Remembering The Passed

Remembering Michael J. Pollard, Fred Cox, Gahan Wilson, Jake Burton CarpenterMichael J. Pollard was the pie-faced actor best known for his Academy Award nominated role as C.W. Moss, the fictional member of the Bonnie and Clyde gang in the classic 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde. Fred Cox was the longtime placekicker for the Minnesota Vikings, and he also invented the NERF football, one of America’s favorite toys. Gahan Wilson was a cartoonist for a number of publications including Playboy and The New Yorker. His cartoons are known for their morbid subjects and macabre drawings. Jake Burton Carpenter was the inventor of the snowboard and was responsible in the main for snowboarding becoming an Olympic sport.

Remembering John Simon, Clive James, Barbara Hillary, Nick Clifford John Simon was the acerbic critic for a number of publications, and he reviewed plays, movies, and films. He was one of America’s top critics for decades, known for his well-written but frequently acerbic reviews and insults. Clive James was one of Great Britain’s top critics in a mold similar to that of John Simon. James was erudite and comfortable on television, reviewing and participating in both high and low culture. Barbara Hillary was the first African-American woman to reach both the North and South Poles. She accomplished both of these goals after her 75th birthday. Nick Clifford was the last surviving stone carver who worked on Mount Rushmore.

Remembering Harrison Dillard, Vera Clemente, Dr. C. Wayne Bardin, Werner Doehner, Klees Golf Shop Harrison Dillard came out of Cleveland’s East Tech High School, the same high school as Jesse Owens, and like Owens he won four gold medals, two in 1948 and two in 1952. He is the only man to win gold as a sprinter and a hurdler. Vera Clemente was the wife of baseball great Roberto Clemente and she helped keep his legacy alive with her humanitarian activities. Dr. C. Wayne Bardin was one of America’s leading endocrinologists, and he developed several methods of hormonal birth control. Werner Doehner was an eight-year old boy in 1937 when his parents brought him to America on the Hindenburg. He was the last survivor of the ill-fated hydrogen airship. The family-run Klees Golf Shop was a fixture on the South Side of Chicago for more than a century.

Remembering Peter Collier, Zeke Bratkowski, Maria Perego, Robert Freeman, Bob Norris Peter Collier was the activist turned author who began his life as a radical and then converted to an anti-radical stance. Along with his colleague David Horowitz, he wrote about the destructive consequences of the 1960’s as well as biographies of the Fords, Kennedys, and Rockefellers. Zeke Bratkowski was the back-up quarterback to Bart Starr on the legendary green Bay Packer teams of the 1960’s. Maria Perego was the Italian puppeteer who created Topo Gigio, the mouse who enchanted millions on The Ed Sullivan Show. Robert Freeman was the photographer who created the memorable photo that served as the cover of “Meet The Beatles”, the group’s introductory album in the United States in 1964. Bob Norris was the model for one of the most successful advertising campaigns in history, “The Marlboro Man.”

Remembering Willie Brown, Robert Evans, John Conyers, Bernie ParrishWillie Brown was the Hall of Fame cornerback who spent most of his career with the Oakland Raiders. He originated the “bump and run” style of coverage, which is a staple of football today. Robert Evans was the flamboyant movie producer and Hollywood personality known for hi slavish lifestyle. He produced some of the best-known and successful movies of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s including Love Story (1970), The Godfather (1972), and Chinatown (1974). He saved Paramount from bankruptcy and made it into Hollywood’s most successful studio of the era. John Conyers was the long-time member of The House of Representatives for fifty years, the sixth-longest membership in history and the longest membership for an African-American in the House. As a member of the Judiciary Committee, he presided over two presidential impeachment hearings. Bernie Parrish was the cornerback for the Cleveland Browns, who spent his post-football career working for be

Remembering Alexei Leonov, Ginger Baker, Karen PendletonIn March of 1965, the Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov became the first man to walk in space, traveling in the space capsule Voskhod 2. Leonov went on to become one of the most respected space travellers in the Soviet Union and in the United States as well. Ginger Baker was the tempestuous British rock drummer best known for his work in Cream, the first rock supergroup. In Cream, Baker teamed with Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce. He went on to play in other groups including Blind Faith with Stevie Winwood. Karen Pendleton was one of the original Mouseketeers in the Walt Disney’s television series The Mickey Mouse Club. She was also one of the youngest Mouseketeers and she stayed during the entire run of the series.

Remembering Ron Fairly, Ernest Gaines, Gert Boyle, Bernard SladeRon Fairly was a Major League outfielder for 20 years and then he went on to be a broadcaster for another three-plus decades. With experience in more than 7,000 games, he was a prolific storyteller. Some of his best stories were about LA Dodger teammate Sandy Koufax and World Series rival Mickey Mantle. Ernest Gaines was the Louisiana novelist whose work was turned into television movies. His most notable work was The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, which starred Cicely Tyson in the 1974 television version. Gert Boyle was the longtime president of Columbia sportswear. She became one of Oregon’s leading philanthropists. Bernard Slade was the writer who created The Flying Nun (1967-1970) and The Partridge Family (1970-1974) for television and Same Time, Next Year (1975) for Broadway.

Remembering Ellie the Beagle, Harold Bloom, Dr. Bernard Fisher, Robert ForsterEllie the Beagle, who died at age 18, was the most loving loyal beagle in the world. She had a hearty appetite and a gregarious nature, and she was loved by all who met her. Harold Bloom was a literary intellectual and critic at Yale for six decades. He was said to be able to recite all of Shakespeare by memory. Dr. Bernard Fisher was the Pittsburgh surgeon who revolutionized breast cancer treatment with his adherence to data and his organization of large studies that debunked aggressive surgery. Robert Forster was the dependable actor who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor opposite Pam Grier in the Quentin Tarantino/Elmore Leonard collaboration Jackie Brown (1997).

Remembering Sgt. Francis CurreyAs a private first class, Francis Currey was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in defending a strong point near Malmedy, Belgium, on December21, 1944. At Malmedy, four days before that, German SS troops committed a massacre of between 80 and 88 captured American prisoners of war by shooting the unarmed prisoners in an open field. This action was during the opening phase of the Battle of the Bulge, the last German offensive of the Western front in their unsuccessful attempt to surround Allied forces. Pvt. First Class Currey, later promoted to sergeant, helped delay German troop movements until the weather cleared and American air forces were able to halt the German offensive a week later.

Remembering Jessye Norman, Diahann CarrollJessye Norman was the American opera singer who emerged from Georgia to become one of the world’s foremost operatic sopranos. She specialized in German operas, but later branched out into other operatic forms and then into popular music. She won several Grammys for her recording of Wagner. Diahann Carroll was the beautiful and talented actress who starred in movies, Broadway and television. She was originally a singer but branched out into acting and was the star of the groundbreaking sitcom “Julia” (1968-1971), where she played a single working mother. She later went on to a widely acclaimed role in “Dynasty” 1984-1987

Remembering Hopalong Cassady, Dr. Robert McClelland, Jimmy Nelson, Robert Hunter, WGN/Chicago CubsHoward “Hopalong” Cassady was the legendary Ohio State running back who won the 1955 Heisman Trophy and helped the Buckeyes to a national championship. Robert McClelland was one of the surgeons at Parkland Hospital on November 22, 1963, who was called in to treat President Kennedy after Kennedy was shot in Dealey Plaza. Jimmy Nelson was one of the top ventriloquists of the early television era, best known for the Nestle chocolate commercials he performed with his dummies. Robert Hunter was a close friend of Jerry Garcia and lyricist for the Grateful Dead. Television and radio station WGN was the longtime broadcast home of the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs are leaving WGN after 72 years.

Remembering Sander Vanocur, Cokie Roberts, Ric Ocasek, Phyllis NewmanSander Vanocur was the television journalists best known for his coverage of political conventions. He was one of the panelists in the 1960 Nixon-Kennedy presidential debates. He also did enlightening interviews with Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King before their deaths. Cokie Roberts was one of the first national female political correspondents. She had a long career on NPR followed by a stint on ABC, and blazed a trial for women in journalism. Ric Ocasek was one of the founders, lyricist, and occasional frontman for the 1970’s/1980’s rock group, The Cars. Besides their distinctive sound, The Cars had a flair for innovative rock videos, and Ric was also the husband of supermodel Paulina Porizkova. Phyllis Newman was a Tony-winning actress who went on to being a staple on television game shows. She was the wife of composer Adolph Green.

Remembering T. Boone Pickens, Robert Frank, Eddie MoneyT. Boone Pickens was the Oklahoma energy magnate who made and lost several fortunes, and also made a name as a corporate raider in the 1980s. He founded Mesa Petroleum and attempted to buy out much larger oil companies, usually unsuccessfully. His efforts did result in chastened boardrooms in many of those companies. He was also the largest single contributor to his alma mater, Oklahoma State University, in Stillwater. Robert Frank was the Swiss photographer who came to the United States after World War II and photography and photographic subjects were handled. In the 1950s and 60s, he did much of his work with the Beat poets. Eddie Money was the son of a New York policeman who turned to rock and roll, and became one of the most successful solo artists of the 1980s.

Remembering Valerie HarperValerie Harper was the obscure Broadway actress who was given the part of Mary Tyler Moore’s neighbor on the 1970 television show The Mary Tyler Moore Show. She created one of television’s most iconic characters, Rhoda Morgenstern, a brash brassy New Yorker and a perfect foil to Mary. She was so popular that her character was turned into a successful spinoff, Rhoda (1974-1978). The marriage episode became one of the most-watched television shows of the era. In real life, besides being beautiful she was witty, articulate, and brave in the face of illness.

Remembering James LeavelleJim Leavelle was the only man present at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and in Dallas on November 22, 1963. He was a sailor aboard the USS Whitney when he watched the Japanese bombing of the USS Arizona. In Dallas, he was a homicide detective who was involved in the capture and interrogation of Lee Harvey Oswald after the assassination of President Kennedy. He is best known for being the man in the white suit and cowboy hat in the Pulitzer Prize winning photograph that shows him escorting Oswald the moment the prisoner is shot by Jack Ruby.

Remembering Rosemary Kuhlmann, Robert Mugabe, Carol Lynley, Jimmy JohnsonRosemary Kuhlmann was the opera star who performed in Amahl and the Night Visitors, the Christmas opera written by Gian Carlo Menotti for NBC television in 1951. She played Amahl’s mother in the performance for 12 consecutive years. Robert Mugabe was the brutal socialist dictator of Zimbabwe for nearly forty years. Carol Lynley was the beautiful blonde actress best known for her role in The Poseidon Adventure (1972). Jimmy Johnson was a member of the Swampers, the session musicians who played at Muscle Shoals FAME studios.

Remembering Kary MullisKary Mullis was awarded one half of the 1993 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, along with Michael Smith. Dr. Mullis was given the Prize for his invention of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR revolutionized medicine by permitting the creation of essentially unlimited copies of strands of DNA. This has been a vital process in everything from microbiology, where bacteria can be more easily identified, to forensic medicine, where crime-scene DNA can be recreated. Dr. Mullis was also known for his free spirit and his controversial views.

Remembering Tom O’Hara, Al Haynes, Bill McEnerneyTom O’Hara was the track star from Loyola University in Chicago who broke the world record for the indoor mile in 1964. His modesty and quiet demeanor as he shattered the record earned him a place on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Al Haynes was the pilot of United Flight 232 that crash-landed in Sioux City, Iowa. Although 112 people died, his efforts saved another 184 who were on the plane. Bill McEnerney was a tough guy who battled illness for over half a century.

Remembering Peter Fonda, Liane Russell, Jack Whitaker, Richard WilliamsPeter Fonda was the male scion of the Fonda family, who is best known for his creation and starring role in the revolutionary 1969 film Easy Rider. With its low budget and verite style, it revolutionized Hollywood movie making. Liane Russell was the scientist who worked at Oak Ridge after World War II and was instrumental in describing the effects of radiation in mammals in utero. Jack Whitaker was the elegant sportscaster for CBS, best known for his coverage of golf and horse racing. Richard Williams was the cartoon animator who created Roger Rabbit for the 1988 combined live action/animation film Who Killed Roger Rabbit.

Remembering Henri Belolo, Nuon Chea, Edward Lewis, Sherman Poppen Henri Belolo was the music producer who helped create the music group The Village People, who were popular across the world in the late 1970’s with songs like YMCA and Macho Man. Nuon Chea was the second-in-command of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia in the 1970’s. He and his cohorts including Pol Pot were responsible for the deaths of two million Cambodians in a country of seven million. Edward Lewis was the film producer who helped end the Hollywood blacklist when he publicly hired Dalton Trumbo, a member of the Hollywood Ten, for the Kirk Douglas movie Spartacus (1960). Sherman Poppen was the Michigan man who came up with the idea of snurfing, essentially surfing in the snow with a snowboard he invented.