Rick Espinoza, BHS '70 (1952-2021)

 

Richard Espinoza

April 7, 1952 - September 27, 2021

Sad news... We just learned that Rick Espinoza passed away September 27, 2021. 

He grew up on Jolley Dr. in Burbank, and attended Thomas Jefferson Elementary, John Muir Junior High, and Burbank High. 

His former wife, first wife, was Sheila Poore Espinoza, also from BHS '70. 

Rick is survived by two daughters, Ann-Marie and Trisha, and by one son, Richard, and seven grandchildren.

RIP Rick.

Kristi Bertrand Herrera, BHS '87 (1969-2022)

 Kristi Kathleen Bertrand Herrera

September 8, 1969 - January 19, 2022

Rene Herrera posted this very sad note on Facebook yesterday regarding his wife Kristi...

 

10:45 January 19 2022 was the day the Earth stood still, galaxies collided and God lost control and screwed up.

 

My wife, soulmate, best friend, High School sweetheart took her last dying breath in my arms and was ripped in an untimely fashion from this Earth. 

 

I have seen countless dying people in my line of work and even held a dying best friend in my arms but nothing could prepare me for this. 

 

I want to thank everyone for reaching out to me and our family with your kind and heartfelt words, it is evident that Kristi had made an impact on you. 

 

Kristi always said if it was the last thing she did she was going to get this Family together and close… And she did! 

 

Our immediate family, our in-laws, cousins, uncles, aunts have been together ever since her untimely passing. 

 

We’re it not for all the love, thoughts, encouraging words, thoughts and prayers I would have be very happy and tempted to chase after her even if it meant going through Hell first. 

 

Kristi Kathleen was an inspiration to the world and was a magical Bright Candle that lite the way for everyone. She was always there to help anyone or anything in need. She was selfless and truly put everyone before herself. Her love and desire for life was always visible by her beautiful smile. She was never judgemental no matter what race, religion, ethnicity, political view. She was always the mediator and would never take sides but would listen to everyone and offer a solution. Her motto was always to find the good in people rather than focus on the bad. We have been through Hell and Highwater and back and lived, loved and laughed til her very last breath. 

 

She took a little street punk and turned him to a mushy loving Old Grandpa she never gave up on me and always strived to make me a better person. Even in my darkest hours she was a beacon of light for me to follow. All of the lame brain ideas and hobbies she always supported liking it or not. I’ve had an incredible journey with her and I cherish every moment. Our time was cut way too short and has left me and countless of others a huge void and broken Heart that can never be repaired or filled. 

 

They say God has a plan well I think I need to have a discussion with him cause not only did he make a catastrophic mistake but he broke the mould with her. 

 

She has left some enormous shoes for our family to fill and there will never be another woman like her! 

I love you Kristi Kathleen with all my and soul and cannot wait too see you again. I will talk to you, love and cherish you til the day I die. Which in it of itself will seem like Hell. But you’ve given me such a large family and taught me how to love so deeply that I promise to take the reigns taking care of our family and carry on your dreams and wishes of keeping everyone United.

I love you Baby forever and always! ❤️‍🩹

 

I know you are up there with Mr Bertrand and will be keeping an eye on us. I will be looking for a pair of Monarch Butterflies fly around. 

I assume I’ll have to keep rooting for Dodgers as well!

RIP Kristi.  

A FEW FACEBOOK COMMENTS...

• HUera Deo

  May she R.iP. sorry for your loss.
• 
  
Nancy McNamara Zambrana
So terribly sad. My heart breaks for her family . Rest In Peace
• 
  
Laura Fioravanti
I remember her Prayers going out to her family. Im so sorry for your loss
• 
  
Susan Casimano
What an amazing, loving tribute to his wife.,How very blessed she was and so very sorry for the pain that is left.


Anna Houston
Beautiful tribute. So sorry for your loss.
• 
  
Sherrielynn Botelho Potter
Omg so sad may she Rest In Peace
• 
  
Dan Davis
RIP Bulldog
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Lisa Adams Hazlewood
So heartbreaking. RIP Kristi
• 
  
Diana Ziegler Larsen
So young, so loved.
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Robert Elizabeth Flores
God bless and keep her. Far too young! Many prayers and condolences to her loving family. #classof87
• 
  
Larry O'Brien
So sorry to hear this. Bertrand also coached at Muir while was there
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Ester Dagostin
I’m so sorry. Sending prayers and strength God speed Kristi
• 
  
Carrie Diaz-Lathouwers
My condolences to all the family and friends. RIP
• 
  
Liz Allen
, . RIP Kristi
• 
  
Deb Helsley Bush
So very sad . Rest In Peace
• 
  
Brenda Rossie-soto
I'm so hurt, RIP my dear friend , and I say that FRIEND ,you were and still will be loved by so many people , that smile that glows with kindness,love and always with open arms I can't believe this is real I'm so lost for words , I will always remember your beautiful smile RIP


Elli Adamo-Jones
Rest easy my girl!!! We will go camping in heaven one day


Darlene Culotta
Very sad.
• 
  
Andrea Scott
Condolences to the family. So sorry for your loss.
• 
  
Kat Schaefer
RIP Kristi Herrera !
My thoughts and prayers are with Kristi's family!

• 
  
Margarette Merced-Aranda
RIP Kristi! Taken too early


Deanna Shaffer
Rest in peace. So sorry for your loss
• 
  
Jillian McDonald Kelly
I remember Kristi well and I’m so shocked to learn of her passing. Love and prayers to her entire family. RIP my friend


Stephen Domenico
Rest in peace and condolences to her family and friends
• 
  
Cheri Standish Meijer
My heart is broken for her family. Kristi was loved by so many people. May she rest in peace.
• 
  
Tanya Monaghan
Im devastated by Kristi’s passing. She was an amazing woman..Rest easy, beautiful


Gina Sanchez
So saddened by her passing rest in paradise beautiful
• 
  
Martin Lillibridge
RIP Bulldog
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Deanna Bergman
So sorry!
• 
  
Virginia Hamilton
I'm so sorry for your loss. Your note had so much love and such beautiful words. My condolences goes out to her family and friends. RIP.


Fred Pastor
So sorry for your loss, May she Rest In Peace with the angles above
• 
  
Leanne Collester Rae
So sorry to hear that Kristi passed away! My thoughts and prayers are with her family
• 
  
Esperanza Rojo
My condolences to her entire family. RIP Kristi
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Craig Martin
WTF!!!! I just recently was chatting with her on FB about our families and my crazy 16yrs in the Army. This fucking sucks more ass than a septic truck!! Rest Easy Kristi, we got the watch,
• 
  
Susan Peña MacCaskey
Condolences to her family and friends
What a beautiful tribute her husband wrote, she obviously was an amazing person - RIP


Sarina Martin
May she rest in peace.
• 
  
Meradith Stire-Santa Cruz
Prayers
• 
  
Donna Luce Veatch Neitman
I knew Kristi and smile! She was sweet and mischievous and I will always remember that red hair and smile. She lived next door to my Mom as did her Mom, Della and Dad, Bill Bertrand. I am very sadden to here of her passing! May you Rest In Peace Kristi! My deepest and sincere condolences to Rene, Della and all her family!
• 
  
Linda Gardner
Such sad news. May God bless Kristi’s family.
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Waneen Cormier Post-Marks
My condolences to her family and friends. So sorry to hear this news!
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Tammi Campbell Tyminski
Oh no this is so sad
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Robert Martin Elliot
May she Rip
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Laura Lyons
My condolences. Rest easy.
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Marian Campbell D'Elia
So very sad!! So young!
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Linda-Melton Damarjian
she was my cousin
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Kymm Claussen Warner
Heartbreaking news. I remember Kristi well. Sending prayers and my deepest condolences to the entire family.
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Dawn O'Marro
Mr Bertrand was principal when I was at BHS and I remember his daughter for the one year she was there at the same time as me. Loved both of them. Way too young
• 
  
Jabneel Flores Garcidueñas
OMG, we ran around together along with Jason Flynn at John Muir Jr. High My deepest condolences to her family I often thought about her. I'm shocked. Rest in Peace Beautiful Lady I'll never forget you
• 
  
Jaydean Gordon Dyer
My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Kristi. The Bertrands are one of Burbank’s finest and most beloved families. Condolences to her mom, husband, and all of the family. Gone too soon, may she RIP.
• 
  
Stacy Ferguson Tucker
What a beautiful tribute. My deepest condolences to the Bertrand/Herrera family.