Deaths of famous people (2021)

[imref]

Bob Dole has died at age 98.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Bob Dole has died at age 98.

symbolically, that's it.  I can't think of another living high profile WWII vet.  There are some regular folks, but this is symbolically the end of the greatest generation.  They left us a pretty great country.  Let's not f it up.

[varoadking]

symbolically, that's it.  I can't think of another living high profile WWII vet.  There are some regular folks, but this is symbolically the end of the greatest generation.  They left us a pretty great country.  Let's not f it up.

Yup...having lived in Hawaii for 8 years, easy to say that Daniel Inouye was another, and he passed away in 2012...and of course, George H. W. Bush 3 years ago...

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I always find the story of how Inouye and Dole met as encapsulating their peers

[imref]

symbolically, that's it.  I can't think of another living high profile WWII vet.  There are some regular folks, but this is symbolically the end of the greatest generation.  They left us a pretty great country.  Let's not f it up.

Mel Brooks.

Via military.com:

Before he could complete his degree in psychology from Brooklyn College, Brooks was drafted into the Army to fight during World War II. He served as a corporal in the 1104 Engineer Combat Battalion, 78th Infantry Division as a combat engineer. One of his tasks during the war was to defuse land mines, and he also fought in the Battle of the Bulge. It has been reported that when the Germans played propaganda recordings over loudspeakers, Brooks responded by setting up his own sound system and played music by Al Jolson, a Jewish musician. He would get in a further dig at Nazi leader Adolf Hitler a few decades later when he directed The Producers, a comedy focused on the worst Broadway musical of all time, "Springtime for Hitler."

[GburgNatsFan]

Mel Brooks.

Via military.com:

Before he could complete his degree in psychology from Brooklyn College, Brooks was drafted into the Army to fight during World War II. He served as a corporal in the 1104 Engineer Combat Battalion, 78th Infantry Division as a combat engineer. One of his tasks during the war was to defuse land mines, and he also fought in the Battle of the Bulge. It has been reported that when the Germans played propaganda recordings over loudspeakers, Brooks responded by setting up his own sound system and played music by Al Jolson, a Jewish musician. He would get in a further dig at Nazi leader Adolf Hitler a few decades later when he directed The Producers, a comedy focused on the worst Broadway musical of all time, "Springtime for Hitler."

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Inouye used to show up for local shows of his son's band (Marginal Man), hearing loss from artillery a plus

Yup...having lived in Hawaii for 8 years, easy to say that Daniel Inouye was another, and he passed away in 2012...and of course, George H. W. Bush 3 years ago...

[Natsinpwc]

Inouye used to show up for local shows of his son's band (Marginal Man), hearing loss from artillery a plus

Rode with him in the elevator in the Federal Building in Honolulu a couple of times.  Saw Imelda Marcos once in the elevator also.  Nice shoes.

[varoadking]

I always find the story of how Inouye and Dole met as encapsulating their peers

I wasn't aware of that...great story...

https://www.rollcall.com/2012/12/20/dole-has-one-last-moment-with-inouye/

[imref]

I flew home on a red eye from LA 10 years ago or so on the same flight as Dole. He had done the Tonight Show and earlier.  I sat across from him on the people mover. He was chirpy and chatting with everyone. His 20-something aide, and the rest of us, could barely stay awake.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I wasn't aware of that...great story...

https://www.rollcall.com/2012/12/20/dole-has-one-last-moment-with-inouye/

I honestly think their relationship would make for a heck of a nostalgia movie about that generation and former times in the Capitol.

[1995hoo]

Four-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser Sr. at 82.

https://www.espn.com/racing/story/_/id/32835497/al-unser-sr-four-winner-indianapolis-500-dies-82

[skippy1999]

Man feels like I was just watching this guy play, what a shame

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32834405/former-denver-broncos-wr-demaryius-thomas-33-found-dead-home-police-say

[1995hoo]

Mike Nesmith of the Monkees took the Last Train to Clarksville earlier today at age 78.

[imref]

Mike Nesmith of the Monkees took the Last Train to Clarksville earlier today at age 78.

And just Micky remains.

[skippy1999]

Mike Nesmith of the Monkees took the Last Train to Clarksville earlier today at age 78.

Excellent use of a Monkees' song

[Natsinpwc]

He wrote this song that was Linda Rondstat's first hit.

[English Natsie]

Really sad news - 'Rio' has always been a great favourite.

[blue911]

[imref]

Anne Rice, 80. Died of a stroke per her family.

[Dave in Fairfax]

Not sure how famous he is outside of Washington sports circles, but Len Hauss has died at age 79. Center for the Redskins from 1964 to 1977.

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

[HondoKillebrew]

Not sure how famous he is outside of Washington sports circles, but Len Hauss has died at age 79. Center for the Redskins from 1964 to 1977.

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

Fantastic player.  One of many O lineman who'll never get their due because the positions don't really have stats and are unheralded overall (except for left tackles).  RIP, Len.  You were appreciated in DC.

[imref]

Bishop Desmond Tutu

[Five Banners]

Sally Ann Howes

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Bishop Desmond Tutu

I was surprised he was only 90.