Bob Chou ’61, ’63 M.S.
Few people can claim Mother Teresa as a close family friend, but Bob Chou ’61, ’63 M.S. is one of them. During his childhood in Calcutta, India, Chou’s father helped Mother Teresa, then a poor nun, get critical food supplies to the leper colony she served. When it was time for Bob and his brother Terry to choose a college, Mother Teresa helped forge a connection that led them to Notre Dame—and the outcome shaped each of their lives in ways they never imagined.
“From Calcutta, we took a freighter ship to America, a 30-day ocean voyage. Once we arrived in Jacksonville, N.C., another Holy Cross priest, Father Alfred Neff, helped get us to Indiana. I’ll never forget what he said: ‘You are at Notre Dame now. Goodbye and good luck.’ We knew nothing—except that somehow, God wanted us there. We worked hard, found friendships, especially Jim Hilliard ’59, met our future wives, and built lives we never could have planned.”
In this season of Advent, how can we, like all the saints in heaven, become an avenue of generosity for those around us and change their lives for good?
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Beautiful!! A story that makes our big world seem smaller and connected. Thank you for sharing this story!
Very beautiful, touching and inspirational story. It made us appreciate life more
Bob, such a Beautiful story! Proud to be a Notre Dame brother and blessed family member with you & yours ☘️
Extra prayers today for your Father 🙏🏼
Love this !
Having a relationship with an earthbound angel like now St. Mother Teresa was a gift. Then she became a pivotal point the lives in the Chou brother’s lives. You can see God’s hands all over their lives. Advent marked even more mindful of God’s oversight in our lives and I am so grateful for it.
Wow! So beautifu and touchig.
Thank you for sharing this amazing story! May God bless you always!
What a story
What a great and beautiful story. Loved your family pictures.
I appreciate your sharing. The ways of God are marvelous, thanks.
Mr. Chou, I never tire of hearing that story. Such a wonderful inclusion in the Sacred Stories series. Wishing you and the entire family and very blessed Christmas.
This is the essence of the universality of the Notre Dane community and a connection to Mothet Theresa
I,too, graduated from Notre Dame in 1961 and although I grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania I had the same feeling when my parents dropped me off at Breen Phillips Hall with the same sentiments as Father Neff’s. I now reside in the suburbs of Raleigh, NC-not far from Jacksonville. May God and our Blessed Mother Mary continue to bless you and your brother.
What a beautiful story of love and service and the manifestation of Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Could watch this over and again. I hope you get to the Grotto and enjoy many more years of good health, Bob.
Wonderful story from a classmate!
I really enjoyed Mr. Chou’s touching reflection on his family dinners with Mother Teresa. I spent several months after graduation with the Salesians in southern India and had the chance to visit her tomb in Calcutta. Mr. Chou’s description brought back wonderful memories of the friendliness of the Indian communities I visited. Thank you so much for sharing your journey.
What a legacy of family he and his wife created…3 generations of genuine people!
What an amazing story! God Bless you and your family.
What an amazing story honoring parents, a Saint, a Holy Cross priest, Notre Dame, and an impressive Notre Dame family.
I loved your story. Thank you for sharing.
Beautiful story! It’s God’s loving plan for all who attend Notre Dame.
Wow such a beautiful & powerful story. Blessing to you Bob & your extended family. ND’72
A beautiful & inspiring story! Brought tears to my eyes.
As a favorite priest of ours would say often, “It was the finger of God” ..no doubt!
Merry Christmas!
Patricia
Remarkable, Bob! Thanks for sharing this lovely account.
Inspiring!
Bob:
Thank you for sharing this impressive story of your discovery of Notre Dame and its continuance in subsequent generations.
Bob, thank you for sharing your beautiful story. God bless you and your entire family.
Completely and blessedly inspiring. No greater evidence of God’s work in our lives than your story. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Wow! What an example of AMAZING GRACE! You and your Brother must have had anxiety crossing the Ocean not knowing anything about your future. Glad to hear that your cancer treatment went well. It’s all about Faith, isn’t it. I have just retired after 33 years at Warner Bros Studios. The next chapter of my life, with a relocation back to my home state of Michigan, is just beginning, but we know God holds all of us and our lives in his hands.
Wow! Thank you for sharing your special story Bob-what an honor to have known Mother Teresa. It was touching to hear you thank your parents, not many people do that. I hope that you are feeling better and that you and your lovely family enjoy a beautiful Christmas.
Thank you for sharing your inspirational story.
Enjoyed the Bob Chou story! God Bless him!
I have a friend from Mumbai who also supported Mothes Teresa. I enjoyed seeing photos of Mother Teresa at his daughter’s wedding!
Chris Monahan ’61
Terrific story -thank you for sharing!!!
Really , goodbye and good luck ? That’s it ?
May God Bless you Bob on your continued journey of faith. All the Best!
Steve Bartoli
Fellow IAB member
Beautiful story. Thank you for sharing it. I have been battling stage 4 head and neck cancer for over 2.5 years, including a brain tumor for nearly a year. Sadly, one of the symptoms includes difficulty reading, so having access to narrated stories like this is quite the blessing for me, especially given the content and the source. Bless you, Bob Chou and Notre Dame, and bless you, Bob, for your health.
Such a beautiful and amazing story. Thank you for sharing and wishing you and your family many blessings this Christmas season!
What a priceless story! Truly wonderful in so many ways.
Awesome inspiring story that is so much needed right now. Thanks for sharing!
What a wonderful life story and accomplishment! Thanks for sharing. I wish you and your family a happy Christmas.
Bob,
Great to hear from you and congrats on your story. Our soccer years continue as a great memory, at least 6+ times a year I get to tell strangers that I was on the first ND soccer team.
If you are still going to SB in the summer. let me know as we still spend a month there every year.
Bob chow mother Teresa notre dame perfect way to show the greatness of the wonderful life to give yourself to the service of others to the missions around the world
Great life story thank you
Bob what an incredible story! Thank you for sharing your journey. Prayers for your continued health and have a happy and holy Christmas.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful story! Tears came to my eyes as I listened to your amazing journey. I pray that you and your family will have a wonderful Christmas! 🙏❤️🎄🍀
After losing all of my most sacred belongings in the Palisades Fire this year, I’m grateful to have moved back in with my Mom & Sister and I’m fortunate to see my family everyday!
There are times I want and blame the mayor for the fire, I must not forget God’s Holy hand protecting me! I am grateful!
What a great story! Thanks for sharing.
So proud of you and Terry, Bob! When we were still living in Calcutta, mom always told us about how proud she was of Terry and you and that one day she hoped we (the Huangs) would have similar opportunities and be successful. I have very fond memories of the day you and your lovely family came to stay with Mavi and I in Hamilton, Ontario. I respected you then, as I do now.
It takes a cancer survivor to truly appreciate a cancer survivor! It is now 15 years since my bladder cancer diagnosis, and I have made it my life’s endeavour (as a volunteer) to give back to Bladder Cancer Canada.
Love and Hugs Bob!
Alex
A beautiful and inspiring story from a fellow Notre Dame man
on Christmas Eve. “May God bless you and keep you always,
may your heart always be joyful, may your wishes all come true,
and may you stay forever young.”BD.
Great story Bob!
Just incredible! Merry Christmas!
Bob, God bless you and your family. Thank you for Sharing. Merry Christmas to the Notre Dame Family
Go IRISH!!!!