Monday, January 29, 2018

Ralph David Fanderlik, BHS 1954

Burbank Leader, June 03, 2000

Ralph David Fanderlik, 63, died May 30, 2000, in Burbank. Mr. Fanderlik was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was a Burbank resident for 46 years. He worked as a mechanical engineer for 20 years. An avid outdoorsman and gardener, Mr. Fanderlik was a Scout master for eight years and a member of the National Rifle Assn. for 20 years.

He is survived by his wife, Etta; sons, David and Daniel; daughter, Sheri A. Kennedy; sister, Barbara Adams; and eight grandchildren.
Services will be held at Valley Funeral Home in Burbank.

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Arnold W. Siegel, BHS 1950

Arnold W. Siegel, BHS 1950
March 23, 1932 – June 23, 2017

Arnold (Arne) W. Siegel, a resident of Montana and West Yellowstone, and formerly of Encino, CA, has always followed, in both his personal and professional life, the motto “Give a little, take a little, and we’ll all have some.”

Mr. Siegel had received the Montana Ambassador’s Plenipotentiary Award for his work in STEM Education throughout the State. He had served on the Montana Community Foundation Board and he and his wife Stephanie are the Founders of the West Yellowstone Foundation. Since its inception 25 years ago, the Foundation provides scholarships for local students who graduate and go onto additional education for one, two, four, or five year programs. In addition, the organization grants funding to other non-profits in the West Yellowstone/Hebgen Basin area. For several days a week, a Foundation bus provides round-trip transportation for seniors and others who have medical appointments and other needs in Bozeman. He was also on other boards in West Yellowstone, including the Library Board, Medical Board and the Founder and a Board member of the Yellowstone Historic Center (Transportation Museum), a member of the West Yellowstone Chamber Board and also the Co-Chair of the Little Ranger Learning Center Board.

Arne was a pioneer in the field of automotive safety innovation. His research has led to numerous safety technologies that are now standard, consumer-demand features in production vehicles. He helped to lead research initiatives on barrier, side-impact, rollover, head-on, motorcycle, and pedestrian crashes. He built the first infant and child crash dummies and designed the first rear-facing infant safety and child booster seats.

As a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, Arne had served on its International Board of Directors and also on its Foundation Board. He was a Fellow in that organization, a recipient of and had initiated several awards there --- the Abelson Leadership Award, the Arnold W. Siegel Humanitarian Award, and the Medal of Honor recipient. The A.W.  Siegel International Transportation Safety Award gives an honorarium and gold medal annually at the Honor’s Convocation.

Arne Siegel loved life, his family, and the community of West Yellowstone and Montana. He spent time fly fishing, enjoying a cup of coffee with friend, and gardening during the summers. Arne passed away on June 23, 2017.

Arne was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Jonathan. He is survived by his wife, Stephanie, his children, Carrie, Ethan and Oren and his grandchildren, Joshua, Jennifer, Justin, Abigail, Samuel, Julia, Alexa, and JJ.

Published in the Burbank Leader, June 2017

Robert Edward Gilbert, Sr., BHS 1946

Burbank Leader, Weekend, May 20-21, 2006

Robert Edward Gilbert, Sr.
June 12, 1928 - May 6, 2006

Robert "Bob" Gilbert was born in Glendale, California in 1928. He lived in Burbank for 24 years and in Glendale for nearly 55 years with his wife, Patricia.

Bob grew up in Burbank, attended Burbank schools including Muir Junior High School and graduated from Burbank High School. He also attended Glendale College and went on to graduate from the University of Southern California with a degree in Business.

Bob was an entrepreneur and the long-time owner and operator of Gilbert Cleaners in Burbank, a family business that had been started by his father. He retired from the dry cleaning business in 1986 to enjoy life with his wife and family.

Bob was an avid sports fan and was especially fond of USC Trojan football. He also enjoyed golf and loved to travel, Bob was well known and loved by many long-time customers and friends and remembered for being a generous man with an outstanding sense of humor,

Bob will be dearly missed by his friends and family. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patricia; his four children, Bart Gilbert, Robert Gilbert, Jr., Claudia DiMonte and Catherine Dennett; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

A celebration of life memorial is planned for June 10, 2006 in Glendale.

Saturday, January 20, 2018

Thomas Allan White, BHS 1960


Thomas Allan White 
May 13, 1942 - November 3, 2017 

Thomas A. (Tom) White, quintessential gentleman, real estate developer, and longtime Balboa Island, CA, resident, passed away November 3, 2017 in Newport Beach, CA. He was born in Burbank, CA, where he went to Burbank High School. He attended California State University, Northridge, majoring in Finance and Accounting. He later received his Executive MBA from Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management.

During his time in Chicago, Tom worked as Senior Vice President for Homart Development and later for Arthur Hill and Company, a major mixed use developer. He was also a Principal at T.A. White and Associates. A Captain in the U.S. Army, Tom received the Army Commendation Medal. While in college, Tom traveled the world on one of the very first Semester at Sea journeys. Tom was past president of Hoag Hospital's '552' Club. 

He was highly involved in the Newport Center United Methodist Church in Corona del Mar, CA, the same church his grandfather-in-law, Dr. Harry W. White, had been a minister of when it was located on Balboa Island. In addition to acting as finance chairman, he also was an active member of the church choir. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed boating and travel. He skied, played tennis, loved to challenge anyone to a game, and was the number one fan of his grandchildren's sports and activities. He was a pensive observer with an omnipotent presence. 

Tom's greatest joy was his extended family, children, and grandchildren. 

He is survived by brothers Bill (Karen) and Steve (Miha), sisters Joan Basore and Ginny Leck (Jake), as well as many nephews and nieces. He leaves behind his wife of 38 years, Kathy, his sons Kevin and Brian (Nadia), his daughter Amy Stefano (Robert), and his grandchildren Opal, AJ, Violet, Owyn, Maggie and Bode. A Celebration of Life will take place on 12/2 at 1:00 at Newport Center United Methodist Church.

Published in the Los Angeles Times from Nov. 11 to Nov. 12, 2017





Friday, January 19, 2018

Beverlee Mae Anette Martino, BHS 1943

Burbank Daily Review, Tuesday, September 25, 1984

Beverlee Mae Anette Martino, BHS 1943

Beverlee Mae Anette Martino, 59, died September 21, 1984 in her Burbank residence. She was born June 1, 1925 in Burbank and was a lifetime resident. She was a sales manager at Martino's Bakery for 40 years. She was a 1943 graduate of Burbank High School.

She was survived by her mother, Eva Martino of Burbank; two brothers, Victor Martino, Jr. and Vern Martino, both of Burbank; four nieces, and two nephews. Graveside services were held Monday morning. Interment was at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale. Eckerman Heisman Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Marie F. Rogan, BHS 1966

Marie F. Rogan
(September 5, 1948 – January 10, 2018)

Maria Rogan passed away peacefully, with her son Wil and his wife Tiffany by her side, due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.  

Maria was born in Burbank, California, the third of six children of Richard and Mary Rogan.  Maria graduated from Burbank High, cruised on the Chapman “College Afloat”, earned her degree at U.C., Irvine, was a teacher in the Fullerton School District, and lived in Laguna Beach for years.  

She was a world traveler and had friends from around the globe: from New Zealand, to Ireland, to Connecticut, and throughout California, including her famous Laguna Beach girls’ softball team, and the “Too Much Fun Club.”  

Maria is survived by her son Wil, and her five brothers: Patrick, Michael, Brian, Dennis, and Ricky, along with many nephews, nieces, and cousins who all loved Maria.  

There will be a funeral at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church,1042 Temple Terrace, Laguna Beach, at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2018.  In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, by going to: https://www.alz.org/




Tuesday, January 16, 2018

JoAnn Bailey Harbaugh, BHS 1959

JoAnn Bailey Harbaugh, BHS 1959
August 1941 - October 2017 

God saw you were getting tired, When a cure was not to be. So he wrapped his arms around you, And whispered "Come unto me". JoAnn started her final journey on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 with her family at her side. Beautiful loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, wife and friend will be missed forever. Born in Glendale, CA, August 1941, she grew up in Burbank, CA where she graduated from Burbank High School. 

Married to Jon F. Harbaugh for 59 years (1958-2017), she raised two beautiful daughters, put her husband through undergraduate and graduate degree programs, managed their home and still had time to be friends with the many people in her life. As in the rest of her life, she was very strong willed, determined, and positive throughout her 6 year battle with multiple myeloma. She, her husband Jon and two daughters moved to San Jose, CA in 1961 where she later pursued a management career with two high tech organizations --- United Technology Center and Advanced Micro Devices. As the manager of the Technical Information and Publications organizations she directed the preparation of technical proposals and the archiving of all technical process documents for these corporations. After early retirement (1995), she and her husband moved to their home in Ashland Oregon where they lived until moving to Knoxville Tennessee in the fall of 2016 to be near their daughters,grandchildren, and great granddaughter.

JoAnn loved visiting with her sister, sister-in-law, daughters and grandchildren; she especially looked forward to her daily visits with her great granddaughter, Darby Rae. JoAnn enjoyed traveling --- road trips with Jon and their adult daughters were a favorite get-away. And, she loved long stays at Lake Tahoe where she could be with her entire family and many friends. JoAnn was an avid gardener [she was a Jackson County (Oregon) Master Gardener]. She used her large fenced garden for growing lovely flowers and tasty vegetables, for getting time in the sun, and for relaxing with Boo, our Maine Coon cat. She enjoyed working with students at elementary schools in the Ashland School District to help with reading programs and when the Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon needed help with special projects she was there to support them. 

JoAnn was very involved with Jon's parents; giving attention to them on a routine basis to see that their needs were met and that they had someone to talk with and "dance" with, to bring peace and joy to their lives. And then there were the plays; the plays at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (a magical place) and at the Oregon Cabaret Theater (a place where she could unwind and have fun!).

Preceded in death by her father Carl Johan Bailey, mother Kathleen Agnes Bailey, fatherin-law Noble Frederick Harbaugh, mother-in-law Vera Elizabeth Harbaugh, brother-inlaw James Wesley Kent, and nephew Carl William Bailey. JoAnn is survived by her husband Jon Frederick Harbaugh, daughter Kathleen Joyce Holliday (Kevin), daughter Debra Lynn Beller (Joel), granddaughter Jenna Rachelle Hermle (Austin),
grandson Ryan Edward Holliday (Abigail), granddaughter Megan Elisabeth Weakley (Taylor), 9 month-old great granddaughter Darby Rae Holliday, sister Carleen Marie Kent, brother Keith William Bailey (Theresa), sister-in-law Joyce Carol Davis, niece Denise Kathleen Salgado (Danny), nephew David Michael Kent, niece Stacy Lynn Spencer (Jay), niece Carol Ann Nolan (Kevin), nephew Michael Louis Bailey, and her grandnieces and grandnephews. 

JoAnn wanted to recognize the following medical professionals for their help and support over the last 6 years: Dr. Molly Gramley, Dr. Aleksandra Simic Sander, Dr. Mathew Miller, Dr. Stephanie Becker, Dr. Daniel Ibach and Amy Neil, Dr. Nicholas Xenopoulos and Kara Neely, Dr. Richard Boyer, and Maggie, the very professional and kind CCU RN that watched over JoAnn during her last nights at Park West Medical Center in Knoxville.

In June, 2018, JoAnn will have a Celebration of Life gathering in South Bend, Indiana followed by interment at the Ullery Cemetery in South Bend. JoAnn requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions be sent to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at the following web site ( https://www.themmrf.org ). 

Please God, watch over our "Oma" and give her the peace she deserves. Sweet Oma, This, I will remember when the rest of life is through: the finest thing I've ever done is simply loving you. Opa (R. Sexton)


Published in The Burbank Leader on Dec. 16, 2017

Sunday, January 14, 2018

Jason Duane Rodriguez, BHS 1990

Burbank Leader, Weekend May 2-3, 1998

Arrest made in killing of Burbanker
Jason Rodriguez, 26, was buried Thursday. Authorities arrest 23-year-old suspect from Los Angeles.

Hollywood - One day after friends and family buried Jason Rodriguez, Los Angeles police arrested a 23-year-old man Friday on suspicion of stabbing and killing the 26-year-old Burbank resident.

More than 250 people attended the funeral services Thursday morning at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills, tearfully saying goodbye to Rodriguez, who died early April 25, 1998, from a stab wound to the chest. Mourners remembered his great smile and positive attitude, and questioned the senselessness of his death, said Rodriguez's older brother, Kevin.

Los Angeles resident Michael Sermeno stabbed Rodriguez at 11:45 p.m. March 24, 1998 in a West Sunset Boulevard parking lot near the Hollywood Palladium, where there was a concert going on, said Detective Michael Gannon of the Hollywood Division of the LAPD. There was a fight inside the concert, but police do not know how many people were involved.

Rodriguez, who died less than two hours after he was knifed, was in the wrong place at the wrong time, his brother said.  "He was just there to be with his friends," Kevin Rodriguez said. "He really shouldn't have even been there."

Jason Rodriguez, a Los Angeles Department of Water and Power maintenance construction helper of nine years, will be remembered as a hard worker, a genuine person and a loving father to 6-year-old Casaundra Alcantar of Tujunga, Kevin said. In his 18 years in Burbank, the fun-loving Rodriguez made many friends. His happiness and honesty touched many lives.

Sermeno was being held without bail at the Los Angeles City Jail in Hollywood. His arraignment date was pending.
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Burbank Leader, Wednesday, May 6, 1998

JASON RODRIGUEZ

Mr. Jason Rodriguez, 26, died April 25 at a Los Angeles hospital. Mr. Rodriguez was born in California. He was a resident of Burbank for 18 years. He was employed as a maintenance construction helper with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power for nine years.

He is survived by his daughter, Casaundra Alcantar; father, Louis; mother, Karen; and brother, Kevin. Funeral services were held on Thursday, April 30 at Old North Church, Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills. Forest Lawn Mortuary, Hollywood Hills was in charge of the arrangements.

NOTE: I got Jason's name from the old BHS/JBHS memorial page that is no longer available. It had him from Class of 1990, but was unable to find a photo of him in either the 89 or 90 yearbook.






Saturday, January 13, 2018

Dorothy Erskine Johansen, BHS 1952

Dorothy Johansen, passed away peacefully November 17 2017 at her home in Riverton, Utah. Born February 14, 1934 to Aldred and Frances Erskine. She married William Johansen May 22 1952 in Burbank, California. 

Dorothy is survived by her husband William, five children, their spouses, 24 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild; and one brother, Gene Erskine. She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Steven Johansen; and brother, Melvin Erskine. 

While in high school, Dorothy was chosen as prom queen, with attendants Ruth Anderson (Winstead) and MaryLou Parks (Whipple), whom the three ladies were still the closest of friends today.  

Bill and Dorothy served three missions together for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. two missions at the Martin’s Cove Visitors Center in Wyoming and one mission at the LDS Employment Center in Riverton, Utah. Dorothy's entire life was filled with service to her family, friends, neighbors, and everyone she had an opportunity to work with. 

Dorothy always sought ways to stay in touch with family and friends. A phone call, a letter, a card, a personal visit, a meal, or a gift was her way of keeping family ties strong. She worked on her genealogy for more than sixty years and left a legacy of family history stories for each of her descendants. 

Dorothy never let a moment go by without working on a project for someone. Many of her quilts draped the pew backs in honor of her years of service. The crochet dresses made for granddaughters and great-granddaughters, the teddy bear baby blankets, doll dresses, any many more gifts she made for family and friends filled her heart with joy and leaves her family with a lasting legacy and reminder of her service. 

One simple thing that brought great joy to Dorothy was a butterfly. Years ago, she had nursed an injured butterfly back to health. When the butterfly was ready to return to nature, the last moment was spent flying in circles around Mom. Her husband told her that the butterfly was telling her “thank you” for being so kind. That’s our mother, the kindest person we’ve ever known.












Monday, January 8, 2018

William P. King, Jr.,BHS 1962

Burbank Daily Review, March 1962

Wreckage Found Near Hansen Dam

A parent's identification of a youth killed in a traffic accident ended the search for a missing Burbank student Monday.

William P. King Jr., 17, 731 E. Amherst Drive, was discovered missing when his parents awakened Monday morning. Mr. and Mrs. William King told police they had last seen their son studying in his room at about midnight Sunday. Earlier a wrecked car had been found in a ditch off Wentworth Avenue south of Hansen Dam.

Richard Newsom of La Crescenta discovered the wreckage at about 5:40 a.m.. The driver, alive when found by Newsom, died while being rushed to Sun Valley Receiving Hospital. The body was taken to Bade Mortuary in Tujunga, where King identified his son.

Police reported the youth apparently lost control of the car on a curve. It isn't known how long he remained in the wreckage before being found. Police said the engine was cold when the car was discovered. King Jr., a senior at Burbank High, played drums in his school's band.

He was president of his Junior Achievement company and was an acolyte in St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Burbank. His mother is a member of the Burbank Police Commission. King Sr. does commercial film work.

Funeral services will be at St. Jude's Episcopal Church Wednesday. Burial will be in Valhalla Cemetery. Definite times were to be set today. King Jr was the third Burbank high school student killed in traffic in two days. Richard Bahrman, 18,  of Sparks St and Edward Emard, 18,  of Valencia Ave were killed Sunday in Los Angeles.

Thursday, January 4, 2018

Robert "Sy" Gerald Seidell, BHS 1992

Robert "Sy" Gerald Seidell, BHS 1992

Sy Seidell was a 1992 graduate of Burbank High School and was born on March 17, 1974. Sy passed away on July 2, 2017 in Altadena, California. He was 43 years of age. 

According to the Los Angeles Medical Examiner Sy was found in his garage at his home. His death was determined to be an accident with the cause of death Fentanyl Intoxication. Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, California  handled the arrangements. No other details at this time.