Frank Parrinello, BHS "61 (1943-2025)

 

Frank Joseph Parrinello

July 8, 1943 - July 31, 2025

Jeannie Parrinello Longmore BHS '64 and sister to Frank Parrinello BHS '61 wrote on July 31, 2025:

"My beloved Brother Frank Parrinello who graduated 1961 BHS passed today at 1:30 pm from cancer."

Frank was born in New York to Anthony and Frances Parrinello. When he attended Burbank High School, he was Co-Captain of the B Football Team and played Varsity Baseball. In 1966, he married Kathleen Vivirito. Frank was with the Burbank Unified School District for many years. He was the Vice Principal at the former Jordan Middle School (now Dolores Huerta Middle School). He also worked at Luther Jr High and after retirement, Frank and Kathi moved to Las Vegas NV.

He is survived by his wife, Kathi Vivirito Parrinello BHS '64, a son Michael Parrinello (wife Jessica) and two Grandchildren, Nicholas Parrinello who is currently at West Point, and Olivia Parrinello, who is in college at Alabama University and his only sibling, his sister Jeanne Parrinello Longmore BHS '64 and her husband Ruben and their children.

Frank was a wonderful person, husband, father, grandfather, brother, educator and friend. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Our sympathies go out to all of Frank's Family.

Judith Ehrlich Van Der Heide, BHS '65 (1947-2022)

 

Judith Ann Ehrlich Van Der Heide

May 1, 1947 - March 25, 2022

Judith was born in Los Angeles county to Howard and Suzanne Peterson Ehrlich.

Joyce Hall Booth, BHS '65 (1947-2025)

 

Joyce Marie Hall Booth

August 12, 1947 - February 2, 2025

Joyce M. Booth, resident of Lompoc, passed away on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at the age of 77. 

Published by Lompoc Record on Feb. 12, 2025.

Wayne Westfall, BHS '58 (1940-2025)

 

Wayne Trevor Westfall

July 5, 1940 - July 29, 2025

Received this text this morning from Larry O'Brien...

Sad news today,  my step brother Wayne Westfall class of 58 went to heaven at 0600 this morning.  His sister Cindy was class of 68.  She notified me this morning.

Wayne is the son of Ralph and Alice Heitman Westfall. Besides Cynthia Westfall, he has siblings Lenora Westfall BHS '60 and Peter Westfall (1956-2005). 

In high school, Wayne was on the track team. In 1966, he married Carolyn Jo Legg and they have two children: Andrea and Scott. Wayne was a Engineer for the city of Eugene in Oregon.

Please keep the family in your prayers.

Guy Gingell, BHS '66 (1948-2025)

 

Guy Edward Gingell

February 28, 1948 - July 23, 2025

Walla Walla Washington

This is very sad... friend Guy Gingell passed away today, July 23, 2025, due to complications of diabetes. 

Guy was the son of Herbert and Ruth Symthe Gingell born in Ohio on February 28, 1948. He had two sibblings: Bob Gingell, BHS '64 who passed away in 2018 and Valerie Gingell who was a 1955 grad of Burroughs High School.

At Burbank High, Guy studied business and enjoyed playing water polo, baseball, swimming and was quaterback on the B team his senior year plus he was voted Class Flirt.

Please keep his family in your prayers. Guy will be greatly missed by many.

Guy with friend Jim Grasse, BHS '67, in 2011 

Guy and Joyce Miller, BHS '67, were married 1971-1994

PS Need to add… the last time I talked to Guy was in January and he called to get contact information for a classmate because he heard they lost their house in a fire! PLUS, their spouse passed away around the same time and Guy was worried about this classmate. Guy had a BIG heart.

A FEW FACEBOOK COMMENTS...

Loanne Walker Ginchereaux
🙏

Stephanie Jackson
Prayers to family

Louise Good Hernandez
🙏😢

Donald Matthews
RIP, Sir

Susan Brown Harris
He was a great guy. Enjoyed knowing him.

Edie Walker
Oh no! RIP and condolences to his family! I had such a crush on him for a couple years but he never knew it. Loved his smile and personality. He was just a neat person to know! 💔

Bruce Fossler
Played Football with Guy.,
Always a leader..Always a friend to everyone..
R.I.P. Bulldog

Joseph Baldino
I hung out with him a lot after high school until he moved to Lake Tahoe and then Seattle

Barbara Zelenay Berry
So deeply saddened! Was wondering what happened to him. We talked occasionally on the phone but then his # was no longer available. That was probably a year ago. He will be truly missed but never forgotten. RIP Guy ♥
Joseph Baldino
Barbara Zelenay Berry He had type 2 Diabettes and I have it also he did not take care of himself he got neuropathy from the Diabettes you must walk and do many things that keep the blood flowing to your feet if you don’t your feet will get infected and it will not heal I had another friend die of the same thing. Last year Guy also became Hermit and did not communicate with many people
Barbara Zelenay Berry
Joseph Baldino thanks for the explanation as to why the communication ended. So very sad.

Flora Ferrens
So sorry to hear

Richard Hernandez
Rest in peace guy, thoughts, and prayers go out to your loved ones. You will be missed bulldog

Steve Bauer
Remember him well...RIP Guy💙

Martin Lillibridge
RIP Bulldog 🙏

Cindy Cohen
Guy, was a wonderful friend when I was looking for his brother and I will miss him a lot. RIP super man!

Donna Luce Veatch Neitman
My condolences to his family! This was the time I got together with these three souls, Guy Gingell, Jim Grasse and Chris Morris! May they RIP! 🙏🙏

Christie Gibbs Nicholls, BHS '65 (1947-2025)

 

Christie Jae Gibbs Nicholls

September 30, 1947 - July 21, 2025

Sad news posted yesterday on Facebook by Trudie Lombard Hentze...

As many of you have already heard, we lost classmate Christie Gibbs Nicholls today. She fought a valiant fight for many years, and still lived each day with dignity and grace. Our hearts go out to classmate George Nicholls, their five children and grandchildren. Rest in peace dear Christie. You will be sorely missed.

Glen Stock, BHS '65 (1946-2018)

 

Glen Anthony Stock

October 22, 1946 - November 6, 2018

(1964 junior photo)

FIND A GRAVE Link

We recently learned that Glen passed away November 6, 2018 in California. 

Born to Glen and Helen Fiadino Stock, he graduated in1965 and served in the military during the Vietnam War. 

Thank you for your service, Glen.

David Hardy, BHS '65 (1947-2020)

 

David Carl Hardy

April 22, 1947 - January 10, 2020

FIND A GRAVE Link

We just learned the sad news that David Hardy passed away January 10, 2020 at his home in Jamestown, Washington. 

He is the son of Carl and Irma Hardy born April 22, 1947 in Glendale, California and is survived by his wife, two step-daughters and two step-grandchildren.

Michelle Rouse Delg, BHS '65 (1947-2024)

 

Michelle Bernadette Rouse Delg

October 6, 1947 - October 1, 2024

We just learned that Michelle passed away last year from pneumonia. 

She is the daughter of Michael and Catherine Clark Rouse and leaves 3 sons: Tony, Tracy and Jason.

Darrell Saathoff, BHS '66 (1948-2025)

Darrell Lee Saathoff

June 13, 1948 - July 15, 2025

Sadly, we just learned that Darrell Saathoff, passed away as a result of Alzheimer's.

Beth Brooking Lang, BHS ‘70 (1952-2025)

 

Elizabeth “Beth” Sue Brooking Lang

March 4, 1952 - January 10, 2025

Sadly, we just learned that Beth passed away in January of this year . She was married to Richard Lang and died suddenly. She was residing in Concord, California.

Steve LeSueur, BHS '70 (1952-2025)

 

OBITUARY
Stephen Clift LeSueur
January 6, 1952 – July 1, 2025

 

Stephen Clift LeSueur, 73, died at home in Arlington, Virginia, on July 1, 2025, after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born on January 6, 1952, in Los Angeles, California, Steve was the second child of John and Dolores Clift LeSueur. Steve grew up in Burbank, California, with his brothers David and Jeff and his sister Diana. He married Kathleen Reeder on March 26, 1986, in Washington, Utah. They moved from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Arlington, Virginia, in 1989 and have lived in the Glencarlyn neighborhood ever since.

Steve received undergraduate degrees in history and psychology from Brigham Young University, a master’s degree in history from George Mason University, and was an economics teaching fellow at the University of Utah. During his college years he served as a missionary in Norway for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Steve pursued a career as a journalist and magazine editor, working for various defense and technology publications. In addition, he was a published author and highly regarded Mormon historian. His first book, The 1838 Mormon War in Missouri, (University of Missouri Press, 1987) won the 1987 Best Book award from the John Whitmer Historical Association. More recently, he wrote Life and Death on the Mormon Frontier: The Murders of Frank LeSueur and Gus Gibbons by the Wild Bunch (Greg Kofford Books, 2023). His essays and articles on Mormon history have been published in numerous journals and books. His final book, Every Man a Prophet (Greg Kofford Books, 2025) was a novel exploring missionary life.

Steve’s generosity, enthusiasm, wit and varied skills made him a valued contributor to community activities. These included editing school and neighborhood newsletters, coaching his children’s recreation basketball teams from elementary through high school, and, most recently, helping to organize a speakers program at his local library branch.

His sense of humor and sincere interest in people made Steve a favorite of many extended LeSueur and Reeder family members, especially children. He organized card games, devised backyard athletic competitions, filmed impromptu musical performances and played elaborate jokes that are now legendary contributions to family lore. He encouraged a love of animals, most especially cats, hamsters, guinea pigs and rats, teaching his children to love, appreciate and care for them. His inclusion of his family’s cats as characters in lively bedtime stories highlighted his creativity and sense of humor. He welcomed summer visits from nieces and nephews, sharing his knowledge of history on numerous visits to local monuments and museums.

For two years, Steve endured a difficult regimen of treatments to fight pancreatic cancer. His courage, determination, optimism, graciousness and sense of humor were evident as he looked for ways to continue enjoying life. He spent time with family and friends, participated in community activities, attended jazz and theater performances, and traveled to New York, South Carolina, California, Utah, Colorado and Oregon. He made final edits to his novel and arranged for its publication in 2025.

Steve is survived by his wife, Kathy Reeder; his children Samantha and Daniel; his sister Diana (Randy) Bartlett; and brother Jeff. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Dolores Clift LeSueur, and his older brother David.

A celebration of life will be held on August 2 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Ireland’s Four Courts, 2051 Wilson Blvd, Arlington VA 22201.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Steve’s honor to Friends of the Arlington Public Library or the John Whitmer Historical Association.

----

NOTE: Steve was the younger brother of Dave LeSueur from BHS '67 who sadly we lost 5 years ago. 

Bob Fields, BHS '72 (1953-2025)

 

 

 

Robert Alan Fields

August 8, 1953 - July 6, 2025 

Jodean Ardizzone Myers posted on FB today that friend and classmate, Bob Fields, BHS '72 lost his fight with cancer. He lived in Wittman Arizona.
 

"Bob was a talented photorgrapher. He was our next door neighbor growing up on Scott Rd. He will always be in my childhood memories. Sending all our love to Vicki and the Fields family. Life is just way too short."

Tania Foy Holm, BHS '65 (1947-2023)

 

Tania Jean Foy Holm

April 19, 1947 - December 10, 2023

Sad news... we just learned that Tania Foy Holm passed away in 2023.

Tania was the daughter of Ralph and Ruth Foy and her siblings were Dennis Foy (1946-2016) and Dona Foy Bruckner (1949-2023). 

In 1967, Tania married Doyle Holm and they live in Penn Valley Calilfornia.

 

BY THE WAY...

In 1979, Northwest Park on Victory near Hollywood Way was renamed Ralph Foy Park in honor of Tania's father who was a City of Burbank employee for 42 years and was the General Manager of the Public Service Department for 17 of those years. 

 

Ralph M. Foy

1905 - 1979

 

 

Andrew Shillinglaw Jr., BHS 1974 (1956-2024)

Andrew Shillinglaw Jr.

August 1, 1956 - January 31, 2024

Andrew Shillinglaw Jr. of Auburndale, Florida, passed away at the age of 67, on January 31, 2024. 

Andrew is the son of Andrew and Mary Shillinglaw Sr and his siblings are Wade Shillinglaw BHS 76, Liz Shillinglaw BHS '79 and Patricia Shillinglaw-Seltzer BHS '81 (1963-2002).

Frank Forlano, BHS '80 (1962-2025)

Frank Edward Forlano

January 27, 1962 - June 30, 2025 

Christine Forlano posted this sad notice on Facebook today July 5, 2025...

 

My brother Frank Forlano BHS 1980 passed away on June 30, 2025 in Palm Springs CA. He’d lived on & off down here in the desert with stints in Lake Tahoe, Puerto Rico, San Diego & Sacramento. He loved music & had a band at his community clubhouse. He loved to argue, watch Book TV and was basically a character.

 

  

1979 Photo of siblings Christine, Peter and Frank Forlano

Wes Allen, BHS '58 (1940-2025)

 

Wesley J Allen

March 4, 1940 - February 22, 2025 

 

FIND A GRAVE Link 

Wesley J Allen, 84, passed away peacefully at his home in Cherry Hills Village on February 22, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. 

Wes was born on March 4, 1940 in Topeka, Kansas to Elizabeth and Hugh Allen. He graduated from Burbank High School in 1958 and attended the University of Denver, where he earned a bachelor's degree in business and accounting. He worked at Price Waterhouse as a CPA before taking a job at Leprino Foods. He spent 38 years at Leprino, 28 of which were as President.

He married his high school sweetheart, Karen, in 1963. They celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary in June on a cruise to Iceland.

After retiring in 2005, he enjoyed spending time at their winter home in La Quinta, California. He and Karen also enjoyed an annual trip to Maui and traveling to many international destinations.

He is survived by his wife Karen, and two children, Kim and Lance. Kim and her husband, Brian, have two children, Dalton and Maddie. Lance and his wife, Lezlie, have four children, Brodie, Bentley, Jake and Ross. 

His favorite role was as a grandparent. His grandchildren lovingly called him "Papa", and he treasured the time he spent with each of them. He will live on in the hearts of those who knew him and loved him. We will miss his laughter and generous spirit.

Services will be held at Fairmount Mortuary on Monday, March 10th at 10am. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Cancer League of Colorado. 

Barbara Irwin Leiker, BHS '65 (1947-2023)

 

Barbara Ruth Irwin Leiker

August 1947 - 2023

Barbara was the daughter of George and Ethel Kochey Irwin. 

She was married to Ron Leiker, BHS '63, from 1965 - 1978 and they had 3 children: Kimberly, Andrea and Daniel. 

Sadly, Kimberly passed away in 2005 and Daniel died in 2015.

 

Darrel Sorensen, BHS '74 (1956-2025)

 

Darrel John Sorensen

January 12, 1956 - June 18, 2025 

 

Brother Duane Sorensen, BHS '71, passed away in 2017. 

 

Posted by Jill Basowski

 

It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of my dad, Darrel Sorensen. For those who knew him, you know he was the life of every party—always laughing, always making others laugh, and always making friends wherever he went.

 

He was truly one of a kind—warm, generous, and full of love. More than anything, he was the most amazing dad. He was always there for me, no matter what, and I will miss him more than words can ever express.

 

Thank you to everyone who has reached out with love and support. It means the world during this incredibly difficult time.

 

A FEW FACEBOOK COMMENTS...

Cheryl 'Smith' Herzog
I’m so sorry for your loss. He was a great guy and will be missed

Debbie Grose Kaldunski-Cole
I am so sorry for your loss. I remember him well from high school. You will be in my prayers

Jaclyn S Gambaro
I’m so sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your sister and the rest of your family.🙏🏼

Michael Ruiz
So sorry to hear this, I’ve been friends with him since high school!

Susan Ragan Blair
What a blow to the heart. Man I am so sorry

Nancy Curtis Pourzand
💜

David Taylor
Sorry for your loss. I knew Darrel from kindergarten at Jefferson school!

Loanne Walker Ginchereaux
🙏

Cathy Stone
I am so very sorry for your loss and to hear this sad news. 💚

Brian O'Rell
I am very sorry for your loss.I do remember him from high school,And full of life is a good way to describe him.

Gary Bardakji
My condolences. I didn’t know your dad well but we had spoken. May he rest in peace.

Sandra Franco Trohanowsky
I'm so sorry . I've been wondering how he's been. Sending prayers for all.

Tom Brassil
Very sorry to hear of this but thank you for letting us know. God bless you and the family and God Speed Darrel 🙏

Danny Rutherford
WOW, Darren was a great guy. Great memories. RIP brother

Steven Van de Rostyne
🙏 so sorry

Deanna Bergman
Very sorry for your loss Jill! 🌷

Karen Greer Clayton
So sorry for your loss. Darrel was a good friend of mine. We went to our first Burbank night at Disneyland. So many great memories. Prayers for you and your family at this time 🙏

Susan Ghiselli Mauch
So sorry for your loss 💕

Corey Fredrickson
So many wonderful memories, he will be missed so much 😢 but never forgotten
Prayers and condolences to you and your family

Ron Wamhoff
WOW, one of my very best friends growing up. R I P

Kathy Noonan
So sorry for your loss. Your dad and I were classmates since elementary school. Truly a great human being.

Lisa Engelsman Birtle
Such a nice guy🙏

Patsy Raymundi
So sorry for your loss RIP

Dianne Postal-Simmons
A lot of memories … miss him, and Duane passed away too young. Sending love and hugs. God bless.

Steve Mcglynn
Godspeed hammer🙏 so many good times together. Bmac committee meetings, chic a Shay golf meetings @ Willard’s office . Sunrise film softball and so on. Will miss you my friend 🙏☮️😢

Nadine Aguirre Lujan
So sorry for your loss. Rest in peace.

Joanie Bailey
Sorry for your loss.

Chas Wilson
He was a great guy.

John Musich
Sorry for your loss. So sad to hear the news that Darrel has passed. I have fond memories of a great guy.

Marina Hayes
My deepest condolences to your family and friends who knew him! The nicest guy! RIP Darell Sorensen ! 🙏✝️🙏

Jonna Arell
Sorry for your loss

Susan Berger
🙏🙏

Debbie Burpee Wilander
My condolences to all who loved him! 🙏

Liz Allen
RIP 🙏😔

Sheri Fanderlik
So sorry for your loss

Roger Starkey Sr.
I moved across the street from the Sorenson boys on Jamestown Road in 1964 so I’ve known Darrel,Dwayne and David a long time. It’s it’s very heartbreaking to know that Darrell has passed. my condolences to you and your sister Godspeed Darrell. 

Karen Vitale
So very sorry to hear about your father Darrel’s passing. He was such a nice person when I knew him in high school. Prayers for your family🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Anthy Hellmers
Rest In Peace Darrel. He had great hair. What a fun guy and light hearted.
Many blessings of comfort

Rikki Moryuseph Haffner
I'm so sorry to hear about Darrel. I hope you find comfort in all the wonderful memories you shared with him. He was great and will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family 🙏🏻

James Russo
So sorry to hear of your father's passing.
Sending prayers to all that loved him!!

Michael K. Ragan
Larger than Life individual… I was a scrub Sophomore when Darrel was King of BHS… I can remember Him so clearly walking the Halls of BHS…Godspeed my Friend…

Vicki Herrin Fields
Rest in Peace ⚘️

Shirley Freeman
My condolences to the family. Sending prayers to the family.

Pamela Anglin Howland
So, so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. He was in my class at BHS. My husband is not on this page but I let him see your post. They grew up together on the same street. In fact..my husband had a nickname that everyone knew him by back in the day and he said it was given to him by your Dad and Roger Starkey. May Darrel rest in eternal peace in the loving arms of our Lord. You all will be in my prayers…🙏🏼

Debi Storm
Darrel was one of a kind! He will be missed. Prayers and condolences to you Jill and your family.

Muski Muskatell
So sorry for your loss. May his memory be a blessing.

Cheryl Bunch Eubanks
Very sorry to hear this news. Prayers for friends and families! 🙏♥️🙏♥️ RIP Darrell!🙏♥️

Peter Costas
I am so very sorry for your loss 😞

Daniel Fukumoto
Sorry for your loss…

Susan Wilson Whitt
So sorry for your loss. Prayers go up for the family😞🙏

Christopher Silveira
So sad to hear the sad news, Darrel was a great person. My condolences to his family

Dan Davis
RIP Bulldog

Mickey DePalo
Rest In Peace.

Susan Peña MacCaskey
Omg, I'm heartbroken.. Susn a nine guy

Jonathan Brewer
Grew up down the street from your Dad and his brothers. So sorry to hear that he has passed. RIP.

Mike Donathan
So sorry for your loss. Darrell was a great guy. 🙏

Kimberly Gorsuch
💜

David Young
Sad news indeed. Prayers for the family.

Michele Duarte Kilroy
I'm so very sorry for the loss of your dad. 💔😥
 

Karen Richardson Nelson, BHS '62 (1944-2025)

Pam Kirkwood wrote: 

Sad news from Fuffy Richardson Marca '72. She lost her sister, Karen Richardson Nelson BHS '62, this morning...Our sympathies go out to all of Karen's Family.

"Hi Pam, it’s Fuffy.  
My sister, Karen Richardson Nelson, passed away this morning at her home in Vidor, Texas. She was a BHS graduate class of 1962. I’m including her senior pic. Thanks so much! Much love to you and Jon! ❤️"

JULY 2, 2025 UPDATE

 OBITUARY

 

Karen Lovina Nelson

April 2, 1944 — June 25, 2025

Karen Lovina Nelson, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of love, faith, and devoted service. Karen was born on April 2, 1944, in Burbank, California, to Elwood and Marie Richardson. Raised in Burbank, Karen graduated from Burbank High School in 1962 and went on to attend Brigham Young University in both Provo, Utah, and Laie, Hawaii.

In 1965, Karen met the love of her life, Clyde Nelson, at a church dance. Their courtship included date nights at Bob’s Big Boy where Clyde charmed Karen with his stories and humor over burgers, shakes, and fries. Karen and Clyde fell in love and were soon engaged, leading to their marriage later that year in the Los Angeles Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 28, 1965. Together, they built a strong and loving home, raising six children with care, commitment, and enduring values.

Karen dedicated her life to her family and her faith. As a homemaker, she nurtured her children with warmth and wisdom. She served faithfully in numerous church callings and was always a source of comfort and guidance to those around her. In addition to her work at home, she also supported her husband’s dental practice and later in life worked as a collector for an advertising agency, earning top collector several times.

Karen was a woman of many talents and interests. She enjoyed reading, drawing, quilting, cooking, and playing the piano. Her love of history and politics was matched only by her devotion to her country—Karen was a true patriot with a deep appreciation for American heritage. Ever curious and intellectually engaged, Karen kept up with the news daily and never turned down a challenging crossword puzzle or a competitive game of Skip-Bo.

Karen was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Elwood and Marie Richardson, her cherished daughter Lisa, and her beloved son Jason. She is survived by her devoted husband of nearly 60 years, Clyde Nelson; her children Garett (Rachel) Nelson, Michael (Jennifer) Nelson, Katie (George) Williamson, and Jeff Nelson; and many grandchildren who will miss her deeply.

A private memorial service in honor of Karen’s life will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 6198 FM 105, Vidor, Texas.

Karen will be remembered for her faith, her love of family, her quiet strength, and the countless lives she touched through her kindness and example.

 

Barry Collins, BHS '65 (1946-2022)

 

Barry Walter Collins

September 7, 1946 - July 31, 2022 

Barry Walter Collins Obituary

Barry Collins passed away on July 31, 2022 in Sacramento, CA with his wife and daughter by his side.

Barry was born in Glendale, California to Velma and Marshall Collins.  He grew up in Burbank, California where he began surfing (and sometimes attended Burbank High School).  He continued his studies at San Diego State University (because he could surf there), graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and then went on to Cal Poly Humboldt completing a Master’s degree in Fisheries Biology.

His career began in 1976 working as a biologist for California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) on the East Walker River.  But he shortly found himself in the California Delta working on the Striped Bass Study tagging stripers, documenting harvest rates, and doing population estimates.  He also supervised the Fish Facilities Program and the Fish Salvage Operations staff at the Skinner Delta Fish Protective Facility.

Barry met his wife, Judy Tengbom, when she worked for him as a fisheries technician.  They were married in 1979 beginning 43 years of adventures and life together.  When Barry was not working, their family spent time on the Delta islands hunting ducks or camping in the Sierras.  He passed his passion of the outdoors onto his son, Reed Collins, teaching him how to fly-fish and tie flies, how to set up a backcountry camp, and how to select the best surf waves; these are all pastimes Reed still enjoys today.

In 1991, Barry and his family decided to move from Stockton to Humboldt County where Barry continued his career at CDFW working on the Natural Stocks Assessment Project; he then moved into the Fisheries Restoration Grant Program that supported salmon and steelhead habitat restoration projects up and down the northern California coast.  During these years on “take your daughter to work day” he brought his daughter, Alison Collins, out to count juvenile Chinook salmon and steelhead in the local rotary screw traps.  This sparked her interest in fisheries and led her to pursue a career as a fisheries biologist.  Today she works in the California Delta on many of the same projects that her father worked on.

Barry had so many different passions during his life.  He most enjoyed backpacking and fly fishing in mountain streams.  He loved duck hunting and trap and skeet shooting.  He enjoyed delta blues and played the guitar and mandolin. He loved taking and developing his own photographs, especially black and white photography.  He was a surfer in southern California and a golfer in northern California.  He studied astronomy and was building his own telescope.  There were many nights spent with family and friends looking at the stars and identifying the constellations and galaxies.  He also had a passion for baking bread and we will always remember his delicious focaccia.  Thank you, Barry, for enriching our lives in so many ways.

Barry is remembered by his colleagues and friends as a good person, an inquisitive scientist, fun to be around, direct but constructive, possessing a witty dry sense of humor, and one who was committed to seeing salmonid restoration projects implemented.  Memories being shared by friends and peers have created a beautiful tribute to a man that made an impact on so many people in his life.

Special thanks to friends and caregivers who helped Barry live his best life including Corey, Dusty, Kyle, Doreen, Leonard, Cadine, Shaquille and Adult Day Health Care of Mad River.

Barry was preceded in death by his father, Marshall Collins, and mother, Velma Collins.

Celebrating his life are his beloved wife, Judith Tengbom, his daughter Alison Collins (Corey Phillis and granddaughter Kira), his son, Reed Collins (Sally), his brothers, Fred Collins and Ray Collins and nephews Brian Collins (Chandra), David Collins and John Collins and their families.