Thomas Smith
Larry Stot - Deceased 1972
The survivor of Saturday’s fatal automobile accident in Somis credits his friend, a Camarillo resident who perished in the crash, with saving his life.
“Mike told me at the hospital that when Larry saw they weren’t going to make the curve, he grabbed Mike, threw his body over him and said, ‘We’re not going to make it,’” said Larry’s father late Sunday night. Although both youths were ejected when the car repeatedly rammed into avocado trees, Stott died en route to the hospital as a result of injuries while Stablein received minor injuries.“Mike wants everyone to know Larry saved his life,” said Larry’s weeping mother, Gloria.
-Excerpt from newspaper story
Rick Terzian - Deceased 2013
Cheryl Trindel - Deceasde 1990
Steve Umbarger - Deceased 1996
Steve and I met our senior year at ACHS and were good friends afterwards. I was an average student in high school and college seemed overwhelming. While we attended Moorpark College Steve taught me how to take notes, study for tests and how to take tests and even write papers. It started with a history class we took together. I often think how fortunate I am for his help and that I owe my education to him. After his death, Guy Austen and I visited his parents. I shared with them how he helped me achieve my education and they were so happy to know this. Things happen for a reason; people come into our lives for a reason. We are blessed by others and we bless others. Steve Umbarger is one of the many people that have blessed my life.
-Susan Mastro Heathcoat Brown
Paul Van Bastelaar - Deceased 1989
I met Paul in 4th grade at Camarillo Heights School when we moved to Camarillo. We had many classes together, collaborated on lots of practical jokes and towards the end of our high school years we used
to occasionally share some beers and go into town and annoy people. My memories of Paul throughout
the years are of a cheerful, good-natured person who was extremely intelligent and had a great sense of humor along with a penchant for mischief. He was so smart that I think he was bored by uninspired teachers, and he would sometimes react by asking the teachers relevant questions that were well beyond their grasp of the subject. I really appreciated the elegance of his ability to intentionally disrupt the class by appearing to be actually interested in the subject.
I lost touch with him after high school graduation and was stunned to hear of his passing at such a young age. Pat Savage and I shared some memories of Paul at the recent reunion and I sure wish that Paul could have been there with us.
-Mike Grant
Peter Van Ribbink - Deceased 1985
Thomas Watson - Deceased 1982
Tom and I lived together for several years on Wright Rd. Here is a picture of Tom and I at my parents’ house in Cambria. Not sure what year this was taken, but Tom and I had many good times together.
-Larry Robertson
Jim Wefler - Deceased 2012
“I too, had the time of my life while there!! I am also trying to settle back into my ordinary life after such an extraordinary weekend with everybody that was there! I have to admit, that even after a whole week of being back, I am still flying pretty high! I didn’t want the weekend to end! I was having such a great time, I could have stayed at least another 3 days!”
-Email from Jim after the 40th Reunion
Claude Whelchel - Deceased 2012
Claude had a long nine-month battle with leukemia. Claude and Maxine Oestreich (Class of 71’) have two children, son, Kyle and daughter, Melanie; and two grandchildren, Jessen and Ruby.
Claude’s presence made a big impact wherever he went. He touched so many of us in deep and meaningful ways and he will truly be missed. A good guy taken too soon….. xoxo
-Diane Jones Oestreich
Deborah White Grden - Deceased 2006
Judith York
