Join us for our weekly “Rock Reflections,” a series celebrating Trinity alumni. From all 50 states to countries worldwide, our graduates are making an impact, and we'll share their stories on Trinity's website and social media.
This week's profile is about Ken Block ’69 and Paul Bruenderman ’69
Class of 1969 alumni Ken Block and Paul Bruenderman are instrumental in their graduating class often being the leaders among giving to the Trinity Annual Fund for financial aid. For fiscal year 2024-25, the Class of ’69 finished first in the number of donors. Over 43% of Trinity students receive financial aid, so it’s crucial to many of our families.
Ken came to Trinity from St. Margaret Mary Catholic School. He was no stranger to Trinity by the time he was a freshman. His older brothers – Larry ’62, Mike ’65 and Bruce ’66 – also attended Trinity. His youngest brother, Stan ’71, followed. Ken’s son, Randy ’01, is a Trinity alumnus.
Paul came to Trinity from St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School. He too has long Trinity ties. His four brothers – Wayne ’70, Bob ’73, Bill ’76 and Mark ’81 – are Trinity alumni. Paul also has 21 first cousins and five second cousins who attended Trinity. There were three first cousins and one second cousin in the Class of ’69.
Ken played basketball and ran track all four years. In fact, in 1968, Ken scored the first three points in the then-new Steinhauser Gymnasium. He hit a 2-point field goal and was fouled, sending him to the free-throw line.
Paul played soccer and intramural football and basketball.
One of Ken’s favorite teachers was Rev. Kevin Caster H’93.
“I remember Father Caster’s English class,” Ken said. “On the first day of school our junior year, he held up a ‘Sports Illustrated’ magazine with a baseball player on the cover. He said, ‘Boys, welcome to the big leagues!’ He had such a sense of humor; he knew how to make Old English, ‘Beowulf’ and (Geoffrey) Chaucer fun.”
Ken also recalls the benefits of his Trinity education, saying his first two years of college were basically a repeat of what he’d learned at Trinity.
Paul remembers math teacher John Esterle H’05.
“I got into marketing and sales after high school,” Paul said. “I used a lot of spreadsheets and did a lot of accounting and bookkeeping. John Esterle made the most sense to me from a business standpoint.”
Upon graduating from Trinity, Ken attended the University of Louisville, earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing. He then started his own property-and-casualty agency. In 1990, he merged his agency with three other insurance agents. In 1998, Ken sold his interest in the insurance business and started a financial services firm. In 2006, he brought his son, Randy, into the business which allowed him to semi-retire four years ago.
Paul worked full-time as a Coca-Cola delivery truck driver and attended night school at U of L. He earned an associate’s degree in advertising and later a marketing degree. Following college, Paul was promoted to general sales manager for Coca-Cola.
Paul moved to the Northeast to work for the Canada Dry Ginger Ale Company. He lived in Philadelphia and worked in New York City. For 30 years, he worked in sales and marketing in Louisville, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Connecticut and California. His clients included Cadbury, Nabisco, Coca-Cola and R. J. Reynolds.
Paul eventually returned to Louisville and did accounting and bookkeeping for his brothers Bill and Bob’s construction company. He is retired and drives a school bus for local school field trips.
Ken and Paul have fond and lasting memories of their Trinity days.
“Our teachers made classes come alive,” Paul said. “They took what we were learning and applied it to the world around us. I remember coming together with all the students, learning the daily routine, going to sporting events and pep rallies.”
“I remember the hustle and bustle,” Ken said. “I enjoyed coming to school. The energy and atmosphere were outstanding. There was such a variety in personalities and friends.”
Ken also noted that he learned time management, how to set goals and wanted to succeed.
“Trinity laid the groundwork to become successful in the business world,” Ken said. “Those experiences have been key to my adult life.”
For Paul, his time at Trinity also inspires him to participate in fundraising for financial aid.
“After I got out of Trinity, the Alumni Association helped with networking. But all the people I met here are lifelong friends,” Paul said. “Those people have helped me through life. The discipline I got here allowed me to do any job I’ve had. Whether it was driving a truck or cutting grass, it was done right. Being part of a team, going to an all-male school and being taught by priests – all those things get to my reason why I want to raise money for Trinity, which is: The world needs more Trinity alumni.”
Ken and Paul are Class Agents and serve as decade chairs for the 1960s on the Trinity Annual Fund Committee. They devote many hours to calling classmates during the Alumni Phonathon, as well as connecting with classmates year-round.
“We always claim to be Trinity’s greatest class,” Ken said. “But you have to prove it. Trinity was so good to us, we want to give something back.”
“Our class is competitive, but it’s much more than that,” Paul said. “It’s the bond that was formed at Trinity. We’ve kept those bonds over the years at class reunions, our quarterly lunches and other events.”
To classes that endeavor to surpass the Class of ’69 in the number of givers, Ken and Paul say, “Bring it on! Join the effort to provide financial aid for the Trinity students of today and tomorrow.”
Ken and his wife, Sheryl, have been married 51 years. They are members of St. Patrick Catholic Church. In addition to their son, Randy, they have a daughter, Erin (Assumption, 2003). They also have four grandchildren.
Paul has two children, Lori and Matt, and four grandchildren. He attends St. Edward Catholic Church.
Share an alumni story!
Do you know a Trinity alumnus with a compelling story? Please reach out to Travis Wagoner '90, Alumni Relations & Communications Director, at 502-736-2122 or wagoner@trinityrocks.com.
A History of Greatness
Since 1953, Trinity has benefitted from great teachers, resources, and activities to shape and guide promising boys into great men. The 106 students from our first graduating class have been followed by a legacy of academic, personal and cultural achievement. To learn more about our proud heritage, visit https://www.trinityrocks.com/o/trinityfoundation/page/about-us.
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