Alumni News

When Dad attended what was then St. John’s Military Academy, he received a world-class education scholastically and socially, and that fact showed itself time and time again throughout his life.

He always referred to people as ladies and gentlemen. He owned his own company and was always willing to take time to talk with his workers and listen to their ideas. He inherited the company at 26 when his father died. His mother also died young, in her 50s, and he lost his sister in her early 60s.

Today, my dad is 101.

Dad never cared about exercise, the food he ate, or the quantity. He ate as he lived, with gusto. He didn’t see problems, but rather, challenges, and that attitude helped him deal with everything that came his way. I would be freaking out about something, and Dad would simply say, “Just do this” or, “Try another way.”

For him, there’s always a way. Even at 101, he doesn’t let anything stop him, whether it’s putting on his shoes (easy for us, but certainly a challenge for someone in his 100s), moving a desk across the room, or getting into one of those impossible-toopen cookie tins.

My dad takes pride in being a craftsman, and he appreciates architecture, history and cars. He also has a great sense of humor; with an endless string of one-liners and always ready to tell a joke to anyone who will listen.

My Dad is My Hero – A Tribute to Frank Christian S1937

Frank Christian S1937 celebrated his 101st birthday on November 5, 2020. Born in Chicago, he attended SJMA for nearly four years. Frank earned the rank of Corporal in Company C, won the June Competition and the Winter Drill Competition, and was a member of the glee club, varsity basketball team, crack squad, rifle team, and spur club. He was a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army and served in Germany and England during World War II. At age 27, when his father passed away, he took over the family business, the Merit Casket Company. He and his wife, Ruthann, had five children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. The following is a tribute to Frank, written by his daughter Barbara Christian:

Frank Christian S1937 celebrating his 100th birthday in 2019

He is generous with his family, friends, and workers. Even today, friends and family members will share stories about what Dad gave them and how they will never forget his generosity. And as he goes from one room to another with his walker, he insists that “Ladies go first.”

Dad has always been comfortable with guns. Unfortunately, as he became forgetful in his 90s, we decided it was necessary to take his gun. Late one night, he entered the room and said, “Barb, they took my gun. If someone comes in here, I will have to beat them to death.” Always the protector, he now keeps a cane or club next to him. Maybe that’s too much information, but I think it illustrates the impact of his training at St. John’s: to be courteous, strong and a man who will fight to protect the weak.

Dad’s love of food is epic. Once long ago my brother, John, wanted a cannoli. Dad drove across town and bought a dozen. On the way home, he decided to have one. By the time he got home, he had eaten 11, saving the last one for my brother and keeping his “mission” intact.

When I was home a few weeks ago, he came into the kitchen with no interest in dinner. He just wanted a couple of cookies. Before he left, he saw three boxes of Cora Lee chocolates sent by some friends. I let him open one, and he tried a truffle. Seven truffles later, I took the box away. In the meantime, he had also eaten some fresh pineapple, grapes, and finished with a few more cookies. Dad never gets sick, not even the flu or an occasional headache. His blood pressure is as good as mine, and his eyesight is sharp. So are his reflexes. If something rolls off the table, he’ll catch it. And he’s still strong as an ox. Not long ago, I broke a glass and was cleaning up the pieces, and he came over and lifted an oak table with one hand so I could clean underneath it.

When Mom passed away, she was buried in Indianapolis with her family. At age 91, Dad would get up early, put on his suit and drive three hours to the cemetery to visit her. Then, he’d turn around and drive home.

The influence of St. John’s occupies every part of my dad, from the stories (like the time he snuck out of the barracks to go to a local restaurant called Shep’s), to the people, the examples and discipline he learned, and the experiences he enjoyed. Dad always dressed nicely (he loved his Italian suits) and always kept his shoes shined. Even when he coached my brother’s Little League teams, he would take off his jacket, coaching in his suit pants, dress shirt, and leather shoes. That’s just my dad.

Thank you, St. John’s Northwestern Academies, for your super training of my dad!

Jack and LaRee Savlan visited campus on November 24, 2019, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to see the plaque that he and his two sisters bought for their father, James B.

Savlan S1937. If you are interested in purchasing a memorial plaque for your classmate or family member, call (262) 646-7118.

John Peters S1946 sent the following message in May 2020:

I graduated from St. John’s in 1946, the University of Oregon in 1951, and then did graduate work at the University of Washington. Having grown up in the Alaskan salmon industry, it was perhaps natural that my interest would be food technology. I focused on the production and safety of seafood. My work began in the Pacific Northwest. Soon I was asked to join the International Executive Service Corps, and with them I traveled the world. Eventually, I formed my own company and continued globetrotting.

To assist my two sons with their college expenses, I had two 50-foot salmon charter boats built which they skippered. That was a delightful and trying experience, and a few years later I sold both the boats and my company and retired to Bainbridge Island in Puget Sound with my wife, Janet. Together, we designed and built our house on five acres of lovely property with a sweeping view of the Sound and the Olympics. We lived there and loved it for 20 years.

This past February we moved into a retirement facility with a bunch more 90-year-olds.

All is well and good here, and we really like the facility. And - we are awfully glad to have moved before the coronavirus really hit.

My very best wishes to all the 1946ers and the rest of the alumni. Please take care of yourselves during this stressful time - and long after that. Michael Fusello S1950 visited campus with his son Mark in November 2019. Michael hadn’t been back to campus since he graduated, but he said he felt like he was home again. The Honorable Dan Rostenkowski S1946 gave Michael his sword as he was Dan’s friend when they were together at school. Michael graduated from Beloit College in 1954 and went into the advertising business until he retired. He celebrated his 70th year of graduation in 2020.

John Minniece S1950 is pictured holding his SJMA 1950 yearbook. He lost his many years ago, but when his classmate, Chuck Windsor S1953, heard this, he sent him his copy. John and his wife, Glenda, live in Texas. Chuck and his wife, Ruth, live in Mexico.

Elmore “Bud”

Ross S1950 sent this message in May 2020:

This is how my SJMA experience helped me to make the most of 30 months in the US Army and set the stage for later life. What I learned as a graduate of St. John’s Military Academy set me up perfectly to want to become an officer when I joined the Army.

During Basic Training, I took the OCS test five times, and when I got the OCS interview the ranking officer said to me, “Son, the Army needs inspired people like you. You’ll get your orders to report to Fort Benning Infantry Officers Candidate School in two weeks.” I went through OCS and got my commission, and the Army sent me to Aberdeen Proving Ground to go through Ordinance School.

On the first day of class, I was walking in the hall opposite the typing pool and saw this beautiful girl in a white sweater and proceeded to walk right into a wall. Embarrassing - yes, but it broke up the typing pool, and I got to meet the girl. Even better, I married her and we had two marvelous sons, seven grandchildren, and now two great-grandchildren.

So, you can see how much I treasure my SJMA experience!

Alan Angel S1952 submitted the following in May 2020:

The science background provided to me as a cadet propelled my science education in the Air Force during the Korean War, as a project engineer on the Mercury and the Apollo programs, and as an engine specialist for Pratt & Whitney / United Aircraft Corporation on the early YF12A / SR 71 Blackbird programs. My association, along with the many other engineers in the field, allowed us to help bring home the crew of Apollo 13. This was where science really helped! My five years at St. John’s Military Academy provided me with a tremendous education. Now as a retired 87-year-old, I’d like to say THANK YOU to all the educators for a wonderful path that I followed through these many years.

Carl Hankwitz S1959 shared the following note:

I was blessed to have St. John’s on my resume. I flew for the U.S. Coast Guard after college. Then United Airlines for 35 years. Best job ever! Thanks, SJN! Your education taught me how to “pull it off!”

Classmates from S1960, Eric Christman and

Mike McClure, met in Ocala, Florida, in January 2020 to talk about their 60th reunion.

Bob Chamberlain N1961 sent the following story in February 2020:

It is May 1961 at Northwestern Military and Naval Academy in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. I am Bravo Company Commander, graduation is a few weeks away, and Company competitions are about to begin. I can’t sleep. I’m anxious. Will Bravo Company outperform Alpha Company? The Beales Drill Cup is at stake. It falls on me to uphold the superior status and win the Beales Drill Cup. But how do I inspire three platoons of cadets to dress right, step off briskly, stay in step, maintain the line, and execute march commands perfectly? I am feeling desperate. And then, a game changer idea. We can perform drill team maneuvers on a Company scale! I inform my platoon leaders and the rank and file. The character of the Company changes with the first set of march commands, the Company is responding, and we are going to surprise the hell out of everyone. We win the Beales Drill Cup!

Those memories returned when I attended an NMNA graduation. At the Beales Drill competition, both Alpha Company and Bravo Company were doing drill team maneuvers - total drill team. The Company Commanders were implementing what I started in 1961! And, they were working! Again!

Thinking creatively or out of the box is essential when the current method isn’t working. I have been guided by this life lesson ever since. If I have any legacies in life, I believe that setting a new standard at NMNA for intracompany drill competition is right up there.

Wayne Schreck S1962 submitted the following story:

I started playing hockey when I got to SJMA. I was taking flying lessons as well. One day Coach Trapp asked me what I wanted to do...fly or play? I said, “What do you want me to do?” His reply was, “What do you think?” So, flying stopped my sophomore year and the rest is history. Coach Trapp and I remained close until his passing. If it weren’t for him, I would have never done the things I accomplished. RIP Herb, we will skate again someday. On March 20, 2020, representing the OBAA Chicago Chapter, Warren Marik S1963 sponsored the inclusion of late Old Boy Tom Chamales S1942 into the Pritzker Military Museum and Library’s “Commemorate Their Service” program. Tom, a Chicagoan, was a WWII OSS officer with Merrill’s Marauders; he later led Kachin guerrillas fighting the Japanese. He died in a fire in Los Angeles, and March 20 was the 60th anniversary of his death. After the war, Tom was a successful novelist and one of his books, Never So Few, was adapted into a film starring Frank Sinatra and Steve McQueen. During the short inclusion ceremony, Old Boy Marik was given a copy of Never So Few for St. John’s Northwestern.

Frank Morley S1963 reported in May 2020 that he and his wife, Susan, have been fortunate to have been “shut in” for the past couple of months in their home in Naples, Florida. “We are able to get outside for walks and play golf. I hope everyone is safe and healthy wherever you are.” Frank retired from the paper industry in 2006 after 40+ years in the business. The last 23 years he was in partnership with Stan Hooker S1962 as owners of Midland Paper & Packaging, headquartered in suburban Chicago. In retirement Frank has devoted a good deal of his time to the Western Golf Association/ Evans Scholars Foundation. He was the chairman of the tournament committee that runs the Western Junior Amateur, Western Amateur, and the BMW Championship, which is now the second leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs for seven years. After that tour of duty, Frank was asked to become the chairman of the WGA/ESF board of governors and is now the chairman of the ESF board of trustees. Currently there are 1,010 Evans Scholars on full scholarships that provide tuition and housing at 18 universities across the country. All Scholars live in Evans Scholarship houses.

Morley (cont.):

Frank and Susan were married in 1973. They have three adult children and five grandchildren.

Frank stays in touch with Bob Miller S1963 and David Rafoth S1962. In February 2020, Frank and former alumni director Anita Kopaczewski H2009 met with 100-year-old Old Boy Frank Christian S1937. Morley was the Honored Old Boy in 2019 and gave the commencement speech to the graduating cadets. When then-President Jack Albert H2015 asked if he would accept the honor, Frank said he was more than a little surprised. He had a few flashbacks of his days as a cadet, which made it difficult for him to imagine ever being so honored. Frank said it turned out to be a wonderful experience.

Norman Moss S1964 and his wife, Pam, of Riverton, Wyoming, celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary in Australia and New Zealand in October 2019. They visited Melbourne, Adelaide, Alice Springs, Darwin, Cairns, Sydney, Christchurch, Queenstown, Rotorua, and Auckland. They took a helicopter flight over Ayers Rock, the Great Barrier Reef, and landed on the Mount Cook Glacier in New Zealand. It was the experience of their lifetimes!

Clark A. Riley S1964 visited campus on March 5, 2020, from Glencoe, Illinois, where he is the managing director of The Steadfast Group promoting “coaching for healthy business excellence.” During his two years at the Academy, Clark excelled in athletics as captain of the football and basketball teams and ran track and pitched for the baseball team. Graduating in Company A, he took the role of “Keeper of the Spade” during the senior class stone ceremony. He was director of DeKoven Club, Director of “S” Club, and a member of the Old Boys’ Sons Club. His father, Jack Riley S1928, is noted in the Academy Athletic Book as the “Athlete of the Century” 1900-1999. Chicago Old Boys George Hessberger S1965 (left) and Warren Marik S1963 recently met with Illinois Senate Assistant Majority Leader Iris Martinez at Chicago’s Union League Club. Senator Martinez told the Old Boys that she took pride in being part of a JROTC unit when she was in school.

Dale Hilding S1967, 1st SGT, Band Company, sent in the following story:

The Day I Almost Killed the Captain of B Company (Accidentally)

This story came out at our 50th Class Reunion. We were invited to share stories of our cadet years with the group of grads, wives, and friends. When it got around to Frank Merrill S1967, he came over to me and asked me to stand and explain to the group WHY I had tried to kill him during our Senior year. None of the others had ever heard this story, so there were gasps of utter surprise.

I immediately explained that it was unintentional; I only meant to blow up the janitor’s closet. When the homemade bomb detonated in the middle of study hall, it blew the heavy, solid oak door off its hinges and threw it across the hall, where it landed three or four feet into Frank’s room. He had been sitting at his desk, and the top of the door stopped about three feet from where he was sitting. The hallway was filled with thick white smoke, and the entire building shook. The officers from A Company came running up the stairs to find out what had happened.

All the cadets were braced outside our doors while the officers and faculty advisors marched up and down demanding answers. After about five minutes, I stepped forward to admit my guilt. I was immediately marched to Mr. Berns’ office, and my parents were called. I was given 500 demerit points, and my parents had to pay to have the closet repaired. Luckily, I was not expelled.

After I told this story to the assembled group, several asked me why I had done it. My only response was...it was March / spring fever, and I got bored! My deepest apologies to “Fast Frankie.” I had no intentions for anyone to get hurt (and luckily they didn’t).

Robert Klein S1970 Overall, Robert’s Delafield years were an important developmental experience. Particular memories of faculty influences who strongly urged his college success included Rod Berns, Dale Kastberg, Harold Mlsna, and Dave Devonald. Robert enjoyed his fourth and senior year on Battalion Staff. He received a BS from Bradley University on an AFROTC scholarship and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt in 1974.

He was accepted into the pilot-track program and ended up seeing a lot of the world as a C141-A/B heavy jet transport senior/ instructor pilot. After working numerous levels on AF Reserve in the early 1990s, he transitioned to various roles supporting military and commercial aircraft production programs for Boeing, including 747, 767 and 777, from which he retired in July 2018. The Air Force brought him to the Pacific Northwest and Boeing Everett/Renton kept him there.

Robert is celebrating his 50th class reunion and still has his class ring and SJMA sabre. When he returns to campus, he said he will remember to salute the beacon!

Fun times were had in September 2020 when Mike Hoover S1971 and his wife, Barb, daughter of the late Bill Lynch S1948 and mother of Cory Byrnes 2009, visited JC Fairvalley S1976 in Atlanta.

Frank Maritote S1972 picked a perfect day to visit campus in September 2020.

Dan Cutting S1973 and Kirk Langbehn S1978, along with Kirk’s wife, spent a glorious fall day in October exploring Tennessee on their motorcycles.

Dan Cutting S1973 and JC Fairvalley S1976 enjoyed the Tennessee sunshine in September 2020 at Dan’s new home. Lorenzo Chambers S1981 is the author of three books. His first book, The Principal: School Leadership in Real Time, is a nonfiction first-person account of what it’s like being a new principal in an elementary school in New York City. His second book is a screenplay entitled Desiderata. Most recently, in December 2019, Lorenzo debuted his first novel, Gypsy Woman!

Lorenzo has 19 years of experience as an educator – from classroom teacher to the last 13 years as an elementary school principal in Brooklyn, New York. Lorenzo lived in Italy as a professional football player for Giorgio Armani’s now-defunct Milano Seamen, served as a licensed and registered representative, managing a firm trading account in equities, worked as an Associate Director of Philanthropy at Dartmouth College, and taught as an adjunct professor at Long Island University-School of Education.

Brian Troch N1983 is spending the quarantine in Salem, Wisconsin, where he works in his recording studio and home business. Chicago OBAA members Charles Allen S1985, George Hessberger S1965, and Warren Marik S1963 initiated a “thank the caregiver” effort as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. They have sent more than 50 thank-you notes (one is pictured) since the start of their chapter Community Gratitude Project.

John Bartizal S1986, Joe Knesley 2002, Sean Lane S1981, and Kyle Popek 2000 of the SJNMA Chicago Alumni Chapter met for lunch on February 26, 2020, at Chief’s Pub in Lake Forest, Illinois. They presented an SJNMA flag to the owner, Joe Knesley, as a thank-you for hosting the first annual SJNMA Chicago Alumni Chapter Christmas party in December 2019.

At the end of January 2020, Brad Gapp S1991 had the pleasure of spending some time with his dad’s next-door neighbor, Hugh Howard S1948, in Florida. Hugh is in excellent health for 90-years-young and in the last 20 or so years picked up a new hobby, painting.

In October 2020, Bill and Cindy Milford reported that their son, Blake Milford S1991, just completed a six-month stint flying to combat the wildfires in northern California. At St. John’s, Blake was captain of Charlie Company and Silver Rifles and president of his senior class. He graduated from EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University and has been a pilot for many years.

Joseph PhorBooker S1994 visited the Academies with his family on May 25, 2020. While here he encountered instructor Scott Ahlgren H2011, who welcomed Joe and his family to tour campus. Joe had not been back for 25 years. Of his visit he said, “This is when nostalgia becomes real.” Daniel Postlewaite 2006 married Shannan on February 11, 2020, in Anna Marie Island, Florida. Dan is a maintenance supervisor for luxury apartment complexes in Downers Grove, Illinois.

Colin Sandefur 2007 stopped in for a visit on October 9, 2020. Colin is Vice President of Art Technologies Inc. in Bensenville, Illinois.

Nick Mann 2009 sent greetings to everyone in July 2020 from his ship in Panama. Nick is the youngest Chief Mate in Military Sealift Command.

Zhouwu Jiang 2010, originally from Nanjing, China, is married to Nan Chen. They live in Chicago, Illinois, and have one son, Ethan. Zhouwu works as a media buyer at Summer Entertainment. Dennis Blatt 2011 shared the following in May 2020:

My Chinese language studies at SJNMA (especially the guidance provided by Mrs. Ping Braatz) provided me with the necessary skillset to complete a degree in which instruction was in Chinese. Furthermore, the rigorous curriculum and strong leadership/disciplinary training at SJNMA enhanced my capability to meet deadlines within tight timeframes, resulting in the completion of my master’s degree one and a half years earlier than my anticipated graduation date with a GPA of 3.54.

Mrs. Braatz’s course fully prepared me for the Chinese educational system as a foreign student studying at one of China’s most prestigious universities. During the course of my studies, I’ve had the opportunity to (1) attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, (2) present my research at academic conferences, (3) work in the field of blockchain (and meet the president of Switzerland), and (4) receive the Shanghai Government Scholarship (A Level) and the “Student Star of International Students” award from Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

Prior to pursing my SJD (Doctor of Juridical Science) in law, I completed my LL.M. (Masters of Law) in Chinese law at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. I am currently attending Shanghai Jiao Tong University in Shanghai, China, and my field of research focuses on anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) protocols in the field of fintech. I intend to continue my work in the blockchain industry.

Chris Wagner 2013 and LTC Jim Kebisek, USA (Ret.)

Former First Captain Chris Wagner 2013 visited campus on July 23, 2020. Chris recently returned from deployment to Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne. His next assignment is with the 75th Ranger Regiment.

Nick Laurino 2014 visited campus on July 14, 2020. Nick graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and earned a certificate in investment banking at the University of Cincinnati. Nick said Mr. Siebers was the best teacher and coach he ever had, and he has yet to find someone up to his standards. Nick works for a crane company in Kentucky in the acquisitions office.

Aaron Patinos 2014 earned his “stripes” on July 23, 2020. He was promoted to Petty Officer 2nd class, E-5, having earned the title of AC2 (AW/SW) Patinos.

Gerald Steele 2015 and Paul Basile 2016 visited campus on March 13, 2020. Gerald graduated from Marquette University, and Paul is studying at University of WisconsinMilwaukee. Jonathan Armer 2016 visited the Academies on August 21, 2020, while on a crosscountry trip in his new Tesla.

Former First Captain Jacob Kelley 2016 graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in June 2020.

Jack Knier 2016 and his fiancé welcomed a little boy (Jack Herbert Knier, Jr.) on Friday, October 30, 2020.

Adam Spano 2016 graduated in May 2020 from Arizona State University with a degree in engineering.

Traevion Donley, Riese McClellan, and Neema Radfar, all from the class of 2017, visited campus in November. Traevion joined the Air Force in 2018 and is stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Riese is a senior at Western Michigan University majoring in Aviation Management. He has his pilot’s license and is working towards receiving his commercial pilot license. Neema is a student at Western Michigan University studying aviation maintenance. His goal is to work for Boeing on their turbine engines.

Former First Captain Alan Cameron 2019 received high honors at Syracuse University last school year from the Sons of the American Revolution.

Noah Hill, Merlin Ryan, and Sean Bornschlegl, all from the class of 2019, visited campus on their semester break in January 2020. Noah is attending the University of Kansas, Merlin is attending the University of Illinois, and Sean is attending the University of North Dakota.