Jerry Shipkey – Class of 1943
Legendary Hall of Fame athlete Jerry Shipkey has the distinction of being the only person to play in the Rose Bowl for both USC and UCLA. But his accomplishments as an athlete include much more. Shipkey went on to a standout career in professional ball with the Pittsburgh Steelers and was also a record-setting track and field star in high school and college. [Read more…]
A meeting of the city’s Historical Society at Anaheim High’s Cook Auditorium offered several alumni from the ‘40s and ’50s an opportunity to share memories of playing or hearing the school’s treasured Robert Morton Theater Pipe Organ.
Those who couldn’t attend sent e-mails or called to “recall their happy days” of playing the organ or enjoying the music others created on the now vintage instrument which was taken out of storage for the event.
Don Shilling, Class of ’50, was one of the alumnus in attendance who remembers playing the organ and taking lessons on it. Virginia Criss from Class of ’41 recalled hearing the organ being played as a part of concerts and other performances. “It was exciting because the organ was brand new then,” she said.
The organ, manufactured in 1928 and installed in the (Victoria) Liberty Theater in Oklahoma City, was purchased in 1940 by the AUHSD for installation in Cook Auditorium, which was constructed as part of a WPA Project after the 1933 Long Beach earthquake and opened to the public in 1936.
Among the organ’s expert players was James Friis (1946) who recently passed away. His classmate Delmer Rogers remembers when he and James performed George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue at a school assembly in 1945. ” James, a fine organist, played the orchestral part on that classic organ, while I commandeered the piano solo. . . It was a highlight of my young years.”
Peggy (Kohlenberger) Boland from AHS Class of ‘54 also played Anaheim’s 3/12 rank organ (three levels of keyboards and 12 ranks divided between two chambers). During her senior year, Peggy performed at all the assemblies, frequently playing the Star Spangled Banner and the Alma Mater. On Monday nights, she would play for community forums featuring travel log programs.
She also remembers the custodian in that day being musically talented and, if he was working in Cook after school when Betty was practicing, he would join her on the grand piano located in the auditorium’s orchestra pit. She said he also played the organ and taught her songs from the ‘30s.
She also played the classical organ at church and found the theater organ delightful because of all the bells and whistles. “You could make such fun music with the theater organ.”
Efforts were made in the ‘80s to refurbish the organ. Unfortunately, the instrument was not configured in the correct manner and did not have the best tonal quality. After a few concerts, it was no longer played. More damage to the organ was caused by a flood from a broken ceiling pipe. When water threatened the organ console, the cables leading to an electro pneumatic relay system were severed so the organ could be removed from the auditorium. The organ’s pipes were later damaged by vandals and by electricians who used the chamber as a short cut during their work.
A plus side to refurbishment project is the swell shades, which were obtained from the USC Bovart Auditorium. According to the experts, the swell shades are “gangbusters” and they have never seen more in a theatre installation. Also encouraging news is the organ’s original Spencer blower, which is still in good working condition.
Theater organs and the music they produce are undergoing a revival as people realize the organs and their intricate pipe work are irreplaceable. Santa Monica High School installed a refurbished Wurlitzer, donated by the LA Theater Organ Society, in its recently rennovated Barnum Hall.
Closer to home, the Fullerton high school district, with the support and expertise of the OC Theater Organ Society, restored its Plummer Auditorium Wurlitzer Organ, one of the few Wurlitzers that still resides in its original installation site. The organ is frequently played for community concerts.
Ul
ysses Bauer, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully on Nov. 1, 2013, at his home in Forest Falls, CA. Services will be held Tuesday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m., at St. Boniface Catholic Church, followed by internment at Riverside National Cemetery at 2:15 p.m.
Known to family and friends as “Ude,” he was born in Anaheim on March 14, 1926, the eldest of four children of Ulysses F. and Cora (Stoffel) Bauer. While at Anaheim High, Ude was a star athlete and played on the 1943-44 Varsity Football Team that won a co-Sunset League championship. He was also a member of the Colonist Knights. 
When he graduated from Anaheim Union High School in June 1944, the United States was fighting in both the European and Pacific Theaters. He and 13 of his classmates left after graduation ceremonies for the U.S. Navy boot camp in San Diego. [Read more…]
After volunteering over the summer with an Orange County-based organization that serves disabled veterans, the Anaheim High School Football Team played an “Honor Game” to recognize alumni, family and friends who have served or are currently in the military.
Anaheim High players suited up for the Nov. 7 gridiron salute against Katella High in custom- designed commemorative jerseys imprinted with the veterans names. At the conclusion of the game, players presented replica jerseys to the sponsoring veterans or family members.
Colonist players also created jerseys to honor Anaheim High fallen heroes who were identified as part of the AHS Alumni Association Fallen Heroes and Colonist Veterans Project. For more information, visit: https://anaheimcolonists.com/anaheim-high-fallen-heroes-colonist-veterans/ .
Proceeds from the sale of the “Honor Game” football program and replica jerseys was donated to Veteran’s First, the organization adopted by Anaheim High players whose volunteer service includes working directly with disabled veterans.
Enjoy this gallery of event photos:
Vern Oliver Adams – Feb. 7, 1917 to Dec. 18, 1944
AUHS Class of 1937 Branch of Service: U.S. Navy Reserve Rank: Seaman Second Class Service ID: 08812793 Destroyer: U.S.S. Spence DD-512 Date of Death: Dec. 18, 1944 – South Pacific – Lost at Sea Place of Interment: Tablets of the Missing Memorial wall and Manila American Cemetery Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines
U.S. Navy Seamen Second Class Vern Oliver Adams United States Navy lost his life while serving aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Spence, DD-512 on 12-18-1944 off the coast of Samar, 240 miles from southern Luzon, Philippine Islands. When typhoon Corba struck the U.S.S. Spence on this infamous day, the destoyer capsized and sank to the ocean floor. 
Vern was among the 317 lives were lost at sea. Nine shipmates were rescued by the U.S.S. Swearer DE-181, U.S.S. Taberer DE-418 and the U.S.S. Gating DD-671.On board the U.S.S. Spence was another Colonist shipmate, Don Polhemus, class of 1940. Both grew up in Anaheim, surrounded by Orange groves, Anaheim’s population at the time was 11,000 and the High School enrollment was 1,050 students, which included freshman through seniors with Mr. J.A.Clays as principal. It is believed both Adams and Polhemus were campus acquaintance’s. The typhoon Corba brought these proud Colonist shipmates together forever in death. [Read more…]
Anaheim High showed plenty of “Spooktacular” Colony Spirit and Pride in the 2013 Anaheim Halloween Parade. The AHS line-up included Anaheim Performing Arts Conservatory students as “Zombies on Parade”. They lurched their way down Broadway from Manchester to Anaheim Boulevard, providing scary entertainment for the thousands of spectators who lined the parade route.
Another parade highlight was the newly formed AHS Alumni Band and Color Guard. The 30-plus member group gathered for regular practices before taking to the streets for the annual parade. The group has raised several thousand dollars for the current Colonist band.
The Anaheim High Cheer Squad, with beloved Clem Colonist mascot, provided plenty of pep for the parade. The Anaheim B.R.O.S., a group of students who band together to provide community service and inspire their peers to pursue higher education, served as banner carriers.
Also representing Anaheim High in the parade were Diane Rodriguez ’77 as Connie Colonist; Steve Valdez ’79 and Jim Olenick ’76, who created a “Big A” float; and Janet Brown ’77, Cynthia Roybal ’73, Debbie Vidana ’76, and Sallie Vravis ’63, all line-up chaperons.
Colonist VIPs who joined the line-up included AUHSD Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Novak, an AHS Class of ’71 graduate; AHS Principal Dr. Anna Corral; AHSAA President Gerald Woodward ’59; Elmer Thill, a 99-year-old Colonist from Class of ’32; and AHS Homecoming King and Queen Oscar Garcia and Daisy Dorado. The Colonists VIPs were convened through the parade by Andy Ersek in his ’66 red Corvette; Mac Burke, 1953 MG; Bill Utter, red Mustang; John Dade, ’75 burnt orange Mustang; Doris Trenary, ’63 Chevy Nova. Another featured vehicle was the 3rd Annual Colony Classic Car Show Winner, a ’56 VW Bug owned by Rick Litchie.
Bring Back the Splash supporters enjoyed a balmy evening under a full moon at the elegant Oct. 19 gala at the Anaheim Convention Center Grand Plaza. Live and silent auctions raised funds toward building a new aquatics center at Anaheim High School. The goal is $5.6 million. For more information on the effort, visit http://anaheimpool.auhsd.us. Enjoy these photos from the event:
Anaheim High School and the Anaheim High School Alumni Association and the students and staff of Anaheim High School hosted the 3rd Annual Colony Classic Car Show this past Saturday, October 12, 2013. Over 130 cars were present on a beautiful Southern California Saturday. It was a great time and we are already looking forward to next year!!!
Clint Stark ’59 Joins List of Anaheim High Hall of Famers
Baseball was very good to Anaheim High Class of 1959 graduate Clint Stark. On the flip side, Clint Stark was very good for baseball, as well as his alma mater and the community at large.
A left-hand pitcher who stood at 6-foot-4 and weighed in at 175 pounds, Clint signed with the St. Louis Cardinals National League Baseball Club on Sept. 10, 1959. He played for 11 years, including a stint in the Army in 1963, when he continued to pitch for his military team.
Among his career highlights was being the exercise partner of Hall of Famer Stan “The Man” Musial’s for three years. Musial was a Major League Baseball outfielder and first baseman on the St. Louis Cardinals for 22 seasons, from 1941 through 1963. [Read more…]
John Kemper and Jacqueline (Jackie) Murphy met in physics class in their senior year (1941) at Anaheim Union High School. Their first date was to the Valentine’s Day Dance at AUHS that year. They became high school sweethearts and were married during WWII in November 1944. They had 7 children, 20 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild, and were married for 63 years. They lived in Anaheim until 1969, when they moved to Torrance. They remained there until their deaths – Jackie in 2007, and John in 2012.
John was a native Californian, born in Anaheim in 1924. As a young man, he worked at the orange packing house, then known as the Anaheim Orange & Lemon Association. He served in the Army in Radio Intelligence during World War II and subsequently worked for the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Aviation Agency, and after retirement from his government positions, as a consultant and inventor. He was a life-long HAM radio operator. Jackie was born in South Dakota in 1923. She raised seven children and later became a paralegal. They were both active in their community and church. They will remain “high school sweethearts” forever.
