Gregory Varon, BHS 1975

Gregory Varon, BHS 1975

February 9, 1956 - March 23, 2011

Greg Varon, a loving member of our family and the Burbank community passed away peacefully at the age of 55. Greg was an entrepreneur, real estate developer and owner of Gregg's Carpet Sales in Burbank. Greg was  preceded in death by his father, Leo and is survived by his wife, Menchi; three children, Rachel, Brandon and Amy; grandchildren; Kaden and Tyler; his mother, Bette; brother, Bruce Varon and sister Michele.

His life will be honored at Mount Sinai Memorial Park overlooking Burbank on Sunday, March 27th, at 12 noon.In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Greg's honor to the American Diabetes Association at http://main.diabetes.org/goto/gregoryvaron.

Glendale News Press, March 25, 2011

Louis Schirm III, BHS 1938

Louis Schirm III, BHS 1938

Louis Schirm III was born March 30, 1920, in San Diego, to Louis Schirm Jr. and Harriet Virginia (Hartz) Blake Schirm. He grew up in southern California, where he graduated from Burbank High School and attended Notre Dame University for two years before joining the Army to serve as an officer in Europe during WWII.

Lou was a captain in the 17th Port, in charge of transportation in Ghent, Belgium where he met the love of his life and wife of over 50 years, Henriette (”Yette”) Scribe. His duties included teaching young men how to drive all kinds of machinery, servicing the motors and loading the boats, with all the supplies for the jeeps, tanks, etc. He was stationed in England, then Antwerp and later in January of 1945 in Ghent, Belgium.

After the war, Louis and Yette settled in Burbank, and Louis completed his college education at Woodbury College in Los Angeles. Lou worked at Lockheed in Burbank, Magnasync, and later Avnet in Culver City, in the mechanical engineering fields. He finished his career working for his son Louie IV at a high tech electronics company.

He and wife Yette raised five children first in Burbank and later Torrance. Louis was an active Boy Scout assistant scoutmaster, then later an active Sea Scout master when his daughters were in high school. Lou was recognized for 25 years of service to the Boy Scouts of America. Lou was an Eagle Scout himself. Lou also volunteered for many positions at the King Harbor Yacht Club, at his home parrish, and for several nonprofit organizations over the years — usually related to computers or helping to provide computers to schools and families who needed the new technology.

In 1993, Lou and Yette moved to Napa to live close to daughter, Nicky and her husband, Tom, and Lou continued his tradition of volunteer service and community involvement along with Yette, which included: Napa Valley PC users group, Choix De Vie (later called Rainbow House), Cybermill Clubhouse, Riverpark Homeowners Association, Napa Valley Yacht Club, Native Sons and several local veterans groups and associations. He also volunteered at Mt. George Grade School on occasion in the early 1990s.

Lou is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Kathy Schirm; brother-in-law and his wife, Rene and Phillis Scribe; son, Louis Schirm IV; daughter, Nicky (Schirm) Suard; daughter, Lorette (Schirm) Harnsberger; grandchildren, Phillip Hansberger, Rachael (Harnsberger) van Gorp, Ryan Harnsberger, Kelli Schirm, Lisa (Schirm) Aulick, Bonnie (Brierley) Hanson, Sean Brierley, Kyle Brierley, Brigitte Brierley, Tyler Suard, Cory Suard, Carrie (Caldwell) Johnson; great-grandchildren, Emily Johnson, Tucker Johnson and “pending” Hanson; and cousins, in-laws or other family members, Linda, Fritz, Tom, Casey, Johan, Tina, Ricky, Bobby, Evan, all the Santa Barbara Bohnette, Wehe and King clans and many others! Lou’s wife, Yette and daughters, Jill Brierley and Micheline Caldwell predeceased Lou.

Memorial services will be held Monday, March 21, 2011, at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas Acquinas Catholic Church in Napa, with interment immediately thereafter at Tulocay. There will also be a Celebration of Life luncheon afterwards at the Napa Valley Yacht Club. There will also be a Rosary on Sunday March 20, 2011, at 7 p.m. at Tulocay with visitation starting at 5 p.m.

Ruby Ruth O'Barr Cordes, BHS 1946

Ruby Ruth O'Barr Cordes, BHS 1946
January 18, 1929 - February 18, 2011

Ruby Ruth Cordes, 82, of Garden Grove, passed away on February 18, 2011. She was surrounded by family when she peacefully left this life and entered her heavenly home.

Ruby was a native Californian, born in Los Angeles on January 18, 1929. She and her sister spent much of their childhood in Banning, CA and the family later moved to Burbank, CA. After graduating from Burbank High School, she entered nursing school. Through mutual friends she met her future husband, Howard W. Cordes. They were married March 25, 1949, making their home together in Venice, CA.

In the fall of 1956 they relocated to Garden Grove with their family of 3 daughters. As new Christians, Howard and Ruby desired to grow in their faith, becoming members of Saint Olaf Lutheran Church during its formative years. She enjoyed the music and hymns in worship, expanded her knowledge of God's grace by regularly attending Bible studies, and supported the congregation through devoted prayer.

As a homemaker, Ruby was active in various social, spiritual, community, and political organizations, serving in diverse Leadership roles through the years. She had a passion for youth development, channeling her energies and resources to the betterment of society.

Her varied interests included playing cards, board games with grandchildren, jigsaw puzzles, reading, and traveling. Ruby loved fishing and camping, visiting State and National Parks, and her annual trips to Palm Springs and Dana Point with friends and family.

Ruby is remembered for her genuine personal interest in and love for others, as well as her generosity. Her constant optimism and firm belief that the individual can make a difference were an encouragement to all. She was highly respected for her candid opinions. Her companionship was sought by many and she will be sorely missed by all those who loved her and benefitted from her being a part of their lives.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Cordes. She is survived by her sister: Dorothy (Dennis) Allen; daughters: Marcia (Larry) Sander, Susan (Robert) Bixler, and Jeanie (Bob) Morrow; nieces: Stacey Liebig, Lynne Rust, and families; grandchildren: Natalie (Mario) Montoya, Rebecca (Gary) Kymer, Julie Bixler (Arnie Castro), Tiffany Bixler, Chelsea (Adam) Kissack, Marilyn Morrow, and Allison Morrow; great-grandchildren: Ariana, Jacob, and Logan Montoya, Marcus Sander, Maya Kymer, and Robby Castro.

A visitation will be held Thursday, February 24, 2011, from 4:00p.m. - 8:00p.m., at Dimond and Shannon Mortuary, 10630 Chapman Ave, Garden Grove, CA. There will be a funeral Service in honor of Ruby, Friday, February 25, 2011 at 11:00a.m., at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, 12432 9th St., Garden Grove, CA. (In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation in her name to Saint Olaf Lutheran Church, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, PO Box 5007, Minot, ND 58702-5007, or a charity of your choice)

Sharon Barton Selph, BHS 1962

Sharon Barton Selph, BHS 1962

Sharon Barton Selph, 66, passed away from breast cancer on Wednesday, March 9, 2011, surrounded by her family in Snowflake, Arizona. The family will celebrate her life at a get-together in June in Burbank, California.

She was born June 8, 1944, in Glendale, California.

Sharon grew up in Burbank, and graduated from Burbank High in 1962. She worked as a licensed vocational nurse at Antelope Valley Hospital, and at Lockheed as a department receptionist/secretary.

Don and Sharon married in 1990, and Don’s company, Lockheed, relocated them to Marietta, Georgia., for seven years. A transfer to Arizona in 1997 moved the couple to Phoenix. After Don’s retirement in 2006, the two realized their dream and built a horse ranch in Snowflake.

Sharon was an avid crafter, knitter, cook and baker her whole life.

Survivors include her husband of 21 years, Don Selph; two daughters, Cynthia Sheridan (David) of San Diego, Calif., and Donna Brennan (Eric) of Valley Springs, Calif.; two stepdaughters, Sherri Hall and Deanna Mosher (George), both of Lancaster Calif.; and 12 grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Barbara Croffoot; and her stepfather, Clifford Croffoot.

Silver Creek Mortuary of Taylor was in charge of the arrangements.Published in AZ Journal, March 16, 2011

Richard Jock Barassi, BHS 1987

Richard Jock Barassi, BHS 1987
(1969 - 2011)

Richard Jock Barassi, 41, of Santa Barbara, died Saturday, March 5, 2011 due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in Carpentaria.
Richard was born Oct. 5, 1969 in Pacoima to Robert and Martha (Seybold) Barassi and had been a resident of Ventura for 30 years. Richard was a resident of Santa Barbara for two years. He graduated from Burbank High School in 1987. Richard had been a bicycle technician for over 22 years. He was employed with Eco Bikes, of Carpinteria, and Treasure Chest, of Ventura.
He also attended Calvary Chapel in Santa Barbara. His hobbies included camping, hiking, fishing, and long walks on the beach at sunset. However, his passion was bikes, motorcycles and hot rods.
Richard was preceded in death by his mother, Martha Seybold, in October of 1999. He is survived by his father, Robert A. Barassi, of North Hollywood; brothers, James Barassi, of Santa Barbara, and Joseph Barassi, of Ventura.
A memorial service will take place 2 p.m. Friday, March 18, at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura, with the Reverend Jim Deck officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory, Ventura. Condolences may be left at www.TedMayrFuneralHome.com.

Published in Ventura County Star from March 13 to March 16, 2011

Margaret Fido Hardeman, BHS 1943

Margaret Fido Hardeman, BHS 1943

August 13, 1925 - January 15, 2011

Margaret Hardeman was born on August 13, 1925 in Los Angeles, California to Anthony and Angelina Fido. Margaret attended Burbank High School and then worked for Owl Drugstore and Bakery Lane in Burbank. Margaret married Benjamin Hardeman on September 26, 1943 in Burbank, California. Margaret and Ben had two children, James and Judy, who they raised in Burbank.

Margaret enjoyed spending time with family which included four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. They were her greatest joy.

Margaret is survived by her son James (Judy) Hardeman of Fountain Valley, California and her daughter, Judy (steve) Maggiora of Saugus, California; her four grandchildren, Kristin (Brian) Brocoff of Las Vegas, Nevada; Carrie (Chris) Cantor of Ladera Ranch, California; Doug Maggiora and John Maggiora of Valencia, California; and 4 great-grandchildren, Brett, Amber, Caden, and Kyler.

Margaret is preceded in death by her parents, husband, her two brothers; Joe and Nick; her three sisters; Mary, Kate, and Lena.

Funeral Services will be held at the San Fernando Mission Cemetery on Tuesday, January 25th. Visitation will be at 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at 1:00 p.m. with burial immediately following.
Published in the Burbank Leader, Wednesday, January 26, 2011.

Richard Minasian; High School Athletic Director

Richard Minasian; High School Athletic Director June 18, 1993, Los Angeles Times Richard L. (Dick) Minasian, a Burbank High School athletic director and teacher for more than three decades, has died at his Laguna Beach home. He was 85. A Burbank resident from 1938 to 1970, Minasian died Tuesday of congestive heart failure, said his granddaughter, Dana L. Morris. Born in Fresno, Minasian received his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1933 from USC, where he was a three-year varsity letterman in baseball. He received a master's degree from USC two years later. In 1938, Minasian joined the staff of Burbank High School, where during his 32-year tenure he served as director of physical education and taught life science, biology and physical education. He also coached several sports, including football and baseball. While a Burbank resident, Minasian was a member of the Burbank Lions Club, the Valley Trojan Club and Westminster Presbyterian Church. He retired in 1970 and moved to Laguna Beach, where he was a member of the Orange County Trojan Club and Community Presbyterian Church in San Juan Capistrano. Minasian is survived by his wife of 62 years, Viola; two daughters, Paula Morris of Burbank and Sandra Stenius of Eugene, Ore; a brother, Arthur L. Minasian of Encino, and four grandchildren. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Community Presbyterian Church, 32202 Del Obispo St., San Juan Capistrano. Graveside services will follow at 3 p.m. at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a scholarship being established in Minasian's name. Additional information is available through his daughter, Paula Morris

Karen Minnig, BHS 1959

Karen Minnig, BHS 1959

From Idaho State Journal, June 30, 2005

Sun Valley, Cailf.- Karen Minnig, 64, passed away Sunday, June 26, 2005, at her home in Sun Valley, Calif., after a long battle with cancer.

She was born Jan. 26, 1941, in Nounan, Idaho, to Truman and Orbie Parker Minnig. She grew up and attended elementary school in Nounan. In her early teens her family all moved to Burbank, California. After graduating from Burbank High School in 1959, she worked many various jobs but ended up settling into a job for the County of Los Angeles as a personnel operations manager. She worked for the county for 32 years and after retiring returned to Bear Lake County, Idaho.

She resided in Montpelier for about eight years to allow her son, Eric, to attend school. After Eric graduated from Bear Lake High School, they moved back to California. Karen was a honest, compassionate, hard-working single mom. She enjoyed spending time with her friends, picking huckleberries, skiing and lounging in the hot pools at Lava.

Karen is survived by her son, Eric Minnig, of Sun Valley, California. Funeral services will be Saturday, July 2, at 10 a.m. in the Montpelier Stake Center with Bishop Reed Peterson conducting, where friends may visit with family that morning from 9 until 9:50 a.m. Burial will be in the Nounan Cemetery, with services under the direction of Matthews Mortuary of Montpelier.

Evelyn Irene "Jimmie" Clewley Burk, BHS 1941

Evelyn Irene "Jimmie" Clewley Burk, BHS 1941

JIMMIE BURK

Jimmie Burk, 77, died April 23, 2001, in Burbank.

Ms. Burk was born March 6, 1924, in Alhambra. She worked for Lockheed Martin Co. for 11 years. She was a member of the Burbank Moose Lodge for 15 years, the Veterans of Foreign Wars for 25 years, the American Legion for 25 years and the Daughters of the American Revolution for 25 years.

She is survived by her daughter, Vicky Haidle; son-in-law Roger Haidle; son Carl Burk; grandchildren Robert and Jesse; and great-grandchildren Jennifer, Jacquelyn, Jessica, Little River, Treasure and Captain Morgan.

Private services have been arranged by Valley Funeral Home. The family requests that memorial donations be made to an animal humane society of the donor's choice.Burbank Leader, April 28, 2001

Tokey McGinnis Rossie, BHS 1966

Tokey McGinnis Rossie, BHS 1966

September 2, 1947 - February 2, 2011
Mineola, Texas

Burbank High School Class of 1966

Tokey died following a long battle with complications from Diabetes.

She is survived by her husband, two children, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and her loving brother & sister-in-law.

Tokey was always very proud of being an alumni of BHS and would often fondly remember her days there. In later life, she had a 30 year career in the telephone communications field and then retired to Texas where she enjoyed collecting rare porcelain dolls and crafting award winning cross stitch.

She is interred at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery just outside Quitman, Texas.

Obituary submitted by her brother Bill McGinnis.

Dolores Marie Signorelli Williams, BHS 1954

Dolores Marie Signorelli Williams, BHS 1954
October 26, 1935 - March 10, 1997

Dolores Marie was born the first child of Josephione and Michael Signorelli. She attended Burbank High School and was one cool dame. She met Thomas Rizza and they married. Together they had four children, AnnMarie Rizza, Charles Rizza, Thomas Rizza and Michael Rizza. Dolores and Tom divorced and she later met and married Alan Williams. They didn't have children. Dolores had a love for her children and grandchildren. She was an amazing woman with a great sense of humor. Dolores passed away on March 10, 1997.

Robert Ian Gorrie, BHS 1970

Robert Ian Gorrie, BHS 1970

Robert Ian Gorrie, 54, of Laguna Hills, an investment broker, died January 6, 2006, of causes yet to be determined. Services: 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Huntington Beach Library. Arrangements by The Omega Society, Santa Ana. Survived by wife, Meredith; son, Robert; daughters, Alexandra, Aubrey; sisters, Dianne Silvestro, Janet Specht; parents, Sydney, Maxine.

Published in The Orange County Register, January 24, 2006.

NOTE: From a fellow classmate said that Robert had died from a fall off a cliff somewhere near where he and his family lived in the Escondido area. Bob was already deceased when resuers reached the base of the cliff. His death was ruled as an "accidental fall". Robert went to Thomas Jefferson, John Muir Junior High and graduated from Burbank High with the class of 1970.

Thomas "Tom" MacIntosh, BHS 1946

Thomas "Tom" MacIntosh, BHS 1946

Thomas "Tom" MacIntosh died June 29, 2010 from prostate and bone cancer at the age of 82. He died at his home surrounded by his family. Tom graduated from Burbank High School in the spring of 1946.

He is survived by his wife Barbara, former wife Rose, three children, (1) son who passed in 2006, two stepchildren, six grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.
Source: Senior Bulldog Newsletter

Paul John Cummings, BHS 1964

Paul John Cummings, BHS 1964

Born: June 28, 1946 in Burbank, CA
Died: January 20, 2007 Burbank, CA

Service held at the Church of the Hills, Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, January 29, 2007 at 1:00 pm

Survived by his wife Yolanda Cummings and a daughter Vickie (don't know her married name) and I believe a grandson.

He worked for the IRS for years and attended USC. He also served in the Army in Germany. He died after a long battle with cancer. (I think it was colon cancer)

Obituary provided by Pam Kirkwood, BHS 1964

William "Bill" Rudell BHS 1957

William "Bill" Rudell BHS 1957

William "Bill" Rudell dies at 69

The attorney began serving on the City Council in 1973, then later led Bob Hope Airport for seven years.

By Jeremy Oberstein, Burbank Leader

Former Mayor William B. Rudell, who led the city and Bob Hope Airport through some of its most formative changes, died in his Burbank home Thursday. He was 69.

Rudell’s cause of death was not known Friday, but he was pronounced dead at his hillside house on the 1700 block of Rudell Drive, named after him years earlier, police said. An attorney by trade, Rudell was first elected to the City Council in 1973, serving as the city’s mayor for two years before leading the airport for seven years. His five years on the council resulted in a number of developments that raised the standard of living in Burbank and increased protection for the city’s hillside community, said Vincent Stefano, 69, a former Burbank two-term mayor who served with Rudell.“He was a great guy,” Stefano said. “He was very bright, meticulous and just a pretty good guy. His passing is a great loss certainly to Burbank, but also to lots of people who were his friends and his enemies. He was respected by both friends and enemies.”

Rudell was born in 1939. He graduated from Burbank High School before finishing Princeton University near the top of his class in 1961 and enrolling in Yale Law School, which he completed in 1965. Rudell returned to California, was admitted to the state bar in 1969 and immediately flexed his civic muscle, first as a Planning Board member in 1970, then its chairman. After his election to the council in 1973, a race that Stefano remembers fondly, Rudell helped lead the council by supporting or helping to pass a number of significant measures. He was instrumental in acquiring federal revenue-sharing funds to protect Burbank’s hillside community and helped institute the city’s first paramedic services.

Rudell, along with other members of the council, also tried to forge a sense of modernity in Burbank, said Leland C. Ayers, a former mayor and airport commissioner.“We sort of decided to make some changes to Burbank that would bring it into the 21st century,” Ayers said.Those changes included approving a slew of new high-rise office buildings, redeveloping downtown and instituting the Media City Center, still thriving today.“I think he’s certainly a loss to the city,” said Ayers, 75. “He was one of the strongest councilmen and mayors I came across while on the City Council. I respected him a great deal.”

But Rudell’s biggest contribution, friends and city officials said, was in helping to pass the joint powers agreement between Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena — three cities that assumed control of Bob Hope Airport in the late 1970s. As an attorney, Rudell drafted many of the legal documents and helped secure federal money from transportation agencies in Washington, D.C., that were imperative in forming the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Authority. Rudell resigned from the council in 1977 to serve as one of the original nine authority commissioners, acting as president of the group from 1978 to 1985, according to airport records. At a time when the airport was forefront on resident’s minds, Rudell was a vital figure in Burbank, airport spokesman Victor Gill said.

A 1976 measure asking voters whether Burbank should help run the airport drew more than 87% of residents to the polls, with 27,000 of the 40,000 votes cast in support of the referendum, Gill said.“It was as much a mandate as you can get,” he said. “The airport was a huge issue of the day, and he was absolutely a central player. ”His last three years on the authority, from 1982 to 1985, coincided with his time as Burbank city attorney.

In 1985, Rudell joined Richards, Watson & Gershon where he spent the last 23 years of his professional life working on the legal ramifications inherent in telecommunications, land-use and transportation issues for nearly a dozen cities in Southern California, said Larry Wiener, the firm’s president. Immediately after joining the company, Rudell was primarily involved in providing legal services to the cities of Carson, South El Monte, Avalon, Artesia, Seal Beach and Rancho Palos Verdes, according to his firm’s biography.

Drawing on his experience as Burbank’s top lawyer, Rudell then served as a city attorney for Palmdale, South Gate and Lynwood and as interim city attorney for Hidden Hills.Rudell was also an active member of the Los Angeles Consular Corps and served for 37 years as the Consul of the Republic of Botswana.“Bill was a valued colleague and friend,” Wiener said. “He’s worked with the firm for many years and was well respected for many years for his gentlemanly manner and legal skills.”

Rudell is survived by his wife, Jacquie Rudell. A private service will be held next week at Forest Lawn in Glendale. A public viewing has not been set.

Frank Lee McClaflin, BHS 1944?

Frank Lee McClaflin, BHS 1944?
1926–2011

Frank Lee McClaflin, 84, was born on May 29, 1926, in Glendale, Calif., to Frank M. McClaflin and Letha McClaflin. He died at Kaiser Hospital in Vallejo on Friday, Jan. 28, 2011, with his wife Alice by his side.

He graduated from Burbank High School. Later he was a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point (USMA). He graduated with the class of 1948. He served overseas in Japan with the Army of Occupation. He was also a battery commander in Korea. In 1963, he served in Germany. In 1968, he retired from the Army as a major.

After he finished his career with the Army, he attended and graduated from the Golden Gate School of Law in San Francisco. For a short time he practiced law in Oakland.
In 1987, he and his wife moved to Napa. His hobbies were amateur radio and membership in the PC User Group. He was also a member of SIRS, Branch 105.

Many years ago he started up a bridge club at the Florence Douglas Senior Center and still played bridge there recently.

He is survived by his wife, Alice of Napa, and two cousins in California, Mary Jane Hall of Brawley and June Rose Fawcett of Santa Ana.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, Feb. 4, at 10 a.m. at St. Apollinaris Catholic Church, 3700 Lassen St., Napa. The rosary and vigil service will be held on Thursday evening at 7 p.m. at the Claffey and Rota Funeral Home, 1975 Main St., Napa. Burial will follow at Tulocay Cemetery in Napa with full military honors.Published in the Napa Valley Register, February 1, 2011