A Special Tribute To Our Oakland Brother, Biff
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The Biffster
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This Page is a Special Tribute To Scott (The Biffster ) Gudmundsen 6-13-1947 ~ 6-08-04 Our Very Good Friend And Classmate who Passed On Tuesday Afternoon in Reno/Sparks Nevada. These are Some Thoughts By His Classmates. Hope It brings you good Memories!
Send Me Your Thoughts and Rememberances about Borther Biff, And we will post it Here!
Thanks, Michael, Bonnie & Doc
~~~For An Oakland Brother~~~
~~~IN LOVING MEMORY~~~
Scott ( Biff ) Gudmundsen
Who was taken From Us at The VA Hospital In Reno Nevada Biff Attended Skyline High and was Very Active With OAKLAND alumni He Attended All Oakland Alumni Functions and Did Photo Shoots of Oakland And Surrounding Aeras For a lot of websites.
You are missed, Loved, and hope you have finally found everlasting peace. Farewell Brother!
The Time In Bonnie's World Is:
What Page Do You Wish To View?
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Biff Clownin
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~~~ Some Thoughts From The Biffster's Classmates and Close Friends ~~~
From Gail Posey Mathers, OHS 65, Minnesota I was sorry to hear about Biff it makes life and death hit too close to home. gail
-----------From Bonnie Hulse------------------------
Just got this and thought of Biff....
TAKE TIME TO READ
Too many people put off something that brings them joy just because they haven't thought about it, don't have it on their schedule, didn't know it was coming or are too rigid to depart from their routine.
I got to thinking one day about all those women on the Titanic who passed up dessert at dinner that fateful night in an effort to cut back. From then on, I've tried to be a little more flexible.
How many women out there will eat at home because their husband didn't suggest going out to dinner until after something had been thawed? Does the word "refrigeration" mean nothing to you?
How often have your kids dropped in to talk and sat in silence while you watched 'Jeopardy' on television?
I cannot count the times I called my sister and said, "How about going to lunch in a half hour?" She would gas up and stammer, "I can't. I have clothes on the line. My hair is dirty. I wish I had known yesterday, I had a late breakfast, It looks like rain." And my personal favorite: "It's Monday." ..She died a few years ago. We never did have lunch together.
Because Americans cram so much into their lives, we tend to schedule our headaches.. We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves when all the conditions are perfect!
We'll go back and visit the grandparents when we get Stevie toilet-trained. We'll entertain when we replace the living-room carpet. We'll go on a second honeymoon when we get two more kids out of college.
Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter, and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer. One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our lives is a litany of "I'm going to," "I plan on," and "Someday, when things are settled down a bit."
When anyone calls my 'seize the moment' friend, she is open to adventure and available for trips. She keeps an open mind on new ideas. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. You talk with her for five minutes, and you're ready to trade your bad feet for a pair of roller blades and skip an elevator for a bungee cord.
My lips have not touched ice cream in 10 years. I love ice cream. It's just that I might as well apply it directly to my stomach with a spatula and eliminate the digestive process. The other day, I stopped the car and bought a triple-decker. If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home, I would have died happy.
Now.go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT to......not something on your SHOULD DO list. If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are you waiting?
Make sure you read this to the end; you will understand why I sent this to you.
Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go-round or listened to the rain lapping on the ground? Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight or gazed at the sun into the fading night? Do you run through each day on the fly? When you ask "How are you?" Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores running through your head? Ever told your child, "We'll do it tomorrow." And in your haste, not see his sorrow? Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die? Just call to say "Hi"?
When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift....Thrown away.. Life is not a race. Take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over.
"Life may not be the party we hoped for... but while we are here we might as well dance
------------------------------ From Bob Palmer, OHS 1965--------------------------- Bon, Sorry to hear about Biff. For a non-OHSer, he was quite active with the class activities. He will be missed. Just a short note...I forgot to mention that I took the position of Sr. Director of Operations at MGA Entertainment, Inc. This company produces the popular "Bratz" dolls and is involved in a new animation series. Bob
--------------------------------------------Original Message----- From: Michael Budd Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 17:46 To: Hulse, Bonnie E CIV LOGCOM
Bonnie,
I can't help but think about my longtime friend and comrade in arms, Biff. Who was Biff and what did he mean to me?
Well, we had many many shared memories and joys and hurts and fears. We graduated from the same high school, both served in the US Navy in the Vietnam War, both lived in Southern California during the 80s and moved back north again. We loved the Oldies, Hot Rods, Women, and sports. We love to get together at Freddie's Pizza in Lafayette after I got off of work and would share an extra large pizza and a big salad. We'd talk politics, sports, betting on the ponies, loves long past, where we'd retire to when we got old, and an anything else we could think of.
We either talked on the phone or were in email contact 6 or 7 days a week over the last 5 years in a row. We talked about food and Smarty Jones and who could win the World Series or the Super Bowl and why. We talked about Creamed Chip Beef on Toast last week and we talked about our favorite cars and the parishes we grew up in. We swapped music files like teenagers and shared about our common experiences.
Biff was as a brother to me. Biff was a friend when I needed one, he would listen for long stretches of time and add a comment here or there and we'd grind a subject to death.
I'll miss my fellow Looney Brother for the rest of my days.
Goodbye Buddy.
Michael
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From Phil Thompson, class of '64 OHS, better know as Lunchbox Bear
Thanks for the info Bonnie.
We shall all miss the Biffster.
lb
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From Bob Chan, Class of 71, OHS,
-----Original Message----- From: Bob Chan Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 18:03 To: Hulse, Bonnie E CIV LOGCOM Subject: Re: (no subject)
Bonnie, That is terrible news. I have a disc with a couple of songs and Photos of Oakland that he made for me.
Sincerely yours,
Bob
------------------------------From Miriam Kasdan Zigman, OHS '65
-----Original Message----- From: Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 15:47 To: Hulse, Bonnie E CIV LOGCOM Subject: Re: We've lost another Oakland Baby boomer
Gee, that's too bad. I didn't know him well, but it's still sad that we lost another (honorary) classmate. M.
--------------------- This is from Joanne Potter class of 73 OHS
-----Original Message----- From: Joanne Potter Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 15:08 To: Hulse, Bonnie E CIV LOGCOM Subject: RE: We've lost another Oakland Baby boomer
I'm sorry to hear about Biff, I never had the pleasure of actually meeting Biff, but I got to know him through your newsletter and he seemed like a great person.
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From Peggy Kessell Byrne 1963 Skyline
So sorry to hear about Biff. What happened? Know you two were VERY close. I suppose it's our age. Seems like every other day I'm hearing about yet another loss.
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Disco Biff
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I was in touch with Biff until right before he died. He never said anything to me about his health problems and sent me jokes and songs right up until a week or so ago. In fact I answered some of his email after he died not knowing he was already gone. I had met him a few times and really liked his crazy self. He always made me laugh.
I won't be able to make it up to the Bay Area unfortunately but will make a donation to the SPCA or the Humane Society in his memory.
Joyce Parsons Doull OHS 66 ********
I knew Biff as Craig Gudmunsen at Our Lady of Lourdes grammer school. He then graduated from Skyline. I hadn't heard from him until we had our reunion of Lourdes graduates a few years ago and kept in contact via email since then. I have enjoyed our correspondence and he will be sorely missed. It just makes you realize and think about your own mortality when someone you grew up with dies. Thank you for sending me the info. I hope I will be able to make it to his services. Barbara Gray Koteles
******** That's sad. I wish I could make it to the service, but we 'just' got back up here (the mountains) yesterday and won't be back down til next week. I did forward the message to Mary, it's been quite a while since I heard from her, so not sure it's the right address, but I gave it a shot. If I remember correctly, Biff asked me for her address about 6 months ago. I'll let you know if it comes back. He'll be missed.
xoxo,
Katie Salmon Neilson ******************** From: Christine Turnill Sent: Monday, June 14, 2004 14:32 To: Hulse, Bonnie E Subject: RE: Biff Thank you for the info Bonnie. Carol (Katzvalis) Hofstad was an old neighbour of Biff's from childhood. Her Dad and Biff's Dad were friends. I have had an e-mail from Michael, and I know he has written a eulogy if Colleen and Biff's neice and nephew would want him to present it. I have asked him to send me a copy. I live in Ontario, Canada...and it is impossible for me to be at a memorial at this time, unfortunately. I am so glad Colleen was with him....I am gathering that his lung problem got to be much worse than they could handle. I will try to follow up with a donation, when I see where to make one.
Huggs! Christin Turnill **************
Biff's service will be at Santa Maria Catholic Church, Orinda, Wed. June 16th, 7:00 p.m. Rick and I will have an ocean-side service this week, quite possibly at the same time, here at La Jolla Cove..please let me know if you're in Southern California; please join us.
Best Regards,
Charlie Nelson Gann-Calou OHS'66
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Dear Joy and Christine,
Thanks for your sharing your feelings with all of us. And a special thanks to Biff for keeping us linked and engaged with the spirit that makes us all so human.
Best Regards,
Charlie ----- Original Message ----- From: Joy Robertson Sent: Sunday, June 13, 2004 6:32 PM Subject: Re: We've lost another Oakland Baby boomer
Just wanted to thank everyone for thinking to keep in the loop of the lose of our friend Biff. His crazy email's and humor will be greatly missed. Joy ----- Original Message ----- From: Christine Turnill To: Charlie Joyce Parsons Doull Sent: Sunday, June 13, 2004 5:26 PM Subject: Re: We've lost another Oakland Baby boomer
Thank you Charlie...I feel as if I know you through Biff already. I will be there in Spirit for any memorials his family and friends may have, although to come from Canada is not possible right now. I have thought about him all yesterday and today...being as his birthday was one day after mine. Yesterday was bittersweet for me, seeing as I have cheated death twice, and survived to ......well, maybe nothing more than to celebrate the life of a precious man, in my heart forever. That's a mighty special thing to be able to do. Christine ----- Original Message ----- Subject: Re: We've lost another Oakland Baby boomer
Dear Friends Earlier today, I spoke with Nancy, Biff's niece. I reached her at Biff's home in Sparks, where she and her brother are doing their part to settle Biff's earthly affairs, according to Biff's wishes. As I understand from Nancy, a service to honor Biff will take place this upcoming Tuesday or Wednesday evening, Walnut Creek, CA, depending on the arrangements Nancy is finalizing sometime tomorrow, Monday June 14th. I also understand from Nancy that a post service gathering will be held at a family member's home in Orinda. Rick and I plan to honor Biff sometime this upcoming week, by having a memorial service, here in La Jolla, at one of the beaches, at sunset. If any of you would like to join us and plan happen to be in our neck of the wood please get in touch with me. Rick and Biff attended grammar school together and the three of us have shared a close friendship and a special bond over the last several years. Biff honored Rick and me by not only attending Rick's and my wedding, but by also "officiating" at our second wedding ceremony atop Coit Tower, March 22, 2002. "The Bifster" touched my heart by his wry sense of humor, his pragmatic philosophy: life and beyond, and his amazing ability to be my authentic pal...come what may. I miss him and feel richer just knowing that he helped shape my life and my relationships with my loved ones. Today, June 13th, is Biff's Birthday....he often laughed because he was born on Friday The 13th>>>Way Back When the world was recovering from WWII.......how very fortunate we as his pals are to have him in our individual and collective lives. Cheers To All Of You...Be Well, Charlie *************
Hello Bonnie
I am sad to hear about Biff...probably more than you may know. I knew all about what he was facing, and the last time we 'talked' was last week.
I would appreciate knowing where I can make a donation in his memory. He was a unique and special fellow, and will be missed. Do Michael Budd, Carol K. and Joyce Doull know ? I can't imagine them not knowing, but I have been offline for a few days myself...so feel a little out of touch right now.
Ron Touissant forwarded your e-mail to me...and you are exactly correct....we need to live each day to the fullest. I learned that very well through my own brush with death. My one regret is having passed on an invitation from Biff to visit California (before he moved). However, I feel very privileged to have had him as an online friend for some years.
Take good care of You.
Christine Turnill
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Bonnie thankyou for telling me and I will tell Joyce. I have always noticed him on Classmates and reunion.com etc. He seemed to keep things going. What happened if I might ask, and I cannot open up your website. The link does not work, and if I type it in I get asked for a password. I would really like to go to your site. Diane Kleintz Skyline 65 ************
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From Bonnie Burke Hulse OHS '65
What can I say about the loss of someone so special?
I first met Biff on-line back in 1999. I was new to the internet and just finding my way around. He had posted a message on Classmates regarding the Stephanie Bryant abduction in the 50's, and that piqued my interest, so I replied. From that one little message at Classmates, I was able to find a multitude of old friends I thought I'd never see or hear from again! We shared several friends from Our Lady of Lourdes, including Jim and Mike Keany, Peter Jones, Jim Edwards, Katie Salmon and Mary Reis, and Gary "Guido" Giovannetti! From Day One, Biff became a friend. He hooked up with my brother Tom Burke, the Graphics Doc, and between the two of them, Michael Budd, and Charlie Nelson-Benn, Phil Thompson, and Marian Richards (Sorry if I've left anyone out!) They were able to set up various Classmates functions like the Pool Smackdown, the Softball Smackdown and Picnic at Roberts Park, and the wonderful Potluck at Charlie's., none of which I was able to attend, but Biff and Tom fixed it so the Potluck was "on-line" and I got to participate. Biff was a character who found humor in everything. Even on a down day, he 'd have something funny to pass on in his emails. I was able to finally meet Biff AND Michael Budd for the first time at the OHS 2001 Reunion. I wasn't disappointed. They were as Looney in person as they were on-line. I wish I could have spent more time with them that night. Biff has been more than a friend to me in the past 5-6 years. He's been like a brother, not that the two brothers I already had weren't enough, but you can never have enough brothers, right? Biff was my trivia person for the OHS Newsletter, and our photographer, too. About once a month, he'd take requests for photos and he'd traipse around Oakland and Alameda shooting photos of old memories, old homesteads, and of what's not there anymore for people who weren't able to get back to Oakland. He brought smiles into many peoples lives. He was our Skyline Adoptee, and enjoyed being included in all that we did. For the last two years, I would say Biff and I emailed each other 20 times a day with jokes, trivia, and lately, his illness. Just a few weeks ago, Biff sent me some concert tickets from the 60's he'd bought on Ebay. I have them framed, and during the service tonight at 7 PM, I will hang them on my wall in his memory, so when I see them I will always think of Biff. He was my friend, I loved him and will miss him greatly, although he'll always be only be a memory away.
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Bonnie thanks for the information....I am here in Dallas so I will be cooking dinner at 7 your time...Biff and I used to laugh about what kinds of food our moms used to cook when we were young and sooooo poor. It was like they had the same cooking teacher. We both still loved those simple casseroles...lol with koolaid and the overcooked veggies. So I will be fixing some of his favorite foods during the service and have a friend over. Hugs Pam
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-----Original Message----- From: joey barrios Sent: Monday, June 14, 2004 22:19 To: Hulse, Bonnie E CIV LOGCOM Subject: Re:
Sorry to hear of Denny and Biff's passing. Lakeshore dudes rule in heaven
love joe barrios OHS 62
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