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.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
John Fenn
Research chemist whose discoveries won him a Nobel Prize and helped in the development of pharmaceuticals, especially AIDS-fighting drugs -- via the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Fighting age discrimination that limited his funding and laboratory space, his great successes took place after he reached the age of 70.
Weldon A. Macdougal III
Soul singer (part of one of many groups named The Larks), record promoter, producer . . . oh yeah, and he discovered a brother act called the Jackson 5. Via philly.com.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
George Alvin "Bingo" Binks Sr. aka George Binkowski
Outfielder and first baseman for the Brewers, Senators and Browns -- via Bill Schenley and groups.google.com/group/alt.obituaries.
Pedro Vidal
Assistant director -- via El Periodico. A favorite of many directors such as Orson Welles, David Lean and Stanley Kramer. A key player in the years that Spain really blossomed as a filming location for many "Hollywood" films.
Hendrik Coetzee
Outdoorsman and wilderness guide -- via the Daily Mail. He was eaten by a crocodile. More on this from Outside magazine --
Bobra Ballin Goldsmith
Llama rancher -- via the Boulder Daily Camera. Before her pioneering work in this field, she was a classical musician and French professor.
Alan Armer
TV producer -- via the L.A. Times. He is responsible for some classic series such as "My Friend Flicka," "Broken Arrow," "The Untouchables," "The Fugitive," "The Invaders" and "Cannon."
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Art Mahan
First baseman for the Phillies -- via the Philadelphia Inquirer. His more lasting claim to fame will be his excellent work as coach and athletic director at Villanova.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Dave Machander
Biochemist and drummer -- via Legacy.com. Here's a testimonial to his musical talent from blabbermouth.net.
Elizabeth Edwards aka Mary Elizabeth Aniana
Attorney and author -- via the Charlotte Observer. A moving summation of her life from the New York Times.
Hugues Cuenod
Tenor -- via Bieler Tagblatt. He was 109 at the time of his death. He made his stage debut in 1928 in Paris, in Krenek's "Johnny spielt auf." He was the oldest person to debut at the Metropolitan Opera -- in "Turandot" at the age of 84, in 1987. Total length of his performing career -- 71 years (he retired at the tender age of 99.)
Douglas Argent
TV producer and director -- via the Guardian. He worked on many important English sitcoms, including "'Til Death Do Us Part" (the inspiration for America's "All in the Family"), "Fawlty Towers" and "Steptoe and Son" (adapted in the U.S. as "Sanford and Son"). He also produced some of Spike Milligan's late work!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)