October 2006

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Tuba player from the Jaws theme dead at 71

Tommy Johnson, who, along with Steven Spielberg and a mechanical shark, scared the crap out of movie-goers in the 1970s, died from complications of cancer and kidney failure at UCLA Medical Center on October 16. Johnson played the foreboding tones that let you know the shark was nearby and that bikini-clad vixen in the water was chum. Johnson played in thousands of movie scores during his half-century career, including The Godfather, Star Trek, and Titanic. He also worked with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Academy Awards Orchestra, and taught music at the high school and college levels. He was 71.

Source: Associated Press, IMDB

Posted by Corey Anderson at October 26, 2006 5:36 PM | Comments (0)

 

The Detroit Lions's first black player dead at 82

North Carolina native Bob Mann, honorable mention All-American and All-Big Nine star of the Michigan Wolverines, and the first African American Detroit Lion, passed away Saturday, October 21. Mann played on Wolverines coach Fritz Crisler's national championship and undefeated (10-0) team, and in 1948, he and back Melvin Groomes became the Lions's first African American players. In 1949, Mann set a team record for receptions with 66, and led the NFL in yards receiving with 1,014, making him the Lions's first 1,000-yard receiver. Mann was traded to the New York Yanks for future Hall of Fame quarterback Bobby Layne, and ended his career with the Green Bay Packers (1950-54). Following his football career, Mann earned his law degree and led the Robert Mann & Associates law firm for over thirty years. Mann was 82.

Sources: DetroitLions.com, Associated Press

Posted by Corey Anderson at October 25, 2006 11:05 AM | Comments (1)

 

First Italian woman to win an Olympic gold medal dead at 90

Trebisonda "Ondina" Valla, the 80-meter hurdles champion at the 1936 Summer Games in Berlin, died of natural causes in her hometown of L'Aquila, Italy. Valla tied a world record when she ran the 80-meter hurdles (no longer an Olympic event) in 11.6 seconds in the semifinals at the Berlin Games. She won the final in the event in 11.7 seconds, with four athletes rushing together at the finish line. A photo finish picture was needed to award the silver and bronze medals. Valla's life-long rival, Claudia Testoni, finished fourth, without a medal. Valla set 21 Italian records during her career until back problems forced her retirement in the early 1940s. She was 90.

Sources: Boston Globe, International Herald Tribune, Time.com

Posted by Corey Anderson at October 20, 2006 6:20 AM | Comments (0)

 

Doctor who delivered first "test-tube" baby dead at 87

Mason Andrews, an obstetrician and gynecologist who delivered Elizabeth Jordan Carr on Dec. 28, 1981, died last Friday, October 13 of pulmonary fibrosis. Andrews earned his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 1943, and finished his residency there in 1950, following a tour in the Navy. He was a co-founder of the Eastern Virginia Medical School and helped it's Jones Institute become a leader in reproductive medicine. Andrews delivered approximately 5,000 babies in the Norfolk, Virginia, area, the most famous being Carr, the nation's first baby conceived outside her mother's body. Doctors Howard Jones and Georgeanna Seegar-Jones oversaw the in-vitro process. Dr. Fred Wirth cared for the child immediately after birth and presided over the news conference to the nation declaring Carr healthy and normal. In addition to his career in medicine, Mason Andrews also served as a member of the city council for 26 years, and the mayor from 1992-1994, helping to revitalize Norfolk through planning and spending millions to lure private investment. He was 87.

Sources: San Francisco Chronicle, Associated Press, Washington Post

Posted by Corey Anderson at October 19, 2006 2:05 PM | Comments (0)

 

Mother of women's rowing dead at 97

Ernestine "Ernie" Bayer, credited with bringing women's rowing to the international stage, died of pneumonia on Sept. 10. Bayer's interest in rowing grew while supporting her husband, Ernest, during his training on Pennsylvania's Schuylkill River for the 1928 Olympics. Following a decade of pleading, Ernest allowed Bayer to begin rowing. She founded the Philadelphia Girls Rowing Club in 1938 with 16 friends and co-workers, and competed in numerous races during the 1940s and 50s. Bayer competed at the first National Women's Rowing Association championship regatta in 1966, and in 1967 persuaded U.S. rowing officials to select her club as the American crew to participate in the European women's rowing championships in Vichy, France. The team came in last, but lead to the inclusion of women's rowing at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. The U.S. women's team earned their first gold medal eight years later. Bayer became the first woman in the National Rowing Foundation's Hall of Fame. She was 97.

Sources: Yahoo News, National Rowing Foundation, Friends of Rowing History

Posted by Corey Anderson at October 18, 2006 10:45 AM | Comments (0)

 

Dick Van Dyke Show and Tracey Ullman Show writer dead at 68

Jerry Belson, an Emmy-winning comedy writer, died of cancer at his Los Angeles home on Tuesday. Belson began his career as a magician, comic book writer, and drummer, before selling his first script to The Danny Thomas Show at age 22. The Thomas script led to work writing for The Dick Van Dyke Show, Gomer Pyle, I Spy, The Odd Couple, and Tracey Takes On. Belson's producing and directing credits included The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Rhoda, and The Drew Carey Show. Screenplay credits included the original Fun with Dick and Jane, The End, and Smokey and the Bandit II. Former writing partner Garry Marshall (Pretty Woman, Laverne & Shirley, et al.) said Belson "added dark, wild thoughts and lines," inserting bon mots he thought were funny even if only a few in the audience would understand or appreciate them. Belson was 68.

Sources: Yahoo News, IMDB, The Museum of Broadcast Communications

Posted by Corey Anderson at October 13, 2006 12:13 PM | Comments (0)

 

Fred Flintstone animator dead at 94

Ed Benedict, who brought Fred Flintstone and Yogi Bear to life for Hanna-Barbera Studios, died on August 28 in his sleep in Auburn, California. Benedict began his career at Disney Studios in 1930, followed by work with Woody Woodpecker creator Walter Lantz at Universal Studios throughout the 1930s. He returned to Disney in the 1940s. In 1952, Benedict was recruited by cartoon legend Tex Avery to become Avery's lead layout artist and designer at MGM. Benedict then joined the fledgling Hanna-Barbera Studios in the late 1950s where he designed the Flinstones, their neighbors Barney and Betty Rubble, as well as the cars, inventions, and landscapes for the primetime animated series (1960-1966). Benedict was also the primary designer of Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, Quick Draw McGraw, Snagglepuss, and other H-B staples. Benedict freelanced for various studios in the 1960s and 70s before retiring. He was 94.

Sources: Cartoon Brew, Don Markstein's Toonopedia, Associated Press, Wikipedia

Posted by Corey Anderson at October 12, 2006 6:42 AM | Comments (0)

 

Father of network computing dead at 82

Ray Noorda, who founded Novell Inc., died of complications from Alzheimer's disease at his home in Orem, Utah, on October 9. Noorda served as a Naval Electronics Technician in World War II, and after earning a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from the University of Utah, went to work for General Electric for 21 years. He became the CEO of Novell in 1983, making it the leader in software for corporate networks and personal computers until Microsoft caught up in the mid-1990s. Microsoft chair Bill Gates described his chief competitor as the "grumpy grandfather" of technology. Novell attempted to remain competitive by investing in the Unix OS, WordPerfect, and other products with limited success. Noorda left Novell in 1995 to form a capital venture firm. He was 82.

Sources: The Canopy Group, Associated Press

Posted by Corey Anderson at October 11, 2006 10:42 AM | Comments (0)

 

Negro League legend Buck O'Neil dead at 94

Star first baseman and manager in the Negro leagues, Buck O'Neil, died last Friday of congestive heart failure in Kansas City, Missouri. O'Neil gained famed late in life due to interviews featured in Ken Burns's 1994 PBS documentary "Baseball," which also generated renewed interest in the world of black baseball.

John Jordan O'Neil Jr., the grandson of a slave, was born in 1911 in Carrabelle, Florida, and was playing semipro baseball by age 12. In 1938, following semi-professional "barnstorming" experiences with the Miami Giants, New York Tigers, Shreveport Acme Giants, and Zulu Cannibal Giants, O'Neil joined the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro American League.

O'Neil led the league in batting twice, hitting .345 in 1940 and .350 in 1946, with a stint in the Navy in between (1943-45). He played in four East-West All-Star games and two Negro League World Series, and managed the Monarchs from 1948 to 1955. At age 85, O'Neil published his autobiography "I Was Right On Time," recalling memories of playing with Hall of Famers Satchel Paige, Cool Papa Bell, Josh Gibson, Oscar Charleston, Buck Leonard, and Ray Dandridge.

Buck O'Neil was hired by the Chicago Cubs in 1953 as a part-time scout and helped bring Monarchs' shortstop Ernie Banks to the club. Hired as a full-time Cubs scout in 1955, he discovered Lou Brock, Lee Smith, and Joe Carter and in May 1962, O'Neil became the first black man officially designated as a major league coach. He returned to scouting a few years later, and continued with the Cubs until 1988, when the Kansas City Royals gave him a job as a scout at home games. Returning to K.C. allowed O'Neil to build the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, which was founded in 1990 and opened in 1997.

Soon after, I had the pleasure of visiting the museum and was surprised to find O'Neil on the premises being interviewed by Len Dawson in one corner of the museum. Following the interview, O'Neil was kind enough to introduce himself to me and my friend, and give us a tour of the museum (above left photo). My respect for the man and all his accomplishments had grown from viewing "Baseball" and reading "I Was Right On Time," and meeting him was one of the greatest moments of my life.

Buck O'Neil was among 39 candidates for entry into the Hall of Fame at a vote in February 2006 to consider figures from black baseball who had yet to be inducted. Seventeen people were elected in that vote by a 12-person committee, but O'Neil and Minnie Minoso, the only two living figures given consideration, were not chosen. Former baseball commissioner Fay Vincent, who was chairman of the committee but did not vote, expressed surprise that O'Neil was not chosen. When the 17 figures were inducted into the Hall on July 30, 2006, O'Neil opened the ceremony with a recollection of the Negro leagues.

O'Neil has been inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame and was named "Midwest Scout of the Year" in 1998. O'Neil married Ora Lee Owens in 1946 and the two were married until Ora's death in the late 1990s. Buck O'Neil was 94.

Buck O'Neil from "I Was Right On Time":

"Love what you do in life, whether that be shoemaking, lawyering, writing, waiting tables, selling, doctoring, dishwashing, teaching, playing ball, mothering, fathering, policing, engineering, truckdriving, searching for the cure to cancer, firefighting, scouting, tailoring, filmmaking, et cetera, et cetera. Doesn't matter how much money you make... I have known bellhops who were happier and a lot better off than chairmen of the board. Love what you do. Take pride in it, take joy in it, and you'll live longer...

"I never stopped loving baseball, and I've been in it now for over sixty years... I played with Satchel Paige, I managed Ernie Banks, I coached Lou Brock, I scouted Lee Smith. I've said it before, I'll say it now, and I'll say it again: I was right on time."

The museum is currently accepting donations for the John "Buck" O'Neil Education and Research Center online through the Thanks a Million, Buck campaign.

Sources: Baseball Hall of Fame, New York Times, TheKansasCityChannel.com, "I Was Right On Time" (Fireside Books)

Posted by Corey Anderson at October 9, 2006 1:18 PM | Comments (1)

 

Cleopatra Jones dead at 59

Tamara Dobson, the 6-foot 2-inch tall model-turned-actress who portrayed Cleopatra Jones in two "blaxploitation" films, died Monday of complications from pneumonia and multiple sclerosis at the Keswick Multi-Care Center. Dobson appeared in such movies as Fuzz, Murder at the World Series, and Chained Heat, but is best known for playing the kung-fu fighting government agent Jones in 1973, and reprising the role in 1975's Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold. According to IMDB, the Guinness Book of World Records has recognized Dobson as the tallest leading lady ever in film. She had roles in the sci-fi series Jason of Star Command and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. Jones was diagnosed six years ago with multiple sclerosis and spent the last two years of her life at the multi-care center. She was 59.

Sources: Associated Press, IMDB, WebMD

Posted by Corey Anderson at October 6, 2006 12:56 AM | Comments (0)

 

Philadelphia Phillies organist for 35 seasons dead at 74

Part-time realtor and organ teacher Paul Richardson died Monday at his home in Wilmington, Delaware after a long illness. Richardson began his career with the Phillies in 1970 at Connie Mack Stadium and rallied spectators through 35 seasons, including 33 at Veterans Stadium, before leaving the club following the 2005 season at Citizens Bank Park. He also moonlighted as the weekend organist at Yankee Stadium from 1978 through 1982 when the Phillies were on the road. Richardson saw the Phillies though may difficult seasons, but also witnessed their 1980 World Series win. Richardson made numerous recordings of his music, and the Phillies continue to use his version of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." Phillies chairman Bill Giles: "He was an entertainer extraordinaire, someone who had the feel for how to excite and entertain the crowds. He loved to perform." Richardson was 74.

Sources: Associated Press, Philadelphia Phillies News, Major League Baseball

Posted by Corey Anderson at October 5, 2006 6:50 AM | Comments (0)

 

Bass singer of the Moonglows dead at 81

Prentiss Barnes, the bass singer for the doo-wop group the Moonglows, was killed in a car accident on Saturday east of Magnolia, Mississippi. The Moonglows recorded fewer than 50 songs in a span of less than six years, but earned success with the hits "Blue Velvet," "Sincerely," "Most of All," "We Go Together" and "Ten Commandments of Love." (Marvin Gaye joined the line-up in 1959.) The McGuire Sisters covered "Sincerely," took it to No. 1, and sold over a million copies of the single. Barnes headed to California in the mid-1960s to launch a solo career when a train struck his car in Texas and his left arm had to be amputated. His hip was also shattered, causing his right leg to shorten. Barnes and the rest of the Moonglows were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March 2000. Barnes is also a member of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and a Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer. Bill Morris of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame: "Prentiss had as good of a bass voice as anyone who ever performed as a doo wop bass singer. There are other greats who might even go lower but he had the broadest and most mellow of all of the bass voices I have heard." Barnes was 81.

Sources: VH1.com, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Yahoo News, VocalGroup.org

Posted by Corey Anderson at October 4, 2006 9:21 AM | Comments (0)

 

Only football captain for rivals Clemson and South Carolina dead at 83

Alfred Cary Cox Sr., the only person to become captain of state rivals Clemson and South Carolina football teams, with a stint in World War II thrown in between, died Saturday. Cox was South Carolina's captain in 1943, then served in the Second World War as officer in charge in the Pacific and was later commissioned as lieutenant. Following his service, he enrolled at Clemson and became captain of the Tigers. Cox graduated in 1948, and spent most of his career as an investment banker and a businessman. He retired three years ago as president of Starvin' Marvin Food Stores. He was 83.

Sources: Sporting News, Clemson, Associated Press, University of South Carolina, Sports Illustrated

Posted by Corey Anderson at October 3, 2006 5:29 PM | Comments (0)

 

Hungarian writer and human rights advocate dead at 79

Andras Suto, a human rights advocate for ethnic Hungarians in Romania, died Saturday night at a Budapest hospital where he was being treated for cancer. Western Romania, including Transylvania, was part of Hungary until World War I, and Suto spent decades fighting for the rights of ethnic Hungarians against the communist regime of Nicolae Ceausescu. From 1980, the Ceausescu regime banned his books and plays in Romania. They were published and performed to great acclaim in Hungary. He received literary awards from both countries. In March 1990, Suto was nearly beaten to death and lost an eye during fighting between Romanians and ethnic Hungarians. Suto was also a member of the Romanian parliament from 1965 to 1977, and vice president of the Romanian Writers' Association from 1974 to 1982. He was 79.

Sources: Amazon, Associated Press, Lonely Planet

Posted by Corey Anderson at October 2, 2006 10:54 AM | Comments (0)

 

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