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William Alan Hagen
2010 Alumnus of the Year
BHS Class 1939 (valedictorian)
IN MEMORIAM - d. 17 July 2010, age 88

On December 2nd, 2009, a World War II veteran from California, Mr. William Alan Hagen, who participated in the Liberation of France, has been awarded France's Légion d'Honneur by the Consul General of France in San Francisco, Mr. Pierre-François Mourier, during a special ceremony in SAN FRANCISCO (CA), in order to express France's eternal gratitude for those who crossed the Atlantic to liberate it from oppression in 1944-45.

Mr. William Alan Hagen was pursuing his studies at U.C. Berkeley when he enrolled in the army in July 1943. He landed at Utah Beach on June 13th 1944 with the "79th Infantry division - 313th Regimental Combat Team" as the commander in charge of the stretcher bearer division for the "304th Battalion".

Realizing the importance of his role in attending to and evacuating the injured, he rapidly reorganized the working methods by using everything available to him, utilizing all vehicles including ambulances and jeeps, even enemy prisoners of war. Even if it is said that "wars are not won by medics", there is no doubt that the sterling work of men like William Hagen certainly helped the success of the Allied troops.

Taken prisoner during the advance on Cherbourg, he escaped and rejoined his unit. Injured during the battle of Normandy he received the "Purple Heart". All through the Battle of France and the breakthrough into Germany, First Lieutenant Hagen demonstrated his courage, often exposing himself to enemy fire, in order to save his wounded comrades, never ceasing to relay necessary information to the different medical posts on the battle field and making sure the division was well provisioned in medicine and supplies. Decorated with the Bronze Star Mr. William Hagen is a shining example of his Regiment which covered itself with glory in Saint-Lô, and La-Haye-du-Puits, participating in the battle and the capture of the cities of Fougères, Laval, and Le Mans before triumphantly entering Paris on August 27, 1944. Then, followed by the campaign of Lorraine where more than 35,000 American soldiers were lost during 100 days of fighting in the Autumn of 1944, which finally resulted in the entering of Germany.

William Hagen participated in every major campaign in Normandy, Nortrhern France, Alsace-Lorraine, the Rhineland and Central Europe. He was awarded a medal by the British for the Rhine crossing and got a battlefield promotion to Fist Lieutenant by General George Patton.

After the war, William Hagen returned to UC Berkeley and graduated with the class of 46. He married with Jeanne Tisson of Brussels, Belgium, and visited Normandy with her and their five children in 1971. He and Jeanne now have 25 grand and great grand children.

Mr. William A. Hagen, for his bravery during World War II, which he finished as First Lieutenant, has fulfilled all the conditions necessary to receive the Badge of Chevallier in the National Order of the Legion of Honor.

Founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the National Order of the Legion of Honor is the highest honor in France. It recognizes eminent service to the French Republic. Recipients of this honor are named by decree signed by the President of the Republic.

(27 April 2010) From the website of the Consulate General of France in San Francisco. http://www.consulfrance-sanfrancisco.org/spip.php?article1447. See also Panther Postscripts - Spring/Summer 2010, published by the Burlingame High School Alumni Association.

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(5 May 2010) the following article appeared in the Santa Cruz Sentinel Newspaper, Santa Cruz CA
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_13942563
© Santa Cruz Sentinel.

Former Ben Lomond resident gets France's highest honor
By OLGA KUCHMENT
Posted: 12/07/2009

SANTA CRUZ -- Commanding 100 stretcher-bearers for a 1,500-man regiment, former Ben Lomond resident Lt. Col. Bill Hagen worked tirelessly in major World War II campaigns. France honored him Wednesday with its highest award, the Legion d'Honneur, for the work he did.

Napoleon Bonaparte created the medal in 1802 to "acknowledge services rendered to France by persons of great merit," Ambassador Pierre Vimont wrote in a letter to Hagen. "The French people will never forget your courage and your devotion to the great cause of freedom."

When Hagen's eldest son, Peter, read that another San Francisco Bay Area veteran had received the award, he sent a letter to the consulate detailing his father's service. Many of Bill Hagen's five children and 25 grandchildren and great-grandchildren attended the ceremony at the French consulate in San Francisco on Wednesday. "I was very grateful," said Hagen, who is 88. "We worked very hard to end the war." Among his many honors are the Purple Heart for an injury and four Bronze Stars for valor.

Drafted during his senior year at UC Berkeley, Hagen was dispatched in June 1944 to the front lines in Normandy, France. He carried litters and first aid into the thick of battle to tend to wounded soldiers. For his plan to move aid stations closer to the fighting, Hagen received a field promotion by order of Gen. George Patton.

One close brush with death left Hagen with a knee wound. During a bloody battle in France in 1944, he gave up a foxhole to the man who had dug it. Just after the two switched places, a shell exploded overhead. The other man was killed. Hagen still carries a piece of shrapnel. "It was lucky for me, but a horrible time for him and his family," Hagen said.

Still stationed in Europe in October 1945, Hagen met his future wife in a club in Brussels, Belgium. "He asked me to come and visit him at his table," said Jeanne Hagen, 88. "I said no. But he was so persistent, and I was sitting in a draft." They married three weeks later. They settled after the war in Burlingame, where he worked in his family's chain of clothing stores.

About a decade ago, they moved to Ben Lomond to be closer to family and only recently moved to a retirement home in San Mateo. Peter Hagen's family has long lived in Felton. "It was the best gift he could have received at this stage in his life," Peter Hagen said. "He appreciated it so much."

About 400 American soldiers have been honored with the medal. If you would like to nominate someone for the award, contact the French Consulate of San Francisco at 415-397-4330 for more information.

Joshua Melvin of the San Mateo County Times contributed to this report.

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Jo-Ellen Arnaudo Ellis
2009 Alumna of the Year
BHS Class of 1958

Photo by Steve Haag
Haag Digital Photographic Services
San Mateo Ca.

This is the Burlingame High School Alumni Association official photo of Jo-Ellen. The original is on permanent display at Burlingame High School.
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Jo-Ellen Arnaudo Ellis '58 has been an active member of the Burlingame High School Alumni Board for 12 years. She joined the group to help plan the "Diamond Jubilee" celebration for Burlingame High's 75th Anniversary that took place in 1998. At that time, her primary job was to find 75 Burlingame businesses that wanted to "adopt a class." Then she collected photos and memorabilia from all 75 classes and decorated the shop windows.

She now keeps and updates the records for all BHS graduates and prepares mailing lists for classes that decide to hold a reunion. She also writes articles and provides information for the 'Panther Postscripts", and every other year, helps with the Alumni 'Athletic Hall of Fame Jo-Ellen loves BHS and supports the school by attending the annual "Taste of the Town', school plays and musicals, and the band Play-a-Thons. Last year she helped plan the 50th reunion for the class of 1958.

Jo-Ellen attended Washington School, Burlingame Intermediate School, and Burlingame High School. She graduated from San Jose State College, earned Kindergarten-Primary and General Elementary credentials, and then taught kindergarten in the San Mateo City School District.

In addition to BHS activities, she has volunteered to help with City of Burlingame projects, When the Burlingame Train Station needed to be repaired, Jo-Ellen served on the "Save Our Station" committee that raised funds to restore the station. In 1998 she was appointed to the Beautification Commission where she served three terms (9 years).

Jo-Ellen was a member of the Committee that planned activities for Burlingame's Centennial in 2008 The celebration began with a festive parade in June 2007 and ended with a gala Centennial Ball" dinner-dance in June 2008. Jo-Ellen's jobs included serving on the Marketing and Events Committees, working on a Poster Contest to advertise the Centennial, participating in the Kickoff parade, helping organize the Fashion Show and luncheon at Kohl Mansion, and helping plan the Variety Show and serving as house manager for the show.

Other continuing volunteer activities include helping the Youth Advisory Committee at the Recreation Center with their "Breakfast with Santa" fundraisers and helping with the city's Shoreline Cleanup.

Jo-Ellen is a 25-year volunteer at the Filoli Estate in Woodside. She has served on the board, been in charge of staffing all Filoli events, worked in the membership office, ticket office, the garden shop, and served on the Hospitality Committee. She helped start both the Easter Egg Hunt and Children's Christmas Parties. She chaired each of these events for many years. Recently Jo-Ellen has been in charge of the costumed characters for the Egg Hunt and has played both Raggedy Ann and the Easter Bunny. She also served on the committee that designed the Visitor and Education Center and helped plan the grand opening celebration when the building was completed.

She is a member of the "Sons of Italy" and sings with their choir, which entertains at retirement centers and convalescent homes. She also plays Mrs. Claus at the group's annual Christmas party. A few years ago, Jo-Ellen joined the "crazy" Los Trancos Woods Community Marching Band that participates in about 10 Bay Area parades each year. One of her favorite parades is the Burlingame Pet Parade. She loves to make "sweets" and has won prizes at the San Mateo County Fair for her English toffee, pies, and cookies.

Jo-Ellen is proud to be a part of the BHS Alumni Association and is thrilled to be chosen "Alumna of the Year."

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Richard "Dick" Dunbar
2008 Alumnus of the Year
BHS Class of 1949

IN MEMORIAM - b.24 July 1931; d. 09 July 2006

Dick was a 1949 graduate of Burlingame High School. He was active in several clubs, a member of the Block "B" Society and participated on the golf and track teams.

After graduation he joined the United States Air Force and served during the Korean War. While stationed in Ohio he met at married Angela. After returning to Burlingame he began his career with the U.S. Postal Service as a mail carrier and eventually became Burlingame's Postmaster. He later attended San Mateo Junior College and the University of California in Berkeley.

Dick played an important role in the American Legion Post 409. He served as commander of the 25th District in San Mateo County and was nationally recognized for his service. He and Angie were instrumental in establishing the "Avenue of the Flags" at the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno. He also volunteered at the Menlo Park Veterans Administration Hospital.

Dick served as treasurer on the Board of Burlingame High School Alumni Association for several years. Because of Dick's interest in the Boys and Girls State program, the Alumni Association has sponsored students for several years and a scholarship in his name was established to continue the program.

All of Dick's activities came to a tragic end July 2006 when he and Angie died in a fire. In his honor the American Legion renamed its San Bruno Post to the R.A. Dunbar Post 409. He left behind four grown children and a legacy of community service. (Panther Postscripts, Fall/Winter 2008)

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Irene M. Simpson Neasham
2007 Alumna of the Year
BHS Class of 1933

Irene Simpson was born in Oakland in 1916 and grew up in Burlingame where her father was a pioneer businessman. She attended local public schools and graduated from Burlingame High School in 1933. Irene was active in school affairs, went to San Mateo Junior College, and graduated from Stanford in 1937.

When World War II broke out Irene enlisted in the U.S. Navy Waves and served until 1946. She was a Lt.(jg).

Irene went back to her previous employment at Wells Fargo Bank where she spent her entire career developing a remarkable collection of exhibits showcasing the history of Wells Fargo in California. Her reputation within California circles continued to grow and in 1963 she was elected president of the Conference of California Historical Societies. Irene was the first woman ever to hold that distinction and was later appointed to be the chairman of the California Heritage Preservation Commission.

During this period of time she was very active locally with the San Mateo Historical Society.

In 1964 Irene married V. Audrey Neasham, California State Parks Historian and author of several books. Her nephew and nieces and their children are all Burlingame High School graduates. (Panther Postscripts, Fall/Winter 2007)

IN MEMORIAM - Irene Simpson Neasham - b. 02 July 1916, d. 07 Apr 2006 (SSDI)

Obituary from Stanford University Magazine, September/October 2006:
Irene M. Simpson Neasham, ’37 (political science), of Hillsborough, Calif., at 89, of congestive heart failure. During World War II she served in the Navy. Assigned to Treasure Island, she was responsible for managing sensitive documents and communications. In 1946, she resumed her career with Wells Fargo Bank, where she developed exhibits showcasing the history of Wells Fargo and California. She was elected president of the Conference of California Historical Societies and of the California Historical Society, the first woman to hold either position. She served on the board of trustees for the American Association of State and Local History and was appointed by Govs. Edmond G. Brown and Ronald Reagan to be chair of the California Heritage Preservation Commission. Survivors: five nephews; one niece; and several stepchildren and stepgrandchildren.

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Maxine M. Kurtz Chesney
2006 Alumna of the Year
BHS Class of 1960

In 1960 she was known as Maxine Kurtz, and outstanding graduate of Burlingame High School. Today she is known as the Honorable Maxine M. Chesney, an outstanding member of the Federal Judiciary…

After leaving the halls of BHS she turned her talents loose at UC Berkeley where she graduated with honors in 1964. She continued her education at the UC Berkeley Boalt Hall School of Law and graduated in 1967.

Her legal career started in 1968 when she joined the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office where she served for eleven years. During this time she created the first special District Attorney’s unit in the nation devoted to the prosecution of crimes involving sexual assaults.

In 1979 Governor Jerry Brown appointed her to the San Francisco Municipal Court where she served until 1995. In that year, President Bill Clinton appointed her to the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, a position she holds to this day.

For more that 30 years (Maxine) has been a lecturer and speaker at legal and judicial programs throughout California. She has been a mentor to a whole generation of young lawyers. (Panther Postscripts, Fall/Winter 2006)

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(06 July 2009) From the website of the Federal Judicial Court (www.fjc.gov), Maxine M. Chesney's "CV" reads as follows:

Chesney, Maxine M.

Born 1942 in San Francisco, CA

Federal Judicial Service:

Judge, U. S. District Court, Northern District of California
Nominated by William J. Clinton on January 24, 1995, to a seat vacated by John P. Vukasin, Jr.;
Confirmed by the Senate on May 8, 1995, and received commission on May 10, 1995.

Education:

University of California, Berkeley, B.A., 1964
University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law, J.D., 1967

Professional Career:

Attorney, Office of the San Francisco District Attorney, California, 1968-1979
Trial attorney, 1968-1969
Senior trial attorney, 1969-1971
Principal trial attorney, 1971-1976
Head trial attorney, 1976
Assistant chief deputy, 1976-1979
Judge, San Francisco Municipal Court, California, 1979-1983
Judge, Superior Court of California, City and County of San Francisco, appointed and subsequently elected, 1983-1995
Nominated to U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, 1994; Senate took no action

Race or Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female

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Richard Herman Hanson
2005 Alumnus of the Year
BHS Class of 1953

Richard “Dick” Hanson began his education at Burlingame’s Roosevelt Grammar School through the 8th grade, and he and his twin brother went to Burlingame High School. He was a member of the Block “B” Society, Semper Fi Hi-Y, DeMolay and Blingum Inn Council. He lettered in baseball, basketball and football and was a member of the championship 1952 P.A.L. (football?).

Dick continued his education at San Mateo Junior College and City College of San Francisco before transferring to Humboldt State University where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree.

Dick returned to Burlingame where he worked with both the San Mateo and Burlingame Recreation Departments. He taught two years at College Park (Elementary School) in San Mateo and 32 years at Taylor (Middle) School in Millbrae.

During this period of time, he and his twin brother, Ed, had a rivalry between Ed’s Burlingame Intermediate School and Dick’s Taylor School. Dick was a coach in the Burlingame/Hillsborough Little League and Babe Ruth League. He was one of the first organizers of the San Mateo Elk’s Hoop Shoot for local girls and boys.

Dick was active with the Burlingame High School Alumni Association and was on the 50th (1973) and 75th (1998) Anniversary (Celebration) Board. He also was on the Board of Directors of the BHS Alumni Association and the Burlingame High School Sports Hall of Fame until his passing in August 2004. (Panther Postscripts, Fall/Winter 2005)

(The Social Security Administration lists Richard Herman Hansen, b.27 Nov 1935, d. 01 Aug 2004)

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Edward Hanson
2004 Alumnus of the Year
BHS Class of 1953

Ed Hanson was a physical education teacher at Burlingame Intermediate (Middle) School for 37 years, and coached many sports after school for 40 years. He was honored as the Junior High School Coach of the Year by the National Federation of Interscholastic Coaches Association (NFICA) for 1999.

The California Coaches Association honored Ed in 1998 as the Middle School Coach of the Year for the State of California. There has never been any coach on the Middle School level honored by these coaches associations in any sport.

Ed was also active in the Burlingame community where he grew up. He was active in the North Peninsula Intermediate League and served as Secretary for 30 years. He was active in Burlingame Little League as a coach and committee member. He was named the recipient of the first Burlingame Kiwanis Joe Fena Memorial Sports Award.

Ed’s induction as Alumnus of the Year for Burlingame High School is a true testament to his life-long commitment to the community of Burlingame. (Panther Postscripts, Fall/Winter 2004)

(The Social Security Administration lists Carl Edward Hanson, b. 27 Nov 1935, d. 14 Oct 2001)

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Jim Edwards
2003 Alumnus of the Year
BHS Class of 1969

Jim Edwards graduated from BHS in 1969, followed by his wife, Sheri, in 1970. His daughter, Jennifer, graduated in 1992, and his younger daughter, Lisa, graduated in 1998. Jim joined the Burlingame Fire Department in the spring of 1972 and in 1978 was promoted to Captain.

Starting in the summer of 1997, he started the project of replanting the roses along the fence line around the softball field. Over the next couple of years, Jim replaced all 50 of the old roses with red and white roses. Just last summer he installed the electronic signboard at the entrance to the football field, which the sports boosters bought for the school.

Jim and his wife, Sheri, ran the sports boosters snack bar from 1995 until 2000. He also led a team of sports boosters that installed the new scoreboards in the main gym. The list goes on and on, but as you can see, Jim has always been a valuable resource to Burlingame High School. (Panther Postscripts, Fall/Winter 2003)

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Mel Moore
2002 Alumnus of the Year
BHS Class of 1947

Burlingame High School’s 50th Anniversary Celebration Committee (1973) instigated the BHS Alumnus of the Year award and has presented the award at the BHS Scholarship Awards Ceremony. This year’s recipient is Mel Moore.

Mel Moore graduated from BHS in 1947. During his tenure at Burlingame, Mel was known as an outstanding football player. After his graduation, Mel attended San Mateo Junior College, University of San Francisco and the University of California - Berkeley Extension.

He joined the United States navy Aviation Cadet Program in January 1951. Mel completed the program and received his wings in 1952. Following his graduation he served in Korea where he flew 55 missions.

His wartime experiences continued during the Viet Nam conflict, flying a total of 99 missions before being shot down. Captured by the Vietnamese, Mel spent six years as a prisoner of war. He was imprisoned in the notorious “Hanoi Hilton.” It was there that he met and became friendly with another famous prisoner, John McCain.

After his release and some additional time with the Navy, Mel retired in 1978 with the rank of Captain. He currently resides in Bethel Island, CA. (Panther Postscripts, Fall/Winter 2002)

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(06 July 2009) For military history buffs, an organization named P.O.W. Network has a website that documents Prisoners of War (POW) who returned and those who are still Missing In Action (MIA). Clicking on the link below will take you to an extraordinary description of Mel Moore's experience as a U.S. Navy pilot and POW.

Ernest Melvin "Mel" Moore, Jr., Captain, U.S.Navy, Ret.

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Peter S. Umland
2001 Alumnus of the Year
BHS Class 1954
Honorary Diploma Awarded 2001

Peter S. Umland in the 2001 Alumnus of the Year. Peter attended the Burlingame McKinley Grammar School, Burlingame High School, and San Mateo Junior College. Her served in the U.S. Navy from 1953 to 1956 as an aerial photographer. He was a Burlingame Police Officer and later a Highway Patrolman, rising to the rank of sergeant before retiring due to service connected disability.

Peter returned to Burlingame where he purchased the Burlingame Smoke Shop (formerly Towne Smoke Shop) and began buying and investing in commercial properties. He has a deep attachment to the community, especially Burlingame High School.

As a former long-distance runner under Vic Mangini, he was priviledged to serve as an Assistant Coach of both high school cross-country and track teams. Peter was instrumental in funding and building Burlingame High School’s new all-weather track, making it a state of the art facility. He continues to reside in Burlingame and is grateful to be able to volunteer and do philanthropic work in the community. (Panther Postscripts, Fall/winter 2001)

Ed. Peter Umland passed away on September 18, 2001. His sister, Diana Umland (BHS’55) Swenson, wrote a biographical sketch about her brother. Click on the link to read it.

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Michael “Mike” McQueen
2000 Alumnus of the Year
BHS Class of 1953

Mike McQueen is the 2000 Alumnus of the Year. Mike is currently President of the BHS Alumni Association, member of the BHS 50th Anniversary Celebration Endowment Committee, and was Parade Chairman of the 75th Anniversary Celebration.

After graduation, Mike attended College of San Mateo where he was Student Body President and Vice-President. He served two years in the U.S. Marine Corps and later attended Cal-State Hayward where he graduated with a BA in sociology. Mike is married to Sharon Wilds and has a daughter, Catherine.

He was a San Mateo County Adult Probation Officer for 29 years and was active in several professional organizations. He resides in Belmont and was active with Belmont Park Boosters, Belmont Bobby Sox, IHM Melodrama, San Mateo County Service and Peninsula Memorial Blood Bank. He was on the San Mateo County Retirement Board as a Trustee and served 17 years on the Belmont Park and Recreation Commission. (Panther Postscripts, Spring/Summer 2001)

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Marilyn McClintock Shewbridge
1999 Alumna of the Year
BHS Class of 1953

Marilyn McClintock Shewbridge is the 1999 Alumna of the Year. Marilyn grew up in Burlingame and attended Washington Grammar School and Burlingame High School. At BHS, Marilyn was the Editor of the Burlingame “B” (not the biggest, but the best) and the Yearbook.

She received her Bachelor Degree at the University of California – Berkeley in 1957. After graduating from Cal she became a teacher at a local school. Furthermore, for nine years, Marilyn started and ran a San Carlos private summer school. She is still active as a substitute teacher so that she can keep up her interest in children’s education.

Marilyn has raised two children, Scott and Holly (both University of California – Berkeley graduates) and is a dedicated member of the Burlingame High School Alumni Association. In 1998 she served as the Chairman of the Burlingame High School Diamond Jubilee (75 years) Committee. The Celebration was a huge success. (Panther Postscripts, February 2000)

(IN MEMORIAM – Marilyn McClintock Shewbridge, 1935 – 2000)

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Bruce Gregory Harmon
1997 Alumus of the Year
BHS Class of 1962

Bruce Harmon, identical twin brother of Mark Harmon'62, and brother of Andree (Harmon'66) Linderman, Burlingame CA. Born in 1945, he attended Burlingame Schools, Pershing (until it closed), McKinley, and Burlingame Intermediate School.

He graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts from Willamette University, in Salem, Oregon. At Willamette, he concentrated in Political Science and History. The Willamette University website includes Bruce on its list of "famous alumni", a 4-time emmy award winner for screenwriting.

He received his Juris Doctorate in 1969 from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. He was admitted to the California Bar Association.

Upon graduating from Law School, Mr. Harmon worked as the Director of Development for Friends of the Earth, an environmental advocacy group. He then worked in advertising as a copywriter before turning to screenwriting.

For his work as a screenwriter, Mr. Harmon received every award bestowed by the Television Industry, including five Emmy Awards, the CableAce Award, the Humanitas Prize, the Writers Guild Award, and the Peabody award.

In 1993, Mr. Harmon was the recipient of the John Simon Guggenheim Award for distinguished screenwriting.

The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) reports that Bruce Harmon won Daytime Emmy awards in 1993, 1995, 1997, and 1998 for “Outstanding Writing in a Children’s Special”. In 1990 and 1997 he won the Humanitas Prize for his writing in the “Children’s Live-Action Category”. In 1989 he was nominated for the Humanitas Prize in the same category. And in 1995 Bruce won the Writers Guild of America, USA prize for “Children’s Script” category.

[Ed. 22 June 2009; This biographical sketch of Bruce Harmon is based on Internet research and e-mail exchanges with Andree Linderman and Bruce Harmon. Bruce is now retired and lives in Paris, France.]

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Mark Brian Harmon
1996 Alumnus of the Year
BHS Class of 1962

Mark Harmon, identical twin brother of Bruce Harmon '62, and brother of Andree (Harmon'66) Linderman, Burlingame CA. Attended Burlingame Schools, Pershing (until it closed), McKinley, and Burlingame Intermediate School.

Mark Harmon graduated from BHS with the Class of 1962. Little is known about him before 1994. But since then, the Internet is full of citations about his work. The following dates are best guesses based on snippets from the Internet.

Mark attended Willamette University in Salem OR, graduating in 1966. From there he attended and graduated from the University of California Hastings College of Law in San Francisco. He was admitted to the California State Bar in January of 1972. Mark worked for 12 years as a deputy public defender in Santa Clara County through 1984. He then switched to being a prosecutor and worked five years each prosecuting federal civil rights cases and federal environmental crimes, including the Exxon-Valdez oil-spill.

In 1994 Mark Harmon’s life took a monumental step. He moved to The Hague and became a prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia - the first international war-crimes tribunal since Nuremburg - created by the United Nations Security Council in 1993.

In a Year 2002 interview with Lauren Comiteau, published in Time Magazine, Mark Harmon, 56, was asked, “Why did you decide to come to the Hague to prosecute war crimes?" Harmon: As a federal prosecutor for 10 years in Washington, D.C., we prosecuted hate crimes. And when I was a kid, I had studied and read about the Holocaust. I came here to prosecute these crimes because I thought they were very important and they needed to be prosecuted. I wanted to make a contribution both to international humanitarian law and to address the terrible wrongs that had been committed in Bosnia: genocide, crimes against humanity, people displaced by the thousands, people being tortured and abused. And, frankly, I thought that what had happened at Nuremburg was a precedent that was dusty and old and needed to be reintegrated into the current thinking and actions of nations.

[Ed. 6/2/2009. Mark Harmon is still a prosecutor at The Hague and lives in the Netherlands. In researching his role as prosecutor for war crimes, the descriptions of charges and evidence can bring tears and a heavy heart. Mark is a man of great courage and conviction, and worthy of his Alumnus of the Year award. .Thanks to BHS grads Marva (McGrady'65) Whelan-Wiedemer, and Andree (Harmon '66) Linderman (Mark’s sister) for placing my web search on the right track.]

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Donald P. Lembi
1994 Alumnus of the Year
BHS Class of 1964

Thirty years as coach (football & baseball) and Physical Education faculty member at Hillsdale High School (San Mateo CA).
Elected to Burlingame H.S. Athletic Hall of Fame.

Former Councilman, Vice Mayor, and Mayor of Burlingame, circa 1985-1992
Active role in development of Downtown parking garage, Burlingame Public Library, California Drive Fire Station.

Past president of the Burlingame Elementary School District Board and Burlingame Rotary Club.

Married to Terry Haff, BHS Class of 1965.

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Obituary ,17 July 2009, Contra Costa Times

Donald Paul Lembi
January 9th, 1946 – July 14, 2009
Resident of Burlingame

Don Lembi died peacefully on Tuesday morning after many days surrounded by his loving wife of 39 years, Terry, daughters, Nicole, Jackie and Danielle, his loving sister, Ann, nieces and nephews, and extended family. Beloved son of Jenny Lembi and the late Leo Lembi. Grandfather to Charlie and Tyler. After a three-decade fight, Don finally passed due to complications of diabetes.

Growing up in Burlingame, Don committed his life to servicing his community. He graduated from Burlingame High School in 1964. As an Educator, Coach, Real Estate Agent, Rotarian, School Board Trustee, Councilman and Mayor, Don touched the lives of citizens far and wide, young and old. He will live forever in our hearts.

Family and Friends are invited to attend a Vigil Service at Sneider & Sullivan Funeral Home in San Mateo on Sunday, July 19th at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 20th at St. Catherine’s Church in Burlingame. Reception to follow at the Burlingame Recreation Center, 12 noon..

In lieu of flowers, donations in Don’s Memory may be made to American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312

MEMORIAL - Panther Postscripts, Fall/Winter 2009
Donald "Don" Lembi '64, who died on July 14, 2009, committed his life to serving his community. He was a physical education teacher who took on many coaching positions over the years, including junior varsity soccer at BHS and football at both Capuchino and Hillsdale high schools. Don, who was a Rotarian, worked as a teacher and also as a real estate agent. In the early '80s Don joined the Burlingame Elementary School District Board of Trustees. He served on Burlingame's Park and Recreation Commission and was elected to the Burlingame City Council where he served as Councilman and Mayor from 1985 through 1993. Don was a former Burlingame "Citizen of the Year" and was the BHS "Alumnus of the Year" in 1994. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Terry Haff Lembi '65 their three daughters Nicole Lembi '92, Jackie Lembi Hart '96, and Danielle Lembi '02, two grandchildren, and his sister Ann Lembi Welton '64.

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Edward V. Roberts
1992 Alumnus of the Year
BHS Class of 1959

(From an article on the Internet by Penny Richards, Ph.D. Research Scholar UCLA Center for the Study of Women Redondo Beach, California )

On this date (January 23) in 1939, Edward Verne "Ed" Roberts was born, one of four sons raised by Zona and Verne Roberts of Burlingame, CA. He was fourteen when his whole family contracted polio in 1953. He finished high school only when his mother persuaded the district to waive requirements like physical education and a driver's license. Then he set his sights on college: Berkeley.

He had to sue the state Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, and he encountered significant resistance at Berkeley, where a dean declared, "We've tried cripples before and it didn't work." Eventually, he was admitted as an "experiment" in 1962, and settled into the student infirmary, which was the only building where he could live with his iron lung. Other quadriplegic students soon followed, also housed in the infirmary--and the independent living movement began to brew. In the 1960s, there were no curbcuts on campus--these students (the "Rolling Quads") had to lobby for them, and for a disabled students program on campus.

Ed Roberts earned a BA and an MA from UC Berkeley, in political science. (He began doctoral studies in the same department, too.) He became known as the "Father of the Independent Living Movement," founded the Berkeley Center for Independent Living (1972), and was later appointed state director of the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (the agency he once had to sue). He also helped establish the World Institute on Disability in Oakland, in 1984--the same year he won a MacArthur Foundation "genius" fellowship for his vision and leadership. "I've always figured it took no more energy to dream big dreams as little ones," he explained.

After a Washington DC memorial service held for Roberts in 1995, Ed's chair was donated to the Smithsonian Institution, where it remains in the National Museum of American History, as part of a growing collection related to the US history of disability and disability rights.

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(photo date unknown)

Celebrate Ed Roberts' Day

The San Mateo Daily Journal
Published January 21, 2011
Written By Amy Selders (see below)

The state of California will officially celebrate the first Ed Roberts' Day Jan. 23, (2011).

If you don't know anything about Ed Roberts, you'll care to learn more. Ed Roberts is to the disability rights movement what Martin Luther King Jr. is to the civil rights movement. People with disabilities all over the world, who are active in disability rights, celebrate his life and honor his memory by practicing his principles of independent living every day.

To appreciate how his leadership evolved, it is important to understand some background. In 1953, 14-year-old Ed Roberts, a San Mateo County native, contracted polio. The vaccine for polio hadn't been discovered yet. Ed was paralyzed, and spent many years of his life relying on an iron lung to help him breathe. There was a brief period of time when Ed wanted to die, which may not be surprising. Once he decided he wanted to live he, along with his mother, Zona, fought for his rights to attend school, then college, relying on a respirator and power wheelchair instead of the iron lung. He was an amazing self-advocate. Faced with discrimination in his life, Ed learned about the effectiveness of the social movements of the times. He learned from the local organizers of women's rights movement at UC Berkeley and thought the same principles of organizing a movement could be applied to disability rights. And so it began.

The disability rights or independent living movement is, in a nutshell, about individual choice; the ability to take control of ones' own life and make ones' own decisions, to have the same rights and equal access to places, goods and services as our non-disabled peers. It's about equality. Ed Roberts is known around the world as "The Father of the Independent Living Movement." Our own CID (Center for Independence of the Disabled) in San Mateo and Daly City came out of that movement.

For so many of us with disabilities, Ed Roberts was an icon for possibility. He opened our eyes to a world many had only dreamed about. The general public first saw him as a "super-cripple" believing that not all people with disabilities could live independently in the community, go to school or go to work. He was considered special. He rejected this notion outright and used to say we're not "super-cripples" we're "role models." Without a doubt, he was just that; a role model to us all.

It didn't matter to me that I don't have the same disability, or even that we never met. I could "relate" to Ed Roberts. I wasn't alone; millions of people with disabilities all over the world felt as I did. The impact he had was incredible. His words and his actions hit us smack in the face, like a wake-up call that shouted "This is your life! What are you going to do with it?"

Through him, many learned that if we really want to experience life on our own terms, sometimes we have to fight for our rights, our freedom and our independence. There are times when we have to stand alone, fight our own battles. But when we come together as a people, we can literally change the world and we did.

"And life is great ... it doesn't matter whether you are in a wheelchair or what you are ... whatever it is that makes you different is pretty irrelevant. It's who you are as a person. That's the most relevant thing of all." - Ed Roberts.

To learn more about Ed Roberts, visit the Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley visit http://edrobertscampus.org/.

Amy Selders, San Mateo, is the community development coordinator for the Center for Independence of the Disabled, which is an independent living center for people of any age with any disability who live in San Mateo County.

(The SSDI shows b. 23 Jan 1939, d. 15 Mar 1995, last residence Berkeley CA)

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Arlen F. Gregorio
1991 Alumnus of the Year
BHS Class of 1949

(21 July 2008) Arlen Gregorio was born in San Francisco in 1931. He and his sister, Anita Gregorio Murchie (BHS'50) attended Hoover Grammar School. Arlen's wife of 30 years is Allyn Stone. Arlen has three children (John, Stephen, and Arlen) and seven grandchildren.. He has had a notable career in law and politics. His "CV" follows below:

"Arlen Gregorio became a full-time commercial mediator in 1985. Three years later, he founded the first firm of attorneys devoted solely to mediating business and civil trial matters nation-wide. Now known as Gregorio, Haldeman, Piazza, Rotman & Frank, its offices are in San Francisco.

Mr. Gregorio has successfully mediated major disputes in a majority of states in the U.S. He welcomes matters concerning almost every aspect of civil law other than domestic relations; his most frequent work has been with cases involving contract, construction, death and injury, employment, insurance, intellectual property, probate, product and professional liability, real estate, and securities law. He is recognized particularly for his skill in mediating disputes in which personal or business relationships play key roles.

In his prior law and public service careers Mr. Gregorio often acted as a mediator, an arbitrator, and in a variety of other neutral roles. He has also served as a Superior Court Judge pro tem, Special Master, Referee, Conciliator, and Mini-Trial Judge.

A Stanford Law graduate and member of the California Bar since 1955, Mr. Gregorio conducted a general civil trial practice for twelve years as a partner in a law firm on the San Francisco Peninsula, where he served as a local bar president and was active in state bar affairs. He also served as the Assistant City Attorney for San Bruno, California, for eight years, dealing primarily with the city’s construction, planning, and land-use issues.

From 1970 through 1978, Mr. Gregorio served as a California State Senator, receiving national recognition for his pioneering work in the arts, education, environment, foster care, health, local government finance and organization, political reform, and professional standards. He has also served as a member of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and of the governing boards of several local, regional, and state agencies.

Mr. Gregorio was awarded the China Service Medal for action in the mid-1950’s as a U.S. Naval Air Officer. He also acted as counsel in several General and Special Courts-Martial.

A Fellow of the American College of Civil Trial Mediators and a principal member of the Association for Conflict Resolution, Mr. Gregorio has lectured widely on mediation and dispute resolution. In 1986, he founded the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center, which provides a wide variety of mediation-related services in San Mateo County. He has taught courses in construction law at College of San Mateo, business and government at College of Notre Dame, and urban studies at Stanford University."

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Richard H. Imus
1988 Alumnus of the Year
BHS Class of 1956
IN MEMORIAM - b. 12 Aug 1938, d. 29 Sept 1994 (SSDI). The citations below were gleaned from the Internet. We cannot be certain of the connection, but it closely matches his profile for age, education, and place of birth.. Richard Imus' passing was noted in the Panther Postscripts Spring/Summer 05 editon.

From The American Presidency Project, John T. Woolley & Gerhard Peters, UCSB.

January 13, 1964

The President (Ronald Reagan) today announced his intention to nominate Richard H. Imus for the rank of Ambassador during his service as United States Negotiator on Textile Matters in the Office of the United States Trade Representative. He would succeed Peter Otto Murphy.

In 1962 Mr. Imus entered the Foreign Service as vice consul in Sydney. He was consular officer in Tel Aviv from 1965 to 1967. From 1967 to 1969, he was on detail to the Department of Commerce as international economist. He attended Arabic language training in Beirut from 1969 to 1970. He was economic and commercial officer in Dhahran (1970-1972) and in Kuwait (1972-1973). From 1973 to 1974, he was personnel officer in the Department. He attended economic studies at the Foreign Service Institute from 1974 to 1975. From 1975 to 1977, he was international economist in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs in the Department. He was counselor for economic affairs in Wellington from 1977 to 1981. In the Department he was Chief of the Textiles Division in the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs from 1981 to 1983. Since 1983 he has been on detail as United States Negotiator on Textile Matters in the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

Mr. Imus graduated from Stanford University (B.A, 1960) and the University of California at Berkeley (M.A., 1961). In 1958 he attended the University of Vienna in Austria. His foreign languages are German, Arabic, and French. He was born August 12, 1938, in San Francisco, CA.

From The Washington Post, October 6, 1994

Car Executive Richard H. Imus Dies; in Foreign Service 28 years

Richard Howard Imus, 56, the president of Daimler-Benz Washington Inc. and a former Foreign Service officer, died of a heart attack Sept. 29 at Fairfax Hospital. He was stricken at his home in Arlington.

Mr. Imus had headed the Washington office of Daimler-Benz since 1990. He was responsible for representing the automobile company, which is based in Stuttgart, Germany, in matters involving the U.S. government and other areas of public affairs.

He was a State Department Foreign Service officer from 1962 to 1990, and he had assignments in Germany, Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and New Zealand. A specialist in economic and trade matters, he was the chief U.S. negotiator on textile ... (remainder of text unavailable).

Another OBITUARY; Publication Date: October 03, 1994; Source: The Washington Times

Obituary: Richard H. Imus, 56, corporate representative in Washingtonfor Daimler-Benz and formerly a prominent U.S. diplomat, died unexpectedly Sept. 29. No cause of death was given.
A native of California, Mr. Imus was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate ofStanford University who also earned a master's degree from theUniversity of California at Berkeley. He also studied at the University of Vienna.
He began his diplomatic career in 1962, and served in Australia, Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and New Zealand. He served as U.S. chief textile negotiator in the president's office and, in July1984, President Reagan accorded him the rank of ambassador. Mr. Imus joined Daimler-Benz after several years as the economic minister at the U.S. Embassy in Bonn.
He was named president of Daimler-Benz Washington Inc. in July 1990, representing the Stuttgart,Germany-based high-technology company that has 30 businesses,manufacturing plants and 16,000 employees in the United States.

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Dorothy Fowler
1987 Alumna of the Year
BHS Class of 1925
IN MEMORIAM, b. April 1907, d. April 1999 (SSDI)

In 1955 Dorothy Fowler was a Girls Physical Education Instructor. She was inducted into the Burlingame High School Sports Hall of Fame (induction year pre-2000).

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Jane Smith Taylor
1986 Alunna of the Year
BHS Class of 1944
IN MEMORIAM - Jane Smith Taylor, b. 17 Feb 1927, d. 29 Apr 2009

May 02, 2007
Jane Smith Taylor Of Cupertino, died April 29th (2007), of complications related to cancer. Raised in Burlingame, CA, Jane attended Hoover Elementary School, Burlingame High School, and the University of California at Berkeley, receiving an AB in history in 1948.

She met and married Thomas C. Taylor in 1950, while working in London. After living briefly in Madison, WI, they relocated to California, eventually settling in Burlingame together, where they raised four children.

In her 40s, Jane began taking education classes at the College of Notre Dame. She received her high school teaching credential in English and math, a masters in English from the College of Notre Dame, and her counseling credential. She began teaching at Hillsdale High School, continued at San Mateo High School, and completed her career as a college counselor at Burlingame High School, retiring in 1991.

Jane was active in the community, serving as a board member of the Burlingame Library for repeated terms, volunteering at Filoli, working in various committees of the League of Women Voters. When she moved from Burlingame to Cupertino in 2000, joining the Sunny View Retirement Community there, her life was already focused around traveling and enjoying life with her partner, Gerald Johnson.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas C. Taylor, and her eldest son, Thomas Christopher Taylor. She is survived by Gerald Johnson; brother, Reuben W. Smith; daughters, Sarah and Melinda Taylor; son, Jonathan Taylor; grandson, Phineas Taylor-Webb, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Services will be held at the Sunny View Community Center, 22445 Cupertino Road, Cupertino, on Saturday, May 5th, at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Santa Clara Library Bookmobile. (From the archives of San Francisco Chronicle/SFGate.com)

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Robert F. Kane
1985 Alumnus of the Year
BHS Class of 1944
IN MEMORIAM - b. 15 Mar 1926, d. 22 Dec 2007 (SSDI)

Robert “Bob” Kane, 1944, was a 4-sport athlete while attending BHS. He lettered 4 years in basketball and was picked 3 years as an All-PAL player. He lettered 2 years as a quarterback on the football team and received Honorable Mention All-PAL in 1943. His big thrill was catching a touchdown in the Little-Big Game. Burlingame won 14-0. He lettered 2 years as a catcher on the baseball team and 2 years on the tennis team. After graduation, he served in the US Navy for 3 years. Bob played on the SMJC championship basketball team coached by Ray Balsley. He graduated from USF law school and was appointed to the Superior Court bench in San Mateo Co. and in 1971 to the State Court of Appeals. He also served as the Ambassador to Ireland. He is now retired and lives with his wife, Keke, in Clovis, CA. They have been married for 55 years and are blessed with 3 sons, 2 daughters, and 10 grandchildren. (This biographical information was cited on his selection to Induction in the BHS Hall of Fame, 2006, Panther Postscripts Spring/Summer 2007.)

Copyrighted article published in the San Francisco Chronicle December 26, 2007;

Justice Robert Francis Kane Passed away peacefully following complications from heart surgery on December 22, 2007 at his daughter's San Mateo home. He was surrounded and seeped in the love, admiration and gratitude of all five of his children, their spouses, his 10 grandchildren, dearest friends and Father Kevin Gaffey.

The seventh son of a seventh son, he was born on the Ides of March (15th), 1926 in Denver, CO. He was the youngest of the eight children born to James Hanley Kane, the son of an Irish immigrant and his wife, Helen Mary Gray. After graduating from Burlingame High School in 1944, he enlisted in the Navy and served in the Pacific Theatre. Upon his return, he attended Menlo College and the University of Southern California. With necessary help from the G.I. Bill, he entered the University of San Francisco Law School in the fall of 1949. He considered the last week of June 1952 to be one of his most blessed as he passed the bar and celebrated the birth of his first child.

The scope and breadth of his employment resume was the source of many family jokes. He worked from the age of eight, in jobs that ranged from restacking bowling pins, cleaning ant cans for a Burlingame pesticide company, to a drug store soda jerk and delivery boy. His legal career began in San Francisco in 1952 and continued in Redwood City, primarily with the Ropers firm. In January 1969, Governor Ronald Reagan appointed him to the San Mateo Superior Court. In 1971, Governor Reagan elevated him to the Court of Appeal for the First Appellate District. He served as president of the California Judges' Association. In 1979, at the age of 53, he resigned from the bench and returned to the practice of law at the Ropers firm.

In 1982, President Reagan selected him to serve as an arbitrator for the United States in a treaty dispute with Poland at The Hague. In 1984, the President appointed him U.S. Ambassador to Ireland where he served for two years. He and his wife Keke hosted President and Mrs. Reagan at the Ambassador's Residence during their 1984 visit to Ireland. Following his tenure as Ambassador, he returned to the Ropers firm until 1994 when he retired from the practice of law and began work as a private mediator, arbitrator, special master and discovery referee. He received numerous honors and distinctions during his lifetime including; induction into both the Burlingame High School Hall of Fame and Athletic Hall of Fame, the Irish Man of the Year Award, St. Thomas More Award and membership to the American College of Trial Lawyers.

More valuable than any of these prestigious awards, was the love of his life Keke and the family they created. As he wrote to his grandchildren this year, "As I reflect on the blessings of married life on this our 56th anniversary, I distinctly remember seeing Keke for the first time at 6:30am daily Mass at Our Lady of Angels, Burlingame." His love for her, which began that day, was best demonstrated by the selfless care he provided during her struggle with Alzheimer's disease. He once said integrity was the greatest virtue. While we hesitate to overrule his Honor, we humbly submit that where Bob Kane was concerned integrity was not his greatest virtue but rather an unavoidable result of his goodness, grace, generosity and gratefulness.

He was preceded in death by his father James; mother, Helen; brothers, Jack, Jim, John, George, Tom; sister, Mary; brother-in-law, John Burke, and son-in-law, Chris Coogan. He is survived by his wife Mary Catherine "Keke"; brother, Ben; son, Steve and daughter-in-law, Brenda; daughter, Anne; son, Tom and daughter-in-law, Nancy; son, Jim and daughter-in-law, Sandy; daughter, Mary and son-in-law, David; and grandchildren, Sarah, Molly, Kelsey, Kristin, Nolan, Brian, Brody, Riley, Hannah and Robert. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Dec. 29, 2007, 11am at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Burlingame where Justice Kane was once an altar boy. The family requests that remembrances be sent to: Alzheimer's Assn., 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633.

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Ben Eastman
1984 Alumnus of the Year
BHS Class of 1929

From N.Y. Times article posted on the Internet

Ben Eastman, 91, Runner and Former World Record-Holder

By FRANK LITSKY
Published: October 11, 2002

Ben Eastman, who became the world's fastest quarter-mile and half-mile runner 70 years ago only to meet frustration in the Olympics, died Sunday at his home in Hotchkiss, Colo. He was 91.

From 1932 to 1934, Eastman set the world records outdoors at 400 meters, 440 yards, 500 meters, 600 yards, 800 meters and 880 yards. After Eastman set the world records for 440 and 880 yards two weeks apart, John Kieran, the New York Times sports columnist, called him ''the greatest quarter- and half-miler the world ever saw.''

Eastman became known as Blazin' Ben, who would race quickly to the front and dare his opponents to catch him. Except for one, Bill Carr, they seldom did. In three major 400-meter races in 1932 -- in the IC4A intercollegiate championships, the United States Olympic trials and the Los Angeles Olympics -- Eastman, of Stanford, took the lead, only to have Carr, of the University of Pennsylvania, run him down and win in world-record time. In the IC4A meet, which then attracted all the major college teams, Carr won in 47.0 seconds. Two weeks later in the Olympic trials, Carr won in 46.9.

Still, Eastman was an early favorite in the Olympic 400 and 800 meters. A Milan sports newspaper called him ''Il fenomeno.'' But R. L. Templeton, the Stanford coach, decided Eastman would run only the 400 because a 400-800 double would require seven races in five days.

Arthur Daley wrote in The Times of the Olympic 400-meter final:

''This is a rivalry that, in the minds of those present, transcended in importance even the fact that the United States was standing against the world. Here was the race that was to decide, once and for all, whether Carr, the sprinter, or Eastman, the pace-setter, was the better. No one else in the race was given any consideration.''

The crowd of 70,000 watched a race that lived up to its billing. As the runners entered the final straightaway, Eastman, fighting a sinus infection, led by 3 yards. But Carr again rallied and beat Eastman by 2 yards in 46.2 seconds, eclipsing the world record. After Eastman received his silver medal, he was consoled by Will Rogers, the humorist.

Eastman had one other lasting memory of that race. At the end, he wrote in a 1984 retrospective for The Times, ''As I stood bent over with my hands on my knees, I wondered when I'd ever catch my breath again.''

In 1934, he retired from running. He returned in 1936 and tried to make the Olympic team, but he finished fifth in the United States trials and retired for good. A decade later, he served as the part-time track coach at Santa Clara University.

Benjamin Bangs Eastman was born July 19, 1911, in San Francisco. He and his brother Samuel started running in high school in Burlingame, Calif. ''They were sickly,'' said June Pausback, Samuel Eastman's daughter, ''and they weren't supposed to take physical education classes, but they did. One day, Ben looked at a track team practice and told his brother, 'We can beat these boys.' And they did.''

Eastman earned a bachelor's degree from Stanford in 1933 and a master's of business administration there in 1935. He worked in San Francisco and New York with companies that sold industrial supply equipment. Since 1959, he owned and operated an orchard in western Colorado, growing apples, peaches and pears over 140 to 150 acres.

He lived nearby with his wife of 63 years, the former Edwina Ellis. He is also survived by three sons, Ben Jr. of Denver, Gary of Fort Collins, Colo., and Peter of Hotchkiss; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

In the farmhouse where he lived, the living-room walls were lined with paintings and books, but no track medals or trophies. He said, almost in apology, ''I don't really know how many medals I won or where they are.''

(SSDI: b. 19 Jul 1911, d. 06 Oct 2002, SSN 565-07-8777, Last Residence Hotchkiss CO)

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Harry W. Tracy
1983 Alumnus of the Year
BHS Class of 1933
IN MEMORIAM - b. 20 Nov 1914, d. Feb 1985 (SSDI)

From a report found on the Internet (http://sfwater.org/Files/Pressreleases/1_18HH_historybook.pdf) titled "San Francisco's Early Water Sources." at p.18

HARRY W. TRACY WATER TREATMENT PLANT

The Harry W. Tracy Water Treatment Plant is a key element in the Peninsula supply system, filtering water from San Andreas Reservoir for delivery to consumers on the San Francisco Peninsula..[ Ed. The plant is located in San Bruno on a large parcel adjacent to and east of Interstate Highway 280. Access is via Crystal Springs Road (starting at El Camino Real.. Google Satellite Maps offer a great aerial view.]

The plant, formerly known as the San Andreas Water Treatment Plant, was built at a cost of $7.6 million, and started operation on August 8, 1972 with an original capacity of 80 MGD. The plant was expanded in 1992 to provide a combined treatment capacity of 160 MGD. The $55 million improvements installed ozone pretreatment to provide more effective disinfection, and built new filtration units to meet Peninsula water needs through the year 2030.

In early 1994, the expanded plant was dedicated in a special ceremony and renamed in honor of longtime Water Quality Manager Harry W. Tracy. Tracy was a lifelong employee, serving from 1937 until his death in 1985. As Water Quality Bureau Manager, he led the City’s and water industry’s efforts to prevent contamination of water supplies through watershed protection. Tracy also led efforts to certify water treatment plant operators to assure that water quality standards were met.

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Anne Lawder Fletcher
1982 Alumna of the Year
BHS Class of 1946
IN MEMORIAM - b. 09 Oct 1928, d. 30 Mar 2002 (SSDI)

From a biography found on the Internet.
by Stephen Winn, San Francisco Chronicle Arts and Culture Critic, dated April 28, 2002

"Anne Lawder Fletcher, a former American Conservatory Theater company actress known for her delicately drawn and emotionally searching performances, died after a long bout with rheumatoid arthritis March 30 in North Hollywood (Los Angeles County). She was 73.

Acting under the name Anne Lawder, she appeared in "The Time of Your Life," "Equus," "Ah, Wilderness!," "Mourning Becomes Electra," "Another Part of the Forest," "Heartbreak House," "Morning's at Seven" and many other vintage productions on the Geary Theater stage. She last appeared there in A.R. Gurney's "The Cocktail Hour," opposite William Paterson, in 1992.

Lawder flourished in San Francisco in the years when ACT's company was a kind of extended family. Her own family connections mirrored that fact. Lawder's late husband, Allen Fletcher, staged many classic ACT productions and served as director of the conservatory actor training program for 15 years. Their two children, Jack Fletcher and Julia Fletcher, acted with the company.

"ACT was conceived around my coffee table," Lawder told The Chronicle in 1992. Her husband, Allen, taught drama at Pittsburgh's Carnegie Technical Institute in the 1960s, with future ACT founder William Ball as one of his students.

Lawder was born in Chevy Chase, Md., on Oct. 9, 1928. She ushered at the Geary as a Burlingame High School student, graduated from Stanford University and became an original member of San Francisco's famed Actor's Workshop. She worked with the Seattle Repertory Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, San Francisco Shakespeare Festival and Denver Center Theatre. She appeared in the film "Tucker" and various television movies.

Lawder is survived by her children, Jack Fletcher of San Francisco and Julia Fletcher of North Hollywood; brother, William Lawder of Palo Alto; and five grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held in San Francisco in June. Her family requests that donations be made to the Arthritis Foundation, Planned Parenthood or any local arts organization in Lawder's name."

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Edward Lewis Alpen
1981 Alumnus of the Year
BHS Class of 1940
IN MEMORIAM - b. 14 May 1922, d. 03 Nov 2006 (SSDI)

From the San Francisco Chronicle Obituary Archives, Nov 8, 2006

(http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/11/08/MNALPENEDW1.DTL&hw=Alpen&sn=001&sc=1000)

Edward Lewis Alpen May 14, 1922 - November 3, 2006
Edward Alpen was born May 14, 1922 in San Francisco to Edward Lawrence Alpen and Margarite (Shipley) A. He passed away on November 3, 2006, after a long battle with brain cancer.

He was the loving husband of Wynella Alpen (d. 2000) of 60 years and cherished father of Angela Alpen Dodson of Newark, CA and Jeannette Hanni of Los Altos, CA. He is also survived by his grandchildren Ryan Hanni, Lauren Alpen, and Casey Hanni and his son-in-law Ronald Hanni.

Edward served in the US Navy in WWII aboard several destroyers in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. He retired from the Navy as a Captain. He was an accomplished scientist in the fields of pharmacology and the kinetics and controls of hematopoesis, radiation physics and biophysics. He authored over 150 publications and four textbooks. Edward was awarded the "Navy Award for Distinguished Achievement in Science" in 1962 and the "Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Servant Award" by the Secretary of Defense in 1963.

Edward directed several national laboratories, was a Guggenheim Foundation Fellow and was a councillor and director of the National Council for Radiation Protection for almost thirty years. He ended his career as Professor of Biophysics Emeritus, U.C. Berkeley and Professor of Radiology Emeritus, U.C. San Francisco.

He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and the scientific community. Funeral services will be held on Thursday 11/9/06 at 12 noon at Cypress Lawn in Colma CA. The family welcomes flowers or donations may be sent to The Salvation Army, 601 Webster St, Oakland, 94601.

From a Eulogy by the BioElectroMagnetics Society

(http://www.bioelectromagnetics.org/memorial.php?do=view&id=37)

Edward L. Alpen 1922 – 2006 (84 years old) died November 3rd, 2006
Edward Alpen, the first president of the Bioelectromagnetics Society, and a distinguished radiation biophysicist with Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, passed away Nov. 3, 2006 at the age of 84. He had suffered from complications as a result of radiation therapy for a brain tumor.

Ed Alpen was selected by the founders of the Bioelectromagnetics Society to be the president of the charter board of directors because of his high scientific stature in the broader radiation community and his exemplary administrative skills. Ed was known for his ability to lead groups of people with a widely differing mix of skills to focus on issues and reach agreements that all would champion. In a recent oral history he is recalled as knowing "… how to say, "No" – for the most part, in a way that people would accept it, although they might not be thrilled."

Ed received his B.S. in 1946 from the University of California at Berkeley in chemistry following three years of service in the Navy, and his Ph.D. in 1950 from the University of California at San Francisco in pharmaceutical chemistry and pharmacology. He then completed post-doctoral training in pharmacology at George Washington University's School of Medicine in 1951, and returned to California to join the US Naval Radiation Defense Laboratory (NRDL).

While at NRDL, Ed studied the effects of ionizing radiation on animals and man, including the accidental exposure of human beings from fallout during testing at the Bikini Atoll, in March 1954, where he carried out histopathological evaluations of skin lesions. Ed also spent some sabbatical time at the Radiobiology Laboratory, University of Oxford in 1959-1960. He served as Manager of the Biological and Medical Sciences Division at NRDL from 1951 to 1969, where he rose to the rank of Captain in the US Navy.

In 1969, Ed joined the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) as Manager of the Environmental and Life Sciences Division, and was appointed Director of PNNL in 1972. In 1975, Ed accepted two appointments in the Lawrence Berkeley (National) Laboratory (LBL), Director of the Donner Laboratory and Associate Director of LBL, and an appointment as professor of medical physics at the University of California - Berkeley. He served in the two LBL positions until 1986. He retired from LBL in 1991, but continued teaching and conducting research in his faculty position at UCB until retiring as an Emeritus Professor.

Ed's principal areas of research were experimental radiotherapy with charged particle beams and neutrons, radiation biophysics and medical physics, radiation, carcinogenesis, non-stochastic late effects in organ systems, and cellular radiation biology. He served on many national committees including five committees of the National Council of Radiation Protection (NCRP) that reported on topics ranging from the response to nuclear attacks to guidance on NASA astronaut safety to the biological and health effects of radiofrequency radiation (NCRP Report number 86).

Ed Alpen was the recipient of many awards, including the Distinguished Service Medal from the Department of Defense and the Science Medal for Distinguished Achievement in Science from the US Navy. He was also the author of the highly praised book "Radiation Biophysics." Ed Alpen will be remembered as the Society’s first leader, whose ability to bring diverse groups together created the foundation from which BEMS continues to grow and prosper as a world-wide venue, where all scientific opinions can be voiced and debated.

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William J. Crosby
1980 Alumnus of the Year
BHS Class of 1936

William J. Crosby was born in 1919 in Omaha, NE, but for most of his life he lived in Burlingame CA. His father, William F. Crosby, owned a local funeral home, established in 1926. William J. attended Burlingame High School and graduated in 1936. He then enrolled at and graduated from the University of Southern California in 1941.

William J. entered the family funeral business and in 1945 engineered the merger of William F. Crosby & Co. Morticians with another local funeral business, N. Gray & Company. William J. was the President of Crosby-N.Gray & Company for over 50 years. In 1962 he entered local politics and was a five-time mayor of Burlingame. William J. Crosby died in June 1996. He was survived by his wife, a son and daughter, four grandchildren, and nieces, nephews and cousins.

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Blanche Dibelka Duffey
1978 Alumna of the Year
2008 Alumni of the Century
BHS Class of 1939
IN MEMORIAM - d. 10 January 2012, age 90

Beginning with the Spring/Summer 2003 edition of Panther Postscrips Blanche added this photo to her by-line "Blanche's Corner: Alumni Update."

As part of the City of Burlingame Centennial Celebration in 2008, Blanche Duffey was proclaimed BHS Alumni of the Century, honored for her many contributions to the citizens of Burlingame. Blanche had served as secretary and historian for the Burlingame Alumni Association since it's inception in the late 1960's. She was Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) president at McKinley Grammar and Burlingame High Schools and was president of the Burlingame Historical Society. Blanche volunteered for more than 30 years with Catholic Charities and as a gymnastics coach with the German Turners. (Panther Postscripts, Fall/Winter 2007).

OBITUARY (published in the San Francisco Chronicle)

Blanche B. Duffey passed peacefully January 10 at age 90. She grew up in Burlingame, preceded in death by her loving husband James Duffey and her daughter Kathleen Hansen. Blanche is survived by her two sons, Mike Duffey and Jim Duffey, 7 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, her niece, Lillian, and many cousins. Blanche helped in creating the Burlingame High School Alumni Association and was recently named Alumni of The Century, an honor of which she was most proud. She was actively involved in many other organizations for many years including: president of Sokol San Francisco, secretary of CSA, president of Burlingame Historical Society, president of Catholic Social Society and president of several PTAs. Blanche was a gymnast in her younger years and also an avid bowler. Friends and family are invited to her Memorial Service to be held on Saturday, January 21st at 11am at Crosby N. Gray's Funeral Home, 2 Park Rd, Burlingame 650-342-6617. In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates donations made to a favorite charity in memory of Blanche.

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Rupert Prohme
1976 Alumnus of the Year
BHS Class of 1932

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New York Bureau

Rupert Prohme was born c. 1914. There are only two Prohmes listed in the Social Security Death Index (SSDI): (1) Marta Prohme, b. 1887, d. 1973, of Burlingame; and (2) Eva Prohme, b. 1934, d. 1984, of Burlingame. Our guess is that Marta was Rupert’s mother. Eva is a puzzle, born two years after Rupert graduated from Burlingame High School.

Rupert attended Stanford University and in his student days there was a Christian Science reader for a college group of that religion.

On 7 November 1941, Rupert Prohme enlisted in the U.S. Army. The place of enlistment was San Francisco (serial number 39014214). There is much evidence that he was assigned to the U. S. Army Third Infantry Division, 30th Infantry Regiment for the duration of World War II and served in the officer corps.

Associated Press war correspondent Edward Kennedy wrote a piece appearing in daily papers throughout the states on February 29, 1944, dateline ON THE ANZIO BEACHHEAD. In it he cited 1st Lt. Rupert Prohme of Burlingame, Cal. The U.S.Third Division was made up largely of soldiers from the Pacific Coast, originally headquartered at Ft. Lewis WA and later at Ft. Ord, CA. During the Sicily Campaign it was commanded by Lt.Gen George S. Patton.

The Third Division participated in six amphibious operations during the war in Europe. Rupert Prohme was awarded the Silver Star. And he wrote a notable book about the War titled “History of the 30th Infantry Regiment” (of the Third Infantry Division).

At War’s end, c. 1946, Capt. Rupert Prohme retired from active duty in the U.S. Army and began a career with the U.S. Foreign Service. A citation in Australia’s Canberra Times, 1 April 1947, wrote of the American Ambassador introducing Rupert Prohme as his Public Relations Officer.

From a Foreign Service Lists dated 1953, Rupert Prohme was listed as an attaché with the Office of U.S. Information and Educational Exchange, and later as Information Officer with the U.S. Information Agency (USIA) in Brussels.

Rupert Prohme was a deputy member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) during the period 1969 - 1973.

If Rupert Prohme were still living, he would be 95 years old. Perhaps because of a life of government service, there is no reference to him in the SSDI.

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Jean Romer Williams
1976 Alumna of the Year
BHS Class of 1936

OBITUARY

Williams, Jean Romer - WILLIAMS, JEAN ROMER Entered into rest Tuesday, June 17, 2003 age 83. A native of Kansas City, Kansas born on Sunday, October 5, 1919 and ... Published in The Sacramento Bee on 6/22/2003 (128 total words - remainder of text available for a fee)

WILLIAMS, JEAN ROMER, entered into rest Tuesday, June 17, 2003 age 83. A native of Kansas City, Kansas born on Sunday, October 5, 1919 and a resident of Sacramento for 51 years. Precious mother of Katherine Williams Murphy and Susan Jean Williams. Loving grandmother of Megan K. Murphy, Shannon E. Murphy, Erin E. Murphy and son-in-law David Murphy. She is preceded in death by her husband James A. Williams in 1992 also a grandson Edward Arthur Williams in 2002. She was a member of Eastern Star, Carmichael Presbyterian Church, American Medical Assn. PEO Sister Hood, Meusa Society and Phi Beta Kappa Sorority. At her request there will be no services held. The funeral arrangements were entrusted to Sunset Lawn Chapel of the Chimes Funeral Home in Sacramento.

Citation in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 1970, Volume 11, Number 5, Pages 208-213, Jean Romer Williams, University of California, Davis, CA

Social Security Death Index

Name: Jean Romer Williams
SSN: 562-24-3426
Last Residence: 95865 Sacramento, Sacramento, California, USA (ZIP/city/county/state/country)
Born: 5 Oct 1919
Died: 17 Jun 2003
State (Year) SSN issued: California (Before 1951)

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Anna B. Cooke Alexander
1975 Alumna of the Year
BHS Class of 1931
IN MEMORIAM - b.06 Oct 1913, d. 26 Jul 2006

Mother of Carol Alexander '55. Read Anna's life story on Carol's senior photo page (this website).

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Lou Silver Harrison
1974 Alumnus of the Year
BHS Class of 1934
IN MEMORIAM, b. 14 May 1917, d. 2 Feb 2003 (SSN 556-26-5184)

Lou Harrison’s life and career in music is well documented on the Internet. The following exerpt is taken from a biography by Bill Alves, music educator at Harvey Mudd College:

Lou Harrison, American Composer (1917 – 2003)

“Lou Harrison was one of the great composers of the twentieth century--a pioneer in the use of alternate tunings, world music influences, and new instruments. Born in 1917 in Portland Oregon, he spent much of his youth moving around Northern California before settling in San Francisco. There he studied with the modernist pioneer of American Music, Henry Cowell, and, while still in his twenties, composed extensively for dance and percussion. In 1942, Harrison moved to Los Angeles to study with the famous Arnold Schoenberg at UCLA. Steeped in the atonal avant garde of Schoenberg's school, he moved to New York the following year, where he made a name for himself not only as a composer, but also as a critic under the tutelage of composer/writer Virgil Thomson. In 1953, he moved back to California and (then) rural Aptos, where he resided for the rest of his life.”

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Reginald Moorby
1972 Alumnus of the Year
BHS Class of 1936

Reginald Moorby was a Burlingame Fire Chief and helped to plan Burlingame High's 50th birthday celebration.

[Ed. Thanks to Jo-Ellen (Arnaudo'58) Ellis for this tidbit.]

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William Lawrence Bergsma
1970 Alumnus of the Year Award
BHS Class of 1938

IN MEMORIAM. (SSDI: b. 01 Apr 1921, d. 18 Mar 1994)

From the Juilliard Review - Spring, 1956.

William Bergsma was a major contributor to the American music scene during his lifetime. His legacy and influence remain a vital force these many years after his death.

Bergsma composed works for symphony orchestra, opera, chamber ensembles, solo instruments and choral groups, most of which has been recorded and continues to be available. He received numerous honors and awards, including the Guggenheim Fellowship and awards from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Foundation. In 1992, he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

In the New Grove Dictionary of American Music, Kurt Stone describes Bergsma's music as "resourceful and imaginative, essentially tonal, texturally conventional and predominantly lyrical."

Born in Oakland, California in 1921, he began his piano studies with his mother, a former opera singer, and also studied viola before concentrating on composition. At sixteen, he had his first composition lessons with Howard Hanson. Later Bergsma studied with Hanson at the Eastman School of Music as well as with Bernard Rogers. From 1938 to 1940, he attended Stanford University but went on to complete his B.A. at Eastman, where he also earned his M.A. in 1943.

From 1946 to 1963, he served on the faculty at The Juilliard School in a variety of roles, most notably as chair of the composition department. From 1963 to 1971, Bergsma was chair of the School of Music at the University of Washington, where he remained as professor after retiring from administration.

Abraham Skulsky wrote: " William Bergsma's music has many unusual aspects. Although in every way contemporary in style, it does not conform to any of the major trends which underlie the musical development of our time. While Bergsma's thinking is neither traditional nor conservative, it also cannot be classified with any established style of today or the recent past ... Bergsma's music is primarily linear; he is both a lyricist and a contrapuntist. He possesses not only melodic inventiveness but also a highly developed organizational ability. Although often poetic and meditative, his music has great structural strength and unity as well as a clearly defined logic. One very notable aspect of his music is its character of intimacy. Bergsma has a discerning ear for timbre and subtle combinations of sound, and he is greatly concerned with harmonic spacing as well as harmonic weight."

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From N.Y. Times article in 1994 at time of his death.

In addition to his daughter, a classical soprano specializing in the 20th-century repertory, Mr. Bergsma is survived by his wife of 48 years, the former Nancy Nickerson; a son, Laurence, of Seattle; two half-brothers, Edwin Bennett of Portland, Ore., and David Bennett of Oakland, and two half-sisters, Shirley Bennett of Maui, Hawaii and Gloria Olson of Hillsborough, Calif.

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From www.windband.org website: The Foothill Symphonic Winds (Los Altos CA), David Bruce Adams conducting.

William Bergsma was born in Oakland, California, on April 1, 1921. His mother taught him to play the piano and viola. At the age of 16, Bergsma’s interest in composition was focused with lessons he received from Howard Hanson. In that year, Bergsma completed his first ballet, Paul Bunyon, which received more than 25 performances at his Burlingame (CA) high school.

He studied at Stanford University before transferring to the Eastman School of Music, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music (1942 & 1943) under the tutelage of Howard Hanson and Bernard Rodgers. For twenty years, beginning in 1946, Bergsma served in a variety of roles on the faculty of the Juilliard School of Music, including chairman of the composition department. From 1963 to 1971, he served as the chair of the School of Music at the University of Washington and remained as a professor until 1986.

He continued composing until his death in Seattle, Washington, in 1994. He received numerous awards including Guggenheim Fellowships (1946 & 1951). Commissioned by many leading orchestras and musical associations, Bergsma composed more than 55 works for small instrumental ensembles or orchestra, along with choral pieces and two operas.

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Richard Henry Morris
1969 Alumnus of the Year
BHS Class of 1941

The identification of Richard Morris was somewhat tenuous. Numerous resources on the Internet indicate he was born 14 May 1924 in Burlingame CA, and died in Los Angeles on 28 April 1996. These dates are not confirmed by the Social Security Administration Death Index (SSDI). Mr. Morris DOB and HS graduation year are consistent with the biographical sketch below. We have been in contact with his nephew, Scott Morris, who confirms the above information.

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Richard Morris, Film, TV and Stage Writer, 72

By William Grimes
Published: April 30, 1996, New York Times

Richard Morris, who wrote the book for the musical "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" and the screenplay for the film "Thoroughly Modern Millie," died on Saturday at the Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center. He was 72 and lived in Sherman Oaks, Calif. The cause was cancer, said Dick Scanlan, a colleague.

Mr. Morris was born in Burlingame, Calif., and attended the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles for a year before serving with the special services division of the Army during World War II. After the war, he studied acting under Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse in Manhattan. At the same time, he wrote sketch comedy for fledgling performers like Kaye Ballard. One of his sketches was spotted by a talent scout from Universal Studios, and Mr. Morris moved to Los Angeles, where he wrote the screenplays for "Finders Keepers" (1951) and "Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair" (1952).

In the mid-50's he started writing for television, including episodes of "Private Secretary," with Ann Southern. In 1955 he became the head writer and director of "The Loretta Young Show," for which he received an Emmy nomination.

Mr. Morris left "The Loretta Young Show" in 1960 when "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" was produced on Broadway. The show, with music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, was an enormous hit, and a film version was made in 1964, starring Debbie Reynolds.

He returned to film and television in the mid-1960's. His greatest success was the screenplay for "Thoroughly Modern Millie" (1967), which starred Carol Channing and Julie Andrews. The script won the Writers Guild Award for best American musical. At the time of his death Mr. Morris was writing a stage adaptation of the film with Mr. Scanlan. His other screen credits include "A Change of Habit," with Mary Tyler Moore and Elvis Presley.

He is survived by a brother, Walter, of Hillsboro(sic), Calif.

(There is a SSDI entry for Walter K. Morris, b. 28 Oct 1921, d. 17 Jan 1998, Last Residence Burlingame CA)

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Eleanor Druehl Nettle
1968 Alumna of the Year
BHS Class of 1931

Information gleaned from the Internet (Sept 2008):

aka Mrs. Lester F. Nettle
1990 Honoree in the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame.
Past-president of the League of Women Voters of San Mateo.
A member of the social set of San Mateo and Hillsborough.

Information gleaned from the Internet (May 2010)

(Found in the Congressional Record)
TRIBUTE TO ELEANORE DRUEHL NETTLE

HON. ANNA G. ESHOO OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, August 2, 2001

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a distinguished American, an extraordinary Californian, a beloved friend and an institution in San Mateo County--Eleanore Druehl Nettle, who passed away in June of this year.

Eleanore Nettle served for thirty-three years as a Trustee on the San Mateo County Community College Board, longer than any other trustee in the history of the District. During her tenure she attended almost 800 Board meetings and served as President of the Board nine times. She was the driving force in fostering the growth of the District from a single campus to three, and from 2,700 students to more than 30,000. Half-a-million students attended the college while she sat on the Board.

Eleanore Nettle gave generously of her time and talents to the League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women. She was recognized throughout California as a leader in community college affairs and received many awards and honors, including the Trustee of the Year Award given by the California Community College Trustees Association. Eleanore was appointed by Governor Edmund G. ``Pat'' Brown as a community college representative to the Coordinating Council for Higher Education and re-appointed by Governor Reagan.

Eleanore was a graduate of the College of San Mateo and an active and faith-filled member of her church since 1950. She was the devoted wife of the late Lester Nettle and the proud mother of a daughter, twin sons and a granddaughter.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to a great and good woman, Eleanore Druehl Nettle and offer the condolences of the entire House of Representatives to her family. We are a better community, a better country and a better people because of her.

(More from the Internet)
Eleanor Druehl Nettle was the daughter of Eva (Dix) and William Charles Druehl (m. circa 1905). In 1924 William moved his family from Salt Lake City to Burlingame CA.
IN MEMORIAM (Oct 1913 - Jun 2001) - Last residence: San Carlos CA (SSDI)

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William Dauterman
1967 Alumnus of the Year
BHS Class of 1937

Finding information on William Dauterman has been difficult.

Martha May, archivist for the Burlingame Historical Society, was helpful in providing family information found in old Burlingame City Directories.

William L. Dauterman, a CPA or public accountant, was last listed in a Burlingame City Directory in 1940. His wife was Catheryn A. Dauterman. They were the parents of William Dauterman, Jr.

The Social Security Administration Death Index (SSDI) has no listing we can find for the father.

The SSDI lists Catheryn A. Dauterman, b. 17 Aug 1883, d. 15 Nov 1974, last residence in Burlingame CA.

The SSDI lists William L. Dauterman, b. 19 Jul 1916, d. Aug 1974, SSN 557-28-3893. His last residence was not listed, but his SSN number was issued in California.

William Dauterman is listed as graduating from high school in 1937. This is a question because his estimated graduation would have been 1934 (1916+18). Blanche Duffey, Alumni Association Historian, reports that William 'Bill' Dauterman was blind as a high school student (which could explain the the three-year difference. It could also explain the following.

An Internet Listing includes a William L. Dauterman getting an undergraduate degree from Stanford University in 1940.

There are numerous citations for a William L. Dauterman, author of the following:

Manual for the Stanford Multi-Modality Imagery Test (1969, 1972))
Elementary Considerations in Evaluating the Work Abilities of Disabled Persons (1964, Stanford University School of Medicine)
Stanford-Ohwaki-Kohs Tactile Block Design Intelligence Test for the Blind (1966)

These are all to do with vocational rehabilitation of the blind. It is certainly the stuff of which Alumnus of the Year Awards are made.

Another tidbit from the Fall / Winter 2008 edition of Panther Postscripts: Gregory 'Greg' Hamrick '57 writes that his mother Lois Dauterman Hamrick '29, passed away 18 Feb 2008. Lois was preceded in death by her brothers William 'Bill' Dauterman '37 and George Dauterman '37, and sister Audrey Dauterman Penniman '42. Lora Wood Dauterman '37 (wife of George) mourns Lois' passing.

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Edward Montgomery
1966 Alumnus of the Year
BHS Class of 1929

Edward Samual Montgomery was a Pulitzer Prize winning reporter for the San Francisco Examiner. In 1951 he won the Prize for his series of articles on tax frauds which culminated in an expose within the Bureau of Internal Revenue. His post H.S. education was at the University of Nevada where he met and later married Helene Louise Per Lee. They had three children: Diana (BHS’55), Douglas (BHS'65), and David (BHS'61).

Edward worked for the Nevada State Journal, 1934-36. He was a Reporter, Sports Editor, and Mining Editor for the Reno Evening Gazette, 1938-42. He served in the United States Marine Corps, 1942-45. And he worked as a Staff Writer and Investigative Reporter for the San Francisco Examiner, 1945-75. He served two terms as President of the San Francisco Press Club in the 1950’s.

Edward also wrote about Barbara Graham, the third woman to die by lethal gas in California (in 1955). He tried to save her and his writings were turned into the 1958 movie I Want to Live. Susan Hayward won an Academy Award for her portrayal of Graham.

Edward died in 1992 in St. Helena at age 82. His wife, Helene, died in 2007, in Napa at age 93. (December 2008. This story gleaned from bits and pieces found on the Internet).

(Ed. Note: Edward's son, David, died in 2000.)

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Two other vignettes suggested by daughter, Diana, are as follows:

In April of 1955 a Berkeley teenager, Stephanie Bryan, went missing. A suspect in the case was Burton Abbott, a UC Berkeley student. The Abbott family owned a cabin in the Trinity Alps and it was the object of much investigation. Intrigued by the mystery, the discovery of Stepanie’s remains near the cabin was made by Edward Montgomery, reporter for the San Francisco Examiner, and Bob Bryant, Examiner photographer. On July 20 they hired two ranchers and a pair of bloodhounds, and went looking near the cabin where they found the body. The trial of Burton Abbott was one of the most publicized in California history and he was executed in March 1957 by lethal gas.

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On A Lighter Note: In the summer of 1960, the San Francisco Chronicle tantalized its readers with a serial article called The Last Man on Earth. It sent one if its outdoor writers, Harvey Boyd, his wife, and their three children to the remote location called Lower Lipstick Lake. The entire family was to endure a six-week survival test.

Daily reports were dispatched to the Chronicle and other newspapers describing the ingenuity and hardships being endured. "Doubting Thomases" at the San Francisco Examiner could only take so much of it and dispatched reporters for a look around. One of those reporters was Edward Montgomery. What they found were the dregs of empty cans, eggshells, fruit rinds, and TP. Properly exposed, the Chronicle confessed to the hoax.

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Dr. Robert Lee
1965 Alumnus of the Year
BHS Class of 1947

IN MEMORIAM - b. 28 Apr 1929, d. 14 Mar 2002

Robert Lee -- author and religious scholar
Sabin Russell, Chronicle Staff Writer
Monday, March 18, 2002

The Rev. Robert Lee, a religious scholar, author and ethicist, died Thursday (March 14, 2002) in San Rafael after a long illness. He was 72.

A retired professor of social ethics at the San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo, Dr. Lee also had been director of the school's Institute of Ethics and Society. He was the author of 16 books on ethics and a variety of theological topics. His most well-known work was "The Spouse Gap," published in 1969, which examined marriage crises in midlife -- a time he termed Middle-essence.

Dr. Lee also served as vice president of Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage and was a senior fellow at the East-West Center in Hawaii. In 1980, he wrote "China Journal," an account of his family's visit to rediscover its roots in China, shortly after that nation reopened to travelers from the United States.

He was a fourth-generation Chinese American. His family was the first Chinese American family to move to Burlingame. While in high school, he was elected student body president.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, May Lee, of San Rafael; daughters Mellanie Lee of Micronesia, Wendy Lee of Fairfax and Miko Lee of Berkeley; sons Marcus Lee of San Rafael and Matthew Lee of Boston; and eight grandchildren.

A memorial service is planned for 4 p.m. on March 25 at the First Presbyterian Church in San Anselmo. Donations may be made to the Asian Scholarship Fund for the Dr. Robert and May Lee Scholarship, c/o the Marin Community Foundation, 17 East Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Suite 200, Larkspur CA 94939.

Source: Panther Postsripts Fall / Winter 2002, SSDI (SSN 567-38-2086, Last residence: San Rafael CA)

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