Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Darryl Forbes, BHS '61 (1943-2022)

 

 

Darryl Lynn Forbes, retired Burbank firefighter and devoted community volunteer, died December 22, 2022, at the age of 79, surrounded by his loved ones.

Darryl was born in Glendale in 1943 and moved at a young age with his family to Burbank, the community he loved and where he would raise a family and spend his entire life. Darryl graduated from Burbank High School in 1961 and went on to earn an Associate Degree from Pasadena City College.

Darryl was hired by the Burbank Fire Department in 1966 as a firefighter and was quickly promoted to engineer and captain. In 1992, he became the first Fire Marshal to lead the department’s Fire Prevention Bureau on a permanent non-rotating basis. He proudly served in that position until his retirement in 2000.

Darryl never put himself first and believed his purpose in life was to help others. Aside from the fire service and his family, Darryl’s love was volunteering and serving his community. He began working with the Burbank Temporary Aid Center (BTAC) when it was founded in 1974, and it became a lifelong passion. He served BTAC for more than four decades in a variety of roles, including serving on the board of directors for nearly 20 years. Aside from BTAC, Darryl dedicated thousands of hours over many years to the Burbank Coordinating Council Holiday Basket program, Burbank Schools Disaster Preparedness program, Burbank Parent Teacher Association, Burbank Sister City Committee, and numerous other organizations.

Darryl was well known throughout the community, and it was impossible for him to go anywhere in Burbank without running into people he knew. He loved catching up with friends and, of course, offering to help however he could.

 
Darryl is survived by his wife of 48 years Penny Plate Forbes (BHS '70), son Michael and daughter-in-law Joy, daughter Kimberly, and grandson Nathan. He was preceded in death by his father, Glenn, mother, Elizabeth, and brother Glenn (“Glennie”).

Never wanting to be the center of attention, Darryl requested that there be no memorial service or event to celebrate his life, just a private scattering of his ashes “someplace pretty and with a view.” Those wishing to remember Darryl are asked to make a donation in his memory to the Burbank Temporary Aid Center.

Herminia Gomez Dilbeck, BHS '46 (1928-2021)

Mrs. Herminia G. Dilbeck 
April 25, 1928 - September 1, 2021 (Age 93) 
Glendale, California 

Herminia's Obituary

HERMINIA "MINNIE" DILBECK 

Her small frame could deceive you, concealing a fireball personality and huge, infectious smile. 

Herminia "Minnie" Dilbeck never hit five feet, yet her stature was enormous. Spirited and loving, Minnie's great run came to an end September 1 in Glendale after a long battle with heart disease and other ailments. She was 93. 

The matriarch left behind six children, 16 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren all of whom were constantly bathed in her love and affection. Minnie could be fiercely protective of her own, but passion went with her in all endeavors. 

The vibrant Minnie was married for 37 years to Ray Dilbeck. She was by his side when he founded and grew Dilbeck & Associates, now one of the largest family-owned real estate companies in the Southland. After he passed in 1995, she never dated again, saying "I've already had the best." 

Minnie was born April 25, 1928 in El Paso, Texas, the oldest of Roberto and Maria Magdalena Gomez's five children. They moved to Southern California in her youth, the family settling in Burbank where her father owned a diner on Victory Boulevard. 

She graduated from Burbank High School in 1946. The always fun-loving Minnie treasured taking the ferry to Catalina Island to dance to big bands at the casino and to roller skate at the Moonlight Rollerway in Glendale. 

In her second marriage, she found the love of her life in Ray Dilbeck. For a time she was an agent in his burgeoning real estate company. Along with her siblings, in the '70s the Dilbecks purchased El Chiquito family Mexican restaurant in Burbank and owned it for 21 years. Minnie could often be heard barking orders in the kitchen to make sure the food and service were up to par. The restaurant was directly across the street from what was then Burbank Studios. Celebrities and movie or TV extras would constantly frequent El Chiquito, sometimes still wearing their costumes during lunch breaks. She called Muhammad Ali the most charismatic person she ever met. 

Minnie loved to travel the world with Ray, and along with him was devoted to thoroughbreds and horse racing. She retained her fondness for big band music throughout her life, would still sway to the sounds of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Linda Ronstadt, and loved traditional Mexican music. 

Loving, fiery, sometimes volatile, and not shy about sharing her opinion, Minnie was passionately devoted to family. 

She is survived by son Mike (Jill) Silvas, daughter Sylvia Silvas, sons Mark (Teresa) Dilbeck, Bruce (Christine) Dilbeck, Kirk (Leah) Dilbeck, stepson Steve (Darla) Dilbeck, brother Bobbie Gomez, sister Maggie Sands and sister Carmen Ferrante. Her passing was preceded by her brother Eddie Gomez.

Eddie Gomez, BHS '49 (1931-1968)

Edwardo "Eddie" Gomez
November 9, 1931 - July 1968

We just learned that Eddie Gomez, brother of recently deceased Bob Gomez, passed away in 1968 while on a family vacation in a tragic car accident. 


 RIP Eddie.


Monday, December 26, 2022

Bob Gomez, BHS '48 (1929-2022) Celebration of Life

Roberto Gomez, Jr Obituary 

Roberto (Bob) Gomez Jr. of Cathedral City, Ca passed away at home on May 27th, 2022 at the age of 93. He is preceded in death by his father Roberto Gomez, mother Magdalena Gomez, brother Eddie Gomez and sister Minnie Dilbeck. 

Bob is survived by his sisters Maggie Sands and Carmen Ferrante, brother-in-law Ray Ferrante, Daughters Lisa Berger and Lauren Hermas, sons Robert Gomez and Steven Gomez, grandchildren Matthew, Nicholas and Lindsey Berger and Kai Hermas, and great grandchildren Owen and Brooke Berger. 

Bob was born in El Paso Texas on April 12, 1929. As a small child he and his family moved to Los Angeles, Ca, eventually settling in Burbank, Ca. Bob attended John Muir Jr High School and graduated from Burbank High School. Shortly after graduating from high school, he enlisted in the US Navy, spending 4 years on Guam. Afterward he went to cosmetology school and had a successful career as a hair stylist in Beverly Hills, Ca. for over 20 years. In 1976 Bob and his sisters purchased and managed El Chiquito Famliy Restaurant in Burbank. He retired in 1995 and ultimately relocated to Cathedral City to spend his retirement playing golf well into his 80’s. 

As a Burbank resident and business owner, Bob loved to give back to the community. He co-founded the Senior Bulldogs, a Burbank High School alumni association, was a member of the Burbank Kiwanis, serving as president from 1995-1996. For many years he served Meals on Wheels to seniors in Burbank. When he moved to Cathedral City, he did volunteer security where he resided at Desert Princess Golf Resort. 

Bob was a devoted, loving, and supportive brother, father, grandfather, cousin and friend. He loved well and was well loved by many. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all that knew him. A Celebration of Life in his honor is scheduled for March 4th, 12-4pm at DeBell Golf Club, Sierra Veranda/Sierra Room in Burbank, Ca. For those wishing to attend, please RSVP by February 5th, 2023.



Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Neal Nakagiri, BHS '72 (1954-2022)

 

Neal Edwin Nakagiri
May 1, 1954February 19, 2022 
 

 
 
Neal Edwin Nakagiri, age 67, of Lake Balboa, California passed away on Saturday, February 19, 2022. Neal was born May 1, 1954. 
 
A 1972 Burbank High School graduate, Neal went to UCLA followed by Loyola Law School. He was President and managing owner of NPB Financial Group in Burbank.
 
OBITUARY 

Sunday, December 18, 2022

Bert Hagg, BHS '31 (1913-1996)

Bertrand Hagg
December 15, 1913 - November 1, 1996

Bert Hagg was born in 1913 and graduated from Burbank High in 1931. 

He married Elizabeth Ramsey in 1938. He served in WW2. He and his wife lived in Burbank where they raised their two sons: Greg Hagg BHS '61 and Ron Hagg BHS '66. 

Mr Hagg was a much loved Principal first at Jefferson Elementary and then at Emerson Elementary Schools in Burbank. 

RIP Mr Hagg.

FIND A GRAVE LINK

The photos are from Ron Hagg's Facebook page.


A FEW FACEBOOK COMMENTS

    Frank Malgeri
    He was a wonderful man! Lol, I can’t remember the amount of times I was sent to his office 🥴😳.


  • Marti Shopshire
    Great principal! He knew our names and played games with girls & boys, from hop scotch to kickball to tetherball & more! Knew Greg, a year ahead of me in school. Thanks for sharing a bit of this special man’s story! 🤗

  • Penny Jonas Barth
    Such a good man…


  • Constantine M. Boukidis
    I loved Mr. Hagg all the years I was at Emerson. My Dad always used to like that he drive a Volvo.😃He was a wonderful man and a great principal.

  • Martin Lillibridge
    RIP Bulldog 🙏

  • Vicki Herrin Fields
    Rest in Peace ⚘️


  • Linda Everett
    Mr. Hagg was a wonderful principal and a very kind man who was loved and admired by all who knew him. He and my Dad, Pete Peterson had some great times and a lot of laughs together over the years.

  • Ron Duncan
    The first principal at Jefferson.

  • Heidi B. Davenport
    I know him from my older sister having him as an instructor at BHS? Summer School. I think. We grew up on Cypress above Belaire. My sister Maureen liked him a lot I found him very kind. Sad.

  • Robin Maxam
    Wonderful person, always remember him fondly.


  • Lisa Jordan
    Such a wonderful teacher, and principal.

  • Ron Duncan
    Before Emerson, he was the first principal at Jefferson.

  • Glenda Vincent
    Oh I loved Mr. Hagg!! He was such a sweet man!

The Reitherman Legacy

The Reitherman family lived in Burbank and I remember the boys from Miller Elementary School. Wolfgang 'Woolie' (1909-1985) and Janie (1924-2007) Reitherman had three sons, all who graduated from Burbank High: Richard class of 1965, Robert class of 1968 and Bruce class of 1973. Their father, Woolie, was a major animator at Disney. His work is amazing! Below is a great video of Woolie explaining his work. Then photos of the three sons along with Richard's wife, Nancy Prater Reitherman, also BHS '65 who sadly passed away in 2017. Finally, the obituary of Mrs. Janie Reitherman.
Wollie Reitherman's obituary Los Angeles Times 
 
FIND A GRAVE for Wolfgang Reitherman 

Saturday, December 17, 2022

Jack Mackie, BHS '60 (1942-2022)



Jack Paul Mackie
March 5, 1942 - September 12, 2022

Jack Paul Mackie died at the age of 80 due to heart failure on September 12, 2022. 

Jack is survived by his wife Debbie, children David Mackie and wife Sharol, Jeanette Mackie, and Janice Stabile, and stepson Nick Patch and wife Mandy. He had 8 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren in his extended/blended family. He was preceded in passing by his parents Gerry and Paul Mackie, brother Jim and sister Jeanne Raudman. 

Jack was born in Michigan and relocated to Southern California when he was 5. He enjoyed the beaches and camping with his family. He had fond memories of 2 summer trips he took with his mother and 2 siblings, pulling a travel trailer from coast to coast. 

Jack graduated from Burbank High School. He worked for Lockheed Martin and in his free time was a volunteer Reserve Deputy Sheriff for LA County. He also played semi-pro football for the San Fernando Freelancers and played on many basketball teams. 

When he retired from Lockheed he spent all his time volunteering in a one-man patrol car as a Reserve Deputy. He earned the ranking of Captain. He taught classes at the Sheriff's Academy and was a mentor for other reserves and regular deputies. He was highly regarded and remembered by many for his countless hours of volunteer work and dedication to the Reserves. His size, 6'8" was quite intimidating to people, but he had a kind heart and gentle nature. His mother called him her "Gentle Giant". 

When he retired after 26 years from the Reserve Forces, he moved to Redding to be near family. He met and married Debbie and took up golf as his new hobby. He enjoyed traveling, playing new golf courses, camping with his own travel trailer, and watching and traveling to his grandchildren's sporting events. He was loved by all and he will be missed. 

A family Celebration of Life is being planned for later next spring.

Thursday, December 15, 2022

Barbara Strout, '54 (1936-1999) and John Strout, 59 (1941-2012)

 

Barbara Jean Strout Hedberg
May 4, 1936 -  March 7, 1999
 
 
John Robert Strout
 October 7, 1941 - Ocotber 15, 2012

 

THE STROUT FAMILY 

Barbara and John were the children of John and Dorothy Strout, family friends of my family when I was very young so was interested when I came across this information. I know that Mr Strout passed away in 1960 and his widow married Mr Brockway in 1962. Mrs Brockway passed away in 2008.