May 21, 2021

 

Class of '66 Vietnam Veterans Dan Burton, Mark Mellinger and Gary Crossland got together recently for lunch at Cass Street Bar & Grill in Pacific Beach.  I'm not sure what's in the bags.

Here's a 1967 color shot of Morena Boulevard, where it branches off to Linda Vista Rd.  It's a lovely billboard to be sure, but if you look carefully you'll spot a Kinney's Shoes, gasoline for 28 cents a gallon, Presidio Nursery -- and an Oscar's Drive-In.  Click HERE to see the enlarged view.

I'm sharing this photo of the Stardust Motor Hotel parking lot mostly because of the cars.  I can't decide if the car on the left is silver or Ice Blue, but -- as I comment inside -- you could smuggle a whole bunch of kids into the Ace Drive-In by the looks of that trunk.  Click HERE for the bigger view.

I think Claudia Messerli Baker '59 has some 'splaining to do.  This was her entry in the 1959 San Diego City School Quest magazine loaned by Sharon Culver Considine '60.  Click HERE to peruse all 49 pages.

Crawford's fourth consecutive CIF Swimming Title captured the headline on the Sports Page of the May 21, 1971 Pacer.  Click HERE to read the rest of the school paper published 50 years ago.

Carolina “Calina” Estrada Eckert ’59 passed away May 5th, at the age of 79, following a massive stroke while vacationing in Palm Springs.  Calina was born in Calexico, California, the only daughter of Gustavo and Leonila Estrada.  She was a member of Crawford’s first graduating class.  She helped coordinate numerous Class of ’59 reunions, staying close with many wonderful classmates.  In 1976 Navy Lt. Bill Eckert asked Carolina for a dance at the Admiral KIdd Club and a romance began, culminating in a military wedding in August 1977 and 43 wonderful married years thereafter, with enjoyable trips to many parts of the world.  Carolina was very proud of her Mexican heritage and maintained close relationships with family members in Mexicali, Tijuana, Los Angeles and New York City.  She shared many fun times with her San Diego girls’ sorority, the Iota Pi’s.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for June 12, 2021 in the southernmost section of Paradise Point called Vacation Isle Park, on Hibiscus Lane, from noon to 3 PM.  All are welcome to attend and celebrate Carolinas life.  Lin lieu of flowers, please send donations to https://www.stjude.org/ Carolina’s favorite charity.

Ron Newport ’62 passed away May 10, 2021.  He was born in Nevada, Missouri and moved to San Diego in 1948 with his brother Larry and sister Linda.  Ron quickly adopted the Southern California lifestyle.  He received his education at San Diego State University.  As a youth, Ron became interested in the environment. Two of his interests were forestry and firefighting.  In 1963 Ron was hired by the California Division of Forestry. His initial assignment was with a dozer crew where he assisted in building fire roads, inspecting dams and learning the wildland firefighting trade.  In 1965, Ron was called to serve his country in the United States Army. Ron completed basic training and was stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana as an orthopedic medic. His job included setting, casting, splinting, pinning, and treating soldier’s fractures and other orthopedic related injuries. Three months later, Ron’s brother was called to serve his country. His brother was deployed to Vietnam and was unfortunately killed in action while performing Special Forces duty.  After being discharged from the Army, Ron went back to work for the California Division of Forestry (CDF). His initial assignment as a seasonal firefighter was in San Diego County. In 1967 Ron was hired permanently as a firefighter in CDF/Orange County Fire Dept. Ron became a member of the crash fire rescue crew at the Orange County Airport (now called John Wayne Airport).  Ron married Merrilee Fortin in 1978, and had one daughter, Dani Newport Barker.  Ron enjoyed his time off with his family and friends water skiing and snow skiing and house boating. He played rugby many years, golf, and Senior Softball with the La Mesa League, along with many other sports.