Downey High School

1999 Inductees

After receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Bob Ballard received a doctorate degree in marine geology and geophysics from the University of Rhode Island. He currently works as an oceanographer. He is responsible for the discovery of the Titanic wreckage at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean as well as other significant discoveries. He is recognized as one of the premier spokesmen for marine research and has participated in numerous educational programs on major television networks.

Following his college graduation from California State University at Long Beach, Richard spent eleven years with the Walt Disney Company as a member of their project development team. He launched his own company for theme park planning and creative design. He has become famous for the development and expansion of theme parks around the world. Richard currently is Chairman of the Board for Frontier Investments which has acquired major apartment complexes, industrial properties, and large office facilities in the Southern California area.

A graduate of Pepperdine University with a masters degree from the University of Southern California, Donna taught in the Los Angeles Unified School District before returning to teach in Downey. She served as an elementary principal before moving to the district office. Donna completed her extraordinary career in the Downey Unified School District as Deputy Superintendent. Downey High honored her contribution to the district by naming the gymnasium, the Donna Ganser Boose Sports Center.

As the lead singer in the musical duo, The Carpenters, Karen received numerous gold records for her classic soft rock songs. The Carpenters scored a string of Top 10 hits in the early 70’s including “Close to You” and “We’ve Only Just Begun.” Karen recorded one solo album which was released in 1996. Although Karen tragically died in 1983, her songs and incredible voice are still heard today and enjoyed worldwide.

Richard Carpenter studied classical piano at Yale, USC, and Cal State University at Long Beach. As a singer/songwriter from the famous entertainment team, The Carpenters, Richard has achieved international acclaim. As a member of The Carpenters, he arranged, played the piano, and sang back-up vocals along with his sister, Karen. They enjoyed tremendous success with a series of soft rock ballads in the early 70’s, some of them co-written by Richard. From his first songs, which topped the music charts in the 1970’s through his current work as an entertainer and musical arranger, Richard continues his outstanding career in music today.

A successful Downey businessman, Don was known for outstanding community service. He was a patron of the arts and instrumental in the Downey Symphony “Music in the Schools” program. Don guided the Downey Community Hospital through its 1969 move to Brookshire Avenue and construction of a new hospital building.

A highly successful coach, Wally Kincaid coached star baseball conference winners at Downey High School. He continued his outstanding coaching career at Cerritos Community College. During one remarkable season, his team went undefeated. He guided his baseball players as a mentor both in their sport and inspiring them as young men.