Joe Mantegna and Greg Alaimo (BHS '66)

From Greg's Facebook Wall... Wonderful, Greg!

"Joe Mantegna received an award from the Medal of Honor Society. I presented Joe with a flag flown over the US Capital in remember of CPL LARRY L MAXAM MOH.

"Joe stated he was going to mention Larry in his acceptance speech !!

"OOORAH !"


Read more about Larry Maxam

Read more about Joe Mantegna

Deanna Yates BHS '83 Passed Away 2/24/12

Sad news from Facebook BHS Memorial Page...

Deanna's family would like to share their eternal loving memory of their Mother, Daughter, Sister, Granddaughter, Niece, Cousin, and Friend. Deanna returned home to her Heavenly Father on February 24, 2012, while her mother, daughter and I were holding her hand...

Deanna's smile, positive attitude, generosity, and love for life touched so many people. To honor Deanna, we will have a funeral service to celebrate her wonderful life.

Burbank Funeral Service
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
136 North Sunset Canyon
Burbank, CA 91501

Greet Family 10:15-10:45 am
Service 11:00 am

Procession to Cemetery Immediately Following Service.

Pierce Brothers Valhalla
10621 Victory Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91606

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Deanna's children, Cade and Kylie VanNewkirk. A donation account has been set up at:

Deer Vally Credit Union
15458 North 28th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85053
(602) 375-7300
Account Number 715191-1000

~ by Paola Yates ~

Leigh Hilt's (BHS '64) Retirement/Send-Off Party

Pam Kirkwood posted this great photo on Facebook today!



Had a great time this past Saturday at the Retirement/Farewell "Send-Off" for Leigh Hilt BHS '64, that was given by Terry and Wayne Patterson at their beautiful home in San Clemente.

Attending were Chris Blaisdell Patterson (JBHS '62) and hubby Steve Patterson (BHS '62), Meg (Immaculate Heart '66) and Tony Goffredo (JBHS '64), Fluffy Richardson Marca (BHS '72?) and hubby Joe Marca (BHS '64), Larry Goudie (JBHS '63), Mike Gerbovaz (BHS '64), Pam Zipfel Kirkwood (BHS '64) and Jon Kirkwood (BHS '64), Leigh Hilt (BHS '64) and of course, our wonderful hostess, Terry Murphy Patterson (BHS '65) and host, Wayne Patterson (BHS '64).

Unable to attend were Connie Herman Goudie (BHS '64), Carole Geertson Gerbovaz (BHS '65) and Tom (BHS '64) and Nanette O'Meara.

Leigh Hilt is moving to Joplin, Missouri to be near his Mom, children and grandchildren...We will miss our "Leighboy", but we trust that he will make frequent visits back to California as rumor has it, the "surf" isn't the best in Joplin!

Good Luck, Leigh and thanks for a wonderful time, Terry and Wayne!

Unusual Old Cars & Trucks

Dave Reback BHS '63 (1945-2012)

Sad news from Rudy Tirre via Pam Kirkwood...

For those of you who remember how fun it was in High School, and the friends we had made and how long it has lasted. I say this with sad news. This event I got a call from DeeDee Nelson (Fredrickson),saying that Dave Reback had passed away this morning from a heart attack. If you were a class ahead of us or behind us, everyone knew the Rebacks, Bob and Dave. Dave leaves behind Judy, his wife and two sons.

I am so sorry to pass this sad news, he was such a very good friend and brother not only to me but to others.

Jud

FEBRUARY 12, 2012 UPDATE

OBITUARY

David Reback

 Visit Guest Book

Reback, David Mark
August 3, 1945 - January 31, 2012

David died on January 31, 2012. He is survived by his mother, Edith, brother, Robert, wife, Judy, two children, Matthew and Daniel, daughters-in-law, Ann and Amy, grandchildren, Carter, Avery, Tyler, and Jack, and nieces and nephews, Meredith, Jessica, Michael, Dave, John, and Patricia.

David was born on August 3, 1945, and grew up in Burbank, CA. At Burbank H.S., he was student body president and captain of the football team. He then obtained his BS and teaching credentials at UCSB. In August of 1965, David married his high school sweetheart, Judy Haugh. They moved to Orange County in 1968, where David taught high school and coached football at Orange H.S. before moving into sales. Most recently, he worked alongside his lifelong friend, Mike Schackne.

David was always friendly and warm, and was quick to laugh. He enjoyed family and friends and was first to offer a helping hand. He held a special passion for the sport of cycling, which he enjoyed especially with his brother, sons, and friends in OC. He is and will be missed.

Published in the Los Angeles Times on February 12, 2012

FEBRUARY 13, 2012 UPDATE

Received this touching email today...

Hi...

This morning, I received these pix and the following message from Gerry Mylroie '63 regarding the message I had forwarded to him about the sudden passing of Dave Reback BHS '63...Pam

Shocked. I just saw this message from Pam and Jud.

During this last Christmas visit from Maine, for my mother's 98th birthday too, Dave and I met for breakfast and then for over two of the most memorable hours of stories and laughter with my family.

We talked about all of you and the great times at BHS, his never ending love of Judy, how proud he was about this son's and their families, his mother (98 too), his brother Bob and his family. We also talked about working with Mike Schnackne, and about Mark Franzen, MaryEllen Blaine and Chuck Wendling, Kathy Clarke, Kathy Bruner, Sharron McDowell, Laurel Shear, Robin Norwood, Ginny Gfeller, John Smallenberg, Dennis Milkie, Cary McLeod, Phil Colata, Patty Mitchell, Dee Dee Fredrickson, Ben Carter, Keith Kramas, Gary Cummings, and more. We laughed so hard, we cried over his sales experiences, as well as being the only two student body presidents to play on the BHS golf team and spending afternoons and evenings at DeBell golf course.

He was as always upbeat, an optimist, smiling, energetic, loving life and looking forward to enjoying it with Judy and his grandchildren.

On the way to my mother's home, I got him to pull his car over and we took each others photos in front of our favorite high school filled with so many great memories of being with all of you. The facade had changed, as had we, but the memories will always live on.

I could go on, but I am still in shock.

My deepest sympathies to Judy and his family.

Love and lots of best wishes to all you.

Gerry Mylroie

5 Spoondrift Lane
Cape Elizabeth, Maine 04107
cell 207-712-6333

Carlos Wheeler BHS '55 (1937-2012)

Last night my sister, Susie Palmer Wheeler (BHS '58) called to tell me that Carlos Wheeler, her former husband, had died yesterday, February 7, 2012, at his southern California home.

The news was shocking and very sad.

Apparently, Carlos had biopsy surgery just a couple of weeks ago and they found lung cancer. After going home, he was having trouble breathing and after he died, the doctor said his lung was punctured.

Besides his wife, Kathy, Carlos is survived by daughters Laura Wheeler and Lynn Wheeler Cundiff, both of Scottsdale, Arizona, and brother, Greg Van Der Werff (BHS '67) of Pasadena.

FEBUARY 10, 2012 UPDATE

OBITUARY

Carlos Earl Wheeler died peacefully at his home in Rancho Cucamonga, California, early in the evening, Monday, February 6, after a short illness. He was born in Tonkawa City, Oklahoma on October 11, 1937, and was a son of Everett Earl Wheeler and Helen Frances Thompson, formerly of Conway Springs. His grandparents were Clarence Earl Wheeler and Lena Reed Hodge, of Conway Springs, and Charles Francis Thompson and Bessie Paulina Freeman, of Mayfield.

Mr. Wheeler was a talented mechanical engineer, designer, inventor, and business owner, working in the aerospace industry in Newport Beach, California, and later in Phoenix, Arizona. He attended the University of Southern California, and was a graduate of the University of Arizona at Tucson. He is survived by his first wife, Susan D Wheeler of Scottsdale, Arizona, and two daughters, Laura M Wheeler and Lynn M Cundiff, both of Scottsdale; his second wife, Kathy Wheeler, of Rancho Cucamonga; and a brother, Greg Van Der Werff, of California

Mr Fecht and the Museum of San Fernando Valley

New post on Burbank High Class of 1968

I found Mr. Fecht! by Katherine Crosier Mr. Fecht loved frogs! I've been looking through the faculty section of my Ceralbus and came across a picture of Gerald Fecht, whom I had as a senior. It's terrible, though, that at the moment I cannot recall the name of the class, except that it dealt with Senior issues — that is, Senior in high school issues, not what most of us are facing now — senior citizen issues! Maybe it was called Senior Studies? Can anyone remember the name of the class? I do recall that at the time, it was fun and interesting and we dealt with life issues. I remember Mr. Fecht making some very pithy and humorous comments about all sorts of things. Here's what he wrote in my yearbook: "Kathy, What a real pleasure to have you as a student. Your intellect and effort is exciting to observe. Remember Naitonal Frog Day — May 24th." Mr. Jerry Fecht in 2007 Anyway, in searching for Mr. Fecht on the Internet, I found an extensive and most interesting biography of him at the Notre Dame High School, Class of 1957 blog, which you can view by clicking here. Apparently he attended 11 different schools before graduating from Notre Dame in Sherman Oaks. He graduated from my alma mater, the University of Southern California, and became part of an education program for classroom interns. He came to Burbank High in 1967 where he met his wife, Janna Shreves, another teacher (My sister Margo recalls having her for math.) That means he was a newlywed when some of us had him for a teacher. Later he began doctoral studies and completed his PhD at USC, and accepted a teaching position in humanities at Moorpark College, Ventury County. He retired in 2004 and became President of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley. By my calculations, he will soon celebrate his 74th birthday. You can see him on YouTube here:

 

And here is the link to the Museum of the San Fernando Valley

Andrew Docker, BHS '71 (1954-2011)

Sorry to share another loss for the Class of 1971...



Andrew John Docker '71 passed away Sat., Oct. 29, 2011, in the Philippines from a heart attack.

He was teaching English, through reading the Bible, to local people.

Andrew immigrated from Coventry, England with his parents at about the age of 10 years old.

He was survived by his father, Donald, and his four sons: Jeremy, Bryan, Kyle, and Kevin and Grandchildren.

Angel Flight

In memory of Larry Maxam BHS '66, Greg Alaimo, also BHS '66 sent this very touching video...

Larry L Maxam
Cpl USMC
MEDAL OF HONOR
KIA Cam Lo Vietnam 2-2-1968
44 years today ( 2-2-2012 )
A soldier only dies when he is forgotten

Read a bit more about this song and Angel Flights.

Remember Soul Train?

Today founder of Soul Train, Don Cornelius passed away.

First Sculpture of 2012 by Scott Bruckner

Artist Scott Bruckner, BHS '66, completed his first piece this year: Stair Steps.

This 21" tall sculpure is cleverly made up of wood hangers painted black and white.

You can see Stair Steps in the Carlsbad-Oceanside Art League Gallery where it will be on display during the month of February.

Great job, Scott!

And here's Scott's Website: http://www.scottbruckner.com/