Interesting, overlooked, and significant obituaries from around the world, as they happen, emphasizing the positive achievements of those who have died. Member, Society of Professional Obituary Writers.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Carlton Chester "Cookie" Gilchrist
Football player -- via the Buffalo News. An amazing player who was an offensive and defensive wonder (and he kicked!); he ran for 243 yards and FIVE TOUCHDOWNS against the New York Jets as a member of the Buffalo Bills in 1963. Saw him play for the Broncos in the mid-'60s; he was also a vocal civil rights advocate, and stood up resolutely for professional treatment, during his career -- in a time when African-American athletes were by and large expected to "shut up and play."
Richard Winters
Citizen soldier -- via AP. An exemplary and dedicated participant in World War II. I rarely highlight the lives of veterans or combatants, but Winters inspired such devotion, and accepted his honors with such humility, that he deserves mention here. Much of his story was adapted into one of the best television docudramas in history, "Band of Brothers." Judging by his own statements, and those that served with him, he embodied the virtues of great leadership -- honesty, fairness, concern for his men, quick and decisive (and correct) thinking, and equanimity in life-and-death situations. His efforts stand for those of millions of others who, in all wars, attempt to end them as soon as possible by doing the right thing.
Peter Yates
Film director -- via Deadline Hollywood. He worked his way up in the British film industry, and got started as a director in TV, on series such as "The Saint" and "Secret Agent." He filmed a few clinkers, but produced a diverse body of great work -- "Bullitt," "The Hot Rock," "The Friends of Eddie Coyle," "Breaking Away" and "The Dresser," to name a few.
Louise Zibold Reiss
Scientist who helped produce data that led to banning of atmospheric nuclear testing -- via the New York Times.
The Tuscon Massacre victims
For the first time, a list of all the victims to date of the shooting in Tucson on Jan. 8, 2011 -- via the Huffington Post. Regretfully, the mainstream media initially covered only the two most marketable deaths -- that of a federal judge and that of a 9-year-old of notable descent. All the victims are to be mourned by their loved ones, regardless of their media appeal.
Debbie Friedman
Singer/songwriter -- via the Jewish Daily Forward. UPDATE: on her funeral services, from my rabbi:
"Debbie Friedman's great musical and spiritual legacy will continue for sure. Alah hashalom, peace on her gentle, sweet soul. Strength and comfort to her mother Freda and her sister Cheryl. The funeral is today (Tuesday) at 11am Pacific time (1/11/11 @ 11) and will actually be streamed live if anyone wants to watch. It will be at noon mountain time. You may access the live streaming video of the funeral at: www.tbsoc.org/debbie
May the memory of this righteous person who contributed and gave so much to the world, always be a source of blessing."
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Jiri Dienstbier
Journalist, then dissident, and finally government minister -- via the New York Times.
Bobby Robinson
Legendary record producer, label owner and music retailer -- via the New York Daily News. His record store, Bobby's Record Shop aka Bobby's Happy House, was the first business owned by an African-American on Harlem's 125th Street. He moved on to produce everything from blues to R & B to doo-wop to rock 'n' rool to soul to rap to hip-hop -- over 50 years of musical history! Elmore James, the Shirelles, Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, Doug E. Fresh, Gladys Knight & the Pips, King Curtis, "Kansas City," "Ya Ya," Arthur Crudup's "That's All Right," "Tossin' and Turnin'" . . . No Bobby Robinson, no Elvis -- no Beatles -- no rap. Thank you, sir!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Aron Kincaid aka Norman Neile Williams Jr.
Actor, voice actor and model -- via the L.A. Times. A regular in several '60s beach films, his hunky blond look later filtered down to the characters of Fred in the cartoon series "Scooby Doo" --
. . . Rocky from "The Rocky Horror Show".
. . . Rocky from "The Rocky Horror Show".
Sylvia Bursztyn
Cruciverbalist (as you might guess, someone who constructs crossword puzzles -- what a wonderful noun!) -- via the L.A. Times.
From Singapore Seen: A taxi of the dead
From a citizen journalist, an odd story about an obituary-obsessed jitney driver -- via singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Wendell "Bud" Hurlbut
Ride creator -- via the Orange County Register. Best know for his work in the creation of Knott's Berry Farm.
Jeff Jacobs
Trumpeter -- via the S.F. Weekly. The ensemble he worked with, The Drift, is a highly interesting ambient/avant-garde combo.
Herman Groves
Prolific screenwriter for television -- via classictvhistory.wordpress.com. Although not a household name, he was one of the many unsung talents who kept us entertained for decades. Thank you, sir!
Ryne Duren
MLB pitcher -- via MSNBC.A legendarily hard and wild pitcher; he later became an inspiration to many for his open-book fight to overcome alcoholism.
From Slate: "Deadly Images" -- News and the implications of showing the dead and dying
An interview with Barbie Zelizer, professor of communications, about her new book "About to Die: How News Images Move the Public."
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Margot Stevenson
Actress of stage, screen, TV and radio -- via voy.com. Her 50-plus year career included roles in the original Broadway productions of "You Can't Take It with You" and "Stage Door"; she appeared in films such as "Invisible Stripes" and "Castle on the Hudson"; and she performed extensively on radio, most memorably as the 1938 summer replacement for Agnes Moorehead in the character of Margot Lane, the "friend and companion" of Lamont Cranston, "wealthy young man about town" who is, in reality, the mysterious crimefighter The Shadow.
Brian Rust
Authoritative jazz discographer and writer -- via rustbooks.com. Here's a more comprehensive look at his career from the New York Times -- and another wonderful writeup from the Telegraph.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Karl Olson
MLB outfielder -- via Bill Schenley, alt.groups.google/obit and the Lake Tahoe Record-Courier.
Verne Langdon
Musician, composer, performer, mask-maker, makeup artist, promoter, publicist and writer -- via http://slam.canoe.ca.
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