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Marilyn Mazzeo Casey, BHS 1971
Former Durango resident Marilyn Casey died of a heart attack Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at The Lodge in Colorado Springs. She was 60.
Ms. Casey was born to Phillip and Marie Mazzeo on Dec. 9, 1952, in Glendale, Calif. She graduated from Burbank High School in 1971. She moved to Durango in 1976.
In 1980, she married Randy Casey in Durango. The couple had a daughter together before the marriage ended in divorce.
Ms. Casey worked at Lori’s Family Dining for 21 years and at Miller Middle and Riverview Elementary schools as the kitchen manager for many years. She also worked at Farquahrt’s at Purgatory Ski Area.
"She was a worker," her family said. "She lived to work."
Mrs. Casey had lived in Colorado Springs for the last four years.
"Marilyn loved her grandbabies, her house, her friends and her life companion and best friend, Darrel Bahr," her family said. "She was a very positive person who loved rock ’n’ roll and having fun with her friends. There are lots of memories of Lake Powell, camping, trips to Mexico, dancing and enjoying people."
Mrs. Casey is survived by her daughter, Amber Casey of Durango; companion, Darrel Bahr of Durango; brother, Phillip Mazzeo of Burbank, Calif.; and four grandchildren.
Cremation will occur. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 17, 2013, at Hood Mortuary Chapel, 1261 East Third Avenue in Durango.
The Durango Herald, Durango, Colorado, May 13, 2013
Michael Alan Masters, BHS 1967
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner (AK) - August 19, 2007
Michael Alan Masters passed away at his home July 23, 2007.
Michael was born on July 7, 1949, in Burbank, Calif. He earned a B.S. degree at the University of California, Davis, in 1971, with majors in biochemistry and plant science. He earned a Ph.D. in physiological plant ecology at Duke University in 1978. During his doctorate studies he conducted research on alpine and arctic plants in the Beartooth Mountains in Montana and near Barrow.
He was a research associate for the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Alaska Fairbanks from 1978-1981, doing field work north of the Brooks Range. Between 1981-1986, he worked for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game as a habitat biologist. From 1986 until his death, he worked for the Alaska State Virology Laboratory, first as a laboratory assistant and later as a microbiologist. Michael was highly respected at his workplace for his incredible wealth of knowledge, meticulous work ethic and ability to value everyone as unique individuals.
Michael had a profound love of nature and wilderness travel. He was an avid backpacker, kayaker and skier. He began backpacking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains while attending UC Davis and was active in the Alaska Alpine Club. He took many extended backpacking and kayaking trips throughout Alaska and coastal Mexico, often with friends, but sometimes solo. Among Michael's notable wilderness travels were his long solo trips, including the entire length of the Noatak, Kongakut, Nigu, Killik and Colville rivers. He also had wonderful adventures in natural areas in New Zealand, Costa Rica, Chile and Argentina, and he photographed total solar eclipses in Mexico and Colombia. Michael was an accomplished photographer, documenting his experiences with beautiful slides and sharing his passion for wild places.
After his first kayaking trip to Mexico, Michael decided to learn Spanish. He took classes at UAF, met with a local group to converse in Spanish, studied in Costa Rica and practiced until he attained fluency.
In keeping with his sincere desire to be a good steward of the Earth, Michael lived a simple lifestyle. He took great care to recycle and minimally impact the environment.
Michael was preceded in death by his parents Eldon and Adele Masters.
He is survived by his brother Neal Masters and sister-in-law Rose Masters of San Diego, Calif., as well as his beloved cat, Walden. He leaves an irreplaceable void in the lives of his many friends, who cherished Michael's gentle spirit, integrity and love of nature.
A celebration of Michael's life will be held at the Dog Mushers Hall on Aug. 26 at 4 p.m. There will be a presentation of some of his beautiful slides and a time for sharing photographs and memories, followed by a potluck. Please bring a dish to share along with pictures and stories.
For information, please call Barbara White, 457-1045 or Barb Powell, 479-3757.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Northern Alaska Environmental Center.
Donna Marie Weil Raeder, BHS 1965
Donna Marie Weil Raeder, of Lancaster, passed away on April 23, 2013 at Antelope Valley Hospital after a brief illness. She was 65 years old.
Donna was born April 26, 1947 in Los Angeles to the late Gertrude and Harold Weil.
She grew up in a cozy Burbank home with her parents and brothers. Donna attended St. Frances Xavier School and Burbank High, from where she earned her diploma. A spirited woman, she is remembered for her love of making pottery, cowboy boots, baton twirling and spending time with her family.
A mother of three who raised her family in Southern California and later attended a business college; she volunteered her time with Los Angeles Live Steamers and at a natural history museum; was a Cub Scout den mother; and worked at various jobs, including as a booking agent for Princess Cruises.
She is survived by her son, Norm Belair, daughter-in-law Sheri Belair and their son, Sean, of Southern California; daughter Crystal Warme, son-in-law Peter Warme and their son, Bradley, of Burbank; daughter Lisa Shoop, and her children Paul, Harold, Kalonie, Nevaeh and Lucas; brother Greg Weil, sister-in-law Joan Weil and their family, of Arizona; brother Mark Weil and sister-in-law Karen Weil, of San Diego; aunt Norma Jacoby, of Wisconsin; and numerous cousins in Wisconsin.
Memorial services are planned for June.
Burbank Leader, April 26, 2013
Karen Key, BHS 1972
Dec. 7, 1982. A NEWS 4 helicopter crashed in a snowstorm south of Larkspur. Pilot Karen Key and aviation mechanic Larry Zane were killed. The National Transportation Safety Board said alcohol and poor judgment by the pilot were responsible.
KOA-TV pilot/reporter Karen Key, 28, and mechanic Larry Zane, 28, died when Copter4 slammed into a snowy stand of pine trees near Larkspur, Colorado, while en route to the crash site of a commuter airplane. She was promoted as the first female news helicopter pilot and reporter. Her blood alcohol level was reported to be 0.09, just below the legal limit of 0.10.
The challenge women have had breaking into the TV news field as frontline anchors. Beginning in the 1970s, women began to take a more active role many parts of television news, both behind the anchor desk as well as reporting from the field. Growing up in the PHX area myself, I got to see both the first appearance of the first female TV anchor for a Phoenix station in 1976 for then-CBS affiliate KOOL 10 (later KTSP-10 and now KSAZ-10, Fox affiliate).
I got to see firsthand how the politics of the TV/radio world worked during my first flying job as a traffic pilot in PHX. One of the other firsts I got to witness in the Phoenix television news scene was the nation's first female TV helicopter pilot-reporter. In 1982, 28 year old Karen Key joined then KOOL-10 TV as their helicopter pilot-reporter for their Bell 206B, rivaling the then-powerhouse NBC Phoenix affiliate KPNX-12 and their longtime, very famous and nationally-known pilot-reporter Jerry Foster and his Hughes 500D.
Key became a very popular personality in the Valley news scene, often covering the news quickly and efficiently, as well as assisting the local police during car chases and performing a few rescues in assistance to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, once a market cornered only by Foster.
Very quickly, the helicopter became the staple and the symbol of a professional news organization in many markets, often appearing as the station's representative in commercials and billboards. I personally got to meet Key at a hospital open house I went to with my dad, and which she was attending with her helicopter, and even got to have my photo taken with her and the KOOL Bell 206B. In late 1982, Key moved from Phoenix to Denver, CO, where she joined NBC affiliate KOA-TV4 (now KCNC, CBS-4) as the pilot for their "News 4" helicopter.
On the night of 7 December, 1982, the 42nd anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, a Pioneer Airlines Swearingen SA-227AC crashed during a night ASR approach to Pueblo, CO airport, killing the pilot and co-pilot of that aircraft. WX at the time was light snow and low visibility. A little over 100 miles to the north, Key was attending a get together when word came of the missing aircraft in Pueblo. Key and one of the flight mechanics for the helicopters drove to Denver-JEFFCO airport (now known as Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, on the NW side of metro Denver) to the airport FBO where a few of the local TV station helicopters were kept. WX at the time was OVC002-003 and low visibility of approximately 1/4, with fog and light-moderate snow falling.
Upon arrival at the FBO, they met with the crews of two of the rival TV station helicopters. One crew had attempted to depart and fly south to Pueblo, only to turn around and return to the airport. The second crew hadn't even brought their helicopter out of the hangar. Key began preflighting her helicopter, and during that time, was warned of the adverse weather encountered by the helo crew who had just landed, who's pilot tried repeatedly to persuade her not to launch.
Key, who wasn't instrument rated and only held a Commercial-Rotorcraft-Helicopter certificate, didn't heed their advice, seemingly wanting to get the scoop on the news story for her station in this day and age of television news ratings. As such, Key contacted JEFFCO tower, requesting and receiving an SVFR clearance. Key and her flight mechanic launched into the dark, snowy night headed southbound under radar advisories. Proceeding south along the western portion of Denver, Key eventually joined Interstate 25 near Castle Rock, continuing southbound.
Radar advisories were provided by Denver TRACON until terrain no longer allowed for radar tracking. Following I-25 southbound, Key's News4 helicopter was witnessed by numerous motorists travelling with landing and searchlight on, and above the highway at approximately 100 AGL and 50 mph, in fog, icing and moderate snowfall, picking their way down the interstate. Some of the motorists had maintained contact with the Bell 206B for 15 minutes or more, as it was travelling at almost the same speed they were in the prevailing WX and road conditions. Eventually, ground witnesses lost sight of the helicopter as the interstate made a bend in the road, and Key's helicopter took a course away from the roadway.
Key never made it to the Pueblo airport. The helicopter was found the next morning, having impacted pine trees atop a snow-covered knoll that it had just crossed, causing it to roll abruptly right and impact the ground on the downhill side of the knoll past the top. Both Key and her flight mechanic were killed on impact. Toxicology tests later performed on Key revealed a blood alchohol content (BAC) of 0.093%, just below the (then) legal limit, and people who had spent the day with her reported she had been consuming alchoholic beverages off and on for most of the day.
Probable Cause
*VFR Flight Into IMC Conditions -Initiated/Continued - Pilot In Command
*Impairment (Alcohol) - Pilot In Command
Secondary Factors
*Preflight Preparation - Inadequate - Pilot In Command
*Overconfidence In Personal Ability - Pilot In Command
*Lack Of Total Instrument Time - Pilot In Command
*Self Induced Pressure - Pilot In Command
Tertiary Factors
*Light Condition - Dark Night
*Weather Condition - Low Ceiling
*Weather Condition - Snow
*Weather Condition - Fog
*Terrain Condition - Mountainous/Hills
*Terrain Condition - Snow Covered
MikeD says
This accident, like so many before it and so many after it, highlights how the pressure to be first, the pressure to perform, the desire to get the scoop, and to become and stay well-known, especially in media or surrounded by it, has caused so many bad decisions in the aviation world; both in professional aviation as well as in general aviation.
Unfortunately, for the accomplishments that 28 year old Karen Key was noted and for the first in women's aviation she became, her death on 7 December 1982 is little remembered but for those who knew her personally or otherwise knew of her, since that Day of Infamy is normally presented the facts of the brief flame and subsequent flame-out of Karen Key.
It was flown for the best station in town by pilot/reporter Karen Key. Nothing was cooler than a beautiful blond woman flying a helicopter.
I remember changing the lyrics of an Air Force recruiting commercial: "Nothing can stop the U.S. Air Force, except for Karen Key in Copter 4!"
(Embarrassing, I know, but cut me some slack, I was only 10.)
My devotion to news helicopters changed after the night Key took off in Copter 4, flew into a snowstorm, crashed and impaled herself on the machine's control stick. An aviation mechanic also was killed. The cause of the accident was determined to be alcohol- and weather-related.
Sheri D'Damery Cronkite, BHS 1973
Sheri D'Damery Cronkite, born May 30th 1955, died suddenly on August 22nd 2011 at Saint Joseph's Hospital. Graduated Burbank High School in 1973.
She made us laugh; she made us cry with her strength and joy for life. She worked hard doing studio payroll, managing new talents and helping others. As a wonderful wife and mother, she was loved by everyone and feared by few. She will be missed by all.
Wife of Todd Cronkite, Mother of Douglas D'Damery, Kevan D'Damery, Jesse Cronkite and Alex Cronkite all of Burbank. Missed by her brother, James D'Damery and Pat, also sisters Linda and Cathy. Loved by nieces, nephews and friends.
A memorial gathering will be held on Sunday, August 28th from 3pm-7pm at the Bence home, 28569 Meadow Heights Ct. Santa Clarita, Ca 91387 to celebrate her life. The family hopes to see you there
Published in the Glendale News-Press, August 26, 2011
David William Anderson, BHS 1956
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of David William Anderson on April 19, 2013. After putting up a valiant fight against cancer, Dave left his earthly body to find eternal rest in the loving arms of his Savior.
He is survived by his faithful wife of 50 years, Linda; his devoted daughters, Amy (Joel) and Julie (Bill); and his adoring grandchildren, Alex, Nico, Elena, Liliana, Kara, Ryan, Michael, Blaine and Connor.
Dave was born in Akron, Ohio to David and Ruby Anderson and raised in Burbank, California where he was class president and captain of the football team at Burbank High School ('56). He went on to play football at New Mexico Military Institute and graduated from San Jose State University ('61) with a business degree. He proudly served as an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1961 - 1963. He married Linda Martin in 1962.
Dave began his own business, Anderson Air Conditioning, Inc. in Orange County in 1968. Dave was a well-respected business owner and mentor to many as well as an active member in his community and church. Dave enjoyed many things among them: classical music, sailing, football, travel, and his beloved California Angels.
Dave was a principled and loving father and grandfather who served as the ultimate role model to the entire family. Later in life, Dave took an active role in his grandchildren's lives and loved to watch their sporting events and support them in their education. Dave's influence is far reaching and his legacy will live on through the lives of his many friends, family, and all who had the great privilege of knowing this wonderful man. Though his loss is greatly felt here on earth, comfort is taken in the fact that he is with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
A memorial service will take place at Messiah Lutheran Church, 4861 Liverpool Street, Yorba Linda on Friday, April 26 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Angeles Clinic & Research Institute/Melanoma Center, 11818 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, 90025 in memory of David W. Anderson. www.FairhavenMemorial.com
Ronald Allen Grygus, BHS 1965
Ronald Allen Grygus was born on October 26, 1946 in Easton, Pennsylvania and passed away on July 28 2008. The son of Herman Grygus and his wife, Isobel Burzycki. Along with his older brother Andrew, the family lived in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, they moved to Connecticut in 1955. After his parents separated, Isobel, Andrew and Ron relocated to California in 1956. Ron attended school in Burbank, at John Muir Junior High and graduated from Burbank High School in the class of 1965.
Employed briefly at Burbank Stainless Steel, before Ron was drafted into the army in 1966, he served in Vietnam in 1967-68, and returned home in 1969.
Perhaps Ron was best known for his motorcycle repair and fabrication, his self employed life long art and passion. He worked with metal, developing many specialties including restorations and fabrication of forks, frames, fenders, tanks, pipes and amazingly; cases, heads and barrels.
Ron was a wonderful friend: helpful, interested, person. Ron was a person who lived his life everyday. The plants and succulents, feeding the hummingbirds, his dogs, wild life, his collections, photography, current events, riding his mountain bikes, and tofu burgers are just some of the things we can recall when Ron comes to mind.
He will live on in his work and our memories as a unique individual, who's talents made the world a better place.
Thank you Ron for your honesty and kindness.
PS: To see and read more about Ron, CLICK HERE
Barbara Jean Porter Gardner, BHS 1941
Barbara Jean (Porter) Gardner - (Queen Charlotte)
Date: November 28, 2012
Barbara Jean (Porter) Gardner, was born Jan 30, 1923 in Los Angeles, California to Maurice and Phyllis Porter. She grew up in Burbank, California and attended Burbank High School(1941), where she met Raymond Gardner(bhs1939) at the age of 15.
They married July 24, 1942 and spent 60 years together. Barbara and Ray enjoyed their retirement years at their homes in Queen Charlotte City and in Camarillo, California. Barbara loved to fish, being in the woods, on the streams and out on the beaches. To her last days, she often reminisced about the years she spent on Haida Gwaii and the friends she made here.
She passed away in Ventura, California on October 20, 2012, at the age of 89. She is survived by her daughters Judy Puls (Karl), Janet Sampson, and Jill Solotoff (Myckle), her granddaughter Kristi (Gregg) and her great grandchildren Amanda and Joshua. Barbara was a beautiful soul and always looked on the bright side of every situation.
A Special thanksto the staff at the Palms Assisted Living in Ventura for taking such good care of our Mother in her final days. Barbara's ashes will be scattered in the Pacific Ocean near Ventura Harbour and at the Blow Hole in Keauhou, Hawaii.
Scott J. Volland, BHS 1981
Burbank Leader, Saturday, January 1, 1994
Scott J. Volland, 31, died December 25, 1993 in Sherman Oaks. Born in Minnesota, he lived in Burbank for 27 years.
Mr. Volland was a electrician with Hoffman Electric for 10 years. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Loren Volland and two brothers, Michael and Terry.
A Funeral Mass was held at St. Francis Xavier Church. Burial was in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, California. The Valley Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Lawrence Evan Frankel, BHS 1973
Gay Activist and Civil Lobbyist, Larry Frankel, dies at 54
Matthew Spolar, Philadelphia Inquirer, Aug 31, 2009
Philadelphia, PA - Larry Frankel, who worked the halls of Harrisburg for 16 years as a civil liberties lobbyist, died Friday in Rock Creek Park in Washington. He was 54. Relatives said he died of natural causes.
Mr. Frankel was legislative director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania from 1992 to 2008. He was also the organization's executive director from 1996 to 2001. In March 2008, he took a job in Washington as state legislative counsel for the ACLU, but he kept his apartment in Philadelphia.
Mr. Frankel was well known at the state Capitol, where he worked to reform the state's Right to Know Law, defeat proposed state constitutional amendments to ban same-sex marriage, defend voting rights, and stop plans for school vouchers.
A native of Burbank, Calif., Mr. Frankel studied comparative literature at the University of California at Berkeley. He also attended the university's law school, where he met Andy Chirls, his longtime partner before their separation five months ago.
The two met in September 1978 at a seminar for law students organizing against a proposition to allow school boards to fire gay teachers. They moved to Philadelphia upon graduating in 1981; Frankel first worked in the law office of Harold Diamond before starting a solo practice.
In Harrisburg, Mr. Frankel's conviction and talent for persuasion thrived. "He viewed his client as the Constitution of the United States," Chirls said.
In a statement, Gov. Rendell said Mr. Frankel served the people of Pennsylvania "as much as any elected official in the Commonwealth." "I could count on Larry for his strategic insight and clever approach to advocacy, making him a pleasure to work with and a gentleman that I always wanted on my side," Rendell said.
Rep. Dennis O'Brien (R., Phila.) also expressed admiration for Mr. Frankel's ability to form bonds on both sides of the aisle. "Everyone had the highest respect for Larry. He was tenacious, the consummate advocate," O'Brien said. "We rarely agreed, but he brought a sense of fairness."
Stacey Sobel, former executive director of Equality Advocates of Pennsylvania, worked closely with Mr. Frankel to defeat a proposed state constitutional amendment in 2006 that would have banned gay marriage. "People who cared about individual rights and liberties lost an incredible advocate," she said. Sobel said Mr. Frankel always had his finger on the pulse of important constitutional issues circling the Statehouse. "Reporters would just come over when he was standing in the hallways and say, 'Hey Larry, have you heard anything interesting lately?' " she said.
Yesterday, Sobel, who teaches law at Western State University in Fullerton, Calif., was headed to the beach in memory of Mr. Frankel, who loved beaches.
When State Sen. Daylin Leach (D., Montgomery) was elected in 2002, he said he "knew very little about how the place actually worked." "Larry took the time to work with me and educate me. In time, he came to inspire me. He was the smartest, hardest-working and most knowledgeable lobbyist I knew," Leach said.
Mr. Frankel is survived by his brothers, Norman and Kenneth; his sister, Leslie; and his father, Richard.
Donations in Mr. Frankel's memory can be sent to the American Civil Liberties Foundation, Box 40008, Philadelphia 19106, or to the Fairmount Park Conservancy, 1617 JFK Blvd., Suite 1670, Philadelphia 19103.
Relatives plan to hold a funeral in California and a memorial service in Philadelphia but no dates have been set.
NOTE: Larry Frankel went jogging along Rock Creek in Rock Creek Park. Another jogger found his body floating in Rock Creek.
Marilyn Mazzeo Casey, BHS 1971 
"Marilyn loved her grandbabies, her house, her friends and her life companion and best friend, Darrel Bahr," her family said. "She was a very positive person who loved rock ’n’ roll and having fun with her friends. There are lots of memories of Lake Powell, camping, trips to Mexico, dancing and enjoying people."
