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Mr. Brehm's Guest Page

Lancers, please write your memories below. Below are a few Larry and Bill had:

BILL: I remember many a round ball game on our dirt court with friends that would stop by, the wood pole that held up the hoop and getting thrown into it; and of course the day Dad put it up because I was bound and determined to make the Wilshire 7th grade team. That dirt/grass court really developed the dribbling skills and
of course the long range jumper over the branch and around the laundry line. I was always so impressed that he was willing to sacrifice his beautiful lawn he liked to maintain for that court.

LARRY: Later in life, when my son Danny wanted to pave our gravel driveway to make dribbling easier, I referred often to my brother's basketball skills learned on a lawn (actually, I think the sod eventually compacted as hard as pavement). And remember the board nailed to the post that allowed us to jump higher? I still can't even touch the net.

On the SHHS custom of “papering houses and yards”:

BILL: Many use to honk their horns and the ultimate compliment was how many times Dad had me out on Saturday a.m.'s cleaning the TP off the sycamore tree. By then I don't think he carried the switch he never used, but the message was there...I was to handle this or else. He certainly wasn't cleaning the TP off the trees.

LARRY: My friends referred to Dad as "Mortz" and Mom as "Nurse Jane" (she did well with the Band-Aids). Barry Paulk used to honk his horn whenever he passed our house in Fullerton and I think once or twice in Newport Beach. Whenever Mom heard a horn honk outside either house, she'd say "There goes Barry". She very well could still be doing that. I agree with the June and Ward comparison, but they were even cooler.

BILL: Yeah, mom was great with the Band Aids

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Lolly Summerwill on February 19, 2020 at 12:14 AM said:

Larry I’m sorry about the death of your father. He sounded as if he was a kind man and a good role model for you and all of your friends. I likely will not be attending our 55+ reunion this June because of the carona virus. Due to our age and the fact I live 2,000 miles away I will likely never see you again but in a final conversation I do want to tell you thanks for the great conversation we had at our 50 reunion. Not a week goes by that I do not think of the story that you told me about Berkeley, the war, and your daughter. Thank you for sharing your story with me. Your aj parents raised a fine son.
Fondly, Lora Beaman
Jim Bucheister, '64 on February 1, 2007 at 9:42 PM said:

I actually did not know Mortz in direct relationship all that well. I don't think I ever spoke to him. What I do know is what I learned by watching and listening to him as a teen and later heard about him through Larry. He worked for the American Meter Company over by Hunts Foods when we were teens. He wore dark black horned rimmed glasses as I recall. He was a spitting image of Dennis the Menace's father. I observed him as always being happy and very up beat whenever I visited Larry's house - sort of a cutup with wise words seeing the humor in things - especially our antics. The Brehm's had a cute and very busy little dog named Buttons - that says a lot to me now about Mortz's ability to love and treat everyone with kindness and care. Over the years I acquired a respect for him in that he raised such capable sons. Larry just may be the most talented and wise person I have had the privilege to call friend. I suspect Mortz's philosophy on life was of great benefit to Larry from day one. I surmise that Mortz would close with something like: "stay curious, have fun, be a wise ass whenever possible, trust your talents,be nice to small dogs". God speed Mortz. This world has lost a wonderful man and those on the other side I know are happy to see you back.

B.O. aka Jim B.
Barry Paulk on January 31, 2007 at 7:57 PM said:

Mortz and Nurse Jane were the parents we all wanted and didn't have. I still honk my horn when I pass the old Brehm Casa on Valley View. Mortz was one of the first adults I witnessed having a mid-life crisis when he came home one day with a beautiful metallic gray 1955 T-Bird--Seymour(Larry)and I cruised Hillside a few times in that hot auto. We will all miss Mortz--but 92 is a great run!

Barry Paulk
Don Martin, '64 on January 31, 2007 at 9:13 AM said:

Larry and Bill,

I share your grief and honor Mortz, for the great dad and friend he was to all of us. I spent many days on the dirt court in the backyard on Valley View, but the memory of bouncing the ball off Butts' head stands out. That and good ol' wonderful Mortz with his vintage T-Bird, which Larry and I ruined with our first wax job. Even then, it cost Mortz (who was pretty frugal) about $200.00 to repaint the car.

I also remember Nurse Jane preparing hot chocolate after one of the SHHS dances. Can you imagine kids today having hot chocolate at an after-party??? Yeah, they were Ozzie and Harriet. They put up with alot, raising Larry and Bill and putting up with me, Jim B., Ron Wise, Barry, et al.

I consider myself blessed to have hung out with such great friends, with great parents who supported us, hung with us, through thick and thin.

Mortz--you are a great dad and friend and know you were respected and loved.

Don

Ann Rodecker, '66 on January 31, 2007 at 8:26 AM said:

To my dear friend, My sincere condolences go out to you, your mom and Larry.
I know how hard it was to watch your Dad pass. It just doesn't seem fair
that dying is so hard sometimes. I watched helplessly for close to 3 years
as my Dad hung in there from stroke after stroke. Please give your Mom my
love as well as yourself and Larry. Love to you! Ann

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