Noel Polk

Scholar and writer; world's foremost expert on Faulkner -- via the Picayune Item.

Nina Bawden

Writer -- via the New York Times.

Jack Lewis

Artist -- via delawareonline.com.

Remy Charlip

Artist, writer, choreographer, dancer, designer, and director -- via the New York Times.

Annie Kuebler

Jazz archivist -- via the Washington Post. One of the world's top experts on Ellington and Mary Lou Williams.

Neil Armstrong

Astronaut; first person to step upon the moon -- via the New York Times.

Armstrong was a hero, but not heroic. He was modest, but not "humble," as so many self-styled heroes are today. He simply didn't like the limelight, and didn't want people to make a fuss over him. He was far more than an adventurer -- he was a combat pilot, a test pilot, a very gifted aerospace engineer. All these skills made him a high-ranking candidate for the lunar expedition. Add to that his seemingly imperturbable calm, and he was the perfect choice.

It was Sunday night, July 20, 1969, 8:56 p.m. MDT. We gathered in front of our TV in the living room with a bunch of neighbors and watched Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. It was one of the defining moments of my life. I dreamed of going into space; we built rocket ships in our back yards out of cardboard boxes; we went on a million missions. Thanks, Neil . . . and Buzz and Michael and ALL the astronauts, from every country. Nothing is impossible.

Scott McKenzie aka Philip Wallach Blondheim

Singer and composer -- via the Washington Post. Best known for singing "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)"; also co-wrote "Kokomo."

Shane Murphy

Wingsuit jumper -- via coronado.patch.com.

Robert Kuperberg

Documentary filmmaker, and film producer -- via the Hollywood Reporter.

Hugo Bedau

Philosopher -- via the New York Times.

Bob Birch

Musician -- via detroitnews.com.

Danny Roundfield

Basketball player -- via Sports Illustrated. He died saving his wife from drowning.

Bill Tillman

Saxophonist -- via Spinner. Best known for his work with Blood, Sweat and Tears, he also played with Chuck Berry, Roy Orbison, and the Coasters; he also served as music director for Gladys Knight.

Svetozar Gligoric

Chess grandmaster -- via the New York Times.

Brent Grulke

Creative director of the South by Southwest Music Conference and Festival -- via austin360.com.

Douglas Townsend

Composer and musicologist - via artsjournal.com.

Boris Tevlin

Choral conductor -- via artsjournal.com.

Kun Liu

Stuntman -- via the Huffington Post.

Carlo Curley

Organist -- via the Telegraph.

Henning Moritzen

Actor -- via politiken.dk.

Bill Rafferty

Comedian, impressionist, and TV host -- via gameshows.about.com.

Phyllis Diller

Comedian -- via TMZ. A real pioneer -- she got her big break at The Purple Onion in 1955, and did standup, TV and film comedy ever after. Women comics were few and far between. Up to that time, save for exceptions such as Moms Mabley, Jean Carroll, and Rusty Warren, women were stooges or props in comedy. Diller made inroads in a male-dominated industrythat paved the way for a whole new legion of great talent that just happened to be female.

Suresh Dalal

Poet, essayist, columnist, and editor -- via the Times of India.

Carmen Belen Richardson

Actress, comedian, and TV pioneer in Puerto Rico -- via primerahora.com.

Mary Hanes

Producer and writer for TV and stage -- via the Hollywood Reporter.

Ranking Trevor aka Maxwell Grant

Deejay/toaster -- via Rolling Stone.

Erwin Axer

Theater director -- via wprost.pl.