Thomas J. Fitzgerald ‘68
By: Suzanne Fitzgerald ‘68 & Dennis marx ‘68
“don’t let yesterday slip away”
Our theme above reflects a lesson taught to me by Tom. Sadly, I learned of Tom’s passing from the UD Spring 2023 Quarterly. I had spoken with Tom in advance of our 2022 Delta Nu basketball game reunion. He told me then he was not feeling well.
The lesson I learned is not to let such a conversation go by without a follow-up. To this day I regret not having done so. If you know it in your heart, you should always make time for another call or visit!
The better news now is that I learned more about Tom’s family, his life, and his contributions toward making the world a better place. Also, as a result, Sue has become my new best friend. She reinforces our wonderful memories of Tom. With all that said, below is my meager summary of Sue’s writings about Tom.
Tom was born on Long Island in 1946 and passed away in September 2022. He was married to Sue for 51 years, they had two sons, four grandchildren and lived in Glastonbury, CT. His Catholic faith is replete throughout his character. He was an outstanding high school baseball player. So much so he earned an opportunity to try out for the Baltimore Orioles! At UD, in addition to business school he joined the ROTC program and ultimately served as a 1st Lieutenant Infantry officer in Korea. His successful career was in the pharmaceutical industry, eventually retiring from Pfizer.
Tom was a guy who had never met a stranger! From his son’s Eulogy, he stressed etiquette both in life and in golf. Had no patience for those who were careless towards others’ feelings. Family was everything . And of course, he left them with many fond memories. Too many to retell herein.
Tom Fitz was the epitome of UD’s: “Learn, Lead & Serve.”
Suzanne Fitzgerald suzkilafitz@gmail.com
Dennis Marx ’68 drmarx1946@comcast.net
Joseph Bouman ‘67
By: Tim kearney ‘67
Joe Bouman, University of Dayton ’67, passed away on August 21, 2014. He was sixty-eight. Growing up on Cleveland's near West Side, Joe graduated from St. Colman's School, St. Edward High School, and the University of Dayton where he was a member of Alpha Kappa Psi fraternity. Upon graduation, Joe proudly served his country as an Air Force captain. A lifelong learner, Joe supported higher education for all and worked as an educator at local schools and with at-risk youth. Joe loved passing along his nuggets of wisdom to his family and friends. Joe was always ready with a story or joke to tell.
Joe married the love of his life, Jane, and together they raised four wonderful children in North Olmsted, Ohio. Joe worked hard and was an early developer of personal computers and taught this subject to students at Cleveland State University and Cuyahoga Community College. He also loved to work on real estate projects in addition to helping his local parishes. Joe was a loyal friend to all in need. He was always in the middle of helping someone...whether teaching or tutoring, coaching, or volunteering. Sadly, Jane fell victim to cancer and died in 2021 in Cleveland. Their legacy lives on in the beautiful family they left behind – four children and 6 grandchildren.
Unfortunately, Joe battled diabetes and dementia. His final few years were spent at the Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky, Ohio where he made many friends and shared memories of fun times. Living only 20 miles away, I was fortunate to be able to visit him weekly and take him out for lunches and other outings. I still miss Joe and will always remember his smile and sense of humor. Tom Boyert, another AKPsi brother, was Joe’s roommate at the University of Dayton and close friend from high school days and, like me, is saddened by Joe’s absence. Tom’s wife Mary was a very dear and close friend of Jane Bouman who arranged for Tom and Mary to meet many years ago. Other brothers like Tom Ferrero would get together with Joe and Jane over the years and remember many happy times with the UD AKPsi brothers living around the Cleveland area.
Deacon John (jack) Rankin ‘59
On Wednesday, May 12, 2021 John D.(Jack) Rankin, loving husband, devoted father and grandfather died at the age of 84 after his battle with vascular dementia. Born November 25,1936 in Lima, Ohio, he attended St. Rose High School before graduating from the University of Dayton. Jack was a member of the class of 1959 and one of the founding members of Alpha Kappa Psi fraternity on campus.
While attending UD, he met and married the love of his life, Maxine Emmons. They moved to Baltimore where Jack served in Army Intelligence. After the birth of their two older sons, they returned to Jack's home town of Lima, Ohio where they had five more children. In 1974 Jack, Maxine and their six children moved and settled in Columbus, Ohio. Jack was ordained a Deacon by Bishop Hermann on November 3, 1975 at Our Lady of Peace, where he served for over three decades. He presided over the weddings of all of his children. After working in the computer industry for decades, at the age of 50, Jack started his second career as a hospital chaplain at Mt. Carmel Medical Center. He remained there until he retired.
He and Maxine enjoyed time together at Indian Lake, Jack’s favorite place. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He loved to listen to Johnny Cash, bluegrass and classical music. He enjoyed boating at the lake, carpentry maintaining his lawn, and all things OSU BUCKEYES!
Jack is survived by his wife, Maxine; his children, J. David (Kristen Westman), Jeanne Rankin, Robert, Richard (Betty), Maria (Jim) Kozelek, Jackie Learn, Christine Balint Rankin and Michael Learn; and his beloved grandchildren, Bailey, Genelle, Jacob, Sydney, Elena, Elijah, Abby, Carlee, Jack, Alison and Jenny. He was preceded in death by his sons, Joseph and Stephen, his parents, Robert and Helen and his sister, Marie Reaman.
Jack believed that forgiveness was always possible and that God lived in community. As he stated in a 2002 Homily: "We are responsible people who reach out to people. We are people who forgive those who trespass against us. We are people who practice what we teach. We are responsible people who oppose injustice in all its forms. We are people who share our food with the hungry, our homes with the poor, our possessions with those who have none. We are the People of God!"
Timothy petric ‘70
Tim Petric, UD Class of 1970, passed away November 24, 2020. Tim was enthusiastic in all he did. Because of his interest in people, he never met a stranger. He had an infectious sense of humor that could light up a room. His own deep faith allowed him to encourage others in their faith journey. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Dayton in 1970 and was a loyal member of Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity. At graduation from the University of Dayton he was commissioned an Officer in the Army Corps of Engineers, serving in the United States and Korea. Tim was a CPA and was awarded a Master of Science in Accounting from Kent State University. Tim was a member of the American Legion and Catholic War Veterans. For 48 years he worked as an accountant in his own practice as well as in public and private sectors. His passion was teaching accounting at several Universities in Ohio. In all his endeavors he encouraged others to rise to the height of their potential. Tim was a dedicated member of the Knights of Columbus, serving as Grand Knight, Insurance Agent and financial officer.
Tim’s wife Mary wrote recently, and I would like to pass along a little more info from her:
“You probably don't know that "My Tim" passed away at the end of November in 2020. He had cancer and was diagnosed at the beginning of July 2020. We had a few tough months with miss prescribed meds, but then a few short weeks of great improvements and deep joy in our time together. We sure thought we would have had more time, but God had other plans. We had a wonderful young priest with us every step of the way. He was anointed so many times, a great blessing. I miss him profoundly. He was the most outgoing, generous, and funny man I have ever known. During his illness, he had connected with three of the fraternity guys, but when I changed phone providers, I lost the texts. I think one of them may have been Don Sheelen. They were very encouraging to him, and he appreciated their reaching out. So, if you are in contact with any of the brothers that would have been with Tim in 1969-1970 please let them know about Tim. You may share our email address, mkbeck50@gmail.com, with any you meet, as I would enjoy hearing anything about my Tim. Ken Krivy was Tim's Best Man and I believe Joe Spadaford was his Big Brother. I know Tim would have liked to have attended this year's UD reunion. There are a few other names I recall as well: Tom Ondrusek, "The Boy" an Italian, I think Mastrangelo, Ken Pohlman (from St. Mary, OH), and Stan (Tim gave him that name) don't know his real name.”
At his funeral, many of his friends remembered Tim with comments such as these:
He had such a charismatic personality and contagious smile that made everyone around him feel welcomed. I am certain this is part of what made him loved as a professor by his students and colleagues.
Tim had a big heart,strong, faith, patriotism, and put his whole heart in anything he became part of. He was a good and loyal friend who you could always count on to be there to support you in time of need. I will miss him forever. God grant him eternal peace.
Bill Lavin ’70 wrote: Tim was in my pledge class with AKPsi at UD. I regret I have not seen Tim in many years, but we will always remember him as a caring, dedicated fraternity brother, loved by all who knew him. You will be missed Tim.
By Tim Kearney ’67 tlkearney@aol.com
The Life of bill reilly
We are proud to have Named our Spring 2021 Pledge class after Bill Reilly
William "Bill" Reilly, a brother of Alpha Kappa Psi, Delta Nu entered eternal life on June 4th, 2020. He was 72. Bill was born in East Rockaway, Long Island, NY on September 21st, 1947 to Joseph and Catherine Reilly. He graduated from Chaminade H.S. in Mineola, Long Island (class of 1965). Bill was the beloved husband of Jeanine, the loving father of Mark, Andrew and Sara, and the proud grandfather of Quentin. Bill had a brilliant mind and a warm, loving heart which he shared generously.
When Bill was a student at UD (class of 1969) he was highly active on campus. He served as the secretary of Alpha Kappa Psi and was also the Vice President of Student Government. He was an accounting major and went on to a successful career in corporate accounting after obtaining his CPA. He worked in both domestic and international locations for Hess Oil and Prudential and was known for the quality of his work and his reliability. Later, he established his own successful CPA practice in New Jersey.
He was a great friend to many people and had an infectious laugh that livened up every conversation. His presence was felt in St. Andrews Catholic Church where he taught religious education to many young people. Bill was always there to encourage, coach and support those who sought his help. He was a person of strong faith.
Bill enjoyed a very successful life and career, and to honor his memory—and all those Alpha Kappa Psi brothers who have passed away, we are launching an Alpha Kappa Psi Memorial Fund to assist the professional development of current brothers through financial support of qualifying internships.
Larry l. ambler, Alpha Kappa Psi, Delta Nu, Class of 1968
By: Tim Kearney ‘67
Magistrate Larry L. Ambler passed away unexpectedly in his home in South Bend on February 14, 2018. Larry was born on the Westside of South Bend to Lottie Ann Ambler. Growing up, Larry went to St. Joseph's High School where he acted as VP of his Junior class and King of the Mardi Gras Ball Court. Larry graduated from the University of Dayton in 1968. While at Dayton, he was a member of Alpha Kappa Psi. Recently, Larry returned to UD annually with his fellow fraternity brothers to cheer on Flyer Basketball and raise money for his fraternity's scholarship fund. Larry was anticipating his induction into the Golden Flyers Club that Spring. He graduated from Notre Dame Law School in 1971, opening his private practice and career-long involvement in public service and dedication to serving his community. In 1993 Larry was awarded Man of the Year by the Achievement Forum of South Bend Charities where he had served terms as president, secretary and board member. In 2005, Larry was appointed St. Joseph County Circuit Court Magistrate Judge. Larry often shared his witty quips from the bench with his family and in an article on Valentine's Day in 2011, was referred to as “The Love Judge” in a story by the SB Tribune describing how much he enjoyed officiating weddings -- Valentine's Day being one of his busiest days of the year.
Larry married his best friend, Joni J. (Torbenson) Ambler on August 31, 2007. They built a life together full of love and laughter and shared an incredible 10 and a half years together. Often referred to as “Big Lar” by generations of friends of his daughters and sons-in-law, it was not a comment on his stature, but a measurement of his level of care, love, fairness and fun that he had for them and they for him. Larry Ambler truly was the “Leader of the Pack.” Larry is survived by his wife Joni Ambler, his three daughters Laura (Dan) O'Sullivan, Erin (Troy) Warner, Sarah (Steve) Priebe, son Eric Kulcsar (Amber), and four grandchildren Addison, Casey, Lillie, and Norah.
Everyone at UD with Larry will remember his Corvair that he as so proud of. Larry had an infectious smile and always bragged about the “Fighting Irish”. He had a great sense of humor and was a favorite brother of his fraternity.
One of his law associates for over 20 years commented that “Larry had a keen legal mind and was always helpful and gave good advice. Later, when Larry became a judge, I was impressed with the fairness and judgment he showed in making important decisions which greatly affected the many lives he touched. He took his responsibility as a judge seriously and was well-respected by everyone who came into his court. I will miss Larry, his laugh, joking about brewskis, and talking about ND football. I am proud to have known him. “
Another wrote: “Rest in peace; Judge, you were kind, gentle, humane, a credit to your calling....and a really funny, man's man.”
By Tim Kearney ’67 tlkearney@aol.com
Thomas W. Moritz, Alpha Kappa Psi, Delta Nu, Class of 1959
By: Tim Kearney ‘67
The other day my granddaughter Meghan, who is attending the University of Dayton in the Class of ‘26, asked me why I went to UD. I told her without hesitation that UD was where my cousin and role model, Tom Moritz, went to college. Tom was eight years older than me, but I always looked up to him and wanted to be like him. Then I started to think back and remember Tom and his impact on my life.
Tom Moritz was a founding member of Alpha Kappa Psi at the University of Dayton when he graduated in 1959. He was in the ROTC program and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U. S. Army upon graduation. Tom was a farm boy from Wooster, Ohio where he learned the values of hard work and a strong faith. Tom was active in many different clubs while at UD but remembered AKPsi the most. After graduation, Tom served as an Airborne Ranger and helicopter pilot where his dedication and bravery earned him the respect of his peers and superiors alike. His service included two combat tours in Vietnam where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, five Bronze Stars for Valor and 23 Air Medal citations representing over 350 combat missions. After 21 years in the U.S. Army, Tom retired as a Lieutenant Colonel to Newport News, Virginia to continue to support his growing family by starting a successful advertising company. Tom’s wife of forty years, Joy, was an Army nurse and they were blessed with five children and many grandchildren. Tom was buried at Arlington Cemetery in Washington D.C. with full honors.
I want to emphasize what a humble man Tom was. He never really wanted to discuss his Army career nor the many honors that he received during his twenty years of service. In Vietnam he dodged bullets and rescued wounded soldiers.
One of his medals came for rescuing the crew of a downed helicopter amid free fire, then returning to lift the crashed chopper out of the war zone. He recalled to me years later, that it was the University of Dayton that matured him and where his life values developed. He was proud to say that he was assigned with a young Colin Powell in his first assignment in Germany and they became good friends. He corresponded regularly with General Powell even up to his death. General Powell sent his regrets to his family that he could not make it to Tom’s burial at Arlington.
Tom’s family is humbled and thankful that Tom is being remembered as one of the deceased members in the Alpha Kappa Psi Memorial Fund that was started recently at U.D. to remember former members of the chapter. The family has made contributions to the Fund in Tom’s memory and hopes that others will do the same to sustain the Fund in the future.
