When a huge Leave It to Beaver fan suggested I write about Gus the Fireman, I knew he was right. Or, rather, that I knew he was write that I should write something about the absolutely amazing actor who played him: Burt Mustin.
Born in 1884 — yes, you heard me correctly, 1884 — Burt graduated from the Pennsylvania Military College in 1903. He was a great student, and a pretty darn good collegiate athlete, as well. After school, Burt did some exploring and traveled the country. While working in Memphis, he met and married Robina Woods in 1915, whom he would refer to as his “darling bond;” they would remain married for over 50 years, until her passing in 1969.