Lewis Derbes
Fr Harry Tompson Remembrance
Paul Bonitatibus, Fr. Harry, Lew Derbes Sr with Fr. Harry at “Touchdown Jesus mural on the exterior of Dame Hesburgh Library”
In one of our many discussions with Fr Tompson in 1983 or 1984, he mentioned to Paul Bonitatibus (my Notre Dame roommate) & I that he had never been to see the Notre Dame campus & while he had no love for ND, he’d love to see it someday.
Paul & I had arranged a college visit for 2 Jesuit High juniors, Jody Morris (’87) & John McMahon (‘87) as well as our sons, Lew Jr (‘89) & Kris (‘90) for the 1985 ND/LSU game weekend. We asked Harry to join us.
After arriving on campus Friday afternoon, our first stop was to be the Grotto & then the Administration Building (i.e. the Golden Dome). Walking toward the Grotto we passed Corby Hall, The Priests’ Residence, and paused as a little black compact car pulled into the small parking lot between it & the Grotto.
Much to our amazement, it was Fr Ted Hesburgh, President of Notre Dame, returning to campus. We mentioned who it was to Harry. Harry said “Stay here, I’ve always wanted to meet him.” as we quickly followed the car to its parking space.
As Fr Ted exited his car, Harry walked up to him & said “Thompson, Jesuit High, New Orleans!” Fr Ted, rather startled, looked up & said “Hesburgh, Notre Dame!”
They chatted for about 10 minutes before Fr Ted excused himself to get to a meeting.
With Harry’s visit including a visit to the Grotto, the Basilica, the Dome, Touchdown Jesus, #1 Moses, and Notre Dame Stadium (where he delighted in LSU beating our beloved Irish, & never let us forget!), he finally admitted to us that “it wasn’t such a bad place” & could understand why we were so devoted to it.
Lewis Derbes JHS‘67/ ND ‘71
Jody Morris, Fr. Harry, John McMahon (rear), Lew Derbes, Jr (front) & Kris Bonitatibus (right) at the Grotto on Notre Dame’s campus
Fr. Harry at #1 Moses Statute outside the Notre Dame Hesburgh Library
John McMahon, Jody Morris & Fr. Harry with Notre Dame’s Golden Dome in background