figel 1054 West North Shore, Apt 3E, Chicago, IL 60626, tfigel@reputecture.com, cell 312-241-7917.

Raymond De Fabio, age 75 of Lansing, Illinois passed away Saturday, May 8, 2021. He was a loving son, brother, uncle and friend. Ray was an English teacher at Andrean High School in Merrillville, Indiana for 34 years. It was there, where he touched and shaped many students lives over the years. His Love and his care for his students were second to none. He truly wanted to make a difference in their lives. Ray graduated from the University of Notre Dame and was a very proud Fighting Irish Alum. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Raymond’s name to the American Education Foundation or the American Diabetes Association.

A Celebration of Life for Ray will be held Friday, June 11, 2021 at the Schroeder-Lauer Funeral Home, 3227 Ridge Road, Lansing, Illinois from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. A service for Ray will begin promptly at 6:00 PM in the chapel. Ray was loved by many and he will be truly missed. Go Irish!!!

Boyd Thomas Barnes, 74 Logansport, passed away on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis.

Born on July 1, 1946 in Springfield, Illinois, he was the son of Ronald George Barnes and Mary Geraldine (McCahill) Barnes.

Before retirement, he was employed with Central Paving, Logansport.

Boyd was a 1964 graduate of Logansport High School and a 1968 graduate of the University of Notre Dame.  He was a former member of the Logansport Elks Club and a member of the University of Notre Dame Alumni Association.

He will be lovingly remembered by one brother; Brian (wife, Connie) Barnes, Merrillville; one sister; Rosemary (husband, Stephen) Kern, Flemington, New Jersey; and one sister-in-law, Jane Barnes, Lisle, Illinois.

Also surviving are three nieces: Katherine Barnes Kubal, Stephanie Kern Gomes, and Kristen Kern; and two nephews: Joseph Barnes and Kevin Kern.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Dennis P. Barnes.

Family and friends will meet at Kroeger Funeral Home between 10:00 and 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 25, 2021, and then proceed to Mount Hope Cemetery for direct burial.

Thomas Joseph Bettler, 73 of Charlestown, IN passed away peacefully on Sunday Nov. 8, 2020.

He was born January 26, 1946 to the late John J. and Frances C. Bettler.  Also preceding him in death was brother Donald R. Bettler and sister-in-law Lou Ann Bettler, who loved him dearly. Tom was a graduate from Notre Dame University and retired from the City of Philadelphia as a computer programmer. After retiring Tom returned to Charlestown to take care of his father.

Tom is survived by his brothers, Charles R. Bettler (Barbara) and David L. Bettler (Bobbi) and many nieces and nephews who also loved him dearly.

Life Celebration Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday November 14, 2020 at Grayson Funeral Home with burial in Charlestown Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday and after 9:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Tom wanted any expressions of sympathy to go to the Charlestown Alumni Association.

Note the warmth in the memories John’s friends told at the time of John’s Covid-related death.

John died from COVID-19 in May, 2020.  He lived in Harrisburg, PA.  Joe Helfer  wrote this about John: He was a quirky, smart, poetic soul who always treasured his Peruvian roots. After graduating from Notre Dame with an English degree, he went on to become an attorney specializing in education.Mari  Zipes added to Joe’s remarks:   As Joe Helfer so rightly said, “Alzy” was a bit of a poet. Here’s what he wrote in my year book:” Para una mujer linda preciosa, I look upon a pool of cool water/ripply light comes from its edges and delights eye and ear./ In it swim thoughts and words of kindness/and I think of you./from an Iberian who sees on goodness, Alzy.”Added May 11, 2021UPDATE:  Coming up on the 1 year anniversary of John’s death, the family published the following obituary in the Journal News this week…John Anthony Alzamora, Esquire of Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey passed away on Saturday, March 16th, 2020 due to complications of Covid-19. Born on December 21, 1946 to the late Dr. Elio F. Alzamora and the late Kathryn Mruzak Alzamora in Neptune, N.J., John was raised in Marlboro, N.J., Lima, Peru, Louisville , Kentucky , White Plains , N.Y. and Pleasantville, N.Y. John graduated from Pleasantville High School in 1964. He received a Magna Cum Laude BA at Notre Dame University in 1968. John earned his Juris Doctor of Law from Penn State Dickinson School of Law in 1975. During his career , he worked as an assistant attorney general for the Pennsylvania Board of Education before going into private practice at Thomas, Thomas, Armstrong and Nielson in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  Once retired, he moved to Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey to be closer to family and to care for his aging mother. John is survived by his siblings: Anita and Rod Watson of Mytholmroyd, England; Charles and Rita Alzamora of Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey; Mary and Robert Moss of Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey; Eliot and Jenifer Alzamora of Brick, New Jersey plus several adult nieces and nephews as well as his grand-niece Kaelyn and grand-nephew Jack. John will be remembered as a talented poet, artist and gardener. John and his sense of humor and dry wit will be missed by his family and friends. Private services and burial of his remains will be held at a future date

Karen Scherkenbach O’Brien

May 2, 1946 ~ June 4, 2021 (age 75)Obituary & ServicesTribute Wall

Karen Scherkenbach O’Brien of South Bend, IN, passed away surrounded by her family on Friday, June 4, 2021.

Karen was born on May 2, 1946 to Elmer and Marjorie Scherkenbach in Milwaukee, WI. After graduation from Alverno College, where she was student body president, Karen married her high school sweetheart, John O’Brien, at St. Raymond’s Church in Mount Prospect, IL. Karen was a lover of books, flowers, and the arts, and she brought these passions to her work as an elementary school teacher and librarian. Her shared nurturing with John of their three children and devotion to their eight grandchildren, however, will always be her proudest accomplishment. Karen’s joie de vivre and generosity of spirit impacted all those around her as witnessed hosting tailgates in the Notre Dame parking lot, vacationing on Nantucket, dancing to the Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen, reading to her grandchildren, or preparing an elegant dinner. Her attention to detail, care for those she loved, and commitment to social justice will leave a lasting mark for generations to come.

Karen is survived by her husband, John O’Brien of South Bend, IN; six siblings: Cheryl (Rob) McGrath, Lee (Judy) Scherkenbach, Jed (Mary) Scherkenbach, Kurt (Audrey) Scherkenbach, Craig Scherkenbach, and Jeff (Kim) Scherkenbach; 3 children: Sean (Felicia) O’Brien, Meghan (Bret) Hendrickson, and Bridget (Andrew) Hoyt; and 7 grandchildren: Sophie O’Brien, Eleanor Hendrickson, Lucy O’Brien, Nat Hendrickson, Seamus O’Brien, Colm Hoyt, and Eoin Hoyt. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN, on Wednesday, June 9th, at 2 pm with Rev. Paul Kollman, C.S.C. officiating. Because capacity at the church is limited due to COVID restrictions, we invite you to join the live stream of the Mass at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3BnTA6XX1A Burial will follow at a later date in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Notre Dame, IN.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Farm of the Child Honduras, visit http://www.farmofthechild.org to donate; or Hospice Foundation, Center for Hospice Care, visit https://foundationforhospice.org/donate/ to donate.