Join us for “Rock Reflections,” a series celebrating Trinity alumni. From 48 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, we’re reflecting with Albert Gutterman '74
“I learned how to pray on senior retreat,” Albert Gutterman ’74 said. “I attended Catholic grade schools and Mass every week, but it wasn’t until Senior Retreat that I learned to really pray. It was life changing. My eyes were opened by our Trinity priests.”
Albert’s Senior Retreat experience would inspire him to help found the Alumni Retreat years later. Albert is a Class Agent and donor and has served on the former Team Trinity and the Alumni and Foundation boards. He also serves on his class’s reunion committee and volunteered for the Alumni Phonathon and the former CelebraTion dinner.
Albert attended St. Martha Catholic School for four years before transferring to St. Pius X. He wanted to play football for the legendary Joe Maupin, who had won numerous Catholic School Athletic Association Toy Bowls.
When it came time to select a high school, Albert was swayed by Trinity’s open house.
“Everyone at Trinity welcomed me with open arms. They were kind and easy-going,” he said. “Also, my parents divorced when I was 13 and I was pretty much on my own. But I had a family – my Trinity family. It provided the discipline I needed at the time.”
As a student, Albert was a member of the Pep Club and Student Advisory Board and participated in cross country and wrestling. Some of his favorite teachers were Richard Carey, Rev. Ron Domhoff H’98, Gene Eckert ’62, John Esterle H’05, Rev. Joe Hemmerle and Dennis Lampley H’92.
A pivotal experience
Senior Retreat was a pivotal experience for Albert. He went on the second ever Senior Retreat in April 1974 at Nazareth outside of Bardstown.
“It was spectacular,” he said. “Some of the guys who went on the first retreat served as leaders on the second retreat. We all felt so connected.”
The retreat also was memorable for what transpired during it. On Monday, April 3, 1974, the first day of the retreat, Louisville was devastated by an F4 tornado that killed three people and injured hundreds more.
“I remember we were sitting in the dark praying and reminiscing about the retreat talk we’d just heard entitled ‘Trusting Jesus,’” Albert said. “I figured they were just testing us. Then it got really dark. Father Domhoff told us the tornado was on its way and evacuated us to a safe area. Then it hit.”
“I remember that Friday we were heading back to Trinity, driving down Bardstown Road. We finally saw the damage. I’ll never forget the devastation.”
Another of Albert’s memorable Trinity moments is the night he reconnected with his future wife, Sue, a student at Sacred Heart Academy.
“Sue was a year behind me at St. Pius, so we already knew each other,” Albert said. “When I was a sophomore, I met her again at a Trinity basketball game, and I asked her out on a date. I remember that night like it was yesterday.
‘The good Lord has been good to me, and I want to give back’
Albert has been generous to Trinity with his time, talent and treasure.
“The good Lord has been good to me, and I want to give back,” he said. “I don’t know where I’d be without Trinity. Trinity took care of me. My class started a scholarship to help kids come to Trinity. Trinity also taught me how to be a good husband and father.”
Additionally, Albert was a member of the chain gang for home football games for 25 years, retiring after the 2025 season. It was a role he loved.
“It was serious, but we had a great time on the chain gang,” Albert said. “I heard some funny things from opposing coaches and players. I remember one time a kid came out of the game and told his coach, ‘All I see is green out there!’ Another time a coach told a player to get in the game. The player said, ‘No way, Coach!’ took off his helmet and took a knee.”
After graduating in 1974, Albert attended the University of Kentucky, earning a bachelor’s degree in animal science in 1978. During college, he lived and worked at three horse farms owned by UK – Main Chance, Spindletop Farms and Coldstream. He was paid 90 cents per hour.
Albert went to work for his father’s business, Cardinal Fence. He took over the company in 1983.
Ten years into his career, he found an opportunity to help Trinity. The former baseball backstop behind Sheehan Hall (C Building to some) needed replacing. Albert’s company did the job for no charge.
“I was proud to have redesigned it,” he said. “We applied netting where balls were flying and breaking windows at the car dealership next door. It’s the first thing I did for Trinity after I graduated. It was a proud moment. Father Duerr [H’92] and Rich Rostel [H’93] made a big deal about it. As a young man in business, it meant a lot to me.”
Shortly thereafter, Albert changed careers, selling radiology equipment across the country for 21 years. In 2014, he purchased a printing company, New Leaf Business Solutions, which prints letters for the insurance industry. The venture will soon be ending as most companies are going electronic-only.
An enduring contribution
The Alumni Retreat is among Albert’s most enduring contributions to Trinity. But it’s a source of deep gratitude for him. The annual retreat was born from a chance meeting of Albert and brother alumni Sean McGuire ’84 and Paul Resch ’76 at an airport.
“Sean was reading his Bible, Paul had literature about where Christ is and I had my ‘Magnificat.’ We started chatting, and I told them about the Fishermen, a group I was involved with at my parish, St. Patrick. We decided we needed to do a retreat for our alumni – to provide an opportunity to reconnect with their faith and Trinity.”
The first Alumni Retreat was held at Trinity in 2013. Albert, Sean and Paul planned and coordinated it.
“I’m so proud of that retreat. It laid the foundation for what continues long after I’m gone,” Albert said. “Maybe 30 people came to the first retreat. Now, 125 come. We’re also grateful to have six or seven priests who attend late in the day to offer an optional Sacrament of Reconciliation. The planning committee has expanded from its three members to 20 alumni of all ages.”
Albert and the Alumni Retreat founders’ gift will indeed endure. It was built by brotherhood and faith.
“I give back because Trinity gave me the basics – love, security, family and faith,” Albert said. “It continues to give young men the things they need during high school and later as alumni. Trinity grounded me at times when I needed it. Attending Trinity is one of best decisions I have ever made. It’s a brotherhood. It’s real. There’s nothing like it.”
Albert and Sue (Sacred Heart, 1975) have been married for 48 years. They are charter members of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Louisville. They have four children – Lee (Trinity, 1998); Michael (Trinity, 2000); Chad (Trinity, 2003); and Brooke (Sacred Heart, 2007). They also have five granddaughters and a grandson on the way.
Share an alumni story!
Do you know a Trinity alumnus with a compelling story? Please reach out to Travis Wagoner '90, Alumni Relations, Communications & Archives at 502-736-2122 or wagoner@trinityrocks.com.
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