Class of 1959 Newsletter: October 2006

From the Class of 1959 Newsletter: October 2006

Dear Classmates,

When I was a student at Saint Mary’s Ernie Banks was playing for the Chicago Cubs. He had a knack for coming up with a rhyming slogan each year to inspire both team and fans. “The Class of ’59 will shine at Homecoming 2009” is the best I can come up with. I hope it motivates members of our class better than Ernie was able to do with the Cubs.

Yes, 2009 Homecoming will be our Big One, marking 50 years for our outstanding class. It will be our opportunity to reconnect with other members of the Class of 1959 for a weekend together again on the Saint Mary’s campus.

Many activities are already in progress to make our 50th reunion the best ever. You may think that at this stage of life the Class of 1959 has gone from inactive to inert. Well nothing could be further from the truth.

Class of 1959 Newsletter – This first Class of 1959 Newsletter has been developed to maximize enthusiasm for a large turnout for our 50th reunion in 2009. It will be used to improve communications and inform classmates of activities of interest. I have agreed to accept input from each of you and develop a Newsletter that will be sent out on a regular basis. The frequency will depend on the submissions I receive. So send me your input. It can be just a few sentences about what you are up to these days or it can be lengthier. (I’m sure you have some stories to share.)

Improvement of Class List – Although we know that 152 alumni live in 25 states and 3 foreign countries, 65 alumni still need to be located. Also, we know of 24 who are deceased. Tim Burchill, Louis Guillou, and Meg Richtman from Saint Mary’s have been helpful in improving our class list. However, we still need additional effort to identify seminarians, student brothers, and lay students from our class to assure that we are able to contact as many of our classmates as possible. A list of “unknown” classmates is included later in the newsletter.

Class Gift - As a lasting statement of our gratitude for the important influence Saint Mary’s provided us during our young lives, we are developing a Class Gift program. Ken Ortman has been organizing a campaign that will include visits and calls to classmates to achieve a gift that will not only be impressive but will truly identify our Class of 1959 as outstanding

Maximize 2009 Homecoming Turnout - Some of you have been back on campus a number of times and have seen the growth of our Alma Mater, while others have not been back since the fifties. The amount of change on campus is truly amazing. We have included a few comparisons later in the newsletter which, we hope, will encourage that return trip.

To make our reunion in June of 2009 “special” we need you to attend. Please plan to join us for this once in a lifetime occasion. Let’s enjoy the weekend together “on the bluff” in Winona.

At our 45th reunion we had 21 from our class in attendance from 11 different states, and 14 brought their wives. We had a GREAT TIME, in a GREAT PLACE, with a bunch of GREAT PEOPLE. For those who couldn't be with us, it would have been better if you had been there.

If you have any ideas to help make 50th reunion a special and memorable occasion let me hear from you.


Harry Plotke

CLASS NEWS

Jack Schultz D.D.S. is busier than ever. He continues to operate his dental practice while also teaching dentistry at Marquette University. By the way, in his spare time he also helps his wife raise horses. You can e-mail Jack at swampangel@lgwis.com.

Harry Plotke, and his wife Jane, are frequent travelers with elder hostel groups throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada, and continue to be avid square dance enthusiasts. You can e-mail Harry at haplotke@in2L.com.

Dick Diaz is teaching in Chicago’s public school system, while also pursuing a doctorate degree. Kudos to Dick for his continuing pursuit of knowledge. You can e-mail Dick at field7019@aol.com.

Gerry Orth M.D., Dave Theis, Harry Bock, Ken Ortman and wives met early this year in Palm Springs for golf and dinner and had a great time. Looks like this could become an annual affair. Anyone interested in joining the group in Feb/March of 2007 can e-mail Harry at Montanav@comcast.net.

Henry Irace has relocated from Lincolnshire, IL. and is settling into his new home in Alpharetta, GA. It is always great to be near the grandchildren. You can e-mail Henry at hirace@aol.com.

Tom Daly, Dennis O’Malley, Harry Bock, Ken Ortman and wives meet occasionally for dinner in Chicago’s northwest suburbs. The old school stories keep getting better every time they are re-told. Anyone wishing to join the group can e-mail Dennis at dmo3454@sbcglobal.net.

Tom Daly is now in his third year of trying to “legalize” his Lake Geneva dock. He facetiously estimates that legal research time and court time invested will soon qualify him for a law degree in the state of Wisconsin. Since Tom is recently retired, he just might continue to invest time until he has a judgeship firmly in hand. You can e-mail Tom at TOM@DALY.TV.

Anthony (Tony) Adducci, KGCHS, KM, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on September 19, 2006 in Scottsdale, Arizona. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sandy (Gordon); children Michael '87 (Deb), Brian '90 (Allison Thorne '91), and Alicia. Tony was Co-Founder of Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. (Guidant), President of Technology Enterprises, Director of North American Banking Company, Director of Capsule Design, founder of the Adducci Family Foundation, Trustee Emeritus and longtime benefactor of Saint Mary's University.