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, September 29, 2015
Fred Saiz
Barber -- via me. He cut hair for seven decades, and for 60 years he owned and ran Silver & Gold Barbers on the Hill in Boulder. A nice guy, he did things like keep a bowl full of those good, big Tootsie Pops to give away to good children (and me). He gave out delicious Rocky Ford cantaloupes one day a year (he bought a truckful) to whoever stopped by the shop.
And he was the best damn barber I ever knew. He cut my hair for 25 years and never did anything less than an excellent job -- same thing for his staff as well. In this world, where incompetence and mendacity rule the day, you could count on Fred. You got your money's worth, every time. I can't think of another institution with a similar record.
It's a small but vital pleasure to get a good haircut, and masters of their craft are few and far between. Thanks, Fred, for being such a good example!
And he was the best damn barber I ever knew. He cut my hair for 25 years and never did anything less than an excellent job -- same thing for his staff as well. In this world, where incompetence and mendacity rule the day, you could count on Fred. You got your money's worth, every time. I can't think of another institution with a similar record.
It's a small but vital pleasure to get a good haircut, and masters of their craft are few and far between. Thanks, Fred, for being such a good example!
Monday, September 28, 2015
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Bruno Stutz
Clown -- via the Guardian. One of the great "white clowns" of the 20th Century, traditionally the straight man in circus routines.
Nick Frazer
Broadcaster -- via horancares.com. A broadcaster and program manager for radio and television who worked across the country. He intersected with my life as the co-host and producer of the underground TV show "Homemovies" on KBDI-TV in Broomfield, Colorado from 1981 through 1992. For many years, I was one of the rowdy crew that wrote and performed comedy sketches on the show. Here's a recent story I wrote abut the experience. Nick was unflappable, an essential quality when dealing with no budget, no resources, and precious little talent. He was unfailingly kind to me, friendly and supportive. His work on "Homemovies" dd exactly what public television should -- put regular folks on air with their fanciful creations. Thanks, Nick, you helped make it fun!
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Friday, September 25, 2015
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra
The greatest catcher that ever lived -- MLB Hall of Fame catcher; All-Star for FIFTEEN CONSECUTIVE SEASONS, 18 total. Three-time AL MVP. Thirteen World Series rings. Successful MLB manager as well; a thrilling, muscular artist with a genius for misexpressing himself -- via the New York Times. It was all so long ago that it's difficult to remember that before Yogi was a character he was a giant, the linchpin and creative intelligence of the Dreamtime Yankees. This was combined with great physical strength, and throwing and hitting accuracy. (Did the man have a flaw? Sure. He was not what you might call a stellar baserunner.) He could think, though his verbal parabolas and Bronx/Zen philosophy belie it (he sounded like a New Yorker, but he grew up in St. Louis). Above all, to us he was just a regular guy -- that nutty guy at the end of the bar, the guy you hung out with during lunch at work. I saw him from far away, always, or through a TV screen. When she was a kid, my wife sat on his lap. God bless you, Yogi. "Dear Mr. President: He was out." "I never saw nobody hit one with his face." "If fans don't come out to the ballpark, you can't stop them." I tearfully told my son. "Who killed him?" he asked. "God," I said. Evidently that was the only one who could deter #8.
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