He looked like the ninety-seven pound weakling. He was always around, hitting the books and content to be a student at Notre Dame and surrounded by good company. He was in pre-med, a young kid, but so serious, so thoughtful. His name was Tom Dooley. He died of cancer the day after his 34th birthday. By that Dr. Tom Dooley was internationally famous as the medical missionary in Southeast Asia.
This was the inspiration, this was the challenge, this was the man for whom the new Assembly was named, Dr. Thomas A. Dooley Assembly Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus.
Dr. Thomas A. Dooley Assembly was formed June 24th, 1962 from a group of councils that included Father McDonald of Elmhurst, Mayslake of Hinsdale, St. John of Downers Grove/Westmont, Father Gaffney of West Chicago, and Wheaton. Ron T. Tallon was Master of the Northern Illinois District at the time. He called together Fourth Degree members from the above councils for the purpose of electing officers for the new assembly. Charter Officers were installed by Master Tallon on Monday, July 9, 1962 with Sir Knight Leon Heidgen of Elmhurst being selected as the Charter Faithful Navigator.
Dr. Dooley Assembly has grown from 6 councils in 1962 to 23 councils in 2012 with a total membership of 864 Sir Knights. Over the years Dr. Dooley Assembly has had a program of moral and financial support for seminarians. Currently, we are providing support for a seminarian with a modest stipend, which can be used to pay part of his personal expenses. Dr. Dooley Assembly also has supported the Joliet Diocese Chapter as a leading contributor each to the Chapter’s seminarian purse program for the Joliet Diocese.