Stuntman and director -- via the L.A. Times. His big hit? "Snakes on a Plane"!
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.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Monday, January 7, 2013
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Curtis Hubertz
Electronics expert; helped build and maintain the famous Wrigley Field scoreboard -- via the Chicago Tribune.
Roger Swanson
Long-distance voyager who sailed around the globe alone thrice -- via the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Beate Sirota Gordon
Feminist heroine who drafted women's rights into the Japanese constitution -- via the New York Times.
Carl Woese
Biophysicist and evolutionary microbiologist -- via the New York Times. He discovered the "third domain" of organisms, archaea.
John Sheardown
Diplomat who saved several would-be American hostages in Iran -- via the New York Times. Sounds like a heck of a guy, and this incident from his NYT obit is impossible not to reprint --
"At 18, he joined the Canadian Air Force and flew a bomber in World War II, once crash-landing near an English village after limping back from an attack on Germany. He broke both legs, but was able to crawl to a pub door at 3 a.m. and rouse the owner. He asked for a glass of Scotch, which the owner gave him. The owner then asked for payment while Mr. Sheardown waited for an ambulance — a story Mr. Sheardown relished."
"At 18, he joined the Canadian Air Force and flew a bomber in World War II, once crash-landing near an English village after limping back from an attack on Germany. He broke both legs, but was able to crawl to a pub door at 3 a.m. and rouse the owner. He asked for a glass of Scotch, which the owner gave him. The owner then asked for payment while Mr. Sheardown waited for an ambulance — a story Mr. Sheardown relished."
Thursday, January 3, 2013
J. Michael Travis
Film producer -- via the Hollywood Reporter. Responsible for work such as "Give 'em Hell, Harry!" and "Richard Pryor: Live in Concert."
Mike Auldridge
Dobro master -- via the New York Times. One of the founders of the Seldom Scene, his wonderful playing was an inspiration!
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Marva Whitney aka Soul Sister No. 1
Soul singer -- via the New York Times. Associated with James Brown for years, her ferocious intensity was a match for his.
Patti Page aka Clara Ann Fowler aka The Singin' Rage, Miss Patti Page
Superstar vocalist -- via the New York Times. The queen white pop songstress of the 1950's, she recorded 15 million-selling songs, back when that meant something. Her sweet, sentimental, syrupy style was perfect for the traumatized and bland postwar era.
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