John Forhan
Upon graduation, I soon stopped celebrating and faced the bracing of “Beast Barracks” at West Point. Two and ½ years later I had to leave because of a nasty staph infection which required 6 months of hospitals, including Walter Reed in DC, and several surgeries. I then finished at JCU with many old CLS friends and went to law school at Notre Dame. For the next 10 years I did a combination of civil rights law and political work ending in working in the Carter administration. Subsequently, I opened my solo law office in Santa Barbara, my wife Carol’s hometown. 2 daughters and 4 grandkids later I was grounded by my cardiologist from litigation and closed my office. In retirement, I am teaching ½ time at Antioch University Santa Barbara and volunteering as a tutor in a grade school. I enjoy them both very much. I do regret not being able to see more of our CLS classmates, who I consider to be the best group of guys I have ever known. However, I may have logged the most miles to get to Muldoon’s Last Fridays! Usually I make one every year. I wish the class of ’62 all the best, John
Please go to http://odyssey.antiochsb.edu/faculty-profiles/the-story-of-john-forhan-antiochs-own-social-justice-hero/ and read about John's private and public life's dedication to Social Justice.
John Forhan has some personal reflections to share following our loss of Steve Hogan and Joe Kolezynski.
Hi everyone
The events of this week have brought home to me the question: Who am I hiding from? At this age, why should I be afraid of the complete truth? I just wrote Tom Begley ( Jimmy Blaszak kept his promise to sic Tom on reunion laggards - and bless them both for caring that we all get there ). 5 years ago and now I used the very real reasons of lack of time and money to make the trip in view of the other trips I make to OH to visit my Mom, who is still with us, and brothers and sisters. The more serious reason I've asked the few people who know to keep confidential. I don't think Antioch is going to fire me now and neither will I be applying for any new jobs or lose my volunteer work, so here goes.
After a heart attack about 15 years ago, I started to have severe panic attacks - shaking, stuttering, dry mouth, sweating and a lot of anger from the shame of being seen like that. Unfortunately, the anger would sometimes be taken out on those around me just for witnessing thls. After these events I would get very depressed. The cycle became so frequent that I was diagnosed as chronic. One of the triggers of the attacks is being in a large group of people. Small groups like Antioch classes , which top out at 20-25 students, or Muldoon's gatherings I seem to be able to handle with light medication. Large groups I don't seem to handle even with heavy medication.
I would love to be able to come in Sept, but I just can't do it. I will just have to settle for communicating by distance. I certainly will be thinking about you, as I have this week. I occasionally look at the gathering and reunion pictures with my '62 yearbook in hand to see if I can match up faces. I'll probably do the same this reunion weekend.
I think of you often and wish that I knew many of you better, John
(posted 6/4/2017)
Upon graduation, I soon stopped celebrating and faced the bracing of “Beast Barracks” at West Point. Two and ½ years later I had to leave because of a nasty staph infection which required 6 months of hospitals, including Walter Reed in DC, and several surgeries. I then finished at JCU with many old CLS friends and went to law school at Notre Dame. For the next 10 years I did a combination of civil rights law and political work ending in working in the Carter administration. Subsequently, I opened my solo law office in Santa Barbara, my wife Carol’s hometown. 2 daughters and 4 grandkids later I was grounded by my cardiologist from litigation and closed my office. In retirement, I am teaching ½ time at Antioch University Santa Barbara and volunteering as a tutor in a grade school. I enjoy them both very much. I do regret not being able to see more of our CLS classmates, who I consider to be the best group of guys I have ever known. However, I may have logged the most miles to get to Muldoon’s Last Fridays! Usually I make one every year. I wish the class of ’62 all the best, John
Please go to http://odyssey.antiochsb.edu/faculty-profiles/the-story-of-john-forhan-antiochs-own-social-justice-hero/ and read about John's private and public life's dedication to Social Justice.
John Forhan has some personal reflections to share following our loss of Steve Hogan and Joe Kolezynski.
Hi everyone
The events of this week have brought home to me the question: Who am I hiding from? At this age, why should I be afraid of the complete truth? I just wrote Tom Begley ( Jimmy Blaszak kept his promise to sic Tom on reunion laggards - and bless them both for caring that we all get there ). 5 years ago and now I used the very real reasons of lack of time and money to make the trip in view of the other trips I make to OH to visit my Mom, who is still with us, and brothers and sisters. The more serious reason I've asked the few people who know to keep confidential. I don't think Antioch is going to fire me now and neither will I be applying for any new jobs or lose my volunteer work, so here goes.
After a heart attack about 15 years ago, I started to have severe panic attacks - shaking, stuttering, dry mouth, sweating and a lot of anger from the shame of being seen like that. Unfortunately, the anger would sometimes be taken out on those around me just for witnessing thls. After these events I would get very depressed. The cycle became so frequent that I was diagnosed as chronic. One of the triggers of the attacks is being in a large group of people. Small groups like Antioch classes , which top out at 20-25 students, or Muldoon's gatherings I seem to be able to handle with light medication. Large groups I don't seem to handle even with heavy medication.
I would love to be able to come in Sept, but I just can't do it. I will just have to settle for communicating by distance. I certainly will be thinking about you, as I have this week. I occasionally look at the gathering and reunion pictures with my '62 yearbook in hand to see if I can match up faces. I'll probably do the same this reunion weekend.
I think of you often and wish that I knew many of you better, John
(posted 6/4/2017)