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Alice Nelson Allen: July 2, 1928-Oct. 22, 2018
Alice Allen, a Burbank resident for most of her 90 years, passed away peacefully on Oct. 22 after a life dedicated to family, friends and the pursuit of adventure, knowledge and laughter. She leaves two children, two grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and an immeasurable amount of kindness and generosity that touched all who were fortunate to know her.
Alice Louise Nelson was born July 2, 1928, in Los Angeles and moved to Burbank as a child. She attended McKinley Elementary, Burroughs when it was a middle school and graduated from Burbank High in 1946 before attending Glendale College. She married Ira “Bill” Allen in 1954, moved to Myers Street in 1963 and lived in the same home until months before her passing. There, she and Ira raised two children as Kim and John grew up through Horace Mann Elementary, John Muir Junior High and Burbank High.
The connection to her hometown was seemingly endless. Alice worked in the office at Luther Burbank Junior High, gave her time and talents to the Autry Museum as a docent while especially cherishing the opportunity to share her knowledge with the children who came through, and served Burbank Presbyterian Church as an elder and a member of many committees. That was in addition to volunteering in the office at the Burbank Police Department, countless hours as a leader for Kim’s troop with the Camp Fire Girls and becoming a strong supporter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness with training to help at NAMI meetings.
Years at the Autry Museum helped feed a passion for Southern California history, especially the Old West, and the joy of reading any book she could find on a topic was part of a quest to never stop learning. That extended to her travels as well. Alice loved to visit museums and take tours in new places.
This was a woman who started competing in 5K races at age 84. And it was competing – once Alice was shown where to find her finish in an age group, she would check her time and place against the field. She was active into her 90s, moving from Burbank to Auburn, Calif., to share life with her daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in the Sacramento area before pancreatic cancer quickly spread.
People were the true joy in a life of grace, consideration and smiles. Alice reveled in updates from family and friends, stayed connected with people out of the area via phone conversations, emails and her annual Christmas letter on stationary that cheered on the season. She looked forward to meals with friends and past co-workers as well as travels near and far. As the end approached, it was important to Alice that everyone knew how much the decades of warmth meant to her and how it brought her happiness and a sense of purpose. It’s similar to the family taking comfort in the cards that have arrived since the passing as a sign of how many people saw the true Alice Allen, messages that are a reminder of her character, wisdom, generosity, caring and strength. It was her love of life and those in her life that kept her going strong until the end.
Alice is survived by her daughter Kim (Greg) Thompson, son John Allen, grandchildren James (Kelly) Thompson, Elizabeth (Dan) Russell, and great-grandchildren Mason and Cooper Russell, and Margaret Joy Luck-Thompson. Ira Allen, a Burbank police officer for 32 years as a patrolman and detective, died in 2003.
A celebration of life will be held at a date to be determined.
RAY EDWARDS BROWN
JUNE 8, 1929 ~ JULY 4, 2018
Ray passed away early this evening, July 4, at home in Burbank, less than four weeks after his 89th birthday. I’ve known Ray since 1958 when I was six years old. Everyone who knew him was aware of the unique and very special man that he was his entire life. Now he has arrived HOME for eternity, with all problems and suffering in the past. Below is what Ray and Joyce’s middle son, Mark, wrote this evening about his dad’s passing. Alan Landros, BHS 70
Romans 8:18
After a long illness, Ray Edwards "Pops" Brown passed away peacefully at home today at the age of 89, surrounded by his family. He leaves behind a lasting legacy of kindness, generosity, and devotion to the community that meant so much to him and all who had the privilege of knowing him during his lifetime.
A native son of Burbank, Ray attended Joaquin Miller Elementary, John Muir Junior High, and Burbank High School, Class of '47. Ray served his country proudly in the US Army and then ran a successful insurance agency until his retirement at the age of 80 in his beloved Burbank!
A devoted Christian, husband, father, and grandfather, "Pops" was, in every sense, "one-of-a-kind!!" He is survived by his wife of 68 years Joyce, sons Kent, Mark, and Brad, eight grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. He's walking with the Lord now! Rest In Peace Pops!
SERVICES
Saturday, July 14, Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills
11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. – Mortuary Visitation, Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Mortuary
3:00 P.M. – Service, Church of the Hills, Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills
4:45 P.M. – Reception after Services, Hall of Liberty, Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills
John Alexander "Jack" Naylor, Jr. from the 1970 Class passed away Friday night, October 26, 2018, due to an apparent heart attack. He was born June 23, 1951.
His brother, Jim Naylor, BHS '68, notified Gary Marca '69. Gary asked me to post this news here. No other information is known yet. Jack does not have a senior picture in the 1970 Ceralbus. His junior picture is in the '69 Ceralbus.
I was informed that this Saturday (10th), Jack Naylor's family is having a gathering at Jack's house all day....7513 N Ontario St. to come by and share stories. A memorial will be at 6:00 ...more info 818 394-9432
Burial will be on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at 12:00 in the Bakersfield National Cemetery, Bakersfield, California.
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Suellen Swartzbaugh Van Rensselaer
Suellen was born on May 28, 1940 in North Baltimore, Ohio. Sue was the daughter of Amon Elias Swartzbaugh, and Mildred Paden Swartzbaugh. Her father Amen then moved the family to Burbank CA, where he was hired as a Coach. She passed away on July 17, 2018 at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, CA.
After entering the hospital for respiratory issues, she died peacefully in the hospital from a clot to the lungs.
Sue graduated from Burbank High School, and attended one year at Glendale College. She married Edward Maunsell Van Rensselaer in August, 1961. They first lived in Hacienda Heights, but only for a short time. Then to Orange County, CA where they lived on Mesa drive in Newport Beach for a short time. Ultimately they moved to their dream location of Emerald Bay in Laguna Beach with their three children. The family enjoyed the beach life where Sue made lifelong friends. Sue played Tennis with the Emerald Bay tennis ladies group, and enjoyed watching her three children play volleyball on the beach and swim meets at the Emerald Bay community pool.
Sue was known for her taste in fashion, worked for the Red Balloon and Ducks and Co in Newport Beach. Sue also a talented Decorator and enjoyed helping others decorate their homes. She also worked as a caregiver for 10 years, helping Seniors stay at home.
Sue and Ned eventually divorced in 1980. Sue stayed in Orange County until moving to Palm Desert where she had a small retail store business specializing in Lucite. Sue then moved back to the OC when her first grandson was born and then remained until her passing. She was a very devoted grandmother and loved spending time with all six of her grandchildren. She was also a wonderful Aunt to both her Swartzbaugh and Van Rensselaer Nieces and Nephews.
Suellen is survived by her children and their spouses, Paige Allison Van Rensselaer Kunkle, Jay Geoffrey Kunkle, Heidi Sue Van Rensselaer Kane, Christopher Michael Kane, and Ryan Edward Maunsell Van Rensselaer, Catherine Alisa Spath Van Rensselaer. Her Grandchildren, Gavin Hendrick Van Rensselaer Kunkle, Allison Clare Van Rensselaer Kunkle, Carly Alida Kane, Paden James Kane, Halle Noelle Van Rensselaer and Hope Gabrielle Van Rensselaer.
Her brother Jack Swartzbaugh passed away in 2016 and is survived by Mary Joan Swartzbaugh, Laurel & John Yocca, Luanne & Kevin Sprong, Scott & Kelly Swartzbaugh and Brett & Melinda Swartzbaugh.
There is a family celebration at the home of the Kane family on August 3, 2018.
In lieu of flowers, please offer donations in Sue’s name to https://nurturingmindsinafrica.org to support girls education in Africa or the Alzheimer’s association http://alzfdn.org/support-us/donate.
The family thanks you.
If you would like to contact the family, Paige (paige@poseycouture.com) or Heidi (heidikane@me.com)
Jeanne Marie Rogan Shaw passed away peacefully in Roseville California on June 1st, 2018 at the age of 90 surrounded by her loving family. She was a 4th generation Californian born in Burbank California in 1927 and was a graduate of Burbank High School.
Her father, James Rogan, was Thomas Edison's West Coast manager of the Edison Storage Battery Corporation. He co-founded the American Electric Vehicle Association in 1916. Her mother, Marie La Mer Rogan, was born into the original French community of Los Angeles. She was a decorated Red Cross worker during World War II. Her grandfather, Amable La Mer, was a pioneer Angeleno who founded the first winery in Los Angeles and leased to Mary Sees her first chocolate factory there. La Mer and Jeanne's grandmother, Clementine Clement La Mer were early settlers in Burbank after whom LaMer Street is named. Her great Uncle, Victor Clement, was a world famous mining engineer whose death in 1903 made headlines around the world.
She attended UCLA where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics in 1949 and she was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority. She met her beloved husband of nearly 60 years, Walter Raymond Shaw, Jr at UCLA. She and Walter were married at St. Robert Bellarmine church in Burbank and moved to Bakersfield where Walter was employed by Standard Oil of California, the predecessor to the Chevron Corporation. She had four children in five years in Bakersfield.
Walter's advancement through Chevron took the family all over California and Hawaii. The family enjoyed a vacation home at Lake Tahoe. She lost her sight to macular degeneration and was a survivor of breast cancer, but she never let any hardship define her.
She is preceded in death by her oldest son Jeffrey (1976) and husband Walter (2004) who died of ALS. She is survived by her three children, James Shaw of New York City, Steven Shaw and Laura Eagle of Roseville California. She is also survived by seven adoring grandchildren, Jennifer Manry, Winfield Shaw, Dana Eagle, Erin Shaw, Keenan Shaw, Madeleine Shaw, and Lilli Shaw, and two great grandchildren, Harper & Hudson Manry.
Services will be private. Donations in Jeanne's memory can be made to The Society for the Blind or the American Cancer Society.
Published in The Burbank Leader on June 16, 2018
Ron Thompson, BHS '69
July 12, 1951 ~ November 1, 2018
Barbara Thompson here - Ron is currently having an “Agree/Disagree” discussion in heaven! Wouldn’t we all want to be part of that conversation?
Ron developed a fever on Wednesday, taken to the ER, then transferred by ambulance to our hospital. This morning he was moved to the ICU due to continuing fever, low blood pressure, high heart rates, and the myriad other issues that come with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
Both Veronica and Johanna had time with him today. He was conscious until just before he passed. I was blessed to hold his hand and whisper “I love you!”, one last time before he crossed into Paradise with the Almighty God he loved more than anything or anyone. I was so privileged to be married to this man for almost 45 years.
We do not mourn as those who have no hope! My sadness is selfish because I was greedy for more time to enjoy all the blessings God showered on us by means of our daughters, son-in-law, and 5 precious grandchildren who will miss their “Boppy/Grandpa”.
Thanks to all of you for your outreach of love in so many ways. The days ahead will be hard. Please continue to pray. Memorial services (in Texas and California) have to be planned. I will continue to post information on Ron’s FB page. If you have a special memory that you can share please Messenger me at either this or my FB page.
UPDATE:
California Memorial Service for Ron will be:
Sunday, January 6, 2019 at 2:30 P.M.
Grace Baptist Church
22833 Copperhill Drive
Santa Clarita, California 91350
Don Brennan, who passed away on September 9, 2018.
His brother, Jim, had been unable to reach him at his home in Big Bear and so he asked the local authorities to check his house. Unfortunately, they found that he had passed away. No services are planned.
No other details at this time.
From Trudie Hentze, BHS 1965
Roger Alan Karraker, 73, passed away after a long illness Tuesday morning, October 23, 2018 at his home in Santa Rosa, California, with his wife, Nancy at his side.
Roger taught journalism at Santa Rosa Junior College, from 1982 until his retirement. He introduced cutting-edge technology into his classes, and the award-winning college newspaper, The Oak Leaf He was among the first educators in California to understand the nascent internet, personal computers, and the power of social media. An early adapter of what became known as a “blog,” Roger was also a pioneer of online instruction. In 1991 he authored Highways of the Mind for the Whole Earth Review He also partnered with Apple Computers, and produced daily newsletters from a booth at conventions.
His interest in Journalism began in the politically turbulent ’60's, at Burbank High
School, where he wrote for the school newspaper and yearbook, and later at Los Angeles Valley College, with the Valley Star and Crown magazine. He garnered several trophies for his achievements which were displayed proudly by parents Geri and Nehel, until their passings. Roger was their first-born child, followed by siblings Randy (Karen) BHS '70, Greg (Debbie) BHS '72, and Marcia (Philippe) BHS '77.
Roger graduated from USC and worked on an unsuccessful campaign for a candidate for Lieutenant Governor. He met and married Audrey Ramsay and they had two children, Jeff Karraker and Julie Karraker West,who blessed them with two grandchildren.
His career as an educator began at both L. A. Harbor College and L. A. City College.
He and his second wife (the late Sandy Gilpin Madrid), relocated to Forestville, where he joined the faculty at Santa Rosa Junior College. They designed and built their Forestville home based upon a Japanese pole house. Sandy’s children, Bob Madrid (Susan) and Ronn Madrid (Missy), blessed them with six grand children and five great-grandchildren.
Roger and Nancy Rappolt married in 2009 and enjoyed life together until his death. He is also survived by his step-son, Andrew Rappolt (Lena) and Andrew's two children.
Note: From fellow classmate and friend Bob Brinkworth who wrote this about Roger: Roger was in our BHS class of ‘62. He wrote for our newspaper and had an immense talent for journalism. His coverage of our sports’ events, his clear and concise reporting of them and his insightful analysis of our games was always a highlight of our newspaper. He was a good friend and was well respected among his peers. He was always interested in people. He saw the positive characteristics in people sharing them through his writing. I wish we had more like him in our world. RIP my dear friend.
HARRY BRENT ASHCRAFT Northridge, California resident passed away August 16, 2002 in Tujunga, California. He was born May 18, 1923 in Burbank, California.
A graduate of Burbank High School, Mr. Ashcraft worked for Lockheed and later enlisted in the Army Air Corps during WWII serving as an aerial gunner and photographer and trainer for enlisted men. He flew over 34 missions in enemy territory and received the Distinguished Flying Cross air medal among others.
A member of the Masonic Lodge, a retired Carpenter and Los Angeles Unified School District Building Inspector. Mr. Ashcraft was preceded in death by his wife, Adeline Seitz Ashcraft on November 17, 2000.
He is survived by three children, John (Martha), Nancy (Tom) and Brian (Kathy); and grandchildren, Wesley (Gema), Jamie (Jose), Steven, Curtis, Kevin, Tyler and Shannon.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2002, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., and Funeral Services on Friday, August 23, 2002, 1:00 p.m., at Bastian and Perrott Mortuary Chapel. Interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Hollywood Hills, California. BASTIAN & PERROTT MORTUARY Northridge (818) 886-8600
Published in Los Angeles Daily News on August 21, 2002
William (Bill) Rogers Mangold of Saline, MI passed away Sunday, January 7, 2018, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, at the age of 86 after a hard fought battle with numerous health issues. He died peacefully, surrounded by his beloved family.
Bill was born in Kansas City, Kansas, on September 13, 1931, the son of Wilbur “Red” and Catherine (Evans) Mangold. He grew up in California and was a graduate of Burbank High School, and continued his education at Glendale College, Glendale, CA where he earned his commercial pilot’s license and aviation mechanic certifications.
On September 22, 1959, he married Olga Jean Pierce, and they were married for 58 years. Bill was a member of the US Marine Corps, and served during the Korean War. He began his career in the aviation industry as a pilot for a mapping company, Fairchild Aerial Surveys. Subsequently, he flew as a corporate pilot for Carroll Shelby, after which he became a sales representative for the Norman Larson Co, a Beechcraft distributor in Van Nuys, California. Until his retirement from aviation, he enjoyed a 25-year career with Champion Spark Plug, Aviation Division, as Marketing Manager for the Northeast U.S. and Canada.
This new venture brought him and his family to Michigan. In 1975 he began drawing editorial cartoons. With the encouragement of Paul Tull, editor of the Saline Reporter at the time, his drawings were published in the weekly paper. Later they were published in many other newspapers in Michigan, for a number of years. He also loved playing golf with friends and family, during this period in his life.
After his ultimate retirement, he enjoyed several part time jobs including selling ads for the Saline Reporter, and working as a Starter-Marshall at PGA National in Florida, where he and Olga spent winters together. During his summers, Bill sold memberships in, and served as “Ambassador” for, the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce. He was also a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church of Saline.
Bill is survived by his wife Olga, daughters Kathryn L. Mangold and Julianne M. (Bruce) Greene, son Mark W. (Janine) Mangold, grandson Zachary Mangold, granddaughters Chelsey (Richard) Jenkins, Kaitlan, Emmalie and Olivia Greene. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur “Red” and Catherine Mangold.
A Memorial Celebration of Bill’s life will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Saline, Michigan on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. with a visitation starting at 10:00 A.M. Arrangements made by Robison-Bahnmiller Funeral Home of Saline, MI. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Saline Upper Class Scholarship Fund, Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust, or The Cancer Research Institute. Envelopes will be available at the church.
