Obituaries for 2020

[EasyAce]

Jim Lehrer
PBS news anchor dies at 85



Lehrer was the lead anchor of PBS's The MacNeil-Lehrer NewsHour from 1975 until his retirement in 2011. He was also a frequent debate moderator, hosting 12 presidential debates between 1988 and 2012.

Obituary from PBS

Wikipedia

I rarely missed the original MacNeil-Lehrer NewsHour until Robert McNeil retired.

RIP.

[Free Vulcan]

Lehrer was at least one of the more civil neo-Stalinists even if he was completely in the tank for collectivism with all his journo buddies.

I'll give him that.

[PeteS in CA]

https://www.christianpost.com/news/the-walking-bible-televangelist-jack-van-impe-dies-at-88.html

‘The Walking Bible’ televangelist Jack Van Impe dies at 88

Televangelist Jack Van Impe, the host of the show "Jack Van Impe Presents," has died at the age of 88.

Van Impe’s ministry, Jack Van Impe Ministries International, announced the news on its website.

“The beloved Dr. Jack Van Impe was welcomed into Heaven by His blessed Savior and Lord who he had so faithfully served in ministry for over 70 years,” the statement reads. “Please pray for his beloved wife and lifelong ministry partner Rexella and their families as they grieve this immense loss and for wisdom as she and the Board lead the ministry in the days ahead.”

Van Impe was more toward the Fundamentalist side of Evangelicals and more into eschatology than I am, but he is fairly well known in Evangelical circles.

[TomSea]

I saw many of Jack's shows with Rexella. Very entertaining.

I saw him in the '90s and I have seen it in the past few years and he hailed from and I believe broadcast from Michigan.

Bible prophecy is of importance to many. What he'd say is probably a bit similar to Hal Lindsay.

Thanks Jack, you will be missed. Sorry to hear this.

[Free Vulcan]

I watched a number of Van Impes' shows over the years. While I didn't always agree with their conclusions, Jack and Rexella always came off as decent, sincere, and down to earth people.

I don't recall any scandal associated with him, except the usual raging by the leftists. Seemed like a guy that lived what he preached.

[roamer_1]

I watched a number of Van Impes' shows over the years. While I didn't always agree with their conclusions, Jack and Rexella always came off as decent, sincere, and down to earth people.

I don't recall any scandal associated with him, except the usual raging by the leftists. Seemed like a guy that lived what he preached.

Yep... Same thinking here.

RIP.

[PeteS in CA]

I saw many of Jack's shows with Rexella. Very entertaining.

I saw him in the '90s and I have seen it in the past few years and he hailed from and I believe broadcast from Michigan.

Bible prophecy is of importance to many. What he'd say is probably a bit similar to Hal Lindsay.

Thanks Jack, you will be missed. Sorry to hear this.

W'pedia's page for Van Impe is fairly informative. For a site that is reliably Lib-Prog in socio-political matters, it's interesting that no scandals - moral or money - are mentioned. He and Rexella, who survived him apparently, married before I was born. 65 years' marriage isn't Guinness Book of World's records grade, but definitely impressive.

From the W'pedia page, Van Impe was definitely into Dispensationalist, Pre-Millennial, Pre-Tribulation eschatology, and made that the focus of his ministry. I'm Pan-Mil, Pan-Trib - it'll all pan out in the end, . Hal Lindsey is of similar views. I thought Lindsey was younger than Van Impe, but he is actually a year or two older.

It's disappointing to me that Van Impe started or repeated the ludicrous claim that Rick Warren was teaching/advocating what Van Impe and others have called "Chrislam" (merged Christianity and Islam). Obviously 8-10 years after the fact gives something close to 20-20 hindsight, but I said on another discussion site around that time that it was a ridiculous claim. Gnat-screening heresy-hunting is a trap to which Fundamentalist seem somewhat more susceptible than most Evangelicals, and this is far from the worst I've seen.

[jmyrlefuller]

Former Rep. Fortney "Pete" Stark (D-CA) dies at 88



Initially running on the premise that his predecessor had been in Congress for 28 years and that that was too long, Stark went on to serve 40 years in Congress, only leaving after redistricting led to his defeat in a jungle primary by current Rep. Eric Swalwell.

He was antiwar, pro-Obamacare, atheist (the first Congress member to openly admit as much), and regularly insulted other Congress members in debates.

Obituary from the Associated Press

Wikipedia

[Applewood]

I should hate Mr. Stark for contributing to the imposition of Obamacare on us.  But right now, his soul is in God's hands.  He will judge Mr. Stark, not me.

However, Mr. Stark does have family who I assume mourn his passing.  So I will pray for God's comfort for them.

[GtHawk]

I should hate Mr. Stark for contributing to the imposition of Obamacare on us.  But right now, his soul is in God's hands.  He will judge Mr. Stark, not me.

However, Mr. Stark does have family who I assume mourn his passing.  So I will pray for God's comfort for them.

Nope, he was an atheist so no soul delivered to Heaven or Hell it just dissolved away into the abyss.

[PeteS in CA]

As far as I'm concerned, this is enough of Pete Stark's legacy for me to know what to think of his death:

https://pjmedia.com/eddriscoll/2004/5/8/pete-stark-loses-it-again/

Pete Stark loses it again, after voting against a House resolution condemning the prisoner abuse in Iraq while commending soldiers serving with honor. One of the constituents of the Democratic congressman from California, a member of the California Army National Guard, life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a member of the American Legion sent Stark a fax questioning his judgment:

Staff Sergeant Dowd wrote politely and respectfully, "There are many soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and Coast Guardsmen from your 13th congressional district who are serving with pride and distinction." He called Fortney's vote "a disgrace...way out of touch with the people of this district." The fax drove Fortney to call this soldier up and leave this obscenity-laced torrent of insults on his answering machine:

"Dan, this is Congressman 'Pete' Stark, and I just got your fax and you don't know what you're talking about. So if you care about enlisted people you wouldn't have voted for that thing, either. But probably somebody put you up to this, and I'm not sure who it was, but I doubt if you could spell half the words in the letter. Somebody wrote it for you so I don't pay much attention to it, but I'll call you back later and let you tell me more about why you think you're such a great G--damn hero and why you think that this general and the defense department who forced these poor enlisted (bitter laughter) guys to do what they should shouldn't be held to account. That's the issue. So if you want to stick it to a bunch of enlisted guys have your way, but if you want to get to the bottom of people who forced this awful program in...Iraq, then you should understand more about it than you obviously do. Thanks."

That is why, as awful as Eric Swillwell (intentional spelling "correction") is, I think he's less awful than was his predecessor Pete Stark. If Stark's eternal destiny is infernal, I won't rejoice. But I won't be mourning him either.

[skeeter]

Former Rep. Fortney "Pete" Stark (D-CA) dies at 88



Initially running on the premise that his predecessor had been in Congress for 28 years and that that was too long, Stark went on to serve 40 years in Congress, only leaving after redistricting led to his defeat in a jungle primary by current Rep. Eric Swalwell.

He was antiwar, pro-Obamacare, atheist (the first Congress member to openly admit as much), and regularly insulted other Congress members in debates.

Obituary from the Associated Press

Wikipedia

No comment.

[Applewood]

Nope, he was an atheist so no soul delivered to Heaven or Hell it just dissolved away into the abyss.

And see, I was taught that regardless of whether you believed or not, you still had a soul and it would be judged by God. 

But whatever.  Mr. Stark's fate is no longer my concern.  Not that it ever really was. 

[Mod5]

Ixnay on the Eologythay, .

[Applewood]

 
@Mod5
My bad.  I deserve one of these:

 

[Gefn]

Kobe Bryant Dead, Dies in Helicopter Crash

Kobe Bryant died in a helicoper crash in Calabasas Sunday morning ... TMZ Sports has confirmed.

Kobe was traveling with at least 3 other people in his private helicopter when it went down. A fire broke out. Emergency personnel responded, but nobody on board survived. 5 people are confirmed dead. We're told Vanessa Bryant was not among those on board.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Kobe has famously used a helicopter to travel for years -- dating back to when he played for the Lakers. He was known for commuting from Newport Beach, CA to the STAPLES Center in DTLA in his Sikorsky S-76 chopper.

KB is survived by his wife Vanessa, and their four daughters -- Gianna, Natalia and Bianca and their newborn Capri.

https://www.tmz.com/2020/01/26/kobe-bryant-killed-dead-helicopter-crash-in-calabasas/

[Gefn]

Breaking story.

RIP Kobe.

[mountaineer]

Wow, shocking news about Bryant. I am checking ESPN - so far, nothing.

[mountaineer]

On FOX News now.

[TomSea]

How sad. Kobe Bryant. A shock, I can't believe it.

[corbe]

   Lebron just broke Kobe's NBA scoring title last night, too (Lakers lost).

[truth_seeker]

“We all know that Kobe loved flying on helicopters,” said Hill. “The cause of the crash has not been confirmed but there is some speculation that weather had something to do with it.”
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
As Hill reported, Bryant was an avid flyer, who enjoyed flying on helicopters.
“This was his normal mode of transportation. Most of the time, he flew from Newport Beach,” Hill said.

[mountaineer]

ABC reported all 4 of  his children died with him. That's been refuted, now reports say one of his daughters was with him. Seeing a lot of "we'll all remember where we were when Kobe died" posts. Uh, no. 

[Applewood]

 

[DCPatriot]

As Hill reported, Bryant was an avid flyer, who enjoyed flying on helicopters.

“This was his normal mode of transportation. Most of the time, he flew from Newport Beach,” Hill said.

Kobe owned and/or had driven the most exotic vehicles on the planet. 

But like everybody with "Go-to-Hell" money, why not buy your own flying machine...get a rush and get there without any hassle?

...just trying to add some context here.

[Applewood]

Kobe owned and/or had driven the most exotic vehicles on the planet. 

But like everybody with "Go-to-Hell" money, why not buy your own flying machine...get a rush and get there without any hassle?

...just trying to add some context here.

I sure as hell wouldn't fault the guy for spending his money however he likes.  I don' know what the statistics are as to whether a helicopter or a car would be safer.  Seems to me I hear more reports of car crashes than I do of helicopters.

[sneakypete]

Kobe owned and/or had driven the most exotic vehicles on the planet. 

But like everybody with "Go-to-Hell" money, why not buy your own flying machine...get a rush and get there without any hassle?

...just trying to add some context here.

@DCPatriot

You can't blame him for that. Who wants to be stuck in CA bumper to bumper traffic if they can avoid it?

[Smokin Joe]

Apparently heavy fog (unusual for the area) was a contributing factor. I'll wait for the investigator's report.

[PeteS in CA]

ABC reported all 4 of  his children died with him. That's been refuted, now reports say one of his daughters was with him. Seeing a lot of "we'll all remember where we were when Kobe died" posts. Uh, no. 

Publishing first/early is vastly more important to today's MSM than getting things correct. The current word is that Kobe and his daughter, the daughter's friend, the friend's parent, and the pilot are the ones who died.

[Cyber Liberty]

Did Kobe have any information that could have implicated Hillary Clinton?  Killing all the passengers of an entire aircraft to neutralize the target is a hallmark of a Clinton hit.

[Applewood]

Did Kobe have any information that could have implicated Hillary Clinton?  Killing all the passengers of an entire aircraft to neutralize the target is a hallmark of a Clinton hit.

Come here, Cyber.   

[PeteS in CA]

Now 9 are believed to have died, https://nypost.com/2020/01/26/kobe-bryant-reportedly-killed-in-california-helicopter-crash/ . https://fox61.com/2020/01/26/death-toll-now-9-people-in-crash-of-sikorsky-s-76-carrying-kobe-bryant-and-daughter/

MSM

MSM

MSM

MSM

MSM

[Applewood]

That guy with the frying pan is getting a workout.  LOL

[corbe]

Did Kobe have any information that could have implicated Hillary Clinton?  Killing all the passengers of an entire aircraft to neutralize the target is a hallmark of a Clinton hit.

[EasyAce]

One of the dead in the crash was longtime college baseball coach John Altobelli. Among other things, he coached Orange Coast College to four state titles and over 700 wins, and when he later managed in the Cape Cod League his players included Aaron Judge (Yankees) and Jeff McNeil (Mets).

He took a chance on me, kept me the whole summer. Him taking that chance on me, having me on his team, got me drafted.--Jeff McNeil.

Altobelli and Bryant apparently became friends after their daughters met and became friends.

RIP.

[mountaineer]

Photos and info about all of the dead at Daily Mail.

[Applewood]

Photos and info about all of the dead at Daily Mail.

@mountaineer

That's the kind of coverage I would like to see from US media.  Thanks for posting the link to the Daily Mail.

[Gefn]

Bob Shane, Founding Member of Grammy-Winners The Kingston Trio, Dies at 85

Bob Shane, the last surviving member of The Kingston Trio, a celebrated Bay Area group who sparked the folk music revival in the 1950s, died Sunday (Jan. 26) of complications connected with pneumonia. He was 85.

Shane, Dave Guard and Nick Reynolds established the act in San Francisco in the 1950s, and produced hit after folk hit with seventeen songs impacting the Hot 100, and another 11 titles on the Billboard 200 chart.

The Kingston Trio are best known for "Tom Dooley," which led the Hot 100 in November 1958 and earned the group one of two Grammy Awards, bagging the trophy for best country & western performance.

https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/obituary/8549417/bob-shane-kingston-trio-obit

@EasyAce
@Sighlass

[jmyrlefuller]

Error 404 (Not Found)!!1

[jmyrlefuller]

John Andretti
Member of auto racing royalty dies at 56



John was the nephew of open-wheel racing legend Mario Andretti and thus member of a prominent auto racing family along with several of his cousins. He had a diverse racing career that included IndyCar, NASCAR (his longest and most sustained racing circuit, racing for 18 seasons), hot rods and sports cars. He was the first to attempt Double Duty, the 1100-mile, two-race marathon that involves racing in the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.

Andretti died January 30 after a three-year bout with colon cancer.

Obituary from Tegna

Wikipedia

[mountaineer]

January 30, 2020 12:24PM PT
Fred Silverman, TV Executive Who Led Programming at ABC, CBS and NBC, Dies at 82
by Paula Bernstein   

Fred Silverman, the executive who became the only person in TV history to have headed programming for each of the Big Three broadcast networks, died Thursday at his home in the Pacific Palisades. He was 82.

Silverman died with his family by his side.

During his prolific career, Silverman was credited with helping to launch some of the most successful shows and miniseries of all time, including “All in the Family,” “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Happy Days,” “The Waltons” and “Roots.” ...Full story at Variety

[Free Vulcan]

Very few real geniuses on this planet. Silverman was one of them.

[Applewood]

Silverman compiled an impressive body of work.  Today's tv shows don't hold a candle to all the shows Silverman was involved in. 

Rest in peace.

[jmyrlefuller]

Jack Burns
Comic writer dies at 86


Burns (top) with Avery Schreiber

Burns built a long résumé in his comedy career, beginning with his early work as a double act with George Carlin in the early 1960s. That would be followed by his brief, and ill-fated, run as Warren Ferguson, the deputy sheriff initially tasked to replace Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show after Don Knotts left the program; Burns's run as Ferguson lasted less than half a season. He spent the next two decades focused mainly on writing and voice acting, continuing to rack up credits including Hee Haw, The Muppet Show (and The Muppet Movie), and the ABC late-night sketch series Fridays. He continued voice work through the 1990s.

Burns died January 27 after several years in senior care.

Obituary from The Wrap

Wikipedia

[jmyrlefuller]

Silverman compiled an impressive body of work.  Today's tv shows don't hold a candle to all the shows Silverman was involved in. 

Rest in peace.

Let's just try and forget Supertrain, Pink Lady and Jeff, Hello Larry and Jean Doumanian.

Ah, well. We all make mistakes.

[EasyAce]

Let's just try and forget Supertrain, Pink Lady and Jeff, Hello Larry and Jean Doumanian.

Ah, well. We all make mistakes.

And then he went on to atone for those with Hill Street Blues, Cheers, and St. Elsewhere.

But at least he didn't give us . . .

[TomSea]

Mike
@Doranimated
·
Jan 28
What a loss. “Just a Minute” was one of my favorites, not least of all because of the gentlemanly yet mischievous demeanor of Parsons. I had no idea how old he was. It’s amazing not just that he kept working in his 90s but in a format that required a quick wit.

https://twitter.com/Doranimated

Nicholas Parsons: 'Broadcasting legend' dies at 96 after short illness
    28 January 2020

Broadcaster Nicholas Parsons has died at the age of 96 after a short illness, his agent has confirmed.

Parsons had hosted Radio 4's Just A Minute since its inception in 1967.

"Nicholas passed away in the early hours of the 28th of January," said a statement issued by his agent Jean Diamond.

...

Nicholas Parsons was made a CBE in 2014

Read more at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-51278023?ns_linkname=news_central&ns_campaign=bbc_breaking&ns_source=twitter&ns_mchannel=social

I really enjoyed "Just a minute",  though, I only heard it a few times. A true legend. RIP.

[mountaineer]

Author Mary Higgins Clark, 'Queen of Suspense,' dead at 92
Publishing's “Queen of Suspense” has died
By HILLEL ITALIE AP National Writer
January 31, 2020, 11:01 PM

NEW YORK -- Mary Higgins Clark, the tireless and long-reigning "Queen of Suspense" whose tales of women beating the odds made her one of the world's most popular writers, died Friday at age 92.

Her publisher, Simon & Schuster, announced that she died of natural causes in Naples, Florida.  ...

Widowed in her late 30s with five children, she became a perennial bestseller over the second half of her life, writing or co-writing "A Stranger Is Watching," "Daddy's Little Girl" and more than 50 other favorites. Sales topped 100 million copies and honors came from all over, including a Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters from France or a Grand Master statuette back home from the Mystery Writers of America. Many of her books, like "A Stranger is Watching" and "Lucky Day," were adapted for movies and television. She also collaborated on several novels with her daughter, Carol Higgins Clark. ... Full story

[sneakypete]

Sales topped 100 million copies and honors came from all over, including a Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters from France or a Grand Master statuette back home from the Mystery Writers of America.

That's  pretty damn impressive,I don't care who you are!

I will admit to having never read any of her books,though.

[Gefn]

I’ve read a few. She wasn’t Agatha Christie, but she could write a book you read in a sitting and enjoyed.
RIP.