Sunday, December 31, 2017

David A. Ramos, BHS 1956

David A. Ramos passed away May 30, 2006 at his home in Pocatello, Idaho. Although he moved his family to Idaho in 1972, he spent the first 34 years of his life here in Burbank and made frequent trips back to visit family and friends.

Dave was born May 16, 1938 in Los Angeles to Joe Alarcon and Martha Vasquez. His grandparents Virginia and Izac Ramos adopted him as an infant. Dave's early years were spent in Burbank's Flower Street neighborhood with the family later moving to Avon Street.He was nurtured by his family, especially his sister, Connie and his brother, Blase who helped him become the great person we all know.

Dave excelled in sports at Burbank High School and graduated with the Class of 1956. After high school, he spent 2 years in the U.S. Army. Dave returned to Burbank and married his life-long mate, Florence Blaisdell in 1960. He and Florence were blessed with children, Edward, DeAn and Gary.

During his years in Pocatello, Dave dabbed in the restaurant business and worked 30 years for the Union Pacific Railroad, which he retired in 2002. Dave also became a devout Christian and was very involved in his church.

Family, friends and food were Dave's passions in life, especially his nine grandchildren.To him there was nothing better than having a big barbecue or preparing a Mexican feast and inviting everyone he knew. Dave was an outgoing and gregarious person who genuinely liked almost everyone he met.

Dave is survived by his wife, Florence Ramos of Pocatello; son Edward Ramos and his wife, Robyn of Layton, Utah; daughter, DaAn Pettit and her husband, Kevin of Pocatello; son, Gary Ramos and his wife, Kristine of Boise, Idaho; nine grandchildren; and his birth mother, Martha and six Alarcon siblings. His surviving Burbank family are his sister, Connie Ramos; sister-in-law, Christine Patterson and her husband, Steve; brother-in-law, Chris Aragon; nieces, Marilyn Bauch-Lucas, Charlotte Aragon, Grace McKeehan; and nephew, David S. Ramos.

Dave will be truly missed by his family and many friends in both Idaho and Burbank.

Published in the Burbank Leader Weekend June 17-18, 2006






Thursday, December 14, 2017

Donald Anthony Mangani, BHS Former Teacher

Donald Anthony Mangani, BHS Former Teacher

Burbank Leader, Wednesday, June 2, 1999

Donald Anthony Mangani, 62, died May 23, 1999.

Mr. Mangani was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He was a 1959 graduate of Cal State L.A. He worked at Burbank High School where he taught English and history and coached the tennis and basketball teams, winning many league titles. He later worked as a counselor.

In 1970, he received a master's degree from Cal State University Northridge. He returned to the school district as an assistant principal at John Muir Middle School and Burbank High School.

Mr. Mangani took time off to train harness horses from 1978 to 1981, returning to work as a counselor and vice principal at Monterey High School, prior to his retirement in 1997. He was a member of the Toluca Lake Tennis Club and an avid golfer.

He is survived by his son, Greg; daughter, Judy Anderson; and many friends and students. A memorial gathering will be held Monday at 3 p.m. at Monterey High School, 1915 Monterrey Ave.

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Paul Arlo Munch, BHS 1967

February 10, 1949 - November 15, 2017

Paul Munch, a 30-year resident of Davis, passed away November 15, 2017.

Paul was born in Glendale, California in 1949. He enjoyed growing up in Burbank where he and his pals had a great time. He graduated from Burbank High School in 1967. He attended Valley College for two years and transferred to UC Santa Barbara where he received his B.S. (1972) in zoology. He received his M.S. at San Diego State University (1975) in zoology. He then attended the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and received his Ph.D. (1985) in human physiology and molecular biophysics.


When he was at Valley College in 1967, he met Carolyn Diehl. He and Carolyn married in the Diehl family back yard in 1972.


After Galveston, Paul had a two-year postdoctoral Fellowship at UC San Diego where he began his career in bio medical research. He then moved to Davis and worked at UC Davis for 21 years, retiring in 2008.


Paul had many and varied interests. He delighted in making the muli-layer chocolate cake for his and Carolyn's wedding. He participated in many competitive sports: cross country running track, volleyball, racquetball, baseball and tennis. He also enjoyed being on the water to surf, canoe and sail. He spent a lot of time reading, learning and problem-solving. He enjoyed projects around the house, including putting on a new roof and making a picket fence.


He was also quite an adventurer. He worked as a seasonal national park ranger for eight summers in Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Parks. For three of those summers he and Carolyn lived in the wilderness in a one-room cabin at 10,500 feet with no electricity, bathroom or running water. They loved to travel in their VW van and went on many trips throughout the U.S. and Canada fishing, hiking, biking, canoeing, and sailing.


They traveled the Baja Peninsula on a surfing trip. They drove the Alaska Highway to Fairbanks and took the Alaska Ferry through the inter coastal waterway to Seattle. While in Galveston, they bought a small catamaran with another couple. Paul and Davesailed the intercoastal waterway from Mexico to Galveston. They also sailed around Galveston Island, Paul and Carolyn also enjoyed many tours to Europe.


Paul was predeceased by his parents, Maxine Munch and Also Munch, and his brother Norm. His survivors include Carolyn Munch, his loving wife of 45 years, sister Dianna McCarthy, sister-in-law Kathy Helliesen (Bob), nephew Rob Helliesen, nieces Emily Helliesen Day (Adam) and Elizabeth Helliesen, great-niece Hattie Day and cousins, Martha Schultz and John Hoehn.


Paul and Carolyn had an especially close and loving relationship. He was fun, thoughtful, hard-working, honorable man. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.


Paul lived with Lewy body dementia for several years. His last year was extremely difficult. Paul's family would like to extend a special thank you to two of his excellent caregivers, Tiffany and Wendy. Yolo Hospice also was very helpful. 


A service of remembrance will be held Sunday, December 10, 2017, at 2:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis, 27074 Patwin Road, Davis, California, 95616.


Published in the Davis Enterprise, November 2017





Saturday, December 9, 2017

Gina Marie Sanchez, BHS 1991

Gina Sanchez, BHS 1991
December 19, 1972 - August 19, 1989

In the 1990 Burbank High Yearbook there was a memorial page in memory of Gina Sanchez. She was just 16 years old and a sophomore. It read as follows: 

Gina Sanchez, a past student of John Muir and Burbank High School, was a victim of a drunk-driving car accident this past August. There was no chance for good-byes as she died instantly. Since that moment, many people have realized how precious life really is. Gina is missed, loved, and will always be remembered for everything she was. All we can do now is cherish her memories and hold them in our heart.