Hall of Fame pitcher for the Cleveland Indians -- via WHO. He grew up 100 miles east of where I grew up, in the beautiful fields of Van Meter, Iowa. He grew up working on the farm. He started playing in the major leagues at the age of 17; he never spent a day in the minors.
266 wins; 2,581 strikeouts. He set a modern record of 18 strikeouts in one game. He's the only man to pitch a no-hitter on Opening Day, one of his three no-hitters. He had amazing stamina and discipline, and is estimated to have been one of the three hardest-throwing pitchers in baseball history. His nicknames: "the Heater from Van Meter," "Bullet Bob," "Rapid Robert."
A legend, a near-mythic figure. One of my heroes. God bless him.
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.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
J. Michael Hagopian
Documentary filmmaker -- via the L.A. Times. Much of his work centered on a catastrophe he survived, the Armenian genocide of the early 20th century.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Stuart "Woolly" Wolstenholme
Keyboardist and singer, most notably with prog-rock group Barclay James Harvest -- via woollywolstenholme.co.uk.
Jacob Lateiner
Classical pianist, professor and scholar -- via the New York Times. He commissioned Elliott Carter's Piano Concerto, and premiered Roger Sessions's Third Piano Sonata.
Wayne Ruppert Sr.
A police officer and, eventually, Police Chief of York City, PA -- via the York Dispatch. He mentored kids in trouble, he helped the community, he saved lives -- he cared and went that extra mile!
Richard Holbrooke
Diplomat and foreign-policy expert -- via the Washington Post. Although his death has been covered extensively in the mainstream media, I provide the Post's comprehensive summary of his life for reference purposes, and to emphasize his last chilling words -- "You've got to stop this war in Afghanistan."
Monday, December 13, 2010
Michael Sharvell-Martin aka Michael Ernest Martin
Comedic actor who was a stalwart supporting performer -- via the Independent.
Robin Thornber
Regional theatre journalist and critic -- via the Guardian. And here's a tribute page -- as a theatre writer, it's gratifying to find someone in the biz who is remembered fondly, although their work was fair and probing!
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."
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