Monday, April 19, 2010

Tom Fleming


Scottish actor and broadcaster -- via the Times of London. His mellifluous voice made him the go-to commentator at British occasions of state

Judith Bumpus

 British radio arts producer -- via the Independent. Note: I am a radio enthusiast. In England, it is still a vibrant medium for narrative work and artistic experimentation. Please read about her projects -- this is the kind of work I dream of doing! And she focused on subjects typically thought of as too highbrow or specialized to provoke interest. A fascinating and inspiring life.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Allen Swift, aka Ira Stadlen


Allen Swift in character as "Captain Allen," host of the Popeye cartoons on WPIX-TV.

Voice actor and kids' TV show host -- via News from Me. He was the voice of Howdy Doody for a year after host Buffalo Bob suffered a heart attack in September 1954. He went on to voice a multitude of characters in Rankin/Bass animated projects. Most memorably for me, he voiced the evil Baron Barracuda and others in the syndicated "Diver Dan":



Never trust a fish with a German accent and a monocle.

And he played Simon Bar Sinister in "Underdog":



UPDATE ON APRIL 27: Here's the belated New York Times obituary --

Virginia Kuzman

 A happy, positive person. Not anyone "special" or "important," but obviously someone who had a good attitude and lots of love to share with the world. Via the Daily Breeze

Dede Allen


One of the best film editors of all time -- her innovations were revolutionary -- via the L.A. Times

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Robert A. Moon

 Postal inspector helped to invent the zip code -- via the New York Times

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Bob Cuff

Matte painter and visuals effects expert for films such as "The Guns of Navarone," "The Princess Bride" and "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" (above) -- via the Guardian

Benjamin Hooks


Civil rights leader -- via the Washington Post

Pete Steele


Type O Negative frontman -- via Rock Sins

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Walter Horn Jr.


Distinctive bluesman best known as "Mississippi Slim" -- via WCBI

Steve Reid

 
Great drummer -- via All About Jazz



Peter Haskell


Ubiquitous TV actor -- via the Museum of the San Fernando Valley

Anna Walentynowicz


Shipyard worker and union activist whose termination triggered the Gdansk strikes, and eventual overthrow of Communism in Poland -- via the Washington Post

John Agnew


World War II veteran was part of rough-and-tumble "Filthy Thirteen" unit -- via the Philadelphia Inquirer

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Carolyn M. Rodgers


Poet was part of Black Arts movement -- via the Chicago Sun-Times

William Walker


Baritone sang extensively at the Metropolitan Opera -- via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram

'Obit Patrol' fills predicted need


A recent posting by Rich Gordon at Poynter Online succinctly outlines a plan for changing how obituaries are published -- an approach already in place here at Obit Patrol!

"Meanwhile, a news-based Web site focusing on obituaries about interesting and accomplished people should attract a substantial audience -- both obituary enthusiasts and people with niche/affinity interests -- and generate new advertising revenue. With the right mix of on-site content and links to material elsewhere, such a site could also drive traffic to newspaper Web sites."

It's right here, right now. Let me know if you want Obit Patrol to be a part of your media package!