July 12, 2014

Fred Mansour’s brother-in-law sent news of our classmate’s death on May 28, 2014.  If you wish to post your own comments and remembrances of Fred on this blog, use the Comments instructions here or let Tom Figel know you are having trouble: tfigel@lake-effect.com:

In addition to the names of departed classmates, we can post remembrances and photos.

Steve Novak, class of 1971, sent this news of our classmate’s death:

I don’t know what the policy is with respect to those who didn’t finish at ND, but I thought I’d pass along the news that Ralph Moore died earlier this month.

    Ralph started with your class in September 64, but was back home by the time I was applying to schools two years later. So he wasn’t there long, but perhaps a few people remember him. How many black guys could there have been in your class? The 28 in ours apparently were a record high, and about half the black enrollment of the school our freshman year.

   With your reunion on the horizon, I thought I’d pass the bad news along.

John W. Broderick of Ludington, Michigan passed away at home at the age of 66 on 2/15/2013 after a lengthy battle with melanoma. John was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the middle child of John and Alice Broderick. After graduation from the University of Notre Dame, John enlisted in the U.S. Army, completed Officer Candidate School and served overseas tours as a logistical officer in Europe and South East Asia. Upon his return from active duty, John earned an MBA from the University of Rochester and began a 40 year career in the automobile industry. After 10 years in the field wholesale organization of Ford Motor Company, John became the National Training Manager for Subaru of America and later served as their Regional Sales Manager in the Chicago area. The balance of his career was spent as an independent consultant for General Motors educating wholesale and retail personnel in dealership and computer operations. John is survived by his wife Carol, sister, Anne Broderick of Ludington, MI, brother, Bryan (Barbara) Broderick of Camdenton, MO, niece, Dawn (Dan) Stemich of Wildwood, MO, nephew, Sean Broderick of Osage Beach, MO, and many other nieces, nephews, and cousins.

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Missing from this summary of John are his broad grin and readiness to laugh.  We got to know John best when Tom Condon, Bob Brady and I shared a small place in Old Saybrook, CT during the summer of 1971.  John, already a good friend of Bob’s, came to see us then and continued to join the Observer group when reunions took place over the years.  You may know already (and can search the report in this blog – look for “Broderick”) that John’s mother was a stunt double for Lucille Ball and other actresses.  She had quite a career, with appearances in many films and TV episodes. – Tom Figel

MICHAEL P. SCHAEFER

(As befits such an engaging, colorful friend, Eddie is remembered at a Facebook site named Eddie’s Exes (and lifelong friends).  Even if you didn’t know Eddie well, this site will convince you that you do, and should have known him as well as all these New Orleans friends.  Let’s hope many of the stories are true and some are not.)

KURTZ Edward C. Kurtz, Jr. Former documentary filmmaker, writer, community activist Edward C. Kurtz, Jr. passed away on January 12th after a brief illness. He was 66. He was the son of Marilyn Azcona Kurtz and the late Edward C. Kurtz, Sr. of New Orleans. Eddie was a renowned local public television documentary filmmaker and writer whose works focused on the unique New Orleans experience and chronicled the generation of the 1960s. Eddie was also an adjunct professor at Xavier University. Eddie’s public television documentaries included “The Danny Barker Show,” a biography of the great jazz musician Danny Barker; “This Cat Can Play Anything,” a biography about New Orleans legendary banjo player Manny Sayles; “Piano Players,” a documentary about three generations of New Orleans piano players; and “Which Governs Best” which analyzed the changing role of the U.S. government over the last century and its implications. Eddie also did freelance work and various video clips on New Orleans humorous characters for the television series “Real New Orleans.” His books include August in New Orleans, 1968, Singing for Supper and My Casanova. Eddie was one of the founding members of Tipitina’s and the New Orleans Video Access Center (NOVAC) and active in various social and educational causes including service on the boards and committees of the Louisiana SPCA, NOVAC, Boys Town, the Krewe of Barkus, and Krewe De Vieux. Eddie was a graduate of Jesuit High School in New Orleans and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature from the University of Notre Dame and his Masters of Arts degree in Broadcasting and Film Production from San Francisco State University. Survivors include his mother, Marilyn Azcona Kurtz; three siblings, William Henry Kurtz (Shelley) of New Orleans, Debbie K. Prejeant (Wayne) of New Orleans, and Tommy J. Kurtz (Rachel) of Prairieville, LA; and four nieces and nephews, Christopher Kurtz of New Orleans, Justin Kurtz of Detroit, Sarah Kurtz and Dylan Kurtz of Prairieville; his cousins-the Byrd and Conforto families; his beloved dogs Golfree and Piper; and his many faithful and cherished friends. The Kurtz family has asked that donations be made in Eddie’s name to the Louisiana SPCA and the New Orleans Video Access Center (NOVAC). The Kurtz family would like to thank the caring staff of the various facilities of the Ochsner Clinic Foundation, the LHC Group, and River Region Hospice. Funeral services will be private but a memorial chronicling his life’s literary and film contributions will be held next month by his professional colleagues and friends.
Published in The Times-Picayune from January 14 to January 16, 2013

Carl J. “Bud” Frank, 66, of Riverside, IL; loving husband of Ruth nee Ciastko; treasured and loving father of John C., Kelly (Jason) Rajkowski and Julee (Kevin) Kopka; dearest “Bumpa” of Jaimee, Grace, Audrey and Isabella; dearest cousin and uncle of many. Mr. Frank was an attorney who was actively engaged in the practice of law for more than 40 years. Admitted to practice in Illinois by the Illinois Supreme Court and the three Federal District courts in Illinois, he was also a member of the bar of the Court of Appeals for the Armed Services. He was a retired (December 2008) Captain in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps of the US Navy. He was an honors graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the Notre Dame Law School. Following graduation from law school, Captain Frank reported for active duty and served Surface Warfare Officer tours as Damage Control Assistant and Engineering Officer on the USS Power and USS Charles F. Adams. In 1982, Captain Frank accepted a direct commission in the Judge Advocate General?s Corps of the US Naval Reserve. He served as Defense Counsel/Administrative Officer, VTU LAW 1314; Law of Armed Conflict Attorney, Status of Forces Agreement Attorney and International Agreements Attorney, Commander In Chief, US Naval Forces, Europe; Defense Counsel and Trial Counsel/Training Officer, NR LSO Great Lakes; Executive Officer, VTU LAW 1314; Staff Judge Advocate, Personnel Mobilization Team; Commanding Officer, VTU LAW (awarded the RADM Gerald E. Gilbert Cup as the most outstanding Naval Reserve Law Program Unit in 1997); Deputy Judge Advocate, Naval Reserve Readiness Command, Midwest; Commanding Officer, NR LSO North Central 113; and, Staff Judge Advocate, NR Naval Network and Space Operations Command. He recently served on the Military Affairs Committee of the Illinois Bar Association. Captain Frank’s decorations and awards include the Meritorious Service medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), and various service and commendation awards including the Viet Nam Service Medal and the Republic of Viet Nam Medal. In his civilian life, Mr. Frank was an Assistant Corporation counsel of the City of Chicago, from 1972 to 1973, at which time he prosecuted more than 100 criminal housing management and code enforcement cases. In 1973, he joined the law department of the Burlington Northern. In 1977, Mr. Frank left the Burlington to become the first General Counsel of the Regional Transportation Authority of Northeastern Illinois (RTA). In 1987, Mr. Frank joined Waste Management of North America, Inc., as its Associate General Counsel and was later named region Vice President and General Counsel, directing and managing all legal affairs and litigation in 14 states and three Canadian provinces. In 1997, Mr. Frank left Waste Management and established the law firm that became Frank & Pirok, Ltd. and was also Of Counsel to the law firm of Amari & Locallo. Mr. Frank was also active in his community, where, most recently, he was a member of the Riverside Caucus. As his children were growing up, he coached Little League and actively participated in Indian Guides and Princesses. He performed Pro Bono legal work for many. Visitation Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013 from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Friday, Jan. 4, 8:45 a.m. till time of services at 9:30 a.m. at Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home 80 E. Burlington St. Riverside to St. Mary Church, Mass 10:00 a.m. Entombment Resurrection Mausoleum. Donations to a Veteran Organization of your choice would be appreciated. Funeral info at 708-447-2261 or www.ivinsfh.com.

Published in Chicago Tribune on January 2, 2013