MillikanAlumni Page 1of 2 GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN! MILLIKAN TEACHERS/ADMINISTRATORS There are many names which have little or no information listed beneath them. If anyone has information regarding persons on this list, or someone left off, please contact the web master:Click Here to Send Email to Paul         Eaton O Bemis, Millikan's Principal 1956-1967 Courtesy of Rick Bowman: Mr. Bemis spent 25 years in the Long Beach School system, beginning at Franklin Junior High School. Two years later, he moved to what was then the Lakewood School District, where he worked until that district merged with Long Beach in 1945. He worked as principal of several Long Beach high schools and in 1956 was asked to head Long Beach's newest school, Millikan where he stayed until he retired in 1967. He moved to Leisure World, Seal Beach, where he lived until he died on October 11, 1993. He was 91.   EATON O. BEMIS PRESS-TELEGRAM Published on 10/15/1993, MILLIKAN'S 1ST PRINCIPAL WAS INDEED A MAN OF PRINCIPLE Eaton O. ``Curly'' Bemis was brought up believing you couldn't play marbles for keeps, and his moral standards only grew higher from there. A respected Long Beach school administrator for many years, and the first principal of Millikan High School, he set standards for students and teachers that haven't been topped to this day. He was 92 when he died on Monday, and still had a fine shock of the thick, curly hair that gave him his childhood nickname. Eaton O. Bemis on the Cold War in 1962 RUBY BEMIS (wife of E.O. Bemis) PRESS-TELEGRAM Published on 1/23/1998 RUBY BEMIS LOVED LIFE AND STORIES FORMER AIRCRAFT INSPECTOR HELPED ESTABLISH SEVERAL LOCAL SERVICE GROUPS. Being born in 1900 meant Ruby Bemis saw a lot of firsts: While still a child her family had the first electric light in the town of North Manchester, Ind. And when horseless carriages came in, her dad opened the first Ford dealership in the state. But as an adult, Ruby didn't just watch from the sidelines as history happened. She and her late husband Eaton O. ``Curly'' Bemis, were outgoing people, and during the baby boom years they helped shape Long Beach and Lakewood. ERNEST S. BECKETT History teacher at Millikan High School for 34 years, and retired in 1993. He passed away June 20, 2002 at age 65. Survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Margaret Anne Beckett. Father of Paul Beckett, Susan (Michael) Kirby and Peggy (Jerry) Wilkins. Grandfather of Connor Michael Kirby and Cole Beckett Kirby. Published in the Long Beach Press-Telegram from 6/25/2002 - 6/26/2002.   HERE IS A PICTURE OF MR BECKETT. I WAS VERY SAD TO LEARN THAT HE HAD PASSED AWAY LAST YEAR. YOU SEE MY FAMILY HAD A BIG HISTORY WITH HIM. MY MOM WHO WENT TO MILLIKAN HAD HIM AND ALSO MY 2 SISTERS AND MYSELF. HE WAS AN AMAZING TEACHER WHO WE ALL LOVED AND WILL MISS. JULIE ( GATLIN) KAUFMAN CLASS OF 1983   ROBERT W. BOWER (Choir and Music) Music teacher at Millikan; died around October of 1999. Andrew Friedman Class of '78, "Tevye" in Fiddler on the Roof, May 1978, submitted the following: Robert W. Bower was the Choral Director at Millikan High School since the school opened its doors. During his decades at Milikan, Mr. Bower changed the lives of hundreds of students (I was one of them; he saved my life) and provided special memories that will never be forgotten. Every year, Mr. Bower would choose a Broadway musical for his students to perform; he would cast, direct, and produce each show to standing ovations and packed auditoriums. He was not just my teacher, my director and my mentor, he became over the years a cherished friend. Teaching wasn't a job to Mr. Bower, it was his life and his great love. Mr. Bower helped students from all walks of life find joy and fulfillment in music, and we found talents we didn't realize we had. He was a great man and an inspired teacher who will never be replaced. I am grateful that I was able to see him days before his passing, and tell him that he made a difference in my life and the lives of an entire generation of kids. Our loss is heaven's gain. 1963 ARIES dedicated to Mr. Bower and Mr. Pappone Mr. Bower's photo and '63 ARIES dedication thanks to Doyle Flock, Class of 1963   DONALD D. BUSH PRESS-TELEGRAM Published on 11/28/1992 DONALD BUSH LOVED TEACHING DEVOTED HIS LIFE TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS Donald D. Bush adored animals and dreamed of being a veterinarian, but he became a teacher instead. For no matter how much he loved animals, Donald loved people more. Donald taught at Long Beach high schools for four decades. He chose this career over two others that might have brought him more glory - law and journalism - because he thought high school-age children were simply the best people in the world   Ms. DAVIS       JOHN C. GLOVER (Languages) Retired in 1976 and moved to San Mateo. He died there at age 78, on Christmas Day, in 1997. He is buried at Westminster Memorial Park.   JOHN B. GUNNING (Science) Hi, I'm Fred Ackley, Class of 1963. I just stumbled across the Millikan website. I see that John B Gunning is listed on the /Gone But Not Forgotten/ page. John "Jack" Gunning taught chemistry in the 60s. He profoundly touched the lives of many students, myself included. Each spring he would gather a large group of students, sometimes dozens, and take us camping for a full week in the Arizona desert. It was always a wonderful, coming-of-age, experience, and kept us all out of trouble during spring break. He also took a group of us to the Seattle World's Fair, with stops along the way to hunt rocks and learn about the world. He was an avid skier and met his wife on a ski trip to Aspen Colorado. He wore cowboy boots to class almost every day. It was his trademark. He claimed he wore them to alleviate heel problems. I always suspected it was just because he liked them. Jack Gunning was a great teacher, mentor, and friend to his students. I'm sorry to hear he has gone.      DONICE HAMILTON (Asst. Principal)     JOHN O. JENKINS, Art & Golf Teacher at Millikan from 1957 To 1981. Died at 82, January 9, 2001 "During World War II, John was a Navy pilot, serving two tours of duty and rising to the rank of lieutenant. He won many commendations, including the Navy's highest medal of honor, the U. S. Navy Cross." From the Long Beach PRESS-TELEGRAM 1/15/01 John O. Jenkins began teaching in the Long Beach Unified School District at Poly High School, but transferred to Millikan when it opened.  He taught art and stage design and assisted with the golf team there until his retirement in 1981. (He also taught some Art History classes at Long Beach City College in the evenings.)  His love of golf, art and art history coupled with his quick wit and sense of humor continued until his passing in 2001.  He is survived by his wife, Eloise Jenkins (who taught elementary school in the Long Beach School District), his 3 children who all attended Millikan--Judy Jenkins Onulduran (Class of 1963), John Jenkins, (Class of 1967), and Gwynne Jenkins Anderson (Class of 1968), and many grand and great grandchildren.   For further information or to participate in the fun annual Memorial Golf Tournament, check out his website: http://www.tweedtfamily.com/JOJ_Golf/Welcome.html and click on "About JOJ." Posted 5.28.09   GLADYS MARCH (Biology)   FRANK J. OCHOA (Languages) MICHEAL A. PAPPONE (Music) PRESS-TELEGRAM Published on 06/13/1997 MIKE PAPPONE, 74, WAS LBCC MUSIC MAN POPULAR INSTRUCTOR TAUGHT IN AREA SINCE 1950. Mike Pappone used to say that changing majors in college was the smartest thing he ever did. For although he was a premed major at the University of Minnesota, he spent all his time in the band room. He'd played violin, clarinet and flute since he was a child, and music was his first and greatest love. Also see "Time Line" story Millikan Meant Music By Mary Jane (Braddock) Foster Class of 1959 and letter from Beverly Soderstrom Langdon 1963 ARIES dedicated to Mr. Pappone and Mr. Bower Mr. Bower's photo and '63 ARIES dedication thanks to Doyle Flock, Class of 1963 Page 1of 2   Return to top of page Return to Millikan Home Page Hosted, Designed, & Updates by Paul Prosise class of 1958 www.screenmagic.com Click Here to Send Email to Paul Entire contents of this Web site © copyright 2000-2004 Lates Updates   Looking for a Classmate?   Millikan Reunions   "Go Old Days"    The Pike   Time Line Stories   CORYDON Archives   Millikan Vets   Update on Classmates '57 to '60   Millikan & Classmates Web Sites   Reunion Planning & Finding Classmates    Other H.S. Reunions & Web Sites Classmates We Will Miss    Faculty We Will Miss Return to top of page