William Albert Beller - Class of 1918

Concert Pianist and Professor of Music

Deemed a musical prodigy at age four, William appeared in Milwaukee Sentinel at age six for his impressive musical ability. At 16, he won a scholarship to attend Chicago Musical College on Saturdays. He won multiple scholarships and awards through this college: Senior Diploma with the College’s Diamond Medal for Excellence Scholarship (1917), a Gold Medal for piano graduates (1918), and a scholarship for a post-graduate course (1920).  During this time, he also enlisted in the military from October 1918 until being mustered out in March 1919.  

In 1921, he graduated from Chicago Musical College with a Bachelor of Music degree and he took first place in its annual piano contest where he earned the honor of playing with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at graduation and won a Mason and Hamlin concert grand piano. He then was appointed to the master school of Chicago’s Bush Conservatory of Music where he learned under the eminent pianist Jan Chiapusso, an appointment that could only be won based on talent and ability.  

In 1925, William gained national recognition when he won the biennial piano competition of the State, District, and National Federations of Music Clubs. In 1926, William was awarded a Juilliard Fellowship to study in New York City with Josef Lhévinne, a Russian-born concert pianist.  Over his career, he has performed across the country and at the Congressional Club in Washington, D.C, as well as Town Hall and Carnegie Hall in New York City. He even maintained a private studio at Carnegie Hall.  He also played for two different radio stations in Chicago and made records for both the American Piano Company’s Ampico and Steinway’s Duo-Art reproducing player pianos.  Impressively, William had the honor of playing the piano for President and Mrs. Calvin Coolidge at the White House in January 1928. 

Mr. Beller also had an illustrious teaching career where over the years, he taught at Marquette University’s Conservatory of Music, Columbia University where he rose to the head of the piano department, Dallas Conservatory of Music and Fine Arts, the Fort Worth Conservatory, and the Texas Woman’s University at Denton, Texas  He also taught in Hartford, Connecticut, in Chicago, and at the Bronx House Music School in New York City.  

William Beller died in NYC in February 1986.  
 

Leo J. Warren - Class of 1916

Civic leader, Businessman, College Lecturer, Charity Drive Leader, Fireman

After graduating Burlington High School in 1916, Leo Warren joined the fledgling Murphy Products Co. as a salesman of livestock mineral feed.  Within five years, he rose to assistant sales manager; in 1948, he rose to general sales manager and then eventually he became a vice president on the board of the directors. Other titles of his included vice president and treasurer of Murphy Enterprises, president and treasurer of Burlington Pinecrest Corp., president of Warren Lea Farms, Inc. in which he built up farm properties, member of the International Platform Association, and president of the Racine County Agricultural Society, which sponsors the Racine County Fair. In addition, he has been president of the International Sales Executives Association and the Burlington Kiwanis Club, where he also was elected lieutenant governor of his district in Kiwanis International.  

A long-time, civic-minded advocate for Burlington, Mr. Warren served as mayor of Burlington from 1964-1966, as publicity chairman for Burlington’s Community Chest, and as a member of the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department where he helped to launch the department’s annual midwinter dinner and even personally contributed meat on several occasions.  In addition, he was a member of the St. Charles Holy Name Society, a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and a past Grand Knight of Milwaukee’s Pere Marquette Council of the Knights of Columbus.  He also served as the chairman of the Racine County School Committee and as a trustee of Racine County Institutions.  

In the days of his youth, Leo was known as “Burlington’s boy orator” and as an adult, was in demand as an after-dinner speaker and master of ceremonies, charming audiences with his wit, humor, and graceful remarks. He also lectured a number of times at the University of Wisconsin on sales management subjects.

Active in his church, Mr. Warren helped to pioneer the work of the Milwaukee Archdiocese Catholic Charity Council when it started in the 1930s, and he labored for its success for 33 years.  Shortly before his death in February 1967, he was asked to serve as chairman of the 1967 Catholic Charities and Seminary Fund campaign for the Archdiocese.  Although it was not customary to eulogize the deceased during a funeral Mass, Milwaukee Archbishop William E. Cousins described Leo as a man who had devoted his energies to the world of which he was a part and who was completely dedicated to the interest of the community without regard of costs to himself.  Others spoke of his leadership, many kind deeds, and the void that he left in the community.

Timothy Boyle - Class of 1985

Chief Judge, Local Attorney, 4H Volunteer 

A lifelong resident of Racine County, Tim Boyle graduated from Burlington High School in 1985.  Tim graduated with honors from UW-Madison with a B.A. degree in Journalism and Public Relations. In 1992, he completed his Juris Doctorate law degree at Hamline University.  Tim then became a third generation attorney at Boyle Law Office in Burlington.  By serving in Burlington, Tim became a “jack of all trades” and amassed a wealth of experience in all areas of the law and he eventually became a Circuit Court Commissioner.  Tim’s passion for law is shown through his service to the Racine County Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee, the Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission, and the Office of Lawyer Regulation. He has been president and vice president of the Racine County Bar Association and served on the Supreme Court District Ethics Committee.  In 2012, Tim was elected as a Racine County Circuit Court Judge and is currently the Chief Judge of Racine County Judiciary and the Deputy Chief Judge of Wisconsin Judicial District 2 serving Walworth, Kenosha, and Racine Counties.

In our community, Tim is a routine volunteer. He has served as president of the Burlington Kiwanis and vice-chairman of the Burlington Housing Authority. He is a member of St. Charles Catholic Church & School where he coaches and assists in a plethora of church fundraising and service activities. Tim also assists local Moot Court high school and college teams and participates in the Racine Unified Schools’ legal literacy program, which educates seniors on various legal matters.  In addition, he and his family are very involved with the Burlington Back 40 4H Club and the Racine County Fair. 

To keep a balance in his life, Tim finds solace as an avid outdoorsman and a member of the Pishtaka Wildlife Society. Tim provides leadership in his interest of conservation by serving on the committee of the Fox River Chapter of Wings Over Wisconsin.

A remarkable accomplishment for Tim was the perseverance and grit he demonstrated in overcoming a broken neck injury playing football during his senior year of high school.  The doctors said he was “lucky” because most injuries like his result in paralysis from the neck down.  He had to endure halo screws into his head, a body cast, and neck brace for many months.  Tim recalls feeling scared and angry, but this life-altering event taught him graciousness, tenacity, and integrity. His mantra became and still is “Fight the Good Fight” as nothing good is easy or free.  He still draws on these principles to give him the confidence to do his best and succeed.

Tim cites former BHS teachers Jim Hanson and John Oberwetter as being influential in his life.  With encouraging words, Jim Hanson routinely inspired Tim’s spirit to be tough during his recovery.  John Oberwetter helped Tim write a powerful essay about him surviving his broken neck so Tim would never forget its impact.  Now when Tim speaks at schools, he always conveys that the ability to communicate both orally and in writing is tantamount to success.  

Tim is happily married to his wife Mary Therese and has two daughters Grace, and Lily.
 

Marilee Hoffman - Class of 1971

Innovative BASD Physical and Health Educator

After graduating Burlington High School in 1971, Marilee Hoffman obtained her B.S. in Physical Education, Health, & Coaching from UW - River Falls that then began her 36 successful years of teaching Physical and Health Education with 31 of those years at Karcher Middle School. She earned her M.A. in Teaching from Aurora University (2000) and 46+ more credits, including technology courses.

Besides touching the lives of her many students in classes (evident by her Kohl Fellowship Award in 2010 and student/staff testimony), Marilee has been an innovative leader who has made a significant impact on the BASD school district. She has been a Leadership Team member, a former department head, and a BASD Wellness Committee member. Throughout the years, she also advised/coached the following extracurricular activities: Cross Country, Bowling, Volleyball, Cheerleading, Intramural Basketball, and Student Council where she helped write a Youth As Resources (YAR) grant for an all-school community cleanup project.

Notably, Marilee served over 10 years as the President of Southeastern Wisconsin Health and Physical Education Association (SEWHPEA), a group that focuses on helping to create effective Phy.Ed. & Health teachers.  She brought back her desire to improve herself as a teacher and assist others in our district by keeping up with cutting edge research, by training teachers (in technology, curriculum, student-led conferences, etc.), by implementing successful programs, and by enhancing the PE & Health curriculum. 

In our district, Marilee’s pioneering ideas and desire for physical education to not just be a class, but a lifestyle, was integral for switching from a traditional physical education curriculum to a true wellness program.  She initiated the purchase and installation of fitness equipment, initiated purchase of a Promethean board for health classes, implemented technology with use of heart rate monitors and other fitness tools, and chaired a committee to incorporate the Advisory concept in the school. Programs she helped to implement are the annual DPI Movin’ & Munchin’ Schools Program, FitnessGram (state recommended fitness testing program), a Zumba after-school program, annual All-School Field Day, Karcher Kick-off Days and many all-school assembly programs that helped promote important values.

In the community, Marilee has been a Karcher United Way Representative, a coach, a Little League & Legion Baseball fundraiser volunteer, an active church member, and a Burlington Historical Society member who has helped plan numerous events.  She is still an active volunteer in the community with Waller School and with fundraising events for the Burlington Community Aquatic Center.

She has been happily married for 40 years to Scott, and has two sons (Jason and Kyle) and four grandchildren. 

Beth (Reesman) Holloway, Ph.D – Class of 1988

As Director of the Women in Engineering Program and Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education in the College of Engineering at Purdue University, it is Beth’s goal to motivate, support and retain undergraduate students in engineering disciplines.  As her advanced education in engineering is rare for women, Beth takes a special interest in advocating for women to join an engineering field and for young girls to play with STEM toys to help break current gender divides.  She accomplishes this through researched published papers, presentations and active involvement as chair and member of ASEE, past president and board member of WEPAN, and advisor to the Purdue Society of Women Engineers and Phi Sigma Rho Sorority, in which this work has earned her numerous honors and awards. 

John F. Holzrichter, Ph.D – Class of 1959

As a Stanford Ph.D. Physicist, John F. Holzrichter has led a remarkable life specializing in Optical Physics and Lasers.  At Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, he and his team built a sequence of increasingly powerful fusion lasers called – Janus, Argus, Shiva, Novette, Nova, and the now working powerful NIF laser whose 192 laser beams create temperatures and pressures similar to those that exist only in the cores of stars, giant planets, and nuclear weapons.  John has published over 150 documents and lectures on lasers, fusion, force microscopy, research management, and speech recognition. His work in new science and technology keeps him engaged with 12 patents issued with four in preparation and participation in five companies. Also, he is notable as President Emeritus of Fannie and John Hertz Foundation for 10 years.

Florence Marguerite Patterson – Class of 1893

As a World War I Chief Nurse in Roumania and Paris and Assistant Director of Civilian Relief, Florence earned the French Medal of Honor for Epidemics, the Japanese Red Cross’s special Florence Nightingale medal, and the Regina Maria Cross.  In addition, she was the first president of the Burlington Public Health Association, chair of the Burlington Red Cross Chapter, and General Director of the Community Health Association in Boston.  She is an educated, caring humanitarian who is also notable for her work investigating Native American health services in Indian country which shed light on unjust treatment.   

Carl Rubach – Class of 1933

As Burlington’s first Eagle Scout and an outstanding scout leader, Carl organized and became skipper of a Sea Scout ship and rescue unit before becoming the second captain and an honorary member of the Burlington Rescue Squad.  Through DeMolay International, he earned the Degree of Chevalier.  Active in the Burlington community, Carl was a member of the Burlington Fire Department, president of the Burlington Little League, member and contributor to the Burlington Historical Museum, owner of two local businesses (Carl’s Tog Shop and The Sportmart), Burlington Kiwanis Civic Band drummer, clock repairer, restorer of old cars for local parades, and a resident magician.  
 

Charles Roy McCanna – Class of 1900

C. Roy McCanna, who grew up and lived in Burlington all of his life, was a Burlington “institution.”  A businessman, philanthropist, and community leader, Mr. McCanna was also a 28 year member and two term chairman of the University of Notre Dame’s board of lay trustees, a recipient of an honorary doctor of law degree from Notre Dame, and a member of the board of directors of the Marquette University School of Medicine.  

Paul E. Bauman – Class of 1987

Colonel Paul E. Bauman serves in the United States Air Force as the Commander of the 319th Air Base Wing at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota and is a rated Command Pilot with over 3,800 flight hours in five different aircraft.  He has applied his leadership and professionalism in combat, worldwide strategic airlift, and humanitarian airlift missions on 6 continents.  Colonel Bauman has flown over 70 missions into Afghanistan and Iraq in support of both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Tammy (Volgelman) Brever – Class of 1971

Currently an employee of Burlington High School for the past 24 years Tammy Brever is a model of Servant Leadership through her dedicated service to our community and its youth.  She serves as the leader of Burlington’s Back 40 4-H Club, Racine County Fair Board of Directors, Superintendent at Racine County Fair, and Chairwomen of the Entertainment Committee of the Racine County Fair. 

George C. Mathews – Class of 1904

Head of the Statistical Department of the Wisconsin Public Service Commission, Director of Commission’s Securities, Temporary Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, V.P. of the Northern States Power Company, V.P. and Chief Executive Officer of Standard Gas and Electric Co.

George C. Mathews, a 1904 graduate of Burlington High School, had a long and distinguished career in business and public service, at both the state and national levels. Known for his expertise in public utility and securities regulation, he was appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to serve on the Federal Trade Commission and then on the newly established Securities and Exchange Commission.

Born in Iowa, George moved to Burlington with his family as a child and always claimed Burlington as his home. Following his 1908 graduation from the University of Wisconsin, where he had been elected president of the senior class, George stayed at the university for a year as debate coach and then held a similar position at the Oregon Agricultural College (now Oregon State University) at Corvallis.

Returning to Wisconsin in 1911, George began in the rate department of the Wisconsin Railroad Commission (which later became the Public Service Commission) and a year later became head of the statistical department. He rose to become director of the commission’s securities division in 1925.
In 1933 George was hired by the Middle West Utilities Company, a public utility holding company, but stayed only four months because President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed him to the Federal Trade Commission. When the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was created by the Congress in 1934 to enforce federal securities laws and regulate the securities industry, George was the second person named to the five-member commission by President Roosevelt.

George served on the Securities and Exchange Commission from 1934 until 1940, when he resigned to become vice president of the Northern States Power Co. In 1939 George served as temporary chairman of the SEC.

Leaving the Northern States Power Co. in 1942, George became vice president of the Public Utility Engineering Corporation, a subsidiary of Standard Gas Co. A year later, he was made vice president and acting chief executive officer of Standard Gas and Electric Co., a public utility holding company. He held that position at the time of his death in July 1946 at age 60.

Harold G. Reuschlein – Class of 1922