Dear Golden Hawks Class of 1963,
Welcome Back to Rockhurst University and congratulations on your induction into the Golden Hawks
Society. Rockhurst is very proud of the strong connection it has been able to maintain with our Golden
Hawks over the years, and we are excited to have you on campus this weekend.
Whether this is your first time back to Rockhurst since your graduation fifty years ago or you have been
able to make regular trips as an alumnus, I hope you find it to be the same vibrant campus that you left
it in 1963. As you tour campus I hope you are proud of the many positive additions we have completed
since you were a student including our beautiful soccer field, the St. Ignatius Science Center and a
renovated Rock Room. Still many areas of campus are much the same, and I’m sure will bring back fond
memories for you.
I hope this is a very memorable weekend for you and further strengthens your classes’ connection to
Rockhurst University. We are very proud of all our Golden Hawks classes and the contributions they
have made to the Rockhurst community over the years. The very fact that you are here speaks to the
strength of Rockhurst University and the education it provides students. Enjoy this weekend and
continue to make Rockhurst proud. I look forward to sharing this weekend with all of you.
Sincerely,
Rev. Thomas B. Curran
President
Beginnings of the Golden Hawks of Rockhurst University
The Golden Hawks were established in 1995 after Bill Breen, ’45,
popularized the name Golden Hawks, telling everyone he was a Golden
Hawk of Rockhurst College. Bill so liked the honor that years later as he
was wheeled into a northern California operating room to repair an
aneurism he told the brain surgeon, “I am a Golden Hawk of Rockhurst
College.” Bill died on the operating table that day after these last
words.
With this inspiration, Rockhurst designed Golden Hawk medals and a
Golden Hawk certificate to recognize the University’s pride in the
accomplishments of 50 year graduates. A Rockhurst staff member
visited each member of an upcoming reunion class to assist them to
capture on paper their achievements and to reflect on how Rockhurst
had affected their lives. During the reunion, it was arranged for them
to meet with current Rockhurst students to talk about how Rockhurst
was 50 years before and what it was like to be a student at Rockhurst in
present day.
Fr. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J., the former Superior General of the
Jesuits, says that the measure of a Jesuit University is what its students
become. The Golden Hawks are our proud examples of the excellent
graduates this University produces.
Rockhurst University Historical Highlights
1908
Bishop John J. Hogan approved purchase of land for a Jesuit college.
1909
Rev. Michael Dowling, S.J., bought 25 acres at 53rd and Troost for $50,000.
1910
Charter for awarding degrees was granted to Rockhurst by state of Missouri.
1914
Academic life began with opening of the high school in Sedgwick Hall.
1917
First college classes began with Rev. Alphonse Schwitalla, S.J., as the only faculty member.
1921
First class graduated. First honorary degree was awarded to Marshall Ferdinand Foch.
1922
Dowling Hall, the first college building, was completed.
1933
Evening Division of College was established.
1937
Conway Hall classroom building was completed.
1938
Mason-Halpin Fieldhouse was dedicated to former Hawk coaches.
1939
North Central Association granted accreditation to Rockhurst College.
1940
First resident students were housed in Dowling Hall.
1946
Division of Business Administration was organized.
1954
Jesuit faculty residence was dedicated.
1955
Board of Regents was established.
1956
Visiting Scholar Lecture Series was initiated.
1957
Massman Hall and Xavier-Loyola Hall, student residence, were dedicated.
1959
Fourth floor was added to Conway Hall.
1962
Honors program was initiated. Corcoran Hall, student residence, was completed. Rockhurst
High School moved to Greenlease Memorial Campus.
1964
Hawks won N.A.I.A. basketball championship.
1965
Cooperative Education Program was established.
1966
McGee Hall, student residence, was dedicated. Junior Year Abroad program was introduced.
1967
Greenlease Library was dedicated.
1969
College became co-educational in all divisions.
1973
Physical Education and Convocation Center was completed.
1975
Van Ackeren Gallery of Religious Art opened. Graduate business courses initiated.
1976
Master of Business Administration degree program initiated. Jesuit residence named Van
Ackeren Hall in honor of Father Van Ackeren's 25th year as president.
1977
Lay members added to Board of Trustees; the Rev. Maurice E. Van Ackeren, S.J., appointed
chancellor; the Rev. Robert F. Weiss, S.J., inaugurated as 10th president. Season of the Arts
program was established.
1978
Executive Fellows Program began.
1979
Bachelor of Science in Nursing program was approved with Research College of Nursing.
1980
Major renovation of Conway and Sedgwick Halls were completed. Mabee Theater and campus
entryway were dedicated.
1982
Corcoran Hall and Massman Hall Rock Room were renovated. First annual Rockhurst Week
held.
1983
School of Management was established to operate alongside the College of Arts and Sciences.
1984
Conference Center addition to Massman Hall was completed. Mabee Chapel was dedicated.
1985
75th anniversary of the Rockhurst College charter was celebrated. Harry B. Kies Award was
established to honor exemplary members of the college community.
1986
First endowed academic chairs was established - the Joseph M. Freeman, S.J., Chair in
Philosophy and the George and Gladys Miller Chair in Business Administration. Thomas F.
Eagleton Visiting Professorship was established.
1987
Research College of Nursing received North Central Association accreditation. Jesuits
established a scholarship for minority and needy students.
1988
Rev. Thomas J. Savage, S.J., was inaugurated as 11th president. Research College of Nursing
received National League for Nursing Accreditation. Global Studies offered.
1989
Master's programs in Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy established. Center for Arts
and Letters was established.
1991
Rockhurst College Continuing Education Center, Inc. was established. A new Jesuit residence
was built and renovation of Van Ackeren Hall for academic use initiated.
1992
The $35 million "Renewing Commitments" Campaign for Rockhurst was announced.
1993
Rockhurst joined Saint Louis University in opening Ignatius Center, the south campus location,
one block south of I-435 at 106th and Wornall Road.
1994
Construction began on the Science Center. Town House Village opened. Sacred Encounters:
Father DeSmet and the Indians of the Rocky Mountain West, a major exhibit, opened at
Ignatius Center. A new core curriculum was implemented, organized around the seven classical
modes of inquiry.
1995
Rockhurst approved a new five-year strategic plan. The Rev. Thomas J. Savage, S.J. announced
a search process for his successor after leading the College to eight years of growth in students,
in the size of the campus and in national recognition.
1996
Rockhurst completed the "Renewing Commitments" Campaign with the first Rockhurst Gala.
The campaign raised $41.4 million for new and renovated facilities, scholarships, faculty chairs
and other projects. The College also opened the $7 million Science Center. The Rev. Peter B.
Ely, S.J. was inaugurated as 12th president.
1997
Rockhurst opened a new School of Professional Studies, offering baccalaureate degrees in
organizational leadership, organizational communication and computer technology.
1998
Rev. E. Edward Kinerk, S.J., '64, became the 13th president of Rockhurst College. A campuswide technology plan was approved by the Board of Trustees. A new Communication Sciences
and Disorders bachelor's degree program was offered in partnership with Saint Louis University.
1999
Rockhurst College officially changed its name to Rockhurst University. A new master of science
degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders was launched. A campus beautification plan
was implemented, changing the main entrance of the campus from 53rd to 54th Street, and
expanding the green quadrangle on campus.
2000
Belltower, pergola and fountain were completed and dedicated as part of expanded quadrangle
project. The Greenlease Gallery was constructed to hold both temporary exhibits and the
University's Van Ackeren collection of religious art. The Catholic Studies Center was launched.
2001
Conway Hall was renovated, and the School of Management was renamed Helzberg School of
Management in honor of Shirley and Barnett Helzberg. The master of education degree
program was launched. Visitors to campus include Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Corrigan
Maguire; Pulitzer Prize winner Maxine Kumin; and University of Nebraska's Thomas Gouttierre,
one of the foremost authorities on Afghanistan.
2002
The Community Center created to serve the unmet needs of neighborhood residents. Visitors
to campus included Kansas City Mayor Kay Barnes, the worldwide leader of the Jesuits, the Very
Rev. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J., and renowned journalist Peter Jennings.
2003
The Rock Room was renovated with a new look. It features a convenience store, coffee shop,
big screen television, computer stations and foosball and pool table. Commencement returned
to the Rockhurst campus for the first time in more than 20 years. The Carnegie Foundation
designated Rockhurst as a national leadership site for the scholarship of teaching and learning.
2004
Rockhurst launched a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. Softball was inaugurated as the 11th
varsity sport on campus.
2005
The University completed installation of the first campus-wide wireless network of any
university in the Kansas City area.
2006
Rev. Thomas B. Curran, O.S.F.S., became the 14th president of the University. Rockhurst named
the campus quadrangle the Kinerk Commons in honor of the Rev. Edward Kinerk, S.J., 13th
president of the University.
2007
The Board of Trustees approved a five-year strategic plan, which was developed with broad
input from the University community. Rockhurst established a bachelor’s degree in sports
science.
2009
The University welcomed the largest freshman class in its history – 417 students.
2010
Rockhurst celebrates the centennial anniversary of its charter with the theme “Learn, Lead,
Serve, Celebrate!” A criminal justice degree program is established.
2011
The new parking garage to the north of Conway will be completed in December 2011
2012
In partnership with UMKC, Rockhurst establishes engineering as a major area of study. The
largest class is history- 448 students-arrives on campus.
2013
The Board of Trustees gives approval to break ground on a new academic building in March
2014. The building will be located south of the belltower
The Class of 1963
September! A time of “novae res”: a totally new environment, a new education
experience, new classmates, and new problems. The September of 1959 was no different for
the Class of ’63 but whatever problems existed were soon overcome to form what has been
called “one of the most unified classes ever to graduate from Rockhurst college.”
This unity has found its roots primarily in the individual members of the class. It has
extended itself within both curricular and extracurricular activities, as well as various social
activities. The class of 1963 was a well-wrought combination – a working class, a party class, an
intellectual class.
As freshman, the class of 1963 distinguished itself with its presentation of “Christmas at
Camelot.” Attempting to better the dance of the previous freshman class, many of the students
and faculty members felt that the 1959 Christmas dance was one of the most beautifully and
elaborately decorated dances ever to be presented on the campus.
Bud Hensgen, who left for the Jesuit seminary at Florissant after his first year at
Rockhurst, was elected president of the class for 1959 – ’60 school year. Under his leadership
and the work of both the dorm and day students, the freshman participated in most of the
campus activities including the carnival and many of Rockhurst’s fiftieth jubilee activities.
The freshman were introduced to the top quality of the Visiting Scholar series by
hearing and seeing such men as poet Robert Frost, historian Samuel Eliot Morison, biblical
expert Dr. William Albright, and philosopher Anton Pegis. Other figures to visit the campus that
year were Brig. General David Sarnoff, chairman of the board of Radio Corporation of America;
former President Harry S. Truman, and former chairmen of the Republican and Democratic
parties, Sen. Thruston Morton and the late Paul M. Butler. The second semester of the first year
was filled with much work on the student Variety Show. The freshman class was responsible for
one-half of the show that year. Tom Plumberg directed the review of the college’s history that
comically spanned fifty years.
As the Class of 1963 began to get the feel of college life, they rapidly became active in
many of the campus organizations. During 1960 – ’61 the yearbook was edited by two
sophomores, Bob Boner and Bob Conroy. They also edited the book in 1962 and their products
progressively improved to form a challenge to future staffs and to create a sense of the ROCK
on campus. “Paradise Lost” was the sophomore entry to the social scene that year, and it was
another important year for the sophomores and the Variety Show. That year marked the
appearance of M. Etienne Gilson, the French philosopher, and Pulitzer Prize winner Allan
Nevins.
The 1962 college year was marked by the election of junior Jim Golden as Student
Council president and Mike Breen as Vice-President. The homecoming dance was enjoyed by a
capacity crowd at the Muehlebach Hotel with the music of Skitch Henderson. The junior spring
dance, “Roaring 20’s”, recreated the days of “bad manners and good whisky” with a vivid
setting of a speakeasy, warehouse, and funeral parlor front.
Dexter Perkins, expert on the Monroe Doctrine, and Cleanth Brooks, scholar on William
Faulkner, were two of the Visiting Scholars in 1962. Also significant was the Fine Arts Seminar
which brought to Kansas City eminent figures in the fields of music, architecture, and art. The
Variety Show in ’62 was the first of two shows to be directed by Mac Geschwind. Comments
concerning the shows were unanimous regarding the increased quality of the production and
its move from the totally slap-stick to a great emphasis on excellent wit and sharp humor.
The last year finally arrived with another September and was filled with parties, the
senior picnic and dinner dance, the homecoming dance with Ralph Martierie, and graduation.
Senior Class President Tom Sarsfield served his last of three terms as leader of his class. The
HAWK was under the editorship for the first semester by John Wintrol, who also handled the
paper during the last semester of his junior year. Jim Golden was president of the Council again
and was instrumental in improving the student-faculty relations and student activities. Two of
the Visiting Scholars in 1963 were political scientist Clinton Rossiter and Shakespearean scholar
G.B. Harrison.
This year’s senior class has proved itself to be one of the most successful regarding the
fellowships it has received. A total of 22 fellowships were won by members of the class and
three seniors graduated summa cum laude. Tom Chirpich distinguished himself by receiving a
3.98 average to lead the class and Jim Golden was chosen “Senior of the Year.”
-63 Rock
Anthony W. Bartels
Birthday: February 10, 1941
Spouse: Beverly
Anniversary: June 27, 1965
Children: 3 (Stephanie, Tony, and Troy)
Grandchildren: 8
1) Stephanie: Hannah and Sam
2) Tony: Will, Walker, and Caroline
3) Troy: Driedon, Grant and Matt
Most recent or current employer: Bartels Law Firm
Favorite Rockhurst Professors: Fr. Wilburn Diebold, S.J.
Degrees from other Colleges: LLB, Arkansas Law School
Catching up with Anthony
I was born on February 10, 1941 in Appleton City, Missouri and raised on a nearby 91-acre farm
consisting of row crops and livestock. St. Ludger’s Catholic Grade school was about 2 ½ miles
from home, over a dirt road (since then rocked with crushed gravel). I walked to school until
about the 3rd grade when we could afford a horse to ride.
I attended four years at the Montrose High School, then came to Rockhurst. This was a difficult
assignment for someone who had never read a book from cover to cover, much less written
one, like Sandy McMath (Africa Alone), John Grisham or John Wesley Hall. One teacher I was
very fond of was Fr. Wilburn Diebold, S.J., who taught me how to read a book and understand
it.
After graduating from Rockhurst, I attended Arkansas School of Law in Little Rock, Arkansas
while also working at Aetna Life and Casualty. When I graduated from law school, I was
transferred to Jonesboro, Arkansas to head the Aetna insurance company claims office. Shortly
thereafter, I entered the practice of law in Jonesboro. For several years I practiced general law,
but gradually focused my practice on Social Security Disability. Currently, I handle over 700
new cases a year with the assistance of three other attorneys, including my daughter and sonin-law, as well as twelve staff members.
I married my college girlfriend (Beverly Walker) who attended high school at Lillis High School in
Kansas City, and later obtained a B.S. from St. Louis University and an M.S. in nursing from
University of Arkansas. Beverly taught nursing at St. Vincent’s and the Baptist hospital in Little
Rock, and later for Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. Beverly has retired from teaching
nursing (dean) at Arkansas State University. She now helps at the law office. We have two
sons, Tony and Troy, and one daughter, Stephanie Wallace. Tony and Troy are both dentists,
having received their degree from Louisiana State University (LSU) in New Orleans, and
Stephanie is a practicing attorney with a law degree from the University of Arkansas at Little
Rock. My wife and I have eight grandchildren, six boys and two girls. The oldest grandchild is
enrolled at the University of North Carolina.
One of the highlights of my career was orally arguing a case before the Supreme Court of the
United States of America in 1988. The Honorable Harry Truman told us at Rockhurst that this
was the correct name for the Supreme Court. The case I argued was Bowen v. Galbreath, 485
U.S. 74, 108 S. Ct. 892, 99 L. Ed. 2d 68 (1988).
I consider myself to be a very lucky man. God has blessed me and my family, as well as friends
and coworkers. Further, affiant sayeth not.
Frank Bax
Birthday: June 24, 1941
Spouse: Mary Morrow-Bax
Anniversary: July 1, 1989
Children: 3
Grandchildren: 7
Most recent or current employer: KBA North America, Inc.
Military Service: United States Marine Corps
Favorite Rockhurst Professors: Fr. Joseph Freeman, S.J.
Catching up with Frank
My Rockhurst experience was a lasting one. Critical thinking seemed to be instilled and
developed during my four years at Rockhurst.
The environment was serious, but fun. You knew exactly why you were there – to provide a
basis for your adult years.
The educational process was liberal in the sense that you could do as you pleased, but
conservative in the sense that you had better focus and have a goal for yourself. Father Joseph
Goff, S.J., dean of students, made sure we understood these basic concepts and provided littletime for non-focus.
I left Rockhurst with a sense of pride and confidence to find my way in life.
After graduation, I joined the business world, first in government contracting (Bendix
Corporation), computer consulting (McDonnell-Douglas), and finally for the last 35 years of my
work career, I was a part of the graphic arts industry, specifically marketing and selling capital
equipment. The last 28 years, I represented Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA) a German printing press
manufacturer, selling printing presses to the commercial and packaging printers of North
America.
I have always valued my education at Rockhurst and give thanks often for the opportunity to
have been a part of the Rockhurst experience.
William (Bill) Bockelman
Birthday: November 9, 1941
Spouse: Marilyn Caulfield Bockelman (Deceased September 16, 2002)
Anniversary: August 7, 1982
Most recent or current employer: Professional Detailing Incorporated (Contract with Astra
Zeneca), retired 2004
Favorite Rockhurst Professors: Jules Brady and many others
Catching up with Bill
I came from St. Louis (St. Louis University High School) and stayed in the dorm. I enjoyed
making many friendships there. My extracurricular activities included playing piano in a dance
band (the Mid-Continent All Stars) and other groups.
Most of my working life was in medical and laboratory sales, with the last ten years in
pharmaceutical sales.
I lost my wife of 20 years to cancer in 2002 and retired in 2004.
My hobbies include music, travel with my sister, various volunteer activities, and meeting up
with friends.
Bob Boner
Birthday: January 21, 1941
Spouse: Carolyn
Anniversary: August 27, 1966
Children: 3
Grandchildren: 7
Most recent or current employer: McDaniel College
Degrees from other Universities: M.A., Indiana University; Ph.D, University of Notre Dame
Favorite Rockhurst Professors: Fr. Doyle, S.J., Fr. Lakas, S.J., and Dr. Rydzel
Catching up with Bob
My 5 Most Significant Lifetime Events:
1) Marrying my wonderful wife, Carolyn, in August of 1966.
2) Graduating from Notre Dame in 1970.
3) Taking a job at Western Maryland College (now renamed McDaniel College) in 1970. I
taught mathematics there for 37 years, including 17 years as department chair.
4) Raising three awe-inspiring children (two boys, one girl).
5) Having seven grandchildren (six grandsons, one granddaughter).
My Top 10 Rockhurst memories:
1a) John Wintrol’s parking stickers
1b) Rearranging St. Benedict’s boulders to spell “Rockhurst”
2) Demanding teachers
3) Variety show
4) Fr. Lakas’ freshman “Great Books” course, the most important course I had in 23 years
of formal education.
5) Dr. Rydzel’s freshman German class, the most demanding teacher I ever had
6) Fr. Doyle, he was the most delightful teacher I had, both in and out of the classroom. He
gave me a real appreciation for the beauty of mathematics.
7) The nickname Tom Sarsfield stuck me with, Bonehead
8) Demanding teachers
9) All the great classmates I had
10) Did I mention demanding teachers?
Norm Coakley
Birthday: February 9, 1935
Spouse: Mary K.
Anniversary: June 18, 1960
Children: 5
Grandchildren: 10
Great-Grandchildren: 2
Most recent or current employer: United States Department of Labor
Military Service: United States Marine Corps – Korean Veteran
Degrees from other Colleges: Associate in Arts, Donnelly College
Catching up with Norm
Graduating from the night school division in 1963, my memories are not the same as those
enrolled full time. During my Rockhurst school years as a Korea veteran, I worked full time as a
telephone repairman at Western Electric, and was married with one child. My Bachelor of
Science Business degree with a major in Industrial Relations and a minor in Economics enabled
me to begin a career as a professional. In 1964, I was employed with the Communications
Workers of America in Washington D.C., writing determinations as to whether labor cases were
worthy of arbitration. Hired as an economist by the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor
Statistics in 1967, I authored industrial and occupational studies published articles in the
Occupational Outlook Handbook, and their Quarterly Magazine. In 1971 our family of four was
able to move back to Kansas City, where I worked in the department’s regional office writing
Grant Officer determinations as to the allowability of questioned costs. I retired in 1995.
Mary K and I celebrated our golden anniversary in June of 2010 at the Queen of the Holy Rosary
parish in Overland Park where we had been parishioners for 42 years. Our 5 children and their
spouses, 10 grandchildren, a great grandson, along with other family and friends joined us.
Since then we have been blessed with another great granddaughter.
We now reside at the Santa Marta senior living community in Olathe.
Tom Coffey
Birthday: November 18, 1942
Children: 4
Most recent or current employer: Self-employed
Favorite Rockhurst Professor(s): Fr. Joseph Gough, S.J.
Degrees from other Colleges: MBA, University of Hawaii
Catching up with Tom
The four years at Rockhurst were experiences that shaped my life. I was thinking of going to
Kansas City Junior College and had friends that were going to Rockhurst. I applied late and was
accepted by Fr. Gough on probation. I received one D in a two hour course over the four years.
My test scores were all A’s and B’s but for talking in the back of the class he gave me a D. I
learned that grades were not the only results of an education at Rockhurst.
Robert (Bob) Collins
Birthday: February 17, 1942
Spouse: Cheryl
Anniversary: April 20, 1963
Children: 4
Grandchildren: 7
Most recent or current employer: Self employed
Favorite Rockhurst Professors: Fr. Owens, S.J.
Catching up with Bob
I worked 48 years for a privately owned German manufacturer of specialized machinery for the
paper converting industries. I established their wholly owned subsidiary operation in the United
States in 1973 with responsibility for all sales and service activities for North America, Australia
and New Zealand. After the company was sold to a British private investment firm in 1997, I
was appointed to the Executive Management Board for the German company – an unusual
opportunity for an American. I traveled extensively for that company until retirement.
Following my retirement, I accepted a sales position for a firm specializing in un-supported
plastic films and worked for them two and a half years. I retired again and then started my own
company, offering consulting services to my original customer base.
Robert (Bob) Thomas Conroy
Birthday: November 17, 1941
Spouse: Toni Maurin
Anniversary: January 29, 1966
Children: 3
Grandchildren: 6
Most recent or current employer: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (Retired 2007)
Favorite Rockhurst Professors: Fr. Robert Lakas, S.J., Mr. Frank Cullinan
Catching up with Bob
I have nothing but fond memories of my four years at Rockhurst – good friends, a quality liberal
arts Jesuit education, and courting my future wife. All that along with the variety shows,
cheesecake at Sydney’s on the Plaza, Peppino’s Pizza, watching “Maverick” on Sunday nights in
a packed television room of Xavier - Loyola Hall, art movies at the Rockhill Theater followed by
group discussion of the films in the Aztec Room, and getting back an English paper I had written
with Mr. Knickerbocker’s notation: “this paper is cluttered with a façade of clanking
machinery!”
Two weeks prior to graduation, I had a chat with Fr. Lakas. “Why do you want to become a
teacher?” he asked. “You're an incurable ham! I have a friend who is Public Affairs Director at a
television station in Cleveland. Why don’t you give him a call.” Within the next four weeks I
graduated, returned home with my parents to Joliet, Illinois, was interviewed, hired, and moved
to Cleveland as an Associate Director at KYW-TV. June 17, 1963 was day one of my 42-year
career in broadcasting.
In Cleveland I worked for a variety of programs, bust mostly as an associate director on live
newscasts; I did research for a 1-hour documentary and produced a nightly radio talk show.
One of my best friends was a Canadian who anchored the station’s noon newscast. When he
returned to Toronto to host a new network morning show, he told me the station there needed
a director for his show. I applied and was hired. Toni Maurin and I had married in January 1966,
and we relocated to Canada in November of that year. I spent the next 27 years as a studio
director, producer, and eventually Director of Production for the CTV Television Network.
I never dreamt I would ever go to work for the CBC, the tax-supported, “public” Canadian
Broadcasting Corporation. But in April 1993, I got a call from my very good friend and former
boss at CTV News who was then Vice President of CBC News. He asked me to coordinate the
move of the news division into a brand new building as well as the studio and office designs;
and then to become the Head of Production for CBC News, with similar duties as I had at CTV. I
stayed for the next 13 years, deciding to retire as soon as I became eligible at age 65.
Without my Rockhurst liberal arts education, I do not think I would have been as successful as I
was in the broadcast news business. I did not train or study radio or TV; I did not learn
journalism in a classroom. But I did achieve a broad-based knowledge and interest in many
subjects with the ability to think and learn on the job.
Thanks for the tip, Fr. Lakas.
By the way, all three of my younger brothers attended Rockhurst. John M. graduated in 1968;
Thomas M. attended only his freshman year (1967-68); and Richard D. graduated in 1975.
Mark J. Curran
Birthday: August 30, 1941
Spouse: Keah Runshang Curran
Children: One, Kathleen Frances Curran
Most recent or current employer: Arizona State University, School of International Languages
and Cultures
Favorite Rockhurst Professor(s): Vernon Long, Spanish; the Jesuits who taught history; Fr.
Zieglemeir, S.J., Philosophy
For my complete information please see my book, “Coming of Ages with the Jesuits”, Trafford
Publishing.
Robert Dell’Orco
Birthday: January 12, 1942
Spouse: Judy
Anniversary: October 14, 1967
Children: 3
Grandchildren: 7
Most recent or current employer: American Red Cross
Favorite Rockhurst Professors: Dr. Kos
Degrees from other Colleges: Ph.D., University of Kansas
Catching up with Robert
Following graduation in 1963, I immediately entered graduate school at the University of
Kansas (KU) Medical School in Microbiology. While in graduate school, I met the love of my life,
Judy Briscoe; we were married in 1967. I graduated from KU in 1969 with a Ph.D. about 10
months after the arrival of our first child, Beth. We moved to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada
where I did my post-doctoral studies at the National Cancer Institute of Canada. While in
Canada, Judy gave birth to our second child, Rob.
We moved to Ardmore, Oklahoma in 1970, and I joined the staff of the Samuel Roberts Noble
Foundation where I worked as a basic research scientist for almost 24 years. In 1972 our third
child, Jenn, arrived. We moved to Oklahoma City in 1993 before moving to the Washington,
D.C. area where I entered a program at the National Cancer Institute to learn intellectual
property management. In 1998, I joined the staff of the American Red Cross Holland Laboratory
in the Office of Patents and Licensing. I retired from the Red Cross in 2005 but continue to work
part time for them from our home in the Dallas area.
Since our retirement, Judy and I have had a blessed life of enjoying our seven grandchildren,
traveling, volunteering, and trying to play golf. The foundation for this life was laid during my
years at Rockhurst. In addition to an excellent education, the social aspects of the Rockhurst
experience, including the Troges, allowed me to make life-long friends. This well rounded time
at Rockhurst helped convince my two daughters that Rockhurst would be right for them; so
they too are Rockhurst graduates.
Daniel R. Foley
Birthday: November 11, 1938
Spouse: Imelda
Anniversary: February 23, 1963
Children: 3
Grandchildren: 2
Most recent or current employer: Naval Criminal Investigative Service / United States Marine
Corps
Military Service: Navy enlisted, United States Marine Corps Officer
Favorite Rockhurst Professors: Prof. Harry Kies, Fr. Jules Brady, S.J., John Couture
Catching up with Daniel
After graduating from Rockhurst I pursued a career as a special agent in federal law
enforcement (Naval Criminal Investigative Service and Office of Inspector General, Department
of Defense) and was a member of the federal Senior Executive Service. I served 12 years active
and 22 years of reserve military duty, including enlisted service in the Navy and commissioned
service in the Marine Corps. I was mobilized in Desert Storm and retired in 1998 at the rank of
colonel, United States Marine Corps Reserve.
I have lived with my wife, Imelda, in Illinois, Japan, California, the Phillippines and Washington
D.C. before retiring to Ford’s Colony, Williamsburg, Virgina.
Imelda and I have three children, Sara F. Burlein, Karrie E. Foley and Daniel A. Foley and two
grandchildren, Heather Marie and Ryan Patrick. We celebrated our 50 th wedding anniversary on
February 23, 2013.
Gerald Edward Gannon
Birthday: June 3, 1941
Spouse: Darolyn
Anniversary: August 17, 1963
Children: 3
Grandchildren: 2
Most recent or current employer: California State University - Fullerton
Favorite Rockhurst Professors: Fr. Doyle, S.J., Fr. Price, S.J.
Catching up with Gerry
I will always be grateful and proud of my student years at Rockhurst. I experienced an
exceptional learning environment and have fond memories of my years as a player on the
basketball team as well as the lifetime friendships that were formed.
Following graduation I got married and began five years teaching high school math and
coaching basketball. Summer classes allowed me to earn my Master’s degree. From there, I
enrolled into a graduate program, receiving my Math E.D.D. in 1972. After a year of teaching in
Minnesota, our family moved to California where I taught at California State University –
Fullerton (C.S.U.F) and part time at community colleges. I worked with student teachers
enrolled in the master’s program, served several years as department vice-chair, the Academic
Senate, and did some publishing.
After 38 years at C.S.U.F. I retired as full-time professor and entered Faculty Early Retirement
Program (F.E.R.P.) teaching part-time until I fully retired in June 2012.
Mac Geschwind
Birthday: November 25, 1941
Spouse: Sherri
Anniversary: September 16, 2007
Most recent or current employer: SBC Corporation
Military Service: Missouri National Guard
Favorite Rockhurst Professors: Fr. Wheeler, S.J., Mr. Knickerbocker
Catching up with Mac
The three most important things that have shaped my life have been my faith, the two
wonderful women who have shared my life (more about that later) and the Jesuit education I
received at Rockhurst. Faculty favorites like Fr. Wheeler, Mr. Knickerbocker, and Fr. Freeman,
memories of cheering on the basketball team, the Variety shows, fun times in the Aztec room,
the rivalry with St. Benedicts, and on-and-on made my time at Rockhurst as enjoyable an
undergrad life as anyone could hope for. The lessons learned in faith, morals, and ethics along
with the solid Jesuit-based book-learning have guided my life and provided the foundation for
the fortunate life I have experienced since graduation.
After graduation, I joined Southwestern Bell Telephone Company (which became SBC
Corporation after the Bell System breakup, which became AT&T after we bought what was left
of it a few years ago) and spent my entire career there in finance and operations. In 1964, I
married Elaine Loughead (whom many might remember as the choreographer of the Variety
Show), and over the next 35 years corporate life took us to Kansas City twice, New York, Dallas,
Little Rock, St. Louis four times and South Africa.
I retired at the end of 1998 to split our time between the Palm Springs valley in the winter and
mountains of the Reno/Lake Tahoe area in the summer. After 42 wonderful years of marriage,
Elaine passed away in early 2006. But wonderful things happened again after a period of great
sadness, and five years ago I married Sherri, who had gone through similar sadness with the
loss of her husband. To marry again was unexpected, but I feel like I’ve won the lottery for a
second time. We enjoy good health and spend our time with travel, golf, bridge and boating in
the San Francisco Bay area.
Kevin A. Gratton
Spouse: Mary K.
Anniversary: June 5, 1965
Children: 3
Grandchildren: 7-9 (blended families)
Great-Grandchildren: 2
Most recent or current employer: Johnson County Community College
Degrees from other Colleges: Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of Kansas
Catching up with Kevin
Let’s get it out of the way first: How has Rockhurst not affected my life??!!! I would do it again!
After I graduated from Rockhurst, I worked for Deady Chemical Company in the Fairfax
Industrial District in Kansas City, Kansas during the summer of 1963. This was my first real job in
chemistry. The President, Henry Malley, had a Rockhurst connection.
Beginning in the fall of 1963 I attended the University of Kansas to complete my Ph.D. I had a
teaching assistantship to study chemistry. My two roommates were Ed Biersmith and Larry
Wempe. I met my wife on a blind date in spring 1964; we were married in June 1965.
While at KU I also played some sports. I played three-on-one basketball with future hall of
famer Jo Jo White (he was the one and I was one of the three, he still beat us badly). I also
pitched for the graduate chemistry intramural baseball team (the leftover second team, not the
first); we won the championship, even beating the hand-picked first team.
My first post-education job was with the Industrial and Biochemical Department of E.I. DuPont
de Nemours in Wilmington, Delaware. The projects I worked on involved detergents,
galvanizing fluxes, and industrial paints. I worked there from 1968-1971.
In 1971 I took a job with Olin Water Services of the Olin Corporation. I managed the Central
Regional Laboratory in Fairfax. Deady Chemical Company, who I worked for during the summer
after I graduated Rockhurst, was purchased by Olin. My duties there included all analytical and
quality control for the company.
I also have spent time as a professor in the Science Department at Johnson County Community
College. I started part-time in 1973, taught full-time from 1975 to 2008, and went back to parttime from 2008-2010. Early on, I taught physical science as well as chemistry. The last ten years
or so, I taught Principles of Chemistry exclusively (designed to be a transfer, but it was a
terminal course). It was my favorite course because the students are generally the most
needful, including pre-nursing and other health courses.
From 1977 to 2005, I also did some consulting work for Midland Research Laboratories,
Western Chemical Company, and the University of Kansas.
Also, in 1986 I spent time as Fulbright Exchange Teacher at Lancaster Royal Grammar School in
Lancaster, England. I taught four levels of chemistry and two levels of computing (what an
experience, considering my previous experience with computers involved turning one on. This
experience led us to return to England for one month in 2005 to celebrate our 40 th wedding
anniversary, in a castle no less).
William L. Hawver
Birthday: April 7, 1936
Spouse: Mary (deceased in 2006)
Anniversary: August 10, 1963
Children: 2
Grandchildren: 6
Most recent or current employer: Superintendent of Schools, Center School District (Kansas
City, Missouri)
Military Service: United States Air Force, 1956-1960
Favorite Rockhurst Professors: Fr. Huber, S.J., Fr. Borden, S.J.
Degrees from other Colleges: M.S., University of Kansas, Ph.D., University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Catching up with William
Professional History
1973-1977 – Superintendent of Schools, Father Flanagan’s Boystown
1977-1995 – Superintendent of Schools, Hutchinson, Kansas Public Schools
1995-1998 – Superintendent of Schools, Center Public Schools, Kansas City, Missouri
1998 – Retired
Bob Kalinich
Spouse: Mary Beth
Anniversary: February 1
Children: 2
Grandchildren: 1
Most recent or current employer: Kennedy Capital Management
Donald E. Kautzky
Birthday: October 16, 1941
Spouse: Kathleen
Children: 2
Grandchildren: 4
Most recent or current employer: Retired from Eastman Kodak Company
Favorite Rockhurst Professor(s): Fr. Freeman, S.J., Fr. Wheeler, S.J., Fr. Lakas, S.J., and Dr.
Sullivan
Degrees from other Colleges: MS - Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois
Catching up with Donald
Favorite Rockhurst memories:
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The camaraderie of dorm life and living on campus
Daily mass
The variety shows and the dances
The Hawk, The Rock, Sodality, student senate, boarders club and glee club
The ratty car rally
Handball courts behind the dorm (Thanks to Fr. Nash)
Basketball games in the Fieldhouse and winning an NAIA Championship
Oh, by the way, “Who moved the rocks?”
Characteristics of favorite professors:
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Fr. Freeman’s forthright and direct approach to teaching and life, leadership of the
Sodality
Fr. Wheeler’s laid back, comfortable, and always available approach to teaching and
mentoring, as well as his ongoing interest in his students and their lives after Rockhurst
Fr. Lakas’ passion for literature, learning, and life in general
Dr. Sullivan’s exposing us to chemical engineering
Fr. Gough – “Verbum sapienti sat”
Life after Rockhurst
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1963-1965 – Master’s in chemical engineering at the University of Illinois, where I met
my wife Kathleen, a graduate student in chemistry.
1966 – Married
Employed – Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, New York – product
development engineer
1999 – Retired from Kodak – Senior Technical Associate
Presently enjoying retirement, travel, grandchildren, and life in Florida and Rochester
The diversity of my Rockhurst liberal arts education has served me well in both my personal
lifeand my professional life. Thinking back to those years and paging through the ’63 Rock has
revived a lot of good memories and many familiar faces.
Daniel J. Kennedy Jr.
Birthday: January 2, 1942
Spouse: Marilyn Moats
Anniversary: 1967
Children: 1
Most recent or current employer: Self-employed as a technical consultant in my business, DJK
Group after retiring from my position as Vice President at Bank of America in Chicago
Degrees from other Colleges: Master of Science in Mathematics and Statistics, Northwestern
University (Evanston, Illinois)
Catching up with Daniel
I remember many great discussions with classmates over lunch in the Rock Room and between
classes in the lounge.
Rockhurst provided a great preparation which enabled me to pursue graduate studies at
Northwestern University and a career in consulting and banking.
I was introduced to computers at Northwestern and used them extensively over the next ten
years at Caywood-Schiller Associates, a small technical consulting firm in Chicago. I continued
in the consulting field with A. T. Kearney until 1976 when I took a position with Continental
Bank as an internal Management Science consultant.
I progressed through several roles and titles at the bank. This included managing a research
group in the Human Resources department conducting several statistical studies relating to
affirmative action, manpower planning and evaluating flexible hours and work-at-home
programs. I moved to the Corporate Cash Management area where I where I became Product
Manager of Information Reporting Services. I established and managed a consulting group to
assist clients in using information reporting to automate their cash management. After the
bank was merged with Bank of America, I conducted research into moving information
reporting to the internet.
Following a re-organization in 1997, I retired as a Vice President of the bank and launched my
own technical consulting firm, DJK Group. I continued to work with corporate clients, much as I
had at the bank, until 2010.
In June of 1967, I married Marilyn Kay Moats and am looking forward to celebrating the 50 year
anniversary of that event in 2017. My daughter Anne was born in 1981. We lived in Evanston,
Illinois until 1984 and then Wilmette, Illinois until earlier this year when we sold the house and
downsized to a condominium in the West Loop neighborhood of Chicago.
Michael A. Kleinman
Birthday: January 27, 1942
Spouse: (Patricia) Jo
Anniversary: December 26, 1970
Children: 1
Grandchildren: 2
Most recent or current employer: Rockhurst High School
Military Service: United States Army Reserve
Favorite Rockhurst Professors: Dr. Jim Reagan
Degrees from Other Colleges: J.D., St. Louis University School of Law, MALM (Masters in Lay
Ministry), Aquinas Institute of Theology
Catching up with Mike
Having grown up across the street from the Rockhurst campus, my first three Jesuit schools (St.
Francis Xavier Grade School, Rockhurst High School, and Rockhurst College) were practically in
my back yard. Not having enough things Jesuit, I attended law school at St. Louis University.
However, Rockhurst and the Jesuits were not finished with me. I met my wife at an Rockhurst
Single’s Christmas Party (remember Fr. Imbs.) My 35 year career as a trust officer was launched
by a casual conversation at a Rockhurst sponsored cocktail party following a Rockhurst-St.
Benedicts basketball game, which had moved downtown to the Municipal Auditorium in the
basketball glory days for both schools.
The tradition continues; our only child, Kevin, graduated from Rockhurst High School in 1991.
Since the 1990’s I have served as a volunteer/consultant in the Planned Giving area for both
Rockhurst High School and Rockhurst University. I am currently a part-time consultant for the
high school, which is only a few minutes’ drive from our home.
Jo, my wife of 42 years, grew up on a farm and, somehow, by the time our son was in middle
school he had determined his vocation was to breed pure bred cattle. He promised me he
would attend any Jesuit University that offered a degree in Animal Science. None were found.
Kevin, his wife, and their two children are living out their dream on a 400 cattle ranch they own
in southwest Missouri. Kevin is likely the only graduate of a Jesuit high school who also has a
certificate for artificial insemination.
Loren H. (Larry) Lierz
Birthday: November 19, 1939
Spouse: Ruth
Anniversary: October, 1960
Children: 4
Grandchildren: 7
Most recent or current employer: Southwestern Bell Telephone Company
Favorite Rockhurst Professors: Fr. Murphy, S.J.
Catching up with Larry
I have fond, though faded, memories of my days at Rockhurst. My most important lifetime
achievement was marrying well.
Since retiring, Ruth and I have toured all 50 states. Besides being grandparents, we enjoy living
in the Ozarks. Bring your money and come to Branson, you will be treated as special guests!
Andrew L. Malcolm
Birthday: October 11, 1942
Spouse: Patricia
Anniversary: January 11, 1964
Children: 3
Grandchildren: 1
Most recent or current employer: Omaha Public Schools
Military Service: United States Navy (June 1963 – December 1969)
Favorite Rockhurst Professors: Dr. Rydzel
Catching up with Andrew
At Rockhurst I met my (then future) wife of almost 50 years as a freshman and we were married
six months after graduation. I enjoyed the social life and made several lifelong friends while at
Rockhurst. My favorite classes were science and philosophy. Although as a “townie” I was not
involved, one of my favorite memories is the rearrangement of the rocks at St. Benedict’s
college to spell “Rockhurst.” Fr. Cahill was not pleased.
I joined the Navy Reserve as a sophomore and attended Officer Candidate School during
summer breaks. After graduation from Rockhurst, I was commissioned an ensign in the Navy
and was assigned to a fleet air staff. I applied for flight training, was accepted and flew from the
USS Saratoga and the USS Forrestal during my Navy service. I was aboard the Forrestal during a
serious fire in the Gulf of Tonkin in 1967. Lieutenant (now Senator) John McCain was a
squadron mate.
I was discharged from the Navy after six-and-a-half years. Then I worked 31 years for the
Hartford Insurance Group in the Loss Control (safety and inspection) department as a
consultant and department manager.
My wife and I have three beautiful daughters and one grandson. I retired in 2001. We now
travel quite a bit and I drive a school bus to keep busy.
Michael F. Meagher
Birthday: November 23, 1942
Spouse: Cheryl Lynne
Anniversary: July 30, 1976
Children: 2
Grandchildren: 1
Most recent or current employer: City of Independence, Missouri
Military Service: United States Navy (Naval Flight Officer) Oct. 1963 – July 1, 1974
Favorite Rockhurst Professors: Fr. Imbs, S.J.
Catching up with Michael
In some degree Rockhurst College was like an extension of Rockhurst High School, being on the
same campus and with about half of the same fellow graduates. The curriculum was different
but there was more freedom of choice, less class time – but more homework, and there was
still the posted Order of Excellence list after final exams showing where you stood.
I joined two activities. One was the band (Mid-Continent All Stars) which played at some
basketball games and the variety show, and the other was Alpha Delta Gamma National
Catholic Social Fraternity. Both were a pleasure to belong to and rounded out my college
experience.
After receiving my Bachelor of Arts degree I joined the United States Navy, going to the Naval
Aviation Training Command in Pensacola, Florida in the fall and receiving my commission as
Ensign in February 1964, and my Wings of Gold as a Naval Aviation Observer/Flight Officer in
August 1964. I flew with Patrol Squadron Seven (VP-7) for the next three years, and various
Naval Reserve Squadrons for the next seven years.
I married Cheryl Brown in July 1976. We raised two smart, wonderful daughters Sutton and
Whitney. Through the years we had five AFS foreign exchange students and one United States
Congress/ Bundesrat student. In July 2012, Foster, our first grandson, was born in Washington
D.C.
During my working career I managed a couple of manufacturing companies. I have since retired
from Jackson County and the City of Independence, Missouri. I received my lifetime CPM
(Certified Purchasing Manager) in 1998.
I am currently retired and enjoy taking my Winnebago motor home to South Padre Island,
Texas in the winter and spend the summers at the same house for 66 years at Lake Lotawana,
Missouri. We still reside in Independence, Missouri and visit our daughters in Washington D.C.
We have visited our AFS kids in Iceland, Norway, Germany and Italy. They have likewise come
back to visit us. We will see our eldest daughter, who is with the State Department in
Hyderabad, India this year.
James D. Rice
Birthday: August 18, 1942
Spouse: Riki Carter
Anniversary: December 16, 2005
Children: 3
Grandchildren: 7
Most recent or current employer: Carter-Rice Communications
Favorite Rockhurst Professors: Fr. O’Sullivan, S.J., Fr. Lakas S.J.
Degrees from other Colleges: Master of Public Administration, University of Missouri-Kansas
City, 1970
Catching up with Jim
As a day student with a job to get to right after class, I missed a lot of the social time college is
supposed to provide in addition to the academic experience. However, the Jesuit education
made it all worthwhile. My Rockhurst experience has served me well in both my professional
and personal life. Today, I am president of Carter-Rice Communications, a small firm that does
communications as well as organizational and community development work. I was formerly
CEO at Northland Neighborhoods, Inc. (NNI), a community development corporation serving
Kansas City’s Northland.
As of today, I have 43 years of government, health care management, and community
development experience. In 1980, I was appointed Executive Assistant to Kansas City Mayor
Richard Berkley. Before that, I was with Truman Medical Center and the City Manager’s office in
Kansas City. In 1970, I became the first assistant to the City Council in the history of Kansas City.
I served for 23 years as Vice President of Community Affairs for Health Midwest before leaving
there in 2003 to join NNI.
I have had an interesting and satisfying civic life in the city I love. I have served on the boards of
Starlight Theatre, Southtown Council, Downtown Council, Genesis School, MainCor, North Oak
Corridor Plan Steering Committee (co-chair), Metropolitan Crime Commission, Kansas City
Missouri Economic Development and Incentive Policy Task Force, Kansas City Missouri Charter
Review Commission, Kansas City Missouri Municipal Revenue Commission, and the Greater
Kansas City Community Foundation Task Force on the Arts. My civic activities have brought me
back to the Rockhurst campus many times over the years. Currently, I serve on a few boards
that allow members who are in their dotage:

Northland Regional Chamber Board of Directors and Planning and Development, Parks
committee
 Board Member, Forward Kansas City
 Board Member, Citizens Association
 Southtown Council planning and development committee
My favorite memories of Rockhurst are the variety shows (I was amazed at the talent everyone
else had). Fr. Lakas’ rhapsodic lectures were magical. I never cut a class.
Tom Sarsfield
Birthday: September 9, 1941
Spouse: Carol
Anniversary: December 31, 1966
Children: 2 (Kathleen & Tom)
Most recent or current employer: Pfizer (retired)
Military Service: Air National Guard
Favorite Rockhurst Professors: Fr. Wheeler
Catching up with Tom
My favorite Rockhurst memories included:
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Teaching freshman chemistry lab courses
Interacting with Fr. Wheeler
Serving as class president
Playing center field on the Hawk Baseball Team for four years
Making many enduring friendships at the Rock!
Joseph A. Sipes
Birthday: March 17, 1936
Spouse: Ann Tyson
Anniversary: June 6, 1964
Children: 4
Grandchildren: 4
Most recent or current employer: Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Military Service: United States Air Force
Favorite Rockhurst Professors: Fr. Doyle, S.J., Quentin C. Smith, Francis Chenot, Fr. Wheeler,
S.J.
Degrees from other Colleges: M.S., Kansas State Teacher College, 1967
Catching up with Joseph
I was born in Meade County, Kentucky in 1936 where I graduated from Flaherty High School in
1954. I then spent 3 ½ years studying for the priesthood at St. Mary’s College in Kentucky
(closed in 1976). I enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1958. In 1960 at the age of 24, I was
stationed at Richards - Gebaur Air Force Base in Grandview, Missouri. My duties at Richard Gebaur required that I work the 4 p.m. - 12 p.m. shift at the Base Communications Center. This
left some free time during the day.
I enrolled at Rockhurst College in the fall semester of 1960 as a part-time student while still on
active duty with the Air Force. For the first semester I took Basic Mathematics and Inorganic
Chemistry. My math professor was Rev. William C. Doyle, S.J., and my chemistry professor was
Rev. James D. Wheeler, S.J. I survived the first semester with decent grades so the Rockhurst
administration said that I could transfer most of my college credits from St. Mary’s College. I
continued as a part-time student until my active duty with the Air Force ended in January 1962.
At that time I enrolled as a full-time student with Rockhurst. I chose to major in physics with a
minor in mathematics.
After graduation, I was planning to return to Kentucky and teach high school, but in spring 1963
Fr. Doyle made me aware of an opening at Rockhurst High School for a physics teacher. I went
for an interview with Rev. Gerald Borer, S.J., head of the Science Department. Within a few
days Rockhurst High School notified me that I had the job. I could not have asked for a better
mentor than Fr. Borer. I taught physics at Rockhurst High School during from 1963 to 1966.
During my time at Rockhurst College I made friends with several of the students. Some were in
the Veterans Club, and some were classmates who were much younger than I was. One young
man, Frank Wewers, had graduated from Bishop Ward High School in 1960. Some of his high
school classmates were in training to become Registered Nurses at Providence Hospital. On
February 22, 1963 I had a blind date with one of the Providence nursing students, Ann Tyson. I
took her to see a folk singing group at the old Sedgwick. Afterwards, we stopped at Peppino’s
on Main for pizza and some good conversation. I got Ann back to Providence before her
midnight curfew.
On June 6, 1964, Ann and I were married at her home parish, St. Anthony in Casper, Wyoming.
Frank Wewers was my best man. In 1966 I returned to my home state of Kentucky and taught
math and physics at Fort Knox High School for 32 years. In 1967 I completed a Master’s degree
at Kansas State Teachers College and became the Head of the Mathematics Department at Fort
Knox High School. In the mid-1970s I was instrumental in having Fort Knox High School
purchase a computer (a first at Fort Knox). After retiring from Fort Knox, I taught part-time for
ten years at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College.
William (Bill) H. Small
Birthday: December 10, 1949
Spouse: Sharon
Anniversary: September 24, 2006
Children: 4
Grandchildren: 6
Most recent or current employer: Baptist Hospitals & Healthcare Systems (Phoenix, AZ)
Favorite Rockhurst Professors: Prof. Kies, Fr.Dudenhoffer, S.J., Fr. Nash, S.J., and Mr. Long
Catching up with Bill
Since our graduation in 1963, my life has been very full and blessed. I returned to St. Louis,
Missouri, my hometown, and began my career in the Industrial / Labor Relations field. In 1964, I
married Jayne Marx, whom I dated throughout college, and we raised four wonderful children,
Kevin, Michael, Michelle, and Christine. In 1973 our family moved to Buffalo, New York where I
worked for a division of Bristol Myers Company. In 1978, we relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, the
city where we currently reside.
In May 1985, my wife Jayne lost her courageous battle with ovarian cancer, and I took on the
daunting challenge of raising four teenagers without a mother. Needless to say, these were
challenging and interesting times.
Career wise, I continued in the human resources field, but changed to the healthcare / hospital
industry with Samaritan Health Services for ten years, and the Baptist Hospitals and Health
Systems for another ten years, from which I retired in 2001 as Senior Vice President of Human
Resources.
In 2006, I married again, to an old high school girlfriend, Sharon DeBerry. Sharon was widowed
in 2001 and is the mother of three grown children. Sharon was living in Denver, Colorado when
we met through a high school friend. We now reside in Rio Verde, Arizona outside Phoenix.
As I look back on my time at Rockhurst, I am very thankful for the lifelong friends I made, and
the wonderful education I received. Rockhurst taught me how to THINK rationally. I would not
trade my years at Rockhurst for any other educational institution. It was, and is, a special place
for me.
Larry A. Trompeter
Spouse: Judy Schuepbach
Anniversary: May 8, 1965
Children: 4
Grandchildren: 3
Most recent or current employer: Clinical Social Worker, Midland-Gladwin (Michigan) Mental
Health (retired), Adjunct Professor, Metropolitan State College of Denver (retired)
Military Service: United States Army National Guard of Kansas (Cook), United States Air Force
Reserves (Missouri); 1964-1970
Favorite Rockhurst Professor(s): Jim Kehoe, Lyman Richter
Degrees from other Colleges: Master of Social Work, University of Kansas, 1969
Catching Up with Larry
I lived with my parents and worked at Milgram’s Grocery Store during my four years at
Rockhurst. I majored in accounting so I could get a job upon graduating. I was proud to be hired
by the Federal General Accounting office when they recruited on campus. The discipline of
accounting served me well when I entered the social work profession in 1967. I also have fond
memories of pitching for the baseball team.
I met Judy Schuepbach (College of St. Teresa) in 1962 and we celebrated our 48 th anniversary
on May 8, 2013. I appreciate the knowledge and confidence Rockhurst provided.
Ed Van Leeuwen
Birthday: February 23, 1941
Spouse: Ann
Anniversary: March 21, 1971
Children: 3 sons (Doug, Thad, Alex)
Grandchildren: 2
Great Grandchildren: 1
Most recent or current employer: Hallmark Cards Inc.
Military Service: United States Marine Corps
Favorite Rockhurst Professors: Fr. Owens, S.J., Fr. Freeman, S.J.
Catching up with Ed
My favorite memories of Rockhurst include the great group of guys that I went to school with,
many of which I am still good friends today. The staff, dorm life, and opportunities for part-time
work on campus are all positives that I took from Rockhurst. The basketball team was an
excellent source of school pride; I never missed a game.
After graduation I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Officer Training program; I am a
Vietnam veteran and achieved the rank of captain before being discharged. After that I went to
work for Hallmark for 38 years.
I have been married for 42 years to my wonderful wife Ann. We have three boys, three
grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. I am happy to say that one of my sons, niece, and
nephew all graduated from Rockhurst.
I graduated from Rockhurst’s Executive Fellows MBA program in 1983. Now in my spare time I
enjoy spending time with my family, babysitting, golfing, boating at Table Rock Lake, and
traveling to Arizona.
Ron Walleck
Birthday: September 14, 1941
Spouse: Jan
Anniversary: July 21, 2009
Children: 4
Grandchildren: 8
Great Grandchildren: 1
Most recent or current employer: Retired government / Part time - Church of the Nativity
Favorite Rockhurst Professors: Lyman Ricther, Jim Keough and Fr. Freeman, S.J.
Catching up with Ron
I enjoyed all four years at the college, which were preceded by four years at Rockhurst High
School. At Rockhurst College I was involved in many things, including managing the basketball
team, playing on the baseball team, and serving as Vice President my freshman year; I was also
a member of the Alpha Delta Gamma fraternity.
After graduation I worked for the Social Security Administration, General Motors, and finally
General Services Administration for thirty years. I retired at the age of 55 and went to work as
the accountant at Church of the Nativity in Leawood, Kansas. I have been there part-time for 16
years and am planning to retire and live a life of leisure.
After my first wife, Alice, passed away after 39 years of marriage, I met my wife Jan and we
have been married for four years and each year has been better than the last. We recently
went to the Holy Land and Rome and found both to be wonderful experiences.
My years at Rockhurst High School and Rockhurst College helped me develop a sense of
confidence in dealing with all of the events that have occurred in my life.
Lawrence (Larry) K. Wempe
Birthday: October 3, 1941
Spouse: Claire
Anniversary: August 7, 1965
Children: 1
Grandchildren: 1
Most recent or current employer: Retired from Arkema, Inc.
Favorite Rockhurst Professors: Fr. James Wheeler, S.J., Fr. Paul Smith, S.J.
Degrees from other Colleges: Ph.D., University of Kansas, Organic Chemistry, 1968
Catching up with Larry
My four years at Rockhurst were undoubtedly one of the major formative experiences of my
life. It laid the foundation not only for my career, but also for almost every aspect of my
personal life. While there I considered the required theology and philosophy courses a
diversion from my chemistry major, but soon came to realized how important they really were
since they helped create order and understanding in every aspect of my life, not just in my
career. I benefitted especially from the guidance of Fr. James Wheeler, not only from his lucid
chemistry teaching, but also from his guidance in many other areas of my life. I consider him
the epitome of a Jesuit educator. Dormitory life was also a great means of developing strong
friendships and nurturing skills in social interaction.
After graduating from Rockhurst, I received a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of
Kansas, and went on to a satisfying career in chemical research: First with Rohm and Haas Co.
(1968-1977), with Air Products and Chemicals (1977-1983), and then with Pennwalt Corp. (now
Arkema) (1983-2004). At Arkema I became Manager of Fluoropolymer Research, and retired in
2004. All of these jobs were in southeast Pennsylvania, an unexpected development since I
always considered myself deeply rooted in Kansas.
My retirement has been a great pleasure because of increased time with my family, which
represents the real high points of my life. These high points include marriage to my wife Claire
(a native of Kansas City) in 1965, the birth of our only child Brian in 1970, and the birth of our
only grandchild Stanley in 2008. Our son and his family live only about five miles from us, so we
are deeply immersed in the joys of grandparenting.
God has been good to us, and Rockhurst was certainly one of His main instruments in
distributing His goodness.
John P. Wintrol
Birthday: February 13, 1941
Spouse: Janet
Anniversary: August 28, 1971
Children: 2 (John Howard and Joanna Lee)
Most recent or current employer: John P. Wintrol LLC
Favorite Rockhurst Professor(s): Fr. Huger, S.J., Prof. Knickerbocker, Fr. Imbs, S.J., Fr. Lakas, S.J.,
Prof. Kies, Dr. Rydzel
Degrees from other Colleges: JD, Georgetown University Law School
Catching up with John
After graduation I joined the Peace Corps spending two years in a small town in Turkey teaching
English in the equivalent of our junior and senior high schools. It was a wonderful experience
and gave me very close Turkish and American friends and an appreciation of different cultures.
When I returned I worked at the Peace Corps office and then went to Georgetown University
Law School where I lived in the undergraduate dorms as an RA and Housemaster. That was a
very different campus experience as the sexual revolution and the drug culture hit Georgetown
during those years. I then clerked for two years for United States Federal District Court Judge
Howard Corcoran. He became like a second father to me and had an enduring influence on my
life and my view of the law
I began private law practice in 1971 and have been involved almost solely with large complex
civil litigation in federal courts and arbitrations, both in this country and overseas. I retired
from the law firm of McDermott, Will and Emery about ten years ago but have continued to
practice minus large firm pressures.
My law practice has taken me throughout the United States and to a number of European and
Middle Eastern countries. The last few years I have primarily handled international commercial
arbitrations. I represented the Turkish government in a series of arbitrations in Geneva and
now Turkish and Indian construction companies in disputes about payments for their projects
under various international contracts. International arbitration is challenging (different legal
principles and procedures), but fun.
I am also an Adjunct Professor at George Washington University Law School teaching one
course each semester. I am on the faculty for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy and
teach advanced trial practice techniques. Finally, I have served as an Officer and on the Boards
of various non-profit organizations in the Washington area.
Janet and I have been married for over 42 years. Janet has a master’s degree in Special
Education from George Washington University and is the Director of Ivymount School, a school
for severely impaired children, particularly those on the autism spectrum. We have two
children, John Howard (37) and Joanna (34). John graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan and
works as a senior counselor organizing services for impaired adults. Joanna graduated from
Columbia University, received her masters at Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International
Studies and now works for the Threat Reduction Agency (Defense Department) holding some
top secret security clearance.
In the 1970s, Janet and I became part owners of a winery in the Napa Valley, Duckhorn
Vineyards. As a result, we have consumed a not-insubstantial number of bottles over the years.
We have both been blessed with relatively good health. I took up running while in law school
and finished a number of marathons. Finally, my knees and back revolted. I now walk about a
mile every day with our dog, and Janet continues to run.
We love to travel and have been able to take at least one trip a year to some new place or to
revisit a favorite, both in this country and abroad.
Remembering Our Deceased Classmates
Ronald Bartels
Robert Kornblum
Arthur Baughman
Harold Leisure
Ronald Belser
Bernard Leverich
Charles Biggam
Robert Murphy
Edwin Boothe
William O’Hara
Richard Brantner
William Olive
Donald Brown
Bob Parks
Clarence Buehne
Ramon Ramirez
William Cavanaugh
Kenneth Riley
Sam Cerniglia
Joseph Salamone
Lowell Chisam
John Schneider
Stephen Conway
Robert Schneider
Donald Erickson
Maurice Shaw
Leo Gerstner
Leary Skinner
James Golden
Dean Smith
John Gulden
Edmund Spencer
Gerald Hagan
Stephen Spruill
Duane Hammer
Marvin Van Kirk
Francis Hashman
Paul Wheeler
Michael Hogerty
Charles Williams
Joseph Inzenga
Robert Williams
Joseph Kezele
Kenneth Wulser
Robert King
John Zellers