Alumni Association Launches New Centenarian Club
This month, the ND Alumni Association launched the ND Centenarian Club--an initiative designed to recognize and honor alumni who have reached the age of 100.
In addition to a special feature in ND Today, honorees will receive a certificate documenting their new status in the club, which will be signed by University President Rev. John I. Jenkins, ND Alumni Association Executive Director Chuck Lennon, and the Alumni Board President.
The first recipient of this honor is Richard J. “Dick” Savage, who turned 100 years old on Jan. 7.
A 1930 graduate of Notre Dame, Dick remains committed to the University and still serves as the secretary for his class. Though these days, most of the class notes he submits are about him.
“There aren’t many of us left from the class of 1930,” Dick says.
But that hasn’t stopped him from attending his class reunions. In fact, he’s only missed two since he’s been eligible to attend: once in 1945 and then again in 1980. And this fall, the avid ND football fan made a special trip to campus for a football game–an experience he treasures, though he wishes the outcome had been different.
Still, he doesn’t lament over a losing season. “We’ve had seasons like this before,” Dick says. “1928 was bad – we just came off two great seasons, then we lost half our games in 1928. We’ll rebound. We always do.”
Dick attended several classic football games while he was a student at Notre Dame. In fact, he travelled to New York to attend the Army game made famous by Head Coach Knute Rockne’s “win one for the Gipper” locker room speech.
Football is what attracted Dick to ND as a senior in high school in 1925, though he waited a year before actually enrolling. He wanted to room with his cousin, Robert, who was a half year behind him in school. They lived in Howard Hall together during their freshman year.
When asked about his fondest memories of Notre Dame, Dick says he can’t choose just one. “There were so many things that impressed me when I was a student. I’m a sports nut, and football was great back then. But then I think about all the times that Father O’Hara (Rev. John F. O'Hara, C.S.C., president of the University from 1934-1940) would kick off the spring season by jumping into the lake on campus – it was always so cold. Maybe that’s what helped his memory—he knew every student on campus, and he knew when they went to church!”
Dick graduated with a degree that’s no longer offered—a Ph.C. “That’s philosophy in commerce,” Dick explains. “Essentially, it was an accounting degree.”
Immediately after graduation, Dick married his sweetheart, Eleanore. They were married for 60 years before she passed away in 1990. They had seven children, six daughters and one son. Today, Dick enjoys spending time with his 30 grandchildren and 58 great-grandchildren—one of whom was born a day before his 100th birthday.
“My family threw me a large party the weekend before my birthday, complete with a kiltie band,” Dick says. “At the party, my granddaughter leaned over and whispered that her water had just broken. My newest great-grandson was born shortly afterward.”
Today, Dick lives in the same Chicago home he’s owned for 59 years. He keeps himself busy working crossword puzzles and playing bridge—a game he has enjoyed for 80 years. “One of my partners played in the World Cup of Bridge, so I guess you can say we have a decent team,” he says.
As for his thoughts on turning 100: “I never thought I’d make it to this age,” he says.
That’s because he was diagnosed with the flu in 1918—many years before antibiotics were discovered. That year, the Spanish flu pandemic left an estimated 50 million people dead, including two of Dick’s aunts and cousins.
“I was just a little kid, and I can remember my mom and dad standing at the foot of my bed talking with the doctor,” Dick says. “I thought I was a goner. But apparently the good Lord wanted to keep me around.”
Indeed. Despite 20 radiation treatments for cancer in 2007 (it affected the area around his eye, and disrupted his eyesight, though his sight has since returned), Dick is alive and kicking. He credits his longevity to “a life of moderation.”
“If you live halfway decently, you have a chance to make it to 100,” he laughs. “I’ve always said ‘I drink for taste, not for effect. And I never drink alone. That’s my secret.”
Well, that and rest. “I take plenty of naps, too,” Dick says.
If you know of an alumnus who will be turning 100 this year, let us know. The Alumni Association will honor him with a tribute and a special certificate honoring his 100th birthday.
