Willis "Ted" Lind, BHS 1953

Willis "Ted" Lind, BHS 1953

1935 - 2015

Willis "Ted" Lind, 80, left this earth Thursday night, October 15, 2015. He left Jeanette behind, his wife and best friend of over 40 years, 3 children, 5 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren as well as 5 brother-in-laws and 5 sister-in-laws, all of whom loved him as a brother. 

A native Californian, he graduated Burbank High School, went on the Dana College in Blair, Nebraska for his Bachelors degree before joining the Marine Corps for his tour in Korea; a service he was proud of his entire life. 

After a notable career in the wire and cable industry designing harnesses and cable configurations for the aerospace industry, he came and spent the 16 years of his retirement in Lake Havasu City making new friends, bowling a perfect game and enjoying one of the places he loved best. Near both water and casinos. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, November 17th at 2:00 PM at VFW Post 9401. In lieu of flowers, send donations to VFW Post 9401. 

Beloved husband and one of the best men to ever grace this earth, he is sorely missed and will be for all time. 

Services were placed in the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory. Thoughts and condolences may be sent to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com.

Carolyn Kurtz Biermann Simpson, Former BHS Teacher

Carolyn Kurtz Simpson
November 19, 1940 - November 10, 2019

Carolyn was born in San Diego, California, the first child of James Harald Kurtz, Jr., and Marian Stooke Kurtz. The family moved to Van Nuys, where Carolyn's sister Mary Lou was born. When Carolyn was seven, the Kurtzes moved to Albuquerque, where brother Jim was born. The family moved back to Los Angeles in 1955, but by then Carolyn had been in New Mexico long enough to acquire the love of mountains and high desert that eventually brought her to Nevada.

Carolyn graduated from George Washington High School in Los Angeles in 1958, then attended Los Angeles City College and Los Angeles State College (now Cal State LA). She received a BA and MA in Home Economics, which she taught at the junior high and high school level in LA and Burbank. She went into school administration in Burbank after receiving an MA in Family Counseling from Pepperdine University.

Carolyn married her high school sweetheart in 1962 but they split up while she was pregnant with her only child, Douglas James, born in 1967. In September 1971, she wed Melvin James Simpson, a World War II veteran. In March 1972, her beloved son Doug was lost in a tragic accident. Carolyn and Mel moved to the Hollywood Hills, but those hills didn't meet Carolyn's longing for mountains, so in 1985 they moved to Carson City at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

In Nevada, she worked in the office of the State Superintendent of Education, traveling around the state as a curriculum consultant. With Mel's encouragement, she enrolled at the University of Nevada, Reno, as a candidate for a Doctorate in Education, but when Mel passed away in 1993, she put her dissertation on hold. During this time, she served as Director of Teacher Services at University of Nevada, Reno. In 1996, she moved to Reno where she served as Vice Principal at Hidden Valley and Marvin Piccolo Elementary, as well as Traner Middle School, before retiring in 2001. She was an active member of Chapter Q, Reno, of P.E.O., an international women's organization that provides scholarships, grants and loans for women in higher education.

In 2001, Carolyn found a new family, or perhaps they found her. In truth, she and the Meintjes family found each other. Carolyn became "OG" (short for "Other Granny") to two boys, Ian and Tate, and a dear friend and "OM" ("Other Mother") to André and Coral. The Meintjes family gained a local granny and another local mom while Carolyn helped raise two young boys as grannies do - "dessert first at my house."

Wherever she went, Carolyn made friends with people of all ages. From her housekeeper to her massage therapist, to all her neighbors and their children, those in her quilting group and in P.E.O., to the caregivers in the medical offices she visited as a patient, all were her friends. Indeed, Carolyn created friendships like no other.

Carolyn loved dogs. She opened her home to many canine companions through the years. Her last three, Sophie, Lulu, and Jazzy, brought her great joy. Carolyn's dear friend and caretaker, Dianna Mott of Carson City, has given "the girls" a new and loving "forever home."

Carolyn was predeceased by her parents, her beloved son Doug, her husband Mel, and her much loved "Other Grandson" Tate Meintjes. She is survived by her sister Mary Louise Kurtz of Alameda, CA; her brother James H. Kurtz and his wife Diane and their son Christopher and his family, all of Virginia; her "adopted" son André Meintjes, his wife Coral, and her "Other Grandson" Ian Meintjes, all from Reno; and by many cousins, friends and past student Kathy Rera and other students from Burbank High School.

At Carolyn's request, there will be no services. At a later date her ashes will be scattered at the same site as her beloved Mel.

Published in Reno Gazette-Journal, November 2019

NOTE: She taught Home Economics at BHS as Mrs. Biermann from 1968 until 1971, then became Mrs. Simpson in September of 1971.

John Gilbert, BHS 1971

John Gilbert was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer stage 2 in 2017 and given only six months to live, but John was a fighter! 

He had an esophagectomy, proton therapy, chemotherapy, went to City of Hope and did several drug trials, but pneumonia set in and it is what finally took him unexpectedly on June 28, 2020. 

His family was at his side when it happened. The family asks for donations to the Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation in lieu of flowers. No other details at this time. May he rest in peace.

Terry Neil Pruett, BHS 1980

Terry Neil Pruett, BHS 1980

Terry Neil Pruett was born on October 12, 1962 in Tennessee and passed away on March 18, 1991. He was married on February 19, 1983 in Clark County, Nevada to Deborah May Youngs. According to his brother Terry died of a drug overdose. Terry was a loving husband, father, brother and son. As a child growing up Terry enjoyed playing the drums.

One of Terry's classmates remember Terry was a really kind and funny guy. Another classmate remembered him as a sweetheart  Everyone in the Class of 80 loved him! No other details at this time.

Terry Neil Pruett was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, California. May he rest in peace! Terry is loved and missed by all who knew him.

Daniel Simon Gruber, BHS 1962

Daniel Simon  Gruber, BHS 1962
October 5, 1944 - July 10, 2020 (75 years old)

Dan S. Gruber, age 75 of Burbank, CA, passed away in his home on July 10th, 2020. Dan was born on Oct. 5, 1944 to Simon and Virginia Gruber in Chicago, IL. He was a resident of Burbank, CA most of his life, and graduated from Burbank High School in 1962. He worked as a general contractor and was well respected in the building industry. He was a Veteran in the U.S. Navy and served in the Vietnam War. He enjoyed fishing, cooking, wood working and best of all, his dog Cinnamon. 

Dan is preceded in death by his parents, Simon (aka Sam) and Virginia Gruber. He is survived by his daughter, Chrissy Gruber, his son, Eric Gruber and sister Marianne Gunther. Services and burial will be at: Los Angeles National Cemetery on Aug. 20th, 2020 at 1:00 pm. 950 South Sepulveda Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90049.

Robert E. Lee, BHS 1965

Posted on Facebook by his daughter Veronica

Robert E. Lee, class of 1965. My father passed away June 29,2020 from Natural causes. Daddy served in the Marine Corps, and fought in Vietnam. Many of you knew him, his brothers Binky and Tim! I would love to hear any stories or memories you have. My daddy was an amazing man. Tough as nails. No other details at this time.