Phil Van Dalen:  

Life Moved to Parkmerced, San Francisco in 1959 and attended Frederic Burk Elementary School from 1963 to 1970. Too young for the hippies and the Summer of Love, but had the best of times with great friends in a wonderful place that was Parkmerced and Frederic Burk back in the '60s. Will never forget the nights and mornings with our telescopes looking at the stars with Larry Carlisle in 1969. Went to Aptos Junior High in San Francisco from 1970 to 1973, and then Lincoln High from 1973 to 1976. Attended San Francisco State University from 1976 through 1983 with an initial interest in art, but ended with a degree and post-grad study in Geomorphology. Developed a career in IT at AAA in San Francisco from 1978 to 1998 in programming, application management and IT/Business relationship management. Currently continuing IT career at PG&E. Married in 1984 and have two daughters, currently 16 and 19. Interests are writing (Strange Colors on the Canvas), photography, cars (restored my father's old 1971 Vega), inventing stuff, and music - if I can find the time. School Without a doubt, the most memorable class was Mrs Ernst's 4th grade class of 1967/68. How many classes had a "zoo" in the back yard with a goat, duck, rabbit and whatever else we may have had? All the classes at Frederic Burk were special because the school was special and we lived in a community that was unique in its time. Friendships at that age was what life was all about and Freddie Burk and Parkmerced with its courtyards, lawns, rec center, local shopping center and miles of pathways for bicycles and running around was the best possible place for kids to grow up at that time. I have recently been in contact with Mrs. Ernst and Ms. Lousardi. Other teachers I had such as Guttrick and Cuneo have since passed away. I wish I knew the whereabouts of Mrs. Shaw, Mr. Carney, Mrs. Kopriva, Mrs. Inouchi and others. I once saw the librarian, Mrs. Williams, working at SF State around 1978. Fre...Expand for more