Fr. Robert Milbauer Honored at Alemany Football Game

PA announcement honoring Fr. Milbauer:

“Tonight we honor FATHER ROBERT MILBAUER with the Honorary Coin Flip:

Father Milbauer knew Alemany from every angle.  He was a Teacher, Dean, Administrative Assistant, Athletic Director, Vice Principal of Students Affairs and Principal.  He is a down to earth type of guy.

Father Milbauer loves sports.  He was the Athletic Director and witnessed the “Miracle on Rinaldi Street” when, in 1983, our Football Team won the Del Rey League Title. 

The beauty of the Rinaldi Campus was his plan when he became principal.  The football stadium, the classrooms and the gym had all undergone a major repair.  Father Milbauer was determined for years to provide Alemany with a quality stadium.  Construction began in the summer of 1993 with the help of donations from the Alemany Community and families.  A donor wall was erected to thank everyone who made this remodel possible.  On November 5, 1993 the stadium became a reality on opened in time for the Homecoming game.  A surprise awaited him when the announcement came that the stadium would be named after him.  Father Milbauer is a quiet man – but that evening you could see the pride and excitement he couldn’t contain.

Little did we know that the morning of January 17th all his hard work and beautifully completed school would come to an end – but he faced this disaster with a strong will and a determination that we could face this challenge, and win!  The work he accomplished as principal following the Northridge Earthquake helped many people.  Without his efforts Alemany might have closed.  In conjunction with Bob Gebauer and Patricia Melch, Fr. Milbauer kept Alemany open, teachers and staff employed and students in school.  Within three weeks Bishop Alemany High School was operating.  Classes were being held in split sessions, athletic teams were competing and our spring Musical would take place in an outside make-shift theater.  A small sense of normalcy was returned to the lives of a couple thousand people.

Father Milbauer dreamed of having his own parish, but he put those dreams on hold to deal with the critical events that occurred following the Northridge Earthquake.  Site changes, low enrollment could have meant the end of an educational institution.  Yet Bishop Alemany High School has not only survived these adverse events, it has thrived in spite of them.  The efforts provided by the leadership of Fr, Robert Milbauer have been paramount to this success.

Following the four years after the earthquake – Father Milbauer got his dream and his parish – St. John the Baptist de la Salle.  Alemany will never forget his efforts and determination and tonight we say thank you.”

 (Thank you to Jose Siordia for this photo...)