Ralph Samuel Fesler, Former BHS Teacher

Rites,Today For Ralph Fesler, 52

Services were held today for Ralph Fesler, 52, a science teacher at Burbank High School for 18 years who died August 24, 1961. Services for Mr. Fesler of 3936 Santa Carlotta Street, were held in the Church of the Brethren in Covina, his birthplace. He is survived by his widow, Catherine.

On sabbatical leave for the past year, Mr. Fesler had been ill and was unable to attend the summer fellowship at Harvey-Mudd College this summer. It was one of the many fellowships he was awarded during the past few years. 

In summer of 1960 Mr. Fesler attended Stanford University on a Shell Merit Fellowship as one of 100 outstanding high school mathematics and science instructors from the United States and Canada. Mr. Fesler attended the Fifth Chemistry Institute at Montana State College in the summer of 1958.

A graduate of La Verne College, La Verne, California, he received his secondary teaching credentials from the University of California at Berkeley. In recent years he did graduate work at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles State College and Montana State College. While at La Verne he earned a Phi Beta Kappa award for scholarship.

Mr. Fesler was a member of the California Teachers Association, the National Education Association and the Pacific Southwest Association of Chemistry teachers. He was also a member of the La Crescenta Presbyterian Church and on the board of Presbyterian Men.

Published in the Burbank Daily Review, Monday, August 28, 1961

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Valley Times Today, North Hollywood, California, Saturday, August 26, 1961 

FESLER, Ralph S., of La Crescenta, teacher in Burbank High School. Passed away August 24, 1961. Member of Presbyterian Church, La Crescenta. Survived by his wife, Catherine; 3 daughters, Mrs. Jerry Rotta of Escondido, Mrs. Frank Aranguren of Big Bear, and Mrs. Valton Dickson of Tujunga. 6 grandchildren also survive.

Visitation at Custer & Christianson Mortuary in Covina, Sunday afternoon. Funeral services will be Monday, August 28, 10 a.m., at The Brethren Church, Covina, California, Rev. Harry Thomas officiating.

Interment Oakdale Cemetery, Covina. In lieu of flowers please send contributions to the La Verne College Scholarship Fund, La Verne, California.

Suzanne Virginia Decker Victoreen, BHS 1969

Suzanne Virginia Decker Victoreen
November 17, 1951 - November 30, 2019

Suzanne Decker Victoreen was born on November 17, 1951 in Burbank, California to Patricia and Robert Decker, and passed away peacefully with her family by her side on November 30, 2019 at the age of 68. She lived in Burbank for the entirety of her life and graduated from Burbank High School in 1969. Suzanne attended California State University, Northridge. As a mother, she dedicated herself to her children and their activities, never missing a game in any of the sports that they played.

Suzanne was an avid reader and could always be found with a book in her hand. She excelled in her career as a business account manager and loved visiting her five grandchildren near and far. She was a devoted wife to her husband Robert Victoreen (BHS 65), also of Burbank, with whom she shared 47 years of marriage.

Suzanne is survived by her husband Robert; children, Sara Linck (Scott) and Rachel Victoreen (Keith); grandchildren, Robert, Ryan, Alice, Jane and Theodore; sister, Kathy Besnard; brother, David Decker; and mother Patricia Decker. A celebration of Suzanne's life will be held at the Burbank's Elks Lodge 1497 on December 23rd at 11:30 a.m.

Lonnie Wayne Baker, BHS 1970

Lonnie Wayne Baker, BHS 1970

This was posted on Facebook:

Passing of Lon Wayne Baker, BHS '70

Born October 3, 1952 

Our classmate, Gary Cotter, told me that he recently learned that Lonnie Baker passed away in the last few years due to liver failure. No other information was available, including Lonnie's date of death. He had lived back and forth over the years in Santa Cruz and that area, besides in Southern California in Marina del Rey and Culver City, and that area. Lonnie attended our BHS '70 20 year reunion in 1990 held in Burbank. That was the last direct contact we had with him, sorry to say.

Two of our BHS techy people (from other BHS classes) tried to find Lon's death date, but since the Social Security Death Index hasn't been updated since 2014 his name doesn't appear on that Index, so possibly he passed away during 2014 or after that. His name didn't come up on any other site either. Possibly someone who reads this notice will be able to add information about Lonnie. 

NOTE: I was able to find when Lonnie passed away. He passed away on February 20, 2017 in Los Angeles County, California and he died in an alley due to natural causes. His cause of death was due to Arteriosclerotic CardIovascular Disease. He was 64 years old. No other details at this time. May he rest in peace.

Patricia Moore Cervenka, BHS 1969

Posted on Facebook by Debra Brewer Hagan
In memory of Patricia Moore Cervenka, BHS ‘69 

Her daughter has asked me to share the sad news that we lost Patty suddenly and unexpectedly on December 4th, 2019. 

Please keep her daughter Christina, son Timothy and husband Ron (BHS ‘72) in your thoughts and prayers. Pat is also survived by 5 siblings. Kathleen and Marguerite who are graduates of Bell- Jeff and Bob BHS ‘71, Bill BHS ‘74, and Dennis BHS ‘76.   RIP, dear Patty. 
From Pat's daughter,  My incredible mother died on Wednesday evening very unexpectedly. From what I understand, she had an amazing day and was feeling great, went to a Beach Boys concert, and then her heart gave out and she was gone.

She was the original badass who climbed Mt. Whitney three times, surfed, camped, became a pilot in the 70s when women “didn’t do that,” and raised my brother and I to be strong, independent people. 

There are no words for a loss like this. She meant so much to so many and gave all of herself to anyone she met. I’m heartbroken and just wish I could hug my mom one more time. Let’s just all celebrate the incredible, quirky, wonderful woman my mom was. I love you forever, mom. I miss you so much.

Patty studied at San Jose State, San Jose, California after graduating from Burbank High School in 1969. No other details at this time.


Celebration of Life will be held:

Saturday 12/21/19 at 11am

Grace Baptist Church

22833 Copper Hill Drive

Santa Clarita, CA 91350

William Robert Whitlow, BHS 1965

William Whitlow, 1947-2019

William Robert Whitlow Sr., 72, of Eureka, passed away on Sept. 17, 2019 surrounded by his family who loved him dearly.

He was born to parents David and Louise Whitlow on October 16, 1947 in Burbank, California. He graduated Burbank High in 1965. He also extended his education and became a paramedic and helped save many peoples lives.

He married the love of his life, Rebecca Marie Cadenas, and had three handsome sons. William always fought hard to keep his family together and did whatever he had to do to make that happen.

William is survived by Rebecca Whitlow, son William Whitlow Jr. and wife Hannah and their five children; Maizy, Tava, Miles, Iven and Walker. Son Thomas Whitlow and son Wyatt Whitlow and Crystal Whitlow and their children Kaiden, Kyler, and Kierra. William is laid to rest with parents David and Louise Whitlow, brother David and sister Linda Whitlow.

William was known for his great adventurous stories, the love for his family, fighting for what he thought was right, and spending as much time as he could with his family. He loved God and believed in the magic and power of love.

The family will spread his ashes over the ocean somewhere tropical in remembrance of his amazing life of love and adventure.

The obituary above was submitted by William’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. 

Published September 26, 2019

Thomas Gale Kewish, BHS 1947

Thomas Gale Kewish
July 21,1929 - November 24, 2019

Sadly, we announce the passing of Thomas Gale Kewish who left us on Sunday, after a brief and heroic battle. At his bedside was his wife of 30 years, Carol Love Kewish.

Tom graduated from Burbank High School in 1947 and was employed by Lockheed Aircraft where he was a production Leadman. In 1949 he purchased his own manufacturing business, Anderson Crash Helmets. He developed the first fiberglass race car helmet and also manufactured helmets for police departments. In 1958 Tom was employed by Airborne Research and Development Inc. where he was an inspector. In 1960 he worked for RCA on the Unitary Project and ground support guidance systems. In 1996 he retired from the Charter Oak Unified School District and relocated to Ivy Ranch Country Club, Thousand Palms, CA, where he was an active part of the HOA.

He leaves behind his wife Carol, his children, Ron & Judy Kewish of Arroyo Grande, Robin Kewish of Simi Valley, Vicki & Richard Turziano of Simi Valley, Michael Carlone, Richard Carlone, & Linda Carlone, and many many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

No written words can express the extent of this loss. Tom's soft spoken voice and spirit will be greatly missed by all of his family and his many friends of Ivy Ranch Country Club. R.I.P. A Celebration of Tom's life will be held in January at Ivy Ranch Country Club.

Published in San Gabriel Valley Tribune on Nov. 30, 2019

Kathy Lorenz Waldron, BHS 1976

This was posted on Facebook a while back. 

Kathy Lorenz Waldron, Burbank High class of '75, died today, January 22, 2019. Kathy actually was graduated from the Class of 1976 and not 1975.  According to fellow classmates she had been ill for a long time. She was 60 years old. No other details at this time. May she rest in peace.

James Kenneth McCreery, BHS 1962

Burbank Daily Review, Friday, July 28, 1961

Ex-Burbanker Killed When Jack Slips

A former Burbank youth was crushed to death over the weekend when a jack apparently slipped on the car he was working under. The youth, Jim McCreery, 17, of 8547 Minuet Place, Panorama City was pronounced dead on arrival, Sunday at Valley Receiving Hospital.

His parents and Mrs. William K. McCreery were on a fishing trip at the time of the accident. The victim attended Burbank High School. He was at home alone installing a rebuilt motor in his car.
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Burbank Daily Review, Tuesday, August 1, 1961

James McCreery - Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. for Burbank High School student James McCreery at Eckerman Funeral Service Chapel.  The Rev. George E. Lokie will officiate. Mr. McCreery died Sunday. He had resided at 8547 Minuet Place, Panorama City. 

He is survived by his mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. William McCreery, and a sister, Carol Lynn of Los Angeles. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Burbank. Interment will be Thursday at Grand View Memorial Park.