Rob DePerna, BHS 1970 (1951-2013)

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Robert DePerna passed away this morning from pancreatic cancer according to Mike Singorelli.

Rob was retired from the studios and living in Santa Monica at the time of his death.

Rob is survived by his 4 children, 5 grandchildren, brother Ron, BHS 1974 and younger brother, Raymond.

His older brother, Rich DePerna, BHS 1967, passed away in 2003.

We will keep the DePerna family in our thoughts and prayers...

OBITUARY
Provided by daughter, Colleen DePerna

Robert James DePerna was pronounced dead at UCLA Santa Monica Hospital on the evening of November 5th, 2013. Robert was born in Burbank, CA on October 20th, 1951 to James J. DePerna and Josephine A. DePerna.

Robert graduated from Burbank High School 1970 and went on to attend L.A. Valley college. He worked for 32 years in the Motion Picture Union as a Gaffer for Warner Brothers. During his career he worked on such shows as; In the Heat of the Night, Something Wilder, That 70’s show and Monk.

Robert was a lifelong musician who played piano, organ and guitar. He was in the psychedelic rock band, The Boston Tea Party in the 1960’s with his late brother Richard DePerna.

Robert is survived by his two brothers, Ronald DePerna and Raymond DePerna. Also his four children, Chelsea DePerna, Colleen DePerna, Camille DePerna, Nicholas DePerna, and five grandchildren. Robert was a father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend that will be dearly missed. Services will be announced soon. Those who knew Robert are welcome to come and pay their respects.


NOTICE TO ROB'S BHS CLASS 1970
Provided by Alan Landros and Joyce Starleaf

Robert "Rob" DePerna, BHS '70, passed away Tuesday night, November 5, 2013, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Rob was retired from the Camera Departments of the studios, where he had worked as an Electrician and as a Gaffer. He lived in Santa Monica.

While growing up in Burbank Rob attended Horace Mann Elementary, John Muir Junior High, as well as BHS with all of us. Among suvivors are his four children, his five grandchildren, and his two younger brothers, Ronald DePerna (BHS '74), and Raymond DePerna, also a BHS alum. The oldest brother, Richard "Rich" DePerna (BHS '67), who was a founder of the rock band, 'Boston Tea Party', passed away in 2003.

Funeral arrangements are pending, according to Rob's second daughter, Colleen DePerna. Anyone wishing to contact Rob's family may do so by e-mailing Colleen DePerna at deperna@gmail.com

Some of you have read the news of Rob's death on Facebook in the last two days, but this notice is going to 227 members of the Class of '70 so the majority of our class will be aware of Rob's passing. With Rob's passing there are now 45 of our classmates from BHS '70, that we know of, who are deceased. Our sympathy goes to Rob's family from the entire BHS Class of '70.


NOV 8, 2013 UPDATE


"Photo of Rob and Guy who are both passed. 1974...RIP"
Photo provided by Valerie Giessinger Scott, BHS '71, via Facebook
From left to right:
At left end with glass to mouth is Mike Reilly '71
Just to right of Mike Reilly sitting in rear with thick beard is Steve Severeid '70
On left end of front bench, facing camera is Curtis Woolley '69
On middle of bench in blue and white plaid shirt with long dark hair is Gary Robb '69
In rear with just head showing wearing tinted glasses is Mike Tideback '67 - deceased January 2012
Standing in back and waving is Valerie Giessinger Scott '71 (her wedding reception in July 1974)
Sitting at right end of bench in white pants with long blonde hair is Guy Casagrande '70 - deceased August 9, 2005
Standing in back to the right of Guy Casagrande is Debbie Snow '71
Standing at far right is Rob DePerna '70 - deceased November 5, 2013



"Alan, I found this old article, our bands were friendly competitors back in the day.
Val Tonione"
Photo/article provided by Val Tonione via email to Alan Landros, both BHS '70


NOV 10, 2013 UPDATE ABOUT THE SERVICES FROM COLLEEN, ROB'S DAUGHTER

Thank you very much for everyones kind words about my Dad. I appreciate the stories and pictures, as I have been sharing them with my sisters. The funeral arrangements are moving along slowly, here there are.

An update on services for Robert DePerna. There will be a celebration of life at the Unurban Coffee house the Saturday, November 16th from 11 am- 3pm. Located at 3301 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404. There will be food and music. Robert performed here for their open mic nights during the last years of his life.

The following Saturday on November 23rd in Burbank, CA we will be having a Memorial service, the location is not set in stone, but I will post the address as soon as I can. Both events are open to all friends and family.


NOVEMBER 15, 2013 from Colleen DePerna

Robert's memorial will be at the St. Francis Catholic Church on November 23rd, Saturday, on 3801 Scott Rd. in Burbank at 10am. All are welcome!

Robert Jaffie, Former BHS Teacher (1922-1973)

Photo from 1955 BHS Ceralbus yearbook



It is always nice to remember those who made a difference in our lives...

Cathy, I am a '55 grad of BHS. I am forwarding this e-mail I received from the daughter of Robert and Margaret Jaffie. Her name is Nancy. Her mother's obit appears on "bhsinmemoriam.blogspot". Until her mother's obit was published no one in my class that I know of has been able to find out what happened to her father who was my English teacher at BHS.

Formerly student body president at UCLA in the 40's, Robert Jaffie was a highly respected and very popular teacher at BHS. His daughter told me that her father and mother were both teachers at BHS when they were married. Apparently the City of Burbank School Administration wouldn't allow a husband and wife to teach at the same school so Nancy's mother transferred to Burroughs and completed her teaching career there.

Anyway, I thought that graduates from the late 40's and early 50's would be interested to learn more about Robert Jaffie and your forum seemed like a good way to do that.

Dick Erickson



Hello Dick:

I found my father's obituary notice as it appeared in the Washington Post in April, 1973. I also scanned a copy of a poem that was composed and read at his memorial service by a close friend of his. It was a very lovely and touching poem and there was not a dry eye in the house when he stepped away from the podium.

Best regards,
Nancy


Here is the Obituary for Nancy's mother...

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Margaret Elizabeth List Jaffie, BHS Teacher

 
Margaret E. Jaffie, BHS Teacher

Margaret E. Jaffie, 88, a retired public affairs officer for the Voice of America who conducted thousands of public tours of the international broadcasting operation during a 20-year tenure, died Feb. 12, 2009 at her home in Sun City Center, Fla., after having a heart attack while swimming.

She was a former resident of the District.Leading five or more tour groups a day through VOA's headquarters at 330 Independence Ave. SW, Mrs. Jaffie explained the broadcast network's mission and operations, answered countless questions and, in her words, "told America's story to the world."Those to whom she gave tours included entertainer Pearl Bailey, an African king, the boxers Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard and U.S. service people who listened to VOA while stationed overseas.

They also included, on one occasion during the Cold War, two heavyset men with Russian accents who said they were from New York. They actually were journalists from Pravda, the official Soviet newspaper."They wrote that they visited the Voice of America and met a feisty old lady, wearing tennis shoes, who was spreading propaganda," Mrs. Jaffie recalled in a 2002 VOA interview. Her tennis shoes were a way to cope with the long, uncarpeted corridors of the VOA building.

She also recalled a young man from Hungary who took her tour. "He said, 'I want you to know my uncle went to jail for listening to the Voice of America. That's why I'm here. I wanted to hear it, too.'"I was thrilled," Mrs. Jaffie said.

In 1989, she received the Congressional Award for Exemplary Service to the Public. The citation read in part: "Mrs. Jaffie's pride and affection for VOA and its people are contagious. Visitors -- be they members of Congress, foreign diplomats or American high school students -- come away from her tours excited by what she has shown and told them."

She was born Margaret Elizabeth List in Scranton, N.D., and received a bachelor's degree in 1941 from St. Cloud State Teachers College (now St. Cloud State University) in Minnesota. After graduating, she moved to California, where she lived with an aunt and taught international relations and English at Burbank High School. (Future film star Debbie Reynolds was one of her students.) She also married a fellow teacher, Robert Jaffie.

A few years later, her husband joined the U.S. Information Agency Foreign Service, and in 1955, the couple began a 16-year odyssey that took them to India, Nepal, Pakistan and China. During their first overseas assignment in Calcutta, Mrs. Jaffie worked as a volunteer with Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity. She also volunteered teaching American English and American culture to young Indians.

The Jaffies moved back to Washington in 1972 because of Robert Jaffie's failing health. After his death in 1973, Mrs. Jaffie became a State Department escort officer, arranging itineraries and accompanying foreign officials, academics, journalists and other visitors on tours of the United States.

She became a VOA tour guide the next year. At her retirement ceremony 20 years later, her colleagues presented her with a pair of tennis shoes dipped in bronze.In retirement, Ms. Jaffie lived in Falls Church and had a second home in Sun City Center, where she swam daily.

She made frequent trips to Egypt and later Botswana to visit her daughter and also made several trips to New Delhi to visit old friends. Survivors include her daughter, Nancy Jaffie of Springfield; and a sister. 

http://bhsinmemoriam.blogspot.com/2011/09/margaret-elizabeth-list-jaffie-bhs.html

Thank A Soldier - Nov 2, 2013

This year our goal is to send 1000 packages to our deployed military in Afghanistan for Christmas. Last year we sent 560 packages. Stop by, enjoy the day and help us meet our GOAL !

Hope to see you there !!!

Greg Alaimo, BHS '66

Dennis Howell, BHS '64 (1945-2013)

So sorry to hear and we send our deepest condolences to the family...

We just received the sad news that our friend and Classmate from Burbank High Class of '64, Dennis Howell, lost his long and hard-fought battle with cancer last Sunday Morning. Even after his diagnosis, Denny "carried on with life", living it to the fullest and sharing every precious moment with his loving wife and also BHS '64 classmate, Mary Lee Belloni Howell. He never complained and he handled his illness with dignity and courage and a strong belief in God.

Dennis grew up in Burbank and many of us knew him at Luther Burbank Jr. High...
He and Mary Lee and their little kitty, enjoyed camping and traveling with their friends who had trailers and RV's.

Denny also loved to sing and was a member of his church choir.

Denny always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. We will miss his gentle spirit and friendship.

There will be a Memorial Service for Dennis this coming Saturday, October 19, 2013 at Denny's and Mary Lee's church at the corner of Grant and Highway 20, in Lebanon, Oregon...The time will be 3PM.

If anyone would like to send a note or a card of condolence to Mary Lee Howell, here is the address:
Mrs. Dennis Howell and Family
661 E. Isabella St.
Lebanon, Oregon 97355

DECEMBER 1, 2013 UPDATE
OBITUARY from the Lebanon Express
October 23, 2013 2:00 am
http://lebanon-express.com/news/local/obituaries/obituary-dennis-george-howell/article_fb883316-3b53-11e3-9c8e-0019bb2963f4.html

Obituary: Dennis George Howell
Feb. 12, 1945 - Oct. 13, 2013

Dennis George Howell, 68, of Lebanon, died at his home on Oct. 13, 2013.

He was born Feb. 12, 1945 in Burbank, California to John Monroe and Florence Marie (La Pask) Howell.

He graduated from Burbank High School and attended junior college in Woodland Hills, California. He worked as parts department manager at various car dealerships in southern California for 42 years.

He married Mary Lee (Belloni) Koontz on Feb. 11, 2006 in Las Vegas and moved to Lebanon that same year.

He worked as a courier for Medicap Pharmacy until retiring earlier this year.

He was a member of the Lebanon First Christian Church where he served as a church elder. He enjoyed county western dancing, gardening, and watching western movies.

He enjoyed singing and was a member of the Burbank Acapella Singers, a barber shop quartet, the Lebanon First Christian Church Choir, the Louis Lehman Christian Chorale, the Lebanon Community Choir, and the Master’s Men’s Choir.

He is survived by his wife Mary Lee Howell, of Lebanon; step-daughter Deborah L. Scroggin, of Ventura, California; step-sons Michael E. R. Koontz and Brandon R. Koontz, both of Santa Clarita, California; three step-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; and cousin Roberta “Bobbie” Orsatti and her three sons, all of Bend.

His parents died before he did.

A memorial service was held at 3 p.m. on Oct. 19 at the Lebanon First Christian Church.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Lebanon First Christian Church sent in care of Huston-Jost Funeral Home, 86 W. Grant St., Lebanon, OR 97355.

Tyler McCauley, BHS '65 (1947-2013)

Received this email today from Trudie Lombard Hentze, BHS '65. Please keep the McCauley family in your thoughts and prayers.

Sorry to have to pass on sad news...

J. Tyler McCauley passed away at his home on September 25th. He was married to our BHS 65 Classmate, Patricia Goldstone.

Tyler worked for Los Angeles County his entire career of 39 years, and served as the Auditor-Controller from 2000 to 2008.

The following is the information on the memorial service for Tyler:

Friday, October 11, 2013 at 10:00 AM
First United Methodist Church (located across from Burbank High School)
700 N. Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91502

Lunch Reception to follow at the same location.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the following organization of Tyler’s choice:
AWANA Club International
In Memory of J. Tyler McCauley
15877 Collection Center Drive
Chicago, IL 60693-0158

LINK TO FIND A GRAVE 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/231429883/john-tyler-mccauley

William G. Montenegro, BHS '72 (1953 - 2013)

Sad news for the Burbank High's 1972 Class... Just found this in the Burbank Leader this morning

William G. Montenegro

September 17, 2013 

William G. Montenegro, 60, of Burbank, California, passed away on August 13, 2013 in his home after a long battle of cancer.

William was born in Costa Rica on February 18, 1953. He graduated from Burbank High School. He enjoyed a long, passionate career at Warner Brothers (Motion Pictures); but most of all, he lived an active and very social life, cherishing his time and experiences with his friends and family.

William is survived by his wife, Jing; mother, Jeannette; father, Herminio; sisters, Jenny Mattox and Maritza Amaro; and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

A public burial was held on September 11, 2013 at Pierce Brothers Valhalla, 10621 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601.

http://www.burbankleader.com/community/obituaries/tn-gnp-william-g-montenegro-20130917,0,4595564.story

Sharon Reynolds, BHS '64 (1946-2013)

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Received this email today from Pam Zipfel Kirkwood, BHS '64.

We send our deepest condolences to the Reynolds family...

We are sad to inform you that we just received an email telling us that Sharon Reynolds BHS '64 passed away recently from heart failure.

Sharon was the Head Songleader during her Senior Year at Burbank High School. She will always be remembered as such a friendly, pretty girl with a "beautiful" smile... She will be missed terribly by all of her family and friends. God Bless Her.

There will be a memorial service held for Sharon on Saturday, October 5th at the Orchard Community Church, 8180 Telephone Road, Ventura, Ca @ 2:00

SEPTEMBER 10, 2013 UPDATE

From Alan Landros...

PASSING OF SHARON KAY REYNOLDS, BHS '64

Sharon Reynolds, BHS '64, passed away at her home in Ventura on August 31, 2013, of apparent heart failure. Sharon was a Social Worker for Los Angeles County for 30 years. She never married nor had any children. Sharon was always fiercely independent throughout her life. She had a beautiful sense of decoration and color combinations.

Sharon Kay Reynolds was born May 12, 1946 in Glendale. She had one brother, Rick, four years younger than her. Sharon grew up in Burbank and attended Thomas Jefferson Elementary, John Muir Junior High, and Burbank High. During her senior year at BHS in 1963/64 Sharon was the Head Songleader. She first attended University of the Pacific, and then transferred to U.C. Davis.

Sharon was predeceased by both parents about ten years ago. She is survived by her brother, Rick Reynolds, BHS '68, his wife, Linda Jellings Reynolds, BHS '70, and their three children and five grandchildren - who are Sharon's two nieces and one nephew, and three great-nieces and two great-nephews - all loved by Sharon. She will be sadly missed by her family.

Memorial Service for Sharon will be:

Saturday, October 5, 2013

2:00 P.M.

Orchard Community Church

8180 Telephone Rd.

Ventura, CA 93004

Ceralbus For Sale!

The Senior Bulldogs have a number of yearbooks that they are selling for $25.00 each including postage.

If any of the alumni are looking for a yearbook for their parents or grandparents years we might be able to help them. They are a great source of information for those people doing research on their family history.

We have the following years: 27, 29, 30, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 54, 55 and 56.

We also have the Commencement Program for the Summer of 30, a Hi-Life from May 23, 1930 and the BHS 70th Memories.

If interested, please send email to BurbankSrBulldogs@yahoo.com.

Thanks

Carol Baker Brown, BHS '67