After Notre Dame’s alumni association published a remembrance of former Notre Dame English teacher (the late) Conrad Vachon, Alumni Director Beth Campbell received a number of additional comments and memories of Vachon from former students, a few of which are published below.
The original article, published in the spring 2015 issue of IRISH magazine, is available here.
Watch for the fall 2015 issue of IRISH, which will be mailing soon.
From Wally Koster ‘64 (NDHS):
Ms. Campbell:
Thank you for the wonderful remembrance of Conrad Vachon, truly a special person. Mr. Vachon saw what he called "a glimmer of hope" in my writing assignments.
He encouraged me to keep a journal and thanks to him I've enjoyed a 40-plus-year career in advertising and other creative fields. 
I think of him often.
Kathleen and I sincerely enjoyed the '64 reunion.
Keep up the great work!
From Tom Alef '66 (NDHS):
I wrote a half-page paper on a poem for Mr. Vachon my freshman year. He flipped my paper over and wrote a full-page encouraging, constructive critique. Later that year he published a poem of mine in the Quest. He'd say he would drive into the sun, east on his way to ND, and west on his way home. Good reading about him.
From Thomas A. Novak '58 (NDHS):
I was surprised and pleased to see my picture in the article about Conrad Vachon. I still owe him for his inspiration as I am still writing.
I just completed my fourth book, three of which are police/action novels. My latest novel, “The County,” is about my character, Jake Bush, moving to and working in Oakland County during the mid-1970s. Mr. Vachon preached to me about the importance of doing research, and I was able to use the knowledge of recently retired Lieutenant Thomas Parker to get a feel of what it was like being a sheriff's deputy during this time frame. When I sent the galley of the book to Lt. Parker, he said I took him back 40 years. That statement in itself tells me I must have done a decent job.
Thanks,
Thomas A. Novak '58 (NDHS)
Author of: “Among the Tin Cans and Broken Glass,” “Alley Justice,” “The County” and “Good Ones and Scallywags.”
From Dennis Ertzbischoff, '64 (NDHS):
Hello Beth,
Mai oui, le professeur Vachon;
The graduation night for the 1964 NDHS class was one when I could get even with Conrad Vachon for all the “chest thumps’ he doled out to me during that year.
My parents accompanied me to the ceremony—an obvious choice—but I had arranged a surprise for Le Professeur.
After the ceremony, we visited with several teachers and eventually with Vachon. My grandmother had attended as well to see her first grandson graduate. I was in the process of introducing them to each other, but as Le Professeur turned to greet her, I said to her in French that he was my French teacher.
Unknown to Conrad Vachon, my grandmother was French, born and raised in France, and so was my grandfather.
She took his hand and "parlez-ed away!”
I knew I had gotten my revenge when he fumbled, stumbled, and gave me his evil-eye stare – HA, HA, HA!!!
He continued his greeting with granny in English.
So, Mr. Vachon, wherever you are, revenge is sweet for me to have remembered that evening. I hope you had memories of it as well.
From Ron Hier '66 (NDHS):
I had Conrad for four years. He never called me by my right name in all four of those years. We were one of the few classes that, because of a shortage of teachers, were lucky enough to have him for English during freshman year. Then I had him for my first year of French (got a ‘D’); then had him for junior-year English. After that I had Mr. Kelly as my homeroom and English teacher, but they did lectures in the cafeteria, and Conrad was involved. He never got my name right. On purpose, I think. Unique, he was.
Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org.
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.