* See bio below

---

Irene Simpson
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)

---

Maxine Kurtz
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)

---

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)

---

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)

---

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)

---

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)

---

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.

---

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)

---

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)

---