Duane Sorensen, BHS 1971

From his daughter who created a GoFundMe page for her father.

As many of you may already know, we have suffered a huge loss last week. My father, Duane Sorensen, a beloved son, father, brother, husband, and so much more, passed away on Saturday, September 30, 2017 of a heart attack. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. As many of you know, my father was a good man with a great sense of humor. Even as our opinions differed as I got older, I truly loved and appreciated his strong opinions, his art for conversation, and his constant fatherly need to teach me things about life.

As some of you may know, my father passed away in Northern California, so I’ve created this GoFundMe page to help me bring him home to Burbank and have a memorial so that his friends and family can be together to grieve and celebrate his life. Memorial service information will be posted soon.

Any help you can give is appreciated so much, and even if you are unable to make a donation, please know that providing support and love for my father and family is appreciated as well.

Note: Duane attended Thomas Jefferson Grade School, John Muir Junior High and graduated from Burbank High School with the Class of 1971.

UPATE: I just wanted to post the memorial information for my father Duane Sorensen. Services will be from 5pm - 6pm Friday October 20th@ Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in Burbank. Please forward to anyone you think may be interested in attending. Thank you.

Floyd Max Lewis, BHS 1945

Floyd Max Lewis, BHS 1945

Floyd Max Lewis (Bud) was born July 23, 1927 in Gulf Port, Mississippi to Floyd McKinley Lewis and Nellie Ruth Goodman Lewis. Their family moved to California in 1932 where he attended schools in Burbank.

Floyd received his JD degree from UCLA. He was a partner of Parker, Milliken, Clark & O'Hara for over 30 years and practiced law more than 55 years. He proudly served in the US Navy.1945-1946. 

 He is survived by his wife Mary Wilson Lewis and was the beloved father of Christine Ruth Herzog, Bruce James Lewis, Patricia Lynn Lewis Lazenby and Mark Kevin Lewis; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He passed away peacefully on August 21, 2013 after a brief illness. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice. Services will be private.     

Published in the Los Angeles Times from Aug. 24 to Aug. 25, 2013

Richard Christian Beck-Meyer, BHS 1947

Richard Christian Beck-Meyer
August 13, 1930 Van Nuys, CA- June 21, 2016 Ft. Bragg, CA

Richard Beck-Meyer (also known as Rick, Rich, Ricko and Rikko to friends and family) was born in Van Nuys, California. Raised in Burbank, Richard studied painting at California College of Arts and Crafts getting his masters in fine art at San Jose State. 

Richard was an exceptional water color artist, teacher, and member of both the California Water Color Society and the Carmel Art Association. He exhibited in the Monterey/Carmel area throughout the 1950s. Richard was active in local theater designing sets for productions at the Golden Bough Circle Theatre and the Forest Theatre. His sets for Shaw's "Caesar & Cleopatra" (1964) and "Teahouse of the August Moon" (1965) were notable for their bold use of color and shape to enhance the dramatic impact of the plays.

Later in the 1960s he decided to try his hand at film and used his Huntington Hartford Fellowship to attend film school at UCLA. Rick's professional credits include film editor and production designer for "The Wild Angels" (1966), “The Born Losers” (1967), “How Come Nobody’s on Our Side” (1975).

Not satisfied with two art careers, Richard used the GI Bill (he had served as a Mandarin translator for the Army during the Korean War) to obtain a marriage and family therapy degree from Azusa Pacific University. Due to ever escalating licensing hours, Richard never got his license to pursue private practice, but he put his counseling skills to good use as the Special Education Coordinator for Head Start. It gave him great pleasure to be an advocate for special ed students as their families negotiated with schools to obtain the best and least restrictive educational environment each district could provide for each student.

Richard spent the last 20 years of his working life wearing many hats at Community Action Agencies such as North Coast Opportunities in Lake and Mendocino Counties, Redwood Community Action Agency in Humboldt County and Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County. In 1985 he retired and moved to San Francisco where he worked on an English translation of "Journey to the West" for television, original film treatments, poems, short stories, and researching his magnum opus, a book still waiting to be committed to paper. In January of 2016 Richard returned to Mendocino County, living in a lovely cottage just east of Fort Bragg on Highway 20.

Cristina Elena Valdes Comegys, BHS 1987

Cristina Elena Valdes Comegys, BHS 1987 Nov. 21, 1969 - Jun. 14, 2013 Cristina Elena Valdes Comegys, 43, born on November 21, 1969, in Burbank, California, passed away June 14, 2013. She resided in Northridge, California, at the time of her passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California.

Ellen Dort Oldewage, BHS 1941

Ellen Dort Oldewage, BHS 1941

Ellen Dort Oldewage, passed away on June 3, 2016, at the age of 93. She was born in Burbank in 1923 to Earl and Cornelia Dort who were early residents moving to Burbank in 1913. Ellen graduated from Burbank High in 1941.

After graduation she went onto work for Pacific Telephone and Telegraph. She married Francis Moffet and had two sons, Ray and Andy. She loved playing tennis at the racquet club in Mill Valley where she and Frances resided for a number of years.

In later years she married William Oldewage and lived in Paradise, California and then later moved to Tucson, Arizona. A sister Elsie Dort Sieckert (BHS 34) predeceased her. She loved to travel, especially to Europe and Hawaii. She had a loving heart and personality and will be missed greatly.

From the Senior Bulldog News.

Waldon Lee Reichman, BHS 1948

Waldon Lee Reichman, BHS 1948

Waldon Lee Reichman was born on November 3, 1929 and passed away on May 18, 2016. He proudly served his country as a Sergeant First Class E-7 in the Airborne 11th Ranger Company during the Korean War. After the war he became a life-long plumber.

He had many friends, and loved th fish. At 58 years old he contracted cancer and had to retire. He was very determined to overcome his setback and did so very well. He was proud to be with the 11th Airborne Ranger Division, and requested to be buried with other veterans at the Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. His family is very proud of him and he will always be remembered. Lee is survived by his family including his wife Rita.

Janet Jeanine Bailey Gowdy, BHS 1952

Jan. 5, 1934 — July 25, 2016

Janet Jeanine Gowdy passed away of natural causes July 25, 2016, after a short illness. She was surrounded by friends and family in those last days. She had suffered with dementia for the last several years, while still living at home and enjoying her family and beloved dog, Missy, who followed her everywhere.

Janet was born in South Dakota on Jan. 5, 1934. She moved to Burbank, Calif., when she was just a child. Her childhood was filled with involvement in every activity under the sun. She excelled in everything she did; she taught herself to twirl the baton and in high school marched in the Rose Bowl parade.

Janet was married for 64 years to Gene Gowdy. She is survived by her husband, Gene; daughters, Paula Conetta, Rhonda Breech and Gloria Fajardo; son, Guy Gowdy; and several family members, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her love and kindness touched everyone she met and she will be dearly missed by everyone.

Memorial services will be held Wednesday, Aug. 3, at Oak Hills Church in Folsom, Calif, at 1 p.m.

Mountain Democrat, Placerville, California, August 3, 2016

Donna Claire Sartain Strothers, BHS 1946

Daily Breeze (Torrance, CA) - Wednesday, August 3, 2016
Donna Stothers

Donna Stothers, 88, of Rancho Palos Verdes died June 6, 2016 at Bright Water Guest Home in Torrance with her daughter Debra at her side. She succumbed to complications related to renal failure and CHF.

Donna was born Donna Claire Sartain to William A. Sartain and Helen Eunice Horton Sartain, on April 2, 1928 in San Diego, California. Donna graduated from Burbank High School in 1946 after which she worked at the Broadway Hollywood, at the Burbank Library and as a photographers model.

She married James Moore Stothers in the First Presbyterian Church of Burbank on August 20, 1949. They had three daughters and in 1956, Jim's work moved them to Arizona and then New York City. In 1969 Jim and Donna returned to California, settling in Rancho Palos Verdes. Donna worked for Findlay's Jewelry store in Peninsula Center. She joined PEO, a women's philanthropic organization and volunteered for Torrance Memorial Hospital, working in the gift shop for 17 years. She was very proud of her years of volunteer work and treasured the friendships she made. 

Donna was predeceased by her husband of 67 years, Jim who died March, 2016. She is survived by her daughters Catherine Collins and husband John of Bakersfield Vermont, Debra Curry and husband Mark of Woodland Hills, and Deidre McCarrel of Vancouver British Columbia; her brother William Sartain; sisters-in-law Joyce Stothers and Jeanne Irvine and her husband Bill. She also leaves behind her beloved dogs Theodore and KC, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren and close friends including Aleta, Dottie, Dolores, Nancy, Ronnie, Fran, and Marguerite. 

Donna's family would like to thank Torrance Memorial Hospital, Sunnyside Nursing Home, Bright Water Guest Home, Cherish Hospice and Dr. Ghosh for the amazing care and concern that each one of these organizations and individuals provided to our Mom.

There will be a memorial service for family and friends of Donna and Jim Stothers on August 24, 2016 at 2 p.m. at the Wayfarers Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes. A gathering at the family home will follow the service. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Donna's name to Cottey College, P.E.O. Foundation, 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312. Please sign the guest book at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.                 

 

Robert Thomas Topping, BHS 1942

Burbank Leader, Saturday, February 18, 1995

Robert Thomas Topping, 71, died February 15, 1995 in Burbank. Born in Pittsburgh, he had lived in Burbank since he was six weeks old.

Mr. Topping was a civil engineer/consultant for Erkel, Greenfield and Associates Inc. Structural Engineers. He is survived by his wife, Rose; two daughters, Sharon and Alice Topping; and three sisters, Margaret Gardner, Martha Jane Topping and Dorothy Bowers.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. today at Pierce Brothers Little Country Chapel. Burial will follow in Valhalla Memorial Park in North Hollywood.

Curtis Howard Coverdill, BHS 1971

Curtis Coverdill, BHS 1971

Burbank Leader, Thursday, September 5, 1974
Burbank man, 1 other die in bridge plunge!

A Burbank man was killed Wednesday in an estimated 100 mile-an-hour plunge off a bridge near the Long Beach Naval Station. One other man was killed and a third man injured critically.

Dead are Curtis Coverdill, 21, of Burbank, and Curt Thomas Woods, 20, of Moraga, California. In critical condition at St. Mary's Hospital was Bastain Brant, 20, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. All three men were sailors aboard the destroyer escort U.S.S. Roarke.

Police said Woods was driving the speeding car when it missed an exit from the Gerald Desmond Bridge near the naval station. The auto slammed through a guardrail, vaulted 200 feet through the air and landed on a utility pole. All of the victims were ejected.
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Burbank Leader, Friday, September 6, 1974
Services set for Coverdill, accident victim
Curtis Howard Coverdill, 21, died Wednesday, September 4, 1974, in a Long Beach traffic accident. Born in Glendale, he lived in this area all his life. Mr. Coverdill was a fireman apprentice in the United States Navy.

Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dill V. Coverdill of Burbank; his brother, Gregory; and grandparents. Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, September 7th, at J.T. Oswald Mortuary Chapel, 11020 Carmarillo Street, North Hollywood. Interment with full military honors will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, California.