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Warren Bennett Newman
Warren had been suffering from several health issues for the past couple of years and passed away on May 5, 2018. He was born in 1934 and would have celebrated his 84th birthday.
Warren graduated from Burbank High School in the Winter of 1952.
Warren was a passionate educator and lover of the Arts. He began his teaching career at Horace Mann Elementary School, first as a Student Teacher and taught his first very own class in the Fall of 1956. Many BHS students from the 1962-1965 filled his classes those first few years at Horace Mann. Those first students would always remain special to him throughout his life...they were "his kids"...Many years later, he reconnected with many of his early students and hosted several parties at his home, where they were invited as guests.
Warren rose through the ranks in the Burbank Unified School District. He furthered his education, earning two Masters degrees and his Doctorate. He was eventually the Assistant Superintendent and then Superintendent in the South Pasadena School District. He taught at several colleges and universities, including USC. Warren spent 3 years in Washington D.C. working for the National Endowment of the Arts.
He and his wife of 55 years, Sheila, traveled extensively advocating and consulting for the Arts. Warren is survived by his wife and all of his friends and students who loved him and will be forever remembered by all of us whose lives he impacted and in many cases, changed for the better. Warren was a loyal BHS Alum and was a regular attendee at the Senior Bulldog Luncheons for many years...Bon Voyage, Warren.
Submitted by: Pam and Jon Kirkwood BHS '64
Harlene Goldberg Mesnick, BHS 1964
September 16, 1946 - December 12, 2017
Burbank High School Class of '64 Loses another classmate...
Harlene Goldberg Mesnick BHS '64 , recently passed away in Murietta, CA after several years of battling Stevens-Johnson Syndrom and Shingles.
Harlene was a loving person with a big heart and she delighted in keeping in touch with her high school friends via telephone.
She was pre-deceased by her parents and one sister and is survived by two sisters. There are no memorial service plans at this time. Bon Voyage, Dear Friend...
Submitted by Pam Zipfel Kirkwood and Jon Kirkwood BHS '64
Alice Enyeart Wilson, BHS 1945
1927 - 2018
Alice Enyeart Wilson, daughter of Ruth N. and Buel F. Enyeart (Former superintendent of the Burbank School System) passed away on April 12, 2018 at the age of 90 in Redmond, Washington.
She graduated from Burbank High School in 1945 and is survived by her husband of 70 years Marlin Wilson (BHS '44), daughter Karen Schmidt of Seattle, Washington., three grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
She was active for many years with the Pasadena Assistance League and other charities. Above all else she loved her family dearly and will be missed by all. Services will be private.
Published in The Burbank Leader on May 12, 2018
Valerie Elaine Pyros Jenkins, BHS 1971
August 20, 1953 - May 9, 2018
Sad news from Debbie Blatnik Roberson, BHS ‘70
Debbie spoke to Val’s dad, Bill Pyros, and this is what he told her. Val passed away on Wednesday at 1:30.
She had gone to a wedding two weeks earlier and was doing great. After that she woke up screaming and couldn’t breath. Immediately Mark got her to St. Joseph’s. She suffered a stroke and cardiac arrest. She was not responsive and passed away on May 9th from a blood clot in the lung.
Valerie grew up at 1015 Groton Drive in Burbank. She and her husband currently lived in Burbank, also. Among the family that survives her are her husband, Mark Jenkins, her 90 year old father, Bill Pyros, of Burbank, and her younger brother, Roy Pyros, BHS ‘75, also of Burbank, and his family.
Per Valerie’s wishes, there will be no services for her.
Alan Landros, BHS ‘70
May 12, 2018
Robert James Peterson
Ventura County, CA
Robert James Peterson passed away peacefully on February 27, 2018, from complications of a 5-year battle with cancer and leukemia. Robert was born December 16, 1948.
Robert grew up in Burbank. He was a fabulous guitar player and was in several bands when he was younger.
He went to Woodbury University and became a talented interior designer. Later, he earned his Juris Doctorate degree. He was an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Nation, and he provided training and support for Indian Education programs nationally.
Robert was a wonderful father, grandfather, and husband. He will be remembered fondly with much love and adoration by his three children, Mateo, Nicole, and Jenny, as well as grandchildren, Kira, Chase, Jamie, Tristan, and Brandon, and the two great loves of his life, Christine and Lisa, his sister Madelaine, nephew Kirk, niece Wendi, many half brothers and sisters and other family members, as well as his animal companions, Boo, Mugsy, Plankton and Cornelius.
Robert will be dearly missed by all. His spirit and memories will live on through his family and friends. His final interment will be at the Columbarium of Memory, Great Mausoleum, Forest Lawn, Glendale.
Published in Ventura County Star from Mar. 2 to Mar. 4, 2018
On December 18, 2017, Aaron Fiesell (BHS Class of 1989) was struck by a car and left in a coma due to his serious injuries.
Unfortunately, he passed last night January 2018 and our hearts are left broken by this loss. Aaron was truly a man who lived life to its fullest, entertaining and inspiring those around him. He created and film many a videos.
Aaron was living with his 89 year-old father Norm and with Aaron's sudden death he struggle to pay for his son' funeral and had to find another place to live. The VA in San Diego is helping.
Aaron was well liked and loved by all his family and friends and will be truly missed.
From the Senior Bulldogs Newsletter, submitted by her husband, Russ Burton (BHS 47)
Patsy L. Nelson Burton, BHS 1952, passed away May 29, 2017 from congestive heart failure, after fighting Parkinson's and diabetes for the last twenty years.
Patsy was a loving wife for 65 years.I met her when she was a senior at BHS ( I already knew her brother, Jack "Basher" Nelson, 50). Patsy and I married in 1953, and raised six children together (five boys and a girl).
After 30 years as a full-time wife and mother, she returned to work, training herself to become a Word Processor. Starting at First Interstate Bank, she ultimately moved to Beecher and Carlson Ins., where she was well-loved. After a 15-year career, she retired.
Patsy was generous and openhearted, and kept in touch with a few BHS graduates. She welcomed each of her children's spouses with open arms, and especially loved her grandchildren, turning every Christmas into a boundless display of giving and love. In addition to her children and 22 grandchildren, she left behind 28 great-grandchildren. We miss her dearly.
Jerry L McWilliams died on April 20, 2018 in Spokane WA. He was born on January 11, 1948 in Glendale CA to Woodrow W. McWilliams and Ruth Z McWilliams. Jerry died of heart failure after a brief illness.
He was raised in Burbank, CA where he graduated from Burbank High School in 1966. Following graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy, serving as an Aviation Electronics Technician in San Diego, Japan and Vietnam.
He moved to Spokane from southern California in 1973 to follow his parents who had retired here earlier. He worked as a carpenter at Apollo Boats for six months prior to employment in the U S Postal Service. He served as a mail handler/letter carrier for 34 of his 38 years of federal service
He married Jackie Carter McWilliams on May 24, 1975 at Hillyard Baptist Church. They have made their home in the North Indian Trail neighborhood for 43 years. They were charter members of Fairwood Community Baptist Church in 1976.
A friend referred to Jerry as a ‘Renaissance Man’. He began riding motorcycles as a teenage and completed nine rides from Mexico to Canada over Labor Day holidays in the 1990’s with the Southern California Motorcycles Association’s Three Flags Classic. Sailing, skiing, scuba diving and photography were hobbies pursued with passion. He visited National Parks and other wilderness areas, and delighted in trips to the coasts of Washington, Oregon and California, the last of which was to Carlsbad, CA. Formula One Race Cars were his favorites. Creativity and humor were his gifts to friends and family.
Survivors include his wife, Jackie McWilliams, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Paul and Linda Carter, Spokane, WA; Nephew Jason Evans, Ephrata, WA; Nieces Kelli Crough, Fresno, CA; Suzi Carter Megney, Mead WA; Kami English, Mill Creek WA; Jan Carter, Fairfield, WA; Jill Marie Carter, Spokane WA, and their immediate and extended families.
A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, May 2, 2018, 2:00 pm at Bethany Presbyterian Church, 2607 South Ray, Spokane, WA.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Glacier National Park Conservancy, PO Box 2749, Columbia Falls, MT 59912 or Bethany Presbyterian Church, 2607 South Ray, Spokane, WA 99223.
Published in Spokesman-Review on Apr. 25, 2018
Ted Olson, age 59 of Seneca, Illinois, passed away Saturday May 31, 2014 at Morris Hospital.
Born March 26, 1955 in Glendale, California, Ted is a son of Betty Olson of Seneca and the late Leroy Olson. He was raised and educated in Burbank, California and worked as a Machinist.
Ted loved cars, especially working on muscle cars and was a fan of drag racing. He will be remembered for his enjoyment of spending time with his nieces and nephews.
Survivors include his mother Betty of Seneca and seven brothers and sisters, including Kathie Jackson of Seneca, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Ted was preceded in death by his father.
Services will be private, and burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Morris, Illinois.
Published in The Burbank Leader on Feb. 17, 2018
September 18, 1929 - February 9, 2018
Mom was born in Long Beach, Calif. on September 18, 1929. She lived in Burbank for 82 years. She passed away in Kearns, Utah on February 9, 2018.
Eileen married Vreeland S. Peterson May 12, 1952. He preceded her in death on December 13, 1990. Eileen had 3 children: Julie Tamayo, Denise Kidder and Arnold Peterson (deceased). She has 8 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. She will be greatly missed.
Funeral services will be held Monday, February 19 at the LDS church, 136 N. Sunset Canyon Dr., Burbank. Viewing 9:30-10:30 a.m., funeral service at 11:00. Burial to follow at Glen Haven Memorial Park.
