Robert "Bob" Montgomery - FUHS 1949

Robert "Bob" Montgomery, passed away peacefully with family at his side on Friday, March 27, 2020 at age 88. He was born in Fullerton to Albert and Thelma Montgomery. Bob attended Fullerton High School where he enjoyed swimming and water polo, and where he first met the love of his life, Claire. He earned his Bachelor Degree in Physics at U.C. Berkeley, was an active member of the Acacia Fraternity, and continued to compete in swimming and water polo.

 In 1954, during the Korean conflict, he enlisted in the Navy and was stationed at Sangley Point in the Philippines and Port Lyautey, Morocco as a meteorologist. His military service allowed him to travel and visit countries all over the world, including China, Vietnam, India, Italy, France, Germany and Belgium. At the completion of his service, he returned to Fullerton and reunited with Claire and her two children, (Connie and Geary) on Easter Sunday and they were married a year later. Bob worked on America's early aerospace program at Rocketdyne, McDonnell-Douglas, and later Hughes Aircraft as a Rocket Engineer. In 1967, he was able to move his family to Huntington Beach, where he made many life-long friendships. 

Breakfasts at the Sugar Shack on Main Street were a treasured time to share stories with dear friends. As a child, Bob enjoyed trout fishing with friends and family in the Sierras. He passed on his love of camping and fishing through annual trips to Bass Lake and Bishop Creek. After retirement, Bob and Claire relocated to Bishop, California where they could enjoy the stunning backdrop of the Sierras, take off for fishing and hiking within a few short miles of their home, and spend time with their grandchildren. Some of his greatest joys were fishing with his grandchildren on Bishop Creek, breakfast overlooking Lake Sabrina, and walking his dog along the canals. Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Claire. Bob is survived by daughters Connie Miller (Mike), Kim Trefry (Randy), Jennifer Montgomery (Wes) and son Geary Hund; grandchildren Robert, Anne, James, Kathryn and Matthew, and great-grandchildren Maya, Teagan, Ashton, Joshua and Beau. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer's Organization (act.ALZ.org) or Sutter Auburn Faith VNA and Hospice (sutterhealth.donordrive.com). A celebration of life will be held once we are no longer suffering from social distancing limitations.

Published in Orange County Register on Apr. 5, 2020

Howard Gilbert McClintock - FUHS 1939

Howard Gilbert McClintock was born June 14, 1921, in Garden Grove, CA. He was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on March 23, 2020. He would have been 99 years old this coming June. Howard was the son of Viletta and Phil McClintock. As a child he lived a short time in Westminster, CA, then when Howard was 6 years old the family moved to Whittier, CA. Howard graduated from Fullerton High School and then graduated from Whittier College. Howard married the love of his life, Carolyn Welch in 1943. They were married for 70 years until Carolyn's death in 2013. During WW II Howard was a Tool & Die Maker at North American Aviation in Inglewood, CA. After the war, Howard taught Industrial Arts within the Los Angles School system. Howard later went to work for his father-in-law and brothers-in-law at Welch's Reddy Mix Concrete, Sand and Gravel Companies. After Howard retired, he and Carolyn moved to Bellingham, WA. He was active in the Orange Evangelical Free Church in Orange, CA as well as Immanuel Bible Church in Bellingham, WA. Howard's son, John, preceded him in death in 2013. Howard is survived by his son, Dennis (Glenda) of Carmel, Indiana and two grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Published in Orange County Register on Mar. 28, 2020

Robert J. "Fergie" Ferguson - FUHS 1949

Robert J. Ferguson "Fergie" passed away March 12, 2020 in his Fullerton home at the age of 88. Fergie first moved to Fullerton at the young age of two with his parents and sister from Arkansas. He attended Chapman Elementary, Wilshire Jr. High and Fullerton Union High School (FUHS) where he met his lifelong sweetheart Irene (Olson). Fergie was an outstanding athlete in both football and track. In 1948 his senior year, as team captain, he was the leading rusher in the US with 1,083 yards. After graduation he attended Fullerton Junior College from 1949 to 1951. As a freshman, he led the football team in scoring and rushing and was selected to Second Team All Eastern Conference. As a sophomore and Co-Captain, he lead the team in scoring and rushing and was selected to First Team All Eastern Conference. Ending his FJC career with 10 individual football records, two remaining today. His most notable, being a 109 yard kickoff return which stands in the national archives. In track, he was the teams leading point getter competing in multiple events. He was the Eastern Conference champion in long jump and runner-up in the pole vault. He received the Art Nunn Memorial Award which is given to the most inspirational athlete. While at FJC he and Irene were married on March 17, 1951. Recruited by Pepperdine, he continued participating in Football and Track setting a national pole vault record and a school record in the long jump. While at Pepperdine he was selected with a group of athletes from USC, UCLA, Cal and Stanford, to represent the USA and compete against the French Rugby League in France. He graduated Pepperdine with a BS degree. After graduation, he continued his education at USC graduating with a degree in Physical Therapy. With degrees in hand, he returned to Fullerton and established Fullerton Physical Therapy. He continued to practice for 40+ years retiring in 2002. During that time his practice donated countless hours supporting the FUHS and FJC athletic programs. His passions were playing golf and deep sea sportfishing. He was a charter member of Alta Vista Country Club. As a member of the Tuna Club, Laguna Niguel Billfish Club, and a lifelong member of the Balboa Angling Club, he fished tournaments worldwide. In 2007 Fergie and Irene we inducted into the FUHS Wall of Fame. In 2019 Fergie was inducted into the Fullerton College Athletic Hall of Fame. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Irene; sons Rob Ferguson and James Ferguson, daughters Kelly Autera and Torry O'Connor, and spouses. As well as 10 grandchildren, their spouses and 16 great-grandchildren. In remembrance, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to . McAulay & Wallace Mortuary

Published in Orange County Register on Mar. 17, 2020

Wentworth, Shirley - FUHS 1954

Shirley Wentworth

1936 - 2020

Wentworth, Shirley With profound sadness we announce the passing of Shirley Ann Wentworth on February 28, 2020 at the age of 83. Shirley was a longtime resident of Fullerton, California. She was born to the late Charles Crosbie and Emma Ricker Crosbie, on June 3, 1936. She spent her young years on the Crosbie Ranch on old Rt.1 in Fullerton with her brother who died suddenly at the age of 14. Shirley attended Saint Mary's Catholic Church and Elementary School and both Mater Dei and Fullerton High School. After graduating she met John A. Wentworth from Fullerton, and they married on October 3, 1959. They bought a new home on Harrington Drive in East Fullerton, giving them the opportunity to become two of the first parishioners of Saint Juliana Falconieri Catholic Church around 1965. Shirley remained an active member of Saint Juliana's parish for more than 54 years. The young Wentworth couple raised two beautiful daughters, Kathleen Boyd Coffman and Kelly Abraham (John). Shirley worked as a Medical Transcriptionist until her husband, John Wentworth, died in 1999. Shirley then spent her later years earning her Master Gardening Certificate, from Cal State Fullerton's Arboretum, where she spent many fulfilling years volunteering as a Master Gardener. Shirley is survived by her two daughters, Kathleen Boyd Coffman, and Kelly Abraham, and four grandchildren, Rosemary and Kaylee Boyd and Nicholas and Joshua Abraham. Mass of Christian Burial with a reception in the Parish Hall to follow will be on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, 10:00 am at Saint Juliana Falconieri Catholic Church, 1316 N. Acacia Ave., Fullerton, CA 92831.

Published in Orange County Register on Mar. 12, 2020
 

Gloria Ann (Hiltscher) Royer - FUHS 1947

Gloria Ann (Hiltscher) Royer

While dementia overshadowed the last 10 years of her life, Gloria Ann Hiltscher Royer, 90, lived most of her life much differently. She was born August 8, 1929, to Herman and Dorothy Hiltscher. She was proud of the fact that her father was the first City Administrator in Fullerton. A favorite story was Herman asking city council for a raise. They countered and said they would name a park for him instead. Herman's response was only if you name it after my dad, August Hiltscher. Hiltscher Park, now Hiltscher Trail was developed.

Ann, as she was called by everyone, attended Ford Elementary, Wilshire Junior High and Fullerton High School, class of 1947. In eighth grade, a boy named Bruce Royer, rode his bike from Orangethrope to her house on Jacaranda to take her to the movies. They married in 1951.

Together, they gave their children a wonderful childhood. The beach, Colorado River, camping in Tahoe and house boating at Lake Powell and Shasta created childhood memories for their three children. When Bruce decided to start his own business, Royer Landscape, Ann was there to support him.

Ann was member of the Fullerton Junior Assistance League, P.E.O., Golden Hill PTA and the First Presbyterian Church in Fullerton. Bruce and Ann had an active social life in Fullerton as Sunny Hills Raquet Club members, Fullerton Junior College football boosters and organizing Fullerton High School Pow Wow reunions. Ann was a supportive wife, a good mother, a loyal friend to many and an active volunteer in Fullerton.

 Ann passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 12, 2020. Predeceased by her husband, Bruce, parents and a brother, Donald Hiltscher. She is survived by her children: daughter Laurie Swank and husband Gary, son Rod Royer and wife Christine, and daughter Robin Craig and husband Paul; six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

The Royer, Craig and Swank families wish to thank St. Simon Home for the Elderly in Yorba Linda and Vitas Hospice for the care of our mother and 'Grammy'. We invite you to attend a service for Ann at the First Presbyterian Church, 838 N. Euclid Ave. Fullerton on Friday, January 31st at 2:00 pm. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the , Orange County, .

Published in Orange County Register on Jan. 26, 2020

Clucas, Helen Selfridge - FUHS 1941

Clucas, Helen Selfridge
 

September 15, 1923 – December 26, 2019 Helen Clucas was a rarity, following a career path that was unusual for women of her generation. She earned an advanced degree in mathematics when few women were graduating from college, worked as a Rosie the Riveter during WWII, and taught college math for 30 years. Yet there was another side to her, beyond her career, for which she was even more passionate.

Helen was born on an orange ranch in Fullerton, California. Her parents owned an electrical contracting business and an electric appliance store. The store (Selfridge Electric) was on Spadra Road (Harbor Blvd.) in downtown Fullerton from the 1930s into the 1950s. She graduated from Fullerton High School in 1941 and received her associate’s degree from Fullerton College.

Helen had planned to attend UC Berkeley to study engineering, but then she met a “tall, good-looking young man” at a DeMolay dance in Santa Ana in March, 1942. The young man, Edward “Ted” Clucas, was born in Nampa, Idaho, but grew up from age eleven in Santa Ana.

With the national war effort building, Helen took a job as a Rosie the Riveter at Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach, where C-54 airplanes were being built. Around that time, Ted was drafted and began basic training at Camp Roberts near Paso Robles. After finishing basic, Ted was sent to Indiana University for a special training program in engineering.

From Bloomington, Ted called Helen asking her to join him and get married. She came east and they were married in a simple ceremony in Bloomington on September 25, 1943.

It was in Bloomington that Helen’s career path was set. She had wanted to study engineering, but the university did not allow women in the engineering program. She decided to study mathematics instead, a decision she later felt was ideal for her. One of her fondest memories at the university was taking a class from Emil Artin, one of the leading mathematicians of the twentieth century.

When Ted was about to head to Europe as part of the 20th Armored Division, Helen came back west and finished her undergraduate math degree at UCLA. After the war, Helen and Ted moved to Oregon where Helen received her master’s degree in mathematics. It was as a graduate student at the University of Oregon that Helen taught her first math class.

Helen and Ted moved back to California, living first in Bakersfield where Helen worked as a social worker for Kern County. They then moved to Fullerton so Ted could get his master’s degree in education from Cal State Long Beach. After Ted graduated, they moved to Manteca, where Ted worked as a teacher at Manteca High School and Helen worked as a mathematician for the Department of the Army

at Sharpe Depot. When Ted was offered a job in the Santa Ana schools, they jumped at the opportunity. Returning to Orange County, they bought a house in Santa Ana, where they had their three children. A few months after their youngest child was born in 1958, they moved to a house in Orange, where Helen lived until her passing sixty-one years later.

In the early 1960s, Helen returned to the classroom, working as a substitute, teaching at night school, and then teaching at the Eldorado School, a private school for gifted and talented children. In 1963, she was hired in the Mathematics Department at Fullerton College, where she remained until 1993. She earned her PhD in Education at USC in 1972.

One of Helen’s great passions was in encouraging young women to pursue careers in math and science. After retiring, she volunteered with the Orange County chapter of Graduate Women in Science, including serving as its president. She created the Wilber & Ellen Selfridge Memorial Mathematics Scholarship at Fullerton College, named for her parents, to which memorial contributions would be welcome. The award is for an outstanding female student studying mathematics.

Yet her greatest passion was not in the classroom, but her family. She and Ted were married for almost 72 years when he passed away in 2015. Throughout all those years, they remained deeply in love. She was a caring and inspirational mother, and a loving grandmother. With her family, she spent many summers camping in the Rocky Mountains, many winter breaks visiting Mexico and the California desert, and many weekends fishing on a Skipjack out of Dana Point Harbor. She will be dearly missed. She was 96.

Survivors include her three children (Jean Clucas Cory, Robert Clucas, and Richard Clucas), her two daughters-in-law (Geri and Beth), her son-in-law (Dennis Cory), and three grandchildren (Nathaniel, Alexander, and Jack). There will be a viewing at Fairhaven Memorial Cemetery on Saturday, January 25, from 11 am to 1 pm. The memorial service will follow at 1 pm in the Waverly Chapel at the cemetery.

Orange County Register 01/22/2020