Donald "Don" Robert Brown, BHS 1955

Donald "Don" Robert Brown, BHS 1955

Retired Burbank Police Department Lieutenant and Airport Commissioner Don Brown

Donald "Don" Robert Brown, was born September 4, 1936 in Manhattan, New York. Don moved with his family to Burbank, California in 1945. He graduated from Burbank High in 1955, Riverside College in 1962, and in the 1970s, he attended USC to receive his teaching credential in Administration of Justice, while working full time with four children.

Don started working for the Public Service Department with the City of Burbank in 1956 and was then hired by the Burbank Police Department in 1960. Don worked his way up the ranks from Patrolman, Detective, Motors, Sergeant, and finished his career with the rank of Lieutenant. Don retired from the Burbank Police Department in 2001, totaling 45 years of service for the City of Burbank.

Don worked numerous details, including Narcotics, Fraud "Bunko Unit", Gangs, and Robbery Homicide. Don's favorite assignment by far was his years working in the Traffic Bureau and being part of the Motor Squad.

After retiring Don quickly began his next career working for the Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena Airport as a Commissioner in 2001. He retired in 2024 after dedicating 23 years of additional service to "Burbank" the town he loved.Burbank.

One of Don's proudest accomplishments was being involved with the Boys and Girls Club of Burbank.

Don passed away peacefully on June 8, 2025, surrounded by his loving family and his beloved dog Daisy. Don is survived by his children, Julie, Mike, Terrilyn (son-in-law James Walker), and Cameron. His grandchildren, Andrew, Myshella (grandson son-in-law Edgar Vela), Bryce, Cooper, and Chasen. His Great-Grandchildren: Ezekiel, Kaiden, and Everhett.

Burbank City Council will adjourn their meeting on June 24, 2025, in Memory of Don Brown

The Funeral for Don, or as he called it, my "Going Away Service," will be held as follows:

Closed Casket Viewing

Sunday, June 29, 2025, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM (Main Building)

Funeral Services

Monday, June 30 at 3:00 PM- Church of the Hills, Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Dr Los Angeles, CA 90068

In place of flowers the family invites you to donate to the Boys and Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley. In the comments, indicate your gift is in the honor of Don Brown

MyBurbank

Billie Faye Davis Hyatt, BHS 1946

Billie Faye Davis Hyatt, BHS 1946

Tulare Advance-Register, Tulare, California, Monday, May 22, 2017

Billie Faye Hyatt, June 27, 1928 – May 13, 2017, Visalia

Billie Faye Hyatt was born in Paris, Arkansas on June 27, 1928 to Guy Clarence and Audie Leona Davis. She was one of 9 children. Billie and her family moved from Paris, Arkansas to Perris, California in 1930 and then moved to Glendale, California in 1932 where she attended elementary school. She moved to Corcoran to live with her grandparents in 1941 during WWII and attended John Muir Junior High School. She graduated from Burbank High School in 1946. She married Melvin Goetzinger in October of 1946 in Glendale, California. She had three children, Sherian Lynn Goetzinger, Ricky Allen Goetzinger and Debra Sue Goetzinger. She married Kenneth Ray Hyatt in 1965 in Las Vegas, they were married 45 years. Ken passed away in 2011. Billie Faye Hyatt, 88, died on May 13, 2017 with her family by her side at Kaweah Delta Hospital in Visalia, California.

Billie was preceded in death by twin sisters Maxine and Florence Davis in 1927. A brother Robert Ray Davis in 1932. Twin sisters Norma Loletta and Margaret Lavetta in 1932. Her mother Audie Leona Davis in 1934 and an infant brother in 1934. Brother Harold Clarence Davis in WWII in 1943. Brother Carold Edmund Davis in 1977. Her father Guy Clarence Davis in 1989. She is survived by 3 children, Sherian Lynn Andrade of Tulare, Ricky Allen Goetzinger of Visalia, and Debra Sue Robertson and husband Marty of Tulare, nephew Michael Davis and wife Lori of Visalia, 8 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren, 1 grandniece and 1 grandnephew, 5 great-grand nieces and 1 great-grandnephew.

Her main interests were her family and all the grandkids. She loved dancing and traveling with her husband all over the United States.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 26, 2017 at Peers-Lorentzen Funeral Home, 132 W. Kern Ave. in Tulare. A special celebration of life will follow at the First Baptist Church, 469 N. Cherry St. in Tulare. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation or the First Baptist Church in Tulare.

A special thank you to the staff of Linwood Meadows Care Center for all the love and care they provided for the last two years. Also a special thank you to the nurses and staff at Kaweah Delta Hospital for all their care in the last days of her life. A special thank you to Dr. Thomas Evans. Deepest appreciation to Dr. Vinod Gupta for going above and beyond in your care of my mother and father. Funeral Arrangements by Peers-Lorentzen Funeral Service.

Danny Ross Maddy, BHS 1967

Danny Ross Maddy, BHS 1967

Danny Ross Maddy was well liked by all who knew him. Danny was born on October 31, 1948, the son of Ervin Denny Maddy and  Lois ByBee Perkins Maddy. He grew up in Oregon when in 1960 the Maddy family moved to Southern California. Danny graduated from Burbank High School in 1967.

Danny was a proud Vietnam Veteran serving in the United States Army where he attained the rank of SP4. After returning from Vietnam, Danny married Linda Mae Helsel on October 15, 1977 in Clark County, Nevada. Some where along the way Danny moved back to Oregon. In 1999 Danny's parents returned to Oregon where they became caregivers for their son, Danny, who suffered from early onset Alzheimer's Disease and Ower Neurological Degenerative Disease. Danny passed away on December 26, 2006 in Corvallis, Oregon. He was 57 years old.

Danny is survived by his parents, Ervin and Lois Maddy; brother, David Maddy (BHS 1969) and sister, Marsha Maddy (BHS 1965). Danny was buried in the Oak Lawn Memorial Park in Corvallis, Oregon.

Barbara Mae Beck Kilm, BHS 1945

Barbara Mae Beck Kilm, BHS 1945

The Daily Spectrum, Saint George, Utah, Sunday, October 19, 2003

ST. GEORGE – Barbara Mae Beck Kilm, 76, died peacefully Wednesday, October 15, 2003 in St. George, Utah. She was born March 12, 1927 in Lehi, Utah, the oldest child of Artie Merrill and Bertha Mae Bradshaw Beck. Her first five years were spent in Lehi within close proximity of her large extended family. She loved to spend time and visit often with her family, and often shared cherished memories of her early years.

At the age of five, her family moved to California where she spent her teen years. She graduated from Burbank High in 1945 and kept in contact with several of her dear high school friends. Barbara worked many years in banking. She met her husband Frank Kihm while they were working together at the same branch. They were married in October 1948 and raised all five of their children in West Covina, California. Barbara has lived in St. George for the past eight years, where she has enjoyed many friendships.

Barbara’s passion through her whole life was family history work. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings over the years, but her favorite was always helping others with their family history work. From 1993-1994 she and Frank served a Family History Mission in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Barbara is survived by her husband, children, Kathy Barker, Carolyn (Larry) Nevarez, Lorraine Kihm, Linda (Brian) Voigt, Michael (Lorraine) Kihm, sister, Dianne (Gil) Farley, 19 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Monday October 20th, at 10:00 a.m. at the Bloomington Hills LDS, 4th Ward Chapel, 750 E. Fort Pierce Dr. in St. George. Visitation will be at 9:00 a.m. prior to services at the chapel. Interment will be in the St. George City Cemetery under the direction of Metcalf Mortuary, 435-673-4221. Condolences may be sent through our web site at www.metcalf-mortuary.com.

Richard Tate Fitzgerald, BHS 1958

Richard Tate Fitzgerald, BHS 1958

Passed away August 6, 2004 at age 63. 

Dearly beloved husband of Cheryl S. Fitzgerald and loving father of Scott Fitzgerald. Much loved son-in-law of Dorothy and the late Isaac Lyu. Devoted son of Cora and the late Tate Fitzgerald; and brother of Kathleen Stuckert. Unending love and support by family members Sylvian and David Goodspeed, Charlotte Maemori, Milton Lyu, and the Waite, Whitehead, Marvel and Gutierrez families. 

Richard was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, an avid fisherman and a lover of music. He will be dearly missed by his numerous friends and relatives. 

Friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service Friday, August 13, 2004 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 4325 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa. Private interment, Santa Rosa Memorial Park. 

DANIELS CHAPEL OF THE ROSES FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES 525-3730

Everett Edward “Eddie” Chapman Jr., BHS 1957

Everett Edward “Eddie” Chapman Jr., BHS 1957

By Times-Advocate, December 20, 2023

Everett Edward “Eddie” Chapman Jr. passed away on October 8, 2023 at the age of 84 in his home in Escondido after a six year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Born April 8, 1939 in Toledo, Ohio to Everett and Helen Chapman, he grew up as an only child. 

At the young age of two, the family moved from Illinois to California in 1941 where he was raised in the San Fernando Valley. As a young boy Eddie enjoyed spending time outdoors camping and being a member of the Boy Scouts, where he achieved the “Order of the Arrow”. In school, Eddie found a passion for sports, playing on the basketball team his dad coached and later on the Burbank High School football team. He was a member of the Key Club, ASB Legislative Council and the Letterman’s Club. In addition, he enjoyed hanging out with friends in the Burbank “Knight Owls” Club. He was a proud Burbank Bulldog attending numerous Burbank High School alumni reunions over the years and he prioritized staying in contact with his fellow Bulldogs.

After high school graduation in 1957, Eddie began his career in the electrical trade while working for the Burbank High School District as an electrical technician. In 1960, he joined the US Army and then the Air Force Reserves, where he served his country for five years. In 1965, he married his wife Barbara and in 1971 moved to San Diego County. They settled in the outskirts of Escondido, where they raised their family on a five-acre citrus and avocado ranch.

From 1957 until his retirement in 1996 Eddie worked as an electrician, being a dedicated member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local #11 (Los Angeles) and Local #569 (San Diego). He was proud of the work done by the crews he was a part of, especially job sites including the Minuteman Missile Sites at Vandenberg Air Force Base, the Queen Mary and North Island Naval Air Station. In addition to his 36 years as an electrician and electrical estimator, he had an affinity for working with his hands in other trades shown through his many projects on the family’s ranch. From construction projects to putting in a small vineyard, he was always busy designing and implementing his next project.

Eddie was an active member of The Over the Hill Gang Car Club and other numerous car clubs in the area. He had a passion for hot rods attending as many car shows as possible, especially his favorites such as “The Streak” in Mission Bay, the Big Bear Car Run and Friday nights Cruisin’ Grand. With his outgoing personality, he enjoyed “talking shop” and connecting with all of his car buddies.

Eddie is survived by his wife of 58 years, Barbara Chapman, his three children, son Edward Martin Chapman and fiance Samantha Hansen, daughter Gretchen Hirschhorn, son-in-law Robert Hirschhorn, and daughter Margaret Chapman. In addition, he was blessed with four granddaughters: Katie Chapman, Samantha Hirschhorn, Morgan Hirschhorn and Jamie Chapman.

The family would like to thank Elizabeth Hospice of Escondido and the numerous caregivers that helped with his care. His family is planning a Celebration of Life for January 6th, 2024 at 12:00 pm. Eddie was cremated at his request. A private family burial will occur at the San Pasqual Cemetery in the San Pasqual Valley, Escondido. If you are so inclined, donations can be made in memory of Everett E. “Eddie” Chapman (Class of 1957) to the Burbank Senior Bulldogs Foundation (Scholarship Fund), P.O. Box 2092, Burbank, CA 91507.

Jo Ann Katherine Blevins Bedigan, BHS 1940

Jo Ann Katherine Blevins Bedigan, BHS 1940

Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, Wednesday, December 13, 2000

Jo Ann Bedigan died December 9, 2000 suffering many years from Alzheimer’s. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Edward and her devoted son, Richard. Her daughter, Nanci and granddaughter, Kristin survive her.

She dedicated her life to her family and the many organizations she belonged to.  She is now with her husband and son, which will bring her the happiness she has missed during her illness. God Bless you, Mom.

Rosary will be Thursday, December 14 at 7:00 p.m. at Eckerman-Heisman Funeral Service Chapel Burbank, California. Interment will be private. Eckerman-Heisman Funeral is in charge.

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Burbank Leader Newspaper, December 2000

Jo Ann Bedigan, 78, died December 9, 2000, in North Hollywood hospital. Mrs. Bedigan was born in Phoenix. She lived in Burbank for 77 years. She was a homemaker, the former president of the National Charity League and co-founder of the National Charity League, Junior.

She is survived by her daughter and granddaughter, Nanci and Kristin Zemansky of Valencia. A vigil service was held Thursday. Interment was private at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills. Eckerman-Heisman Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.

Arthur S. Collins Stone, BHS 1944

Arthur S. Collins Stone, BHS 1944

Coeur d’ Alene Press, Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, November 2007

Arthur S. Stone, age 82, resident of Coeur d’ Alene, passed away on November 28, 2007, at Kootenal Medical Center. He was born September 11, 1925, to Louis B. Collins and Gladys M. (Stone) at Santa Monica, California. Arthur was educated in Burbank, California. He married Meta A. Knudsen on August 10, 1946, in Kingman, Arizona.

Arthur moved here from Spokane in 1954. He retired from the United States Navy on April 30, 1964. He worked 13 years for the courts as a juvenile probation officer and worked for Kootenal County as a Civil Defense Director. Arthur was a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, a 25 year member of the Coeur d’ Alene Eagles, and a Sea Scout Skipper in Coeur d’ Alene for many years. He also was a lifetime “ham” radio operator.

Arthur is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law; John A. (Patricia) Stone, Jay D. Stone, J. Tomm (Terry) Stone all of Corur d’ Alene; daughter and son-in-law, Jeanne (Herb) Helstrom, Coeur d’ Alene; sister, Lucille Collins also of Coeur d’ Alene; ten grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Meta A. Stone on October 27, 2003.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, P.O. Box 2472, Spokane, WA 99210-2472 or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 9 South Washington, Suite 704, Spokane, WA 99201.

Viewing will be from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m., Monday, December 3, 2007, at English Funeral Chapel, Coeur d’ Alene. Burial to follow at Forest Cemetery, Coeur d’ Alene.

David E. Ruch, BHS 1951

David E. Ruch, BHS 1951

1934 – 2024

Santa Barbara Independent, Monday,  Jan 06, 2025 

David Ruch was born on January 18, 1934 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He died peacefully in Santa Barbara, California, surrounded by his daughter, and so much love from the caregivers and Hospice nurse at Heritage House. 

He was born in Philadelphia and came with his parents and their next-door neighbors to Burbank California when he was 12. He attended Burbank high school where he lettered in tennis. He graduated from UCLA for his undergraduate. And then USC  for his post graduate work.

He went to work for AC electronics in LA where he met the love of his life, Elaine . He was quickly transferred to Delco in Goleta where they bought an unfinished home in the foothills and proceeded to make it theirs. 

His mind was brilliant, but his woodworking skills were just as brilliant. He completed the home and then added a pool. Where his kids and all the neighborhood kids froliced for hours on end. He was first of all extremely brilliant, he was steadfast, he was gentle, and he was generous oh so generous. He helped so many people over his life.. He was a man of very few words, but his action spoke volumes. He will be missed by so many. 

He is survived by his daughter, Robin and his son David, four grandchildren, and one great grandson, he adored them all.  He was a very simple man. He gave to many charities, if you feel so inclined, you can make a donation in his name to any charity of your choice or to Cycling without Age. Which gave him hours and hours of pleasure in the last three years of his life. He would like that. 

Rest in peace Papa, your work here is done, and you lived such a beautiful and gentle life. Mom is waiting for you with open arms as always. You will be missed, oh so missed. But your love will continue on. You are never going to be forgotten.

A graveside service will be held Friday January 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Goleta Cemetery, 44 South San Antonio Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93111, lunch will follow.

Arrangements entrusted to McDermott-Crockett Mortuary

Lynda Annette Foreman Hildebrand, BHS 1967

Lynda Annette Foreman Hildebrand, BHS 1967

Lynda was born in Glendale, California on January 5, 1949, the daughter of Clifton Calvin Foreman and Anna Mae Foushee Foreman. 

She graduated from Burbank High School in 1967. She attended Pierce College and was graduated from San Fernando Valley State College. 

Lynda married Paul Hildebrand from the class of 1965 in 1970 at the Valley Baptist Church. The bride wore a gown of Alencon lace made with a Victorian wimple and detachable Watteau train. A fresh floral headpiece held her chapel-length veil and she carried carnations and pink rose buds.

Carol Youngblood was maid of honor and attendents were Sharon Davis, Lori Seltzer, Mary Davis and Tina Hakkell. Wayne Masten was best man and ushers were Cal Foreman, Bob Jorgensen, Bruce Bunting and Mike Edson.

After the wedding reception the couple left for a honey-moon trip to Northern California.

Lynda Annette Foreman Hildebrand passed away on February 15, 2007 in Santa Clarita, California and was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, California. She was 58 years old.

A college classmate remembers Lynda:

Lynda, you remain very special though you are gone from us for now. However quietly you touched others with artwork, with music, with graciousness. Your designs adorned the likes of the '67 Ceralbus cover and Burbank City vehicles. In composing for and playing guitar you helped others celebrate higher things. You put gatherings together ranging from a few hours to a weekend, never making yourself the center of things. When we sat through one of Dr. Louis Gasper's rants against basic Christianity in his Sociology course at Pierce College you kept from being goaded into one of his traps; somehow your quietness got to him. You always seemed to show graciousness and intelligence and beauty and charm and concern--the right kind of people in the sense of character, never the elitist sense. And Paul was sensible enough, early enough, to realize very appealing qualities in you, and rightly so. It's good for us to think of you and miss you but better to see that to have known you we were favored and blessed.