The Beacon- Winter 2021

Page 36

TAPS

In Memoriam LTC Kebisek congratulates Hongbo on obtaining his U.S. citizenship.

Hongbo Jia 2019 visited the Academies in October 2020. Hongbo enrolled at the Academy in 2015 and reached his goals of becoming the Raider Team Commander and a Company Commander his senior year. After graduation, he attended the University of Illinois and enlisted in the Illinois National Guard. In July 2020 Hongbo obtained U.S. citizenship and subsequently applied to West Point as a soldier (not as a high school student). In September 2020, he received his official letter of assurance from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Hongbo will join the class of 2025 and attend West Point in fall 2021.

We regret to announce the names of the following Old Boys, alumni, and friends who have passed away and were reported between November 2019 and November 2020. To report a death, please contact the Advancement Office at (262) 646-7118 or advancement@sjnacademies.org.

ALUMS… Daniel J. Bergin N1938 passed away on June 10, 2020, in Park Forest, Illinois. He graduated from NMNA and Bradley University. During WWII he served as a Navy Lieutenant with Amphibious Forces/USS John Penn, receiving a Purple Heart in the Guadalcanal Campaign.

Edward B. Elkon S1941 passed away on January 21, 2020, in Glendale, Wisconsin at age 97. His son, Arthur, said his father was a proud graduate of the Academy. Edward is the retired president of Preferred Harvest Company.

Lawrence E. Gilford S1941 passed away on November 17, 2019, at age 96.

Michael D. Orth S1943 passed away on June 26, 2020, in Port Washington, Wisconsin. After graduating from Duke University, he entered the United States Marine Corps and served until 1946. He ran the Hometown Ice division for many years and retired in 1986. Alen Shchekin 2019 of Long Grove, Illinois, and Noah Hill 2019 of Kildeer, Illinois, visited campus during college break to see the Old Boys Memorial Hall. As cadets, they spent many community service hours making displays for the hundreds of trophies earned in previous years. NMNA, SJMA and SJNMA trophies are represented. Stop in the “old library” when you are on campus to see their company’s hard work. Both alums started college at the University of Kansas in the fall of 2019.

Donald W. Sicklesteel S1943 passed away on July 5, 2020, at age 95. Don graduated from SJMA and Michigan State University. He participated in the V12 Navy College Training Program to become a commissioned officer during WWII and served as an Ensign on a Navy ship in the Pacific toward the end of the war. Don was in corporate management with Parker Hannifin and Borg Warner.

Elmer Harry Wawak S1944 passed away on May 4, 2020, in Troy, Michigan. He was the president of Wawak Insurance Agency in Southfield, Michigan. As a student at SJMA, he held the highest cadet rank of those times - Senior Captain. Mr. Wawak attended Lake Forest College in Illinois. He later joined the U.S. Navy and was selected as honors man by his company commander for his military aptitude and prowess.

Zexin Zhang 2019 visited campus in June 2020 while on a road trip. He started his sophomore year in Marquette, Michigan, this fall and will major in internet security.

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The Beacon | WINTER 2021

St. John’s Northwestern Academies


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