Obituaries for 2020

[Hoodat]

@sneakypete

The etymology of apologia (Greek: ἀπολογία) is derived from the root word apologos (ἀπόλογος), “a speech in defense”., and the corresponding verb form apologeisthai " to speak in one's defense."  The Greek philosophers Plato, Isocrates, and Aristotle described apologia as an oratory to defend positions or actions particularly in the sense of a legal defense.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apologia

[PeteS in CA]

@sneakypete

The etymology of apologia (Greek: ἀπολογία) is derived from the root word apologos (ἀπόλογος), “a speech in defense”., and the corresponding verb form apologeisthai " to speak in one's defense."  The Greek philosophers Plato, Isocrates, and Aristotle described apologia as an oratory to defend positions or actions particularly in the sense of a legal defense.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apologia

Sometimes words in other languages that look like certain English words mean something quite different. A classic example of this is the Spanish word "Embarazada". It does not mean "embarrassed", .

[EasyAce]

Jimmy Cobb, the Pulse of Kind of Blue, Dies at 91

Jimmy Cobb, whose subtle and steady drumming formed the pulse of some of jazz's most beloved recordings, died at his home in Manhattan on Sunday. He was 91.

The cause was lung cancer, says his wife, Eleana Tee Cobb.

Cobb was the last surviving member of what's often called Miles Davis' First Great Sextet. He held that title for almost three decades, serving as a conduit for many generations of jazz fans into the band that recorded the music's most iconic and enduring album, Kind of Blue . . .

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Cobb was also the anchor and last surviving member of the Wynton Kelly Trio (they broke up in 1969 when bassist Paul Chambers died; Kelly died a short time later); here, they're accompanied by some friendly guy named Wes . . .


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RIP

[goatprairie]

Sometimes words in other languages that look like certain English words mean something quite different. A classic example of this is the Spanish word "Embarazada". It does not mean "embarrassed", .

Well, you might be if it wasn't planned.

[mountaineer]

Well, you might be if it wasn't planned.

It's a twofer. Embarrassed and embarazada.

[PeteS in CA]

 

[Gefn]

Christo, artist known for massive, fleeting displays, dies

NEW YORK (AP) — Christo, known for massive, ephemeral public arts projects, has died. He was 84.

His death was announced on Twitter and the artist’s web page. No cause of death was given.

Along with his late wife Jeanne-Claude, the artists careers were defined by the massive, ambitious art projects that quickly disappeared soon after they were erected. In 2001, he installed more than 7,500 vinyl gates in New York’s Central Park and and wrapped the Reichstag in Berlin in fabric with an aluminum sheen in 1995.

The statement said the artist’s next project, L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped, is slated to appear in September in Paris as planned.

https://apnews.com/c62953312b2a915582eb896ed8f747a0?utm_source=PushNotification

[Gefn]

Christo, artist known for massive, fleeting displays, dies


https://apnews.com/c62953312b2a915582eb896ed8f747a0?utm_source=PushNotification

I saw “The Gates” in Central Park. Thank you Mr. Christo for that lovely day.

[Smokin Joe]

I saw “The Gates” in Central Park. Thank you Mr. Christo for that lovely day.

I only saw the anchors for the curtain in Rifle Gap. IIRC, that one has some wind problems.

Will he be wrapped in pink for his internment?

[Gefn]

I only saw the anchors for the curtain in Rifle Gap. IIRC, that one has some wind problems.

Will he be wrapped in pink for his internment?

@Smokin Joe was that the umbrellas?

[Smokin Joe]

@Smokin Joe was that the umbrellas?

@Gefn No, it was the "Valley Curtain" north of Rifle, Colorado. More on that project here: https://christojeanneclaude.net/mobile/projects?p=valley-curtain
The prevailing wind through the gap was unkind to the artist's concept.

Image from this commentary: https://www.janetgeibpretti.com/2006/11/valuing_the_une.html

The umbrella project was in Japan and California, iirc. https://christojeanneclaude.net/projects/the-umbrellas (Blue and yellow)
Wind proved to be the enemy there, also, as one of the umbrellas toppled, trapping a woman between a boulder and the umbrella, causing her death.

[EasyAce]

A year after the man who dethroned him passed away . . .

Herbert Stempel, whistleblower in quiz show scandals, dies at 93
By David P. Marino-Nachison
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/herbert-stempel-whistleblower-in-quiz-show-scandals-dies-at-93/2020/05/31/41095fc8-a35d-11ea-bb20-ebf0921f3bbd_story.html?fbclid=IwAR3lVTVPSMAm5fLncibAwjwHp7Ndjn49yc875AkOWRitTKJ_KkDGaWTtIVg

Herbert Stempel, the Bronx-born brainiac who became a central figure and whistleblower in the game show rigging scandals of the 1950s, a cultural turning point later chronicled in the 1994 movie “Quiz Show,” died April 7 at a nursing home in New York City. He was 93.

His former wife Ethel Stempel did not give a precise cause but confirmed the death, which was not publicly announced and was first reported on Sunday by the New York Times .  . .

. . . “I wouldn’t call him a saint or a sinner,” TV historian Wesley Hyatt said of Mr. Stempel. “More than anything else, he was just a human being who was caught in a situation that was unprecedented. He did some wise things, and he did some not-so-wise things" . . .

Classic line from the film Quiz Show, which Stempel actually did say when seeing TV commercials for the show on which he was defeated: "Tonight, watch Herb Stempel be fed to the Columbia lion. Watch Charles Van Doren eat his first kosher meal."

RIP Mr. Stempel.

[Hoodat]

Legendary Auburn football coach Pat Dye dead at 80

By: Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Updated: June 1, 2020 - 2:55 PM

AUBURN, Ala. — Pat Dye, who led Auburn’s football team to four Southeastern Conference championships during his 12-year coaching career at the university, died Monday. He was 80.

Dye had tested positive for the coronavirus while he was hospitalized in Atlanta with kidney issues, his son told ESPN last month. Dye’s death was first reported by 247Sports.

Dye led the Tigers to a 99-39-4 record from 1981 to 1992, winning at least a share of SEC championships in 1983, 1987, 1988 and 1989. His Auburn teams won at least 10 games in a season four times and won six bowl games.

https://www.wsbtv.com/news/trending/coronavirus-legendary-auburn-football-coach-pat-dye-dead-80/MHSZ7IYVPJGC5FKYXXSHRQD5ZE/


Actual cause of death not given, although the report leaves the reader with the impression that Dye is a coronavirus casualty.  Dye was a UGA grad who led Auburn against UGA and their Auburn-grad head coach Vince Dooly.

@Sighlass

[GrouchoTex]

@EasyAce

"Kind of Blue" would be one of my stranded-on-a-desert-island album choices, along with "Milestones".

[EasyAce]

@EasyAce

"Kind of Blue" would be one of my stranded-on-a-desert-island album choices, along with "Milestones".

@GrouchoTex
Had I not gotten to hear and obtain the following box set, I would have agreed with those two choices . . .

[Applewood]

Bonnie Pointer of The Pointer Sisters Dies at 69

Bonnie Pointer, founding member of '70s vocal group the Pointer Sisters, has died at 69. TMZ reports that her sister (and former groupmate) Anita Pointer confirmed Bonnie's passing, saying, "It is with great sadness that I have to announce to the fans of The Pointer Sisters that my sister, Bonnie died this morning. Our family is devastated, on behalf of my siblings and I and the entire Pointer family, we ask for your prayers at this time.”

https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/obituary/9398424/bonnie-pointer-pointer-sisters-dies

[Cyber Liberty]

Bonnie Pointer of The Pointer Sisters Dies at 69

https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/obituary/9398424/bonnie-pointer-pointer-sisters-dies

I had no idea they were so young!  RIP, Ms Pointer.

[sneakypete]

Bonnie Pointer of The Pointer Sisters Dies at 69

https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/obituary/9398424/bonnie-pointer-pointer-sisters-dies

@Applewood

This hurts. She and her sisters SANG.


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[jmyrlefuller]

Katie Williams Dunning
Daughter of Hank Williams, Jr. dies at 27

Williams-Dunning, the daughter of Hank Williams, Jr., had operated clothing designer Weston Jane. She and her husband were in an SUV that was driving down Tennessee Highway 79 when the vehicle crossed the median and rolled over. Her husband survived but was injured; she was killed. She leaves behind two young children.

Obituary from The Tennesseean

[Applewood]

Tragic.  So young.  Rest in peace, Mrs. Williams-Dunning.  Prayers for her loved ones.   

[Free Vulcan]

Katie Williams Dunning
Daughter of Hank Williams, Jr. dies at 27

Williams-Dunning, the daughter of Hank Williams, Jr., had operated clothing designer Weston Jane. She and her husband were in an SUV that was driving down Tennessee Highway 79 when the vehicle crossed the median and rolled over. Her husband survived but was injured; she was killed. She leaves behind two young children.

Obituary from The Tennesseean

Damn, that just sucks. I read an article about her just a few months back. She seemed like a real go getter.

And I feel for Hank. You should never have to bury a child.

[sneakypete]

Damn, that just sucks. I read an article about her just a few months back. She seemed like a real go getter.

And I feel for Hank. You should never have to bury a child.

@Free Vulcan

That has to be the saddest thing in the whole damn world. It upsets the natural order of things. It's contrary to nature.

[Smokin Joe]

Damn, that just sucks. I read an article about her just a few months back. She seemed like a real go getter.

And I feel for Hank. You should never have to bury a child.

I agree.

[verga]

@Free Vulcan

That has to be the saddest thing in the whole damn world. It upsets the natural order of things. It's contrary to nature.

24 years of teaching I have seen about a dozen parents go through this. It never gets better or easier. i can't imagine there is a pain greater.

[EasyAce]

24 years of teaching I have seen about a dozen parents go through this. It never gets better or easier. i can't imagine there is a pain greater.

@verga
I thank God my parents weren't alive to see my younger brother get killed in 1998. (He was 38.) Bad enough I had to bury him. (The good news: the bastard who shot him got 25 years no parole, and at his age and health conditions at the time of the trial he wasn't liable to leave prison except in a coffin.)

[Applewood]

My mother's younger sister passed at 49.  Her father was inconsolable.  He kept saying, why didn't God take me? I'm old.  I'm ready to go. 

Hard to come up with an explanation or words of consolation. 

[berdie]

My mother's younger sister passed at 49.  Her father was inconsolable.  He kept saying, why didn't God tale me? I'm old.  I'm ready to go. 

Hard to come up with an explanation or words of consolation.

Having had a couple of friends in this situation, the only consolation I could come up with is that sometimes God picks his most beautiful and special flowers first. It probably didn't help at the time...maybe later?

[Fishrrman]

Jean Raspail, author of one of the most prescient books of the twentieth century died on June 13 at age 94:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Raspail




Hard copies of The Camp of the Saints are growing expensive to find, even used. Amazon still sells the book in digital format, but there's no need to pay them for it.
It can be found downloadable (or readable in your browser) here:
https://www.jrbooksonline.com/PDFs/Camp_of_the_Saints.pdf

[roamer_1]

It can be found downloadable (or readable in your browser) here:
https://www.jrbooksonline.com/PDFs/Camp_of_the_Saints.pdf

Thanks.

[Gefn]

Dame Vera Lynn has died at the age of 103, her family says.

Key Points:

Dame Vera Lynn died on Thursday morning 'surrounded by her close family'

She made morale-boosting visits to the front line during the Second World War

Queen referenced her song We’ll Meet Again when she spoke to the nation during the lockdown

https://news.sky.com/story/dame-vera-lynn-tributes-pour-in-as-forces-sweetheart-dies-aged-103-12009471

(Breaking)

[Gefn]

Ok. Someone has to say/quote it. It might as well be me.

“Does anybody here remember Vera Lynn?....”
Pink Floyd, The Wall.


103, and a good life. Rest In Peace, Dame Vera Lynn.

[sneakypete]

Ok. Someone has to say/quote it. It might as well be me.

“Does anybody here remember Vera Lynn?....”
Pink Floyd, The Wall.


103, and a good life. Rest In Peace, Dame Vera Lynn.

@Gefn

At 103,she was probably needing the rest and looking forward to it.

[Gefn]

@Gefn

At 103,she was probably needing the rest and looking forward to it.

103 is a good long life. Amen @sneakypete

[jmyrlefuller]

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[jmyrlefuller]

Jean Kennedy Smith
Last of the Kennedy siblings dies at 92



Kennedy Smith was arguably the most obscure of the nine children of Joseph Kennedy, Sr. Lacking the high profile political positions of her brothers John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy or Ted Kennedy, or the tragic outcomes of JFK, RFK, brother Joseph Jr. and sister Kathleen Cavendish, Jean Kennedy Smith largely kept a moderately low profile as a political operative for her brothers, as a philanthropist for those with special needs (her organization VSA focused on arts, as opposed to her sister Eunice, whose Special Olympics focused on athletics), and during Bill Clinton's administration, ambassador to Ireland.

Smith died June 17.

Obituary from the CBC

Wikipedia

[Applewood]

Yeah I heard all the stories about the Kennedys and their corruption, starting with that miserable old man Joe.  But I admired President Kennedy and was ok with his brother, Robert, the AG.  Sure they were Democrats, but they were patriots.   Most Democrats in their day were.   I'd like to think they would be appalled by what their party has become today.   Well, maybe except for that a-hole, Ted.

Really didn't know much about Mrs. Smith -- as the obituary says, she kept a low profile politically, preferring to focus on charitable endeavors.    But with Mrs. Smith gone, we have the last of her generation of Kennedys -- the patriotic generation which served the nation.  Now we are stuck with the kids and grandkids -- spoiled, selfish, hedonistic brats with not a working brain cell among them. 

Rest in peace. Mrs. Smith.

[EasyAce]

Yeah I heard all the stories about the Kennedys and their corruption, starting with that miserable old man Joe.  But I admired President Kennedy and was ok with his brother, Robert, the AG.  Sure they were Democrats, but they were patriots.   Most Democrats in their day were.   I'd like to think they would be appalled by what their party has become today.   Well, maybe except for that a-hole, Ted.

Really didn't know much about Mrs. Smith -- as the obituary says, she kept a low profile politically, preferring to focus on charitable endeavors.    But with Mrs. Smith gone, we have the last of her generation of Kennedys -- the patriotic generation which served the nation.  Now we are stuck with the kids and grandkids -- spoiled, selfish, hedonistic brats with not a working brain cell among them. 

We were---every one of us---raised to be the President.---Chris Lawford.

Rest in peace. Mrs. Smith.

For her work with the disabled---she approached them from the artistic vantage point as her late sister Eunice did the athletic---I had nothing but admiration for her.

RIP.

[sneakypete]

Yeah I heard all the stories about the Kennedys and their corruption, starting with that miserable old man Joe.  But I admired President Kennedy and was ok with his brother, Robert, the AG.  Sure they were Democrats, but they were patriots. 

@Applewood

Sure thing. All you have to do is set aside the fact they were behind the death of Marylin Monroe,and Bobby used his position to kick off the race wars on the 60's by sending trained and paid communist agitators to the south to organize the blacks and get them to riot.

Oh,and let's not forget JKF's associating with Nazi agents in the early days of WW-2 ,his daddy being fired from being the Ambassador to the Court of St James in England after it was discovered he was sending war plans to the IRA to pass on to the Nazi's)

Little things,like that.

[Applewood]

@Applewood

Sure thing. All you have to do is set aside the fact they were behind the death of Marylin Monroe,and Bobby used his position to kick off the race wars on the 60's by sending trained and paid communist agitators to the south to organize the blacks and get them to riot.

Oh,and let's not forget JKF's associating with Nazi agents in the early days of WW-2 ,his daddy being fired from being the Ambassador to the Court of St James in England after it was discovered he was sending war plans to the IRA to pass on to the Nazi's)

Little things,like that.

@sneakypete

I knew you would be along with your endless conspiracy theories about the Kennedys.  Question is, what took you so long?  LOL

[sneakypete]

@sneakypete

I knew you would be along with your endless conspiracy theories about the Kennedys.  Question is, what took you so long?  LOL

@Applewood

Only a clueless drone would confuse historical FACT with theories.

[Applewood]

@Applewood

Only a clueless drone would confuse historical FACT with theories.

@sneakypete

Well, I'd argue with you about that, but I think this running thread is meant to announce the passing of important persons and to honor them, not to have a political debate.  As the article says, Mrs. Smith stayed out of the political limelight, so I doubt she was directly involved in any Kennedy wrongdoing.  I already said too much about the Kennedys.  I'd rather drop the rest and just say RIP.

[mountaineer]

Ian Holm, star of Lord of the Rings, Alien and Chariots of Fire, dies aged 88
 Andrew Pulver
Fri 19 Jun 2020 07.32 EDT
Last modified on Fri 19 Jun 2020 08.11 EDT


Ian Holm, the versatile actor who played everything from androids to hobbits via Harold Pinter and King Lear, has died in London aged 88, his agent confirmed to the Guardian.

“It is with great sadness that the actor Sir Ian Holm CBE passed away this morning at the age of 88,” they said. “He died peacefully in hospital, with his family and carer,” adding that his illness was Parkinson’s related. “Charming, kind and ferociously talented, we will miss him hugely.”

Holm’s final days were documented in a series of pastel portraits by his wife, Sophie de Stempel.

Holm, who won a Bafta and was nominated for an Oscar for his role as maverick athletics coach Sam Mussabini in the 1981 film Chariots of Fire, may have looked destined for a career in colourful supporting roles on screen – especially after quitting the theatre in 1976 after a severe case of stage fright – but he found a new generation of admirers after being cast as Bilbo Baggins in the blockbusting Lord of the Rings trilogy. ...

The Guardian

[sneakypete]

@sneakypete

Well, I'd argue with you about that, but I think this running thread is meant to announce the passing of important persons and to honor them, not to have a political debate. As the article says, Mrs. Smith stayed out of the political limelight, so I doubt she was directly involved in any Kennedy wrongdoing.  I already said too much about the Kennedys.  I'd rather drop the rest and just say RIP.

@Applewood

ALL of the Kennedy women were nothing more than political accessories,so they were and are all blameless of anything more that marrying criminal idiots and traitors.

And I seriously doubt any of them had the first clue as to what was going on because in that family,only males were important.

[Mod2]

  This isn't the Alternate Realities forum.

[Applewood]

Sorry @Mod2. 

[Cyber Liberty]

Sorry @Mod2.

No need to apologize for getting the thread back on track.

I'm sorry to hear Bilbo has passed....

[jmyrlefuller]

Ian Holm, star of Lord of the Rings, Alien and Chariots of Fire, dies aged 88
 Andrew Pulver
Fri 19 Jun 2020 07.32 EDT
Last modified on Fri 19 Jun 2020 08.11 EDT


Ian Holm, the versatile actor who played everything from androids to hobbits via Harold Pinter and King Lear, has died in London aged 88, his agent confirmed to the Guardian.

“It is with great sadness that the actor Sir Ian Holm CBE passed away this morning at the age of 88,” they said. “He died peacefully in hospital, with his family and carer,” adding that his illness was Parkinson’s related. “Charming, kind and ferociously talented, we will miss him hugely.”

Holm’s final days were documented in a series of pastel portraits by his wife, Sophie de Stempel.

Holm, who won a Bafta and was nominated for an Oscar for his role as maverick athletics coach Sam Mussabini in the 1981 film Chariots of Fire, may have looked destined for a career in colourful supporting roles on screen – especially after quitting the theatre in 1976 after a severe case of stage fright – but he found a new generation of admirers after being cast as Bilbo Baggins in the blockbusting Lord of the Rings trilogy. ...

The Guardian

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[Smokin Joe]

No need to apologize for getting the thread back on track.

I'm sorry to hear Bilbo has passed....

Me, too. He did that part so well.

[jmyrlefuller]

Jim Kiick
Miami Dolphins halfback dies at 73

🐬21
Kiick's jersey number with the Miami Dolphins

Kiick was best known as the tandem partner of Larry Csonka, the Hall of Fame fullback. The two were first paired together in 1968 and the two were inseparable for the next eight seasons, playing seven with the Miami Dolphins (including their three straight Super Bowl appearances, including two wins and their still-unmatched perfect season of 1972). In 1975 they jumped to the World Football League with the Memphis Southmen, but this turned out to be the beginning of the end of their run: after the New York Giants signed Csonka but not Kiick, the two split in different directions, with Kiick finishing his career with stints in Denver and Washington.

Kiick died June 20 following several years of dementia.

Obituary from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Wikipedia

Career stats

[mountaineer]

Liz Hurley pays tribute to her millionaire ex Steve Bing, 55 - the absent father of her son Damian, 18 - after he jumped to his death from his 27th floor LA apartment and reveals they had become friends again in the last year

    Steve Bing killed himself Monday by jumping from the 27th floor of his LA apartment amid a depression battle
    Liz Hurley, who he dated from 2000 until 2002 when she fell pregnant with their son sparking a bitter paternity fight, has paid tribute - saying she is 'saddened beyond belief' and calling him a 'sweet, kind man'
    She revealed that the pair had become close again, and last spoke on son Damian's 18th birthday in April
    Bing was also involved in paternity fight over daughter Kira Kerkorian, his child with tennis star Lisa Bonder
    A real estate heir who inherited $600m on his 18th birthday, Bing was also a movie writer and producer
    Bing was thought to be worth $590m when he died, and had paid $100k-a-year into a trust fund for Damian
    Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

By Chris Pleasance for MailOnline and Kelby Vera and Harriet Alexander For Dailymail.com
Published: 21:04 EDT, 22 June 2020 | Updated: 08:53 EDT, 23 June 2020

Liz Hurley has paid tribute to her multimillionaire ex Steve Bing - the father of her son Damian – after he jumped to his death from the 27th floor of his Los Angeles apartment block amid a battle with depression.

The British actress, 55, said she was 'saddened beyond belief' at the news of his suicide, at the luxurious Ten Thousand Building at 1pm on Monday, calling it a 'terrible end'.

The real estate heir, also 55 and thought to be worth $590million at the time of his death, took his own life having become depressed amid a lack of human contact during lockdown, sources told TMZ.  ...

Daily Mail

From the story: "Former president Bill Clinton, a friend of Bing and recipient of his donations via the Clinton Foundation, also paid tribute to him, tweeting: 'I loved Steve Bing very much.'"