Regrets, but the Panther Forum was being spammed, so the automatic forum has been taken off the site.  However, email your news to the Webmaster (state topic) and it will be posted below until we get the forum back up and running.

Postings:

Athletic Hall of Fame: Class of '65 members Dick Nelson, John "Phil" Hazelrig and the Varsity Football Team will be installed in the Athletic Hall of Fame at the Nov. 15, 2008 Little-Big Game.  The ceremony and a brunch will occur at 8:30 a.m. in the school cafeteria, with the game at 11 a.m.  Price $15 - call (650) 591-3194.

Dorothy Oliver - Happy Easter to all of class of 65!  I do wish to hear from you but I understand how busy we all are!!! If you want to bring me up to speed as to what you are doing feel free to email me at : c21doliver@aol.com. Thanks! or check out my blog at: www.santaclarahomevalue.com. Love to you and your families during the holidays! 3/21/2008

Bill Strauss - Classmate Bill Strauss died on Dec. 18, 2007 of pancreatic cancer at age 60.  Bill was among our most accomplished, inventive, brilliant and courageous classmates, having founded the Capitol Steps, a renowned troupe that performs musical political satire in Washington, DC and having graduated from Harvard College where he also received law and master's degrees.  Despite his many achievements, Bill was down to earth, taking time from his demanding schedule to reconnect with BHS classmates at our reunions.  The Class of '65 remembers Bill Strauss with great fondness, appreciation for a life shared with us and remorse over his departure.  Before his death, Bill rededicated his life to helping high school students.  Mention of that work is stated in the obituaries on the In Memoriam page and look below for a final comment sent to this site by Bill shortly after our 40th reunion.  Additionally, here are some of the many things said of this dear friend and classmate, since his passing.

Pete Torrey - Bill Strauss was a true Renaissance man who was comfortable in many circles.  Whether in the company of politicians, intellectuals, jocks or show-biz types, Bill was equally at ease.  He could tell you Dick Nelson’s average per carry on the football field, debate the merits of the ACLU with Bill Berry, or critique the latest Mercedes Benz advertising campaign with Dave Datz.  No doubt about it, he was the brightest person in a class of many great minds and success stories at Burlingame High School.

But there was much more to Bill.  He was a caring and compassionate guy who might disagree with what you are saying, but he wanted to know how you came about your reasoning.  As smart as he was he was never smug.  He hated intellectual bullies, and he would go out of his way to take them down with wit and sarcasm. 

 

I got to know Bill at Burlingame High School during my senior year where he worked as a volunteer student official at our track meets.  In fact, on one occasion Bill accompanied our varsity team on its road trip to San Francisco where we took on the perennial powerhouse Washington High track team, the city champs. He was working at the finish line when I thought I had finished second in the 100-yard dash. The Washington officials mistakenly had placed me third and Bill was outraged.  He pleaded his case to the other officials who tried to ignore him.  Bill was not going to be deterred.  He went to the center of the track so as to not let the meet proceed and he implored the Washington track fans to step up with the” truth.” This prompted one of the Washington High parents to say” the white guy in the red jersey took second.” Bill then got the officials to change my finish to second instead of third.  We ended up winning the track meet by one point on the way to a championship season.  Needless to say I became a Bill Strauss fan for life.

 

At the 40^th BHS reunion party in 2005, he sought me out to see how I was getting along after my kidney failure of a couple of months earlier.  It was then he told me about his battle with pancreatic cancer.  Bill said he had beaten it and was feeling great.  He went on to assure me that if he could beat the “Big C” then I should have no problem coming back from kidney failure.  He was truly an inspiration to me at a time when I was feeling pretty weak and low.  I will never forget that.

 

Bill Strauss would be the one best suited to find meaning in his amazing life and untimely death.  He would say stand up for what you believe and be truthful just as he instructed the Washing High School crowd to do in 1965.  He would also say tell people you care about how much you love them.  Of course, Bill would use rhyme and wit so as to make us laugh and cry at the same time. 

 

My heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Janie and his family.  Bill was a great man who touched so many lives in so many ways.  We are all so much richer and wiser for having known him.

 

Rest in Peace Old Friend

Marva Whelan-Widemer - I will fondly remember this wonderful classmate, whom I last saw the morning after our reunion. He gave me the latest Capitol Steps CD and said" Enjoy it!". I said I would, but time got in the way and I never got around to listening to it. I think I will get it out this week, play it and finally appreciate Bill and all that he created.

Rich Coakley - I... know what my web page memory will be... Me playing "Bill Strauss" in a skit in the Senior Assembly written by John Poimiroo and wondering if we were going to get sued for slander!! (Webmaster's note: For those who may have forgotten, our Senior Assembly included a comic send-up of BHS's student court (on which Bill Served as Chief Justice).  In the skit, Rich Coakley played Bill.  Despite Rich's concern about slander, everyone laughed and, most of all, Bill did.  Who could have foreseen then, that a comic portrayal of student government might eventually reflect Bill Strauss' life's purpose... to satirize government through his extraordinary wit and wisdom.)  Bill and I spoke at the 30th reunion about our odd paths to performing in front of live audiences. We spoke of his transition from politics to parody, and I related my own story of the road to Broadway musicals at the local Performing Arts center.

Burl Cohen - It's hard to believe that it has been two years since our 40th reunion, and there was Bill - front and center - making us all laugh. I didn't know Bill that well, but I was impressed with all of his accomplishments. Unfortunately, as I advance into my 60s, the loss of loved ones and receiving news of the loss of business associates and friends is becoming all too common.  (His passing) should make us realize that tomorrow is promised to no one and to treasure each day like it could be our last.  God bless him, his memory and his family during this difficult time.

 

Dick Nelson - I'm so sorry to hear about Bill.  We started our friendship in kindergarten at McKinley School. After the reunion, Bill drove me to pick up my car at Phil Hazelrig's.  Along the way, we talked about life and how fortunate the two of us have been, including his situation - at the time - with cancer. He was very special and very gifted. All through McKinley school he and I would debate politics, Bill the staunch Democrat and this guy the die-hard Republican. God bless Bill and his family. Thank you for communicating, and Merry Christmas from the Nelson's. Nancy and I are up at our Donner lake home with our three kids, and grandkids, with another on the way due in January.

Mike Tielborg - Dang!  Another.  He will be missed and remembered...

David Datz - I am so saddened. When I saw him two years ago at the reunion, he was so full of life. I am tempted to say something trite, like it teaches us to value our lives--but it would sound better as, lalue our vives.  (See Lirty Dies in the Memoriam section).  I had not seen him between graduation in 69 and the reunion in 05, but I miss him.

Bill Berry - Thanks for sharing this. I had seen the obit in the Chronicle, but not the Post or the Times.  Bill was incredibly talented in so many ways. It is a loss to us all.

Lynn Magnuson Watkins - I'm shocked and saddened. Bill certainly did standout in our class of '65. How wonderful that at our last reunion he gave us an energetic rendition of his "Lirty Dies". I'll never forget it and the laughter that erupted. I can only repeat what I wrote at that time. Thanks for the entertainment, Bill, though I barely understood a word you said. I kon't doe mutts a watter mith we.

Pete Burkett - I was just thinking about him. He had a way with words. He will be missed.

Nancy Profett Noller - For a man who accomplished so much, his life was too short.

John Allender - I was very sorry to hear the news of Bill leaving us, so soon in life.  He was a wonderful person and always a delight to listen to on Capitol Steps. I have attached a link remembering Bill Strauss.  CLICK HERE.

Martha Sherwood Weiss - Bill was a talented man but we all saw that coming in high school. We've seen The Capitol Steps several times and it's hilarious. They'll miss him.

Nancy (Nunns) Belton - I was just sitting reflecting on the past year and the people that have left us, my father-in-law, Bud (Dr. Arthur J. Belton, Jr.) another BHS alumni also just passed away December 14th. I know more and more of us are losing parents and in-laws, which although sad, is to be expected. It's even harder when it's a contemporary, such as Bill. Like Dick, I also went to McKinley with Bill. He always was one of the smartest kids in class. I remember attending a function at Treasure Island with him and his family when we were maybe in 7th grade. I don't remember what the occasion was for, I just remember being very impressed by everything. I'm not sure what made me look at our BHS website today, but I'm glad I did. I enjoyed reading people's comments about Bill and having a chance to share my thoughts. I'm just glad I had a chance to reconnect with Bill at our last reunion. He was truly an amazing person!

Robert W. Matschullat - Marva, thanks for letting me know about Bill.  He was one of the most broadly talented individuals I have ever known.  He could have been a "rocket scientist" instead he chose comedy and music WOW!!!!
 

Vic Mangini - He was a bigger than life character in our youth, leaving an imprint on our lives that few other teachers matched. He was Vic Mangini, Vice Principal of Burlingame High School and Dean of Boys. This past Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 4, 2007), Mr. Mangini moved up to a bigger job where he now strolls gossamer halls. We have no doubt that the golden chairs now standing outside his new office will soon be filled with those awaiting his friendship, humor and direction. We withhold regret about having lost him, because he is not lost, but stays behind within all the students he taught whose lives have been profoundly enriched for having known him. Thank you, Mr. Mangini for the guidance you gave us when we were young.

Rich Coakley - I know he won't be handing out Vic sticks! Gerry (his son) said they were going to put one in his casket. Don't know if he did or not. I signed the rosary book with my name and BHS '65.

John Poimiroo - Look for the definition of a "Mangini Cut" in Panther Slang. It's one of the funniest episodes I remember of our years at BHS.

Marva Whelan-Widemer - Thanks so much for posting the information about Vic and writing that lovely paragraph about him. He was a neighbor of mine, besides the dean of boys. He sure was a character!  Vic was not only the Dean of Boys when I was at BHS... but also a neighbor in the next block of Burlingame Avenue.  We ( the McGrady girls) had many 4th of July neighborhood parades with Vicki Mangini and the Mitchell girls!  Somewhere, I even have a picture of Vic picking up parade debris, a thought that would never have passed the mind of any guy at the end of a "Vic Stick"!

BHS

Bill Strauss - I totally enjoyed that reunion. It's too bad that it has to be an every-five-years affair. A few weeks ago, I spent a full day at BHS talking with classes about my books and musicals. I had a great time. The students there are very bright. I also learned about budget problems that prevent the school from offering courses that I usually find in high-caliber high schools. (For anyone who was touched by Bill Strauss, one way to remember him is to send a donation in his memory to BHS.  For more information, CLICK HERE.)
 

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