R.I.P. The thread of death....celebrity or otherwise

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Sun Dec 26, 2021 4:53 pm

Alefroth wrote: ↑Sun Dec 26, 2021 2:59 pm Archbishop Desmond Tutu dies at 90 years old.

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/so ... 021-12-26/

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and veteran of South Africa's struggle against apartheid who was revered as his nation's conscience by both Black and white, died on Sunday aged 90.

Him and his name has been in my life for many decades now. RIP. He would be a Saint in many people's eyes.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Sun Dec 26, 2021 5:30 pm

Daehawk wrote: ↑Sun Dec 26, 2021 4:53 pm
Alefroth wrote: ↑Sun Dec 26, 2021 2:59 pm Archbishop Desmond Tutu dies at 90 years old.

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/so ... 021-12-26/

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and veteran of South Africa's struggle against apartheid who was revered as his nation's conscience by both Black and white, died on Sunday aged 90.

Him and his name has been in my life for many decades now. RIP. He would be a Saint in many people's eyes.

He was an Anglican archbishop, and the Anglican church doesn't canonize saints. They do have a system of declaring "heroes of the church" (avoiding the title "Saint" for historical reasons), and Tutu will surely be given that honor.

disarm · Post by **disarm** » Sun Dec 26, 2021 5:46 pm

I had the privilege of hearing Desmond Tutu speak at a conference in Cape Town, SA in 2008. He gave a very inspiring talk to a room full of anesthesiologists, but his great sense of humor is what stood out to me the most. A great voice has fallen silent....

Freyland · Post by **Freyland** » Sun Dec 26, 2021 6:50 pm

You have to have a great sense of humor talking to anesthesiologists, otherwise the audience just kind of goes numb.

disarm · Post by **disarm** » Sun Dec 26, 2021 9:24 pm

Freyland wrote:You have to have a great sense of humor talking to anesthesiologists, otherwise the audience just kind of goes numb.

If you don't keep it interesting, we all just fall asleep

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Mon Dec 27, 2021 11:39 am

Famous biologist and author E.O. Wilson died yesterday at the age of 92:

As an expert on insects, Dr. Wilson studied the evolution of behavior, exploring how natural selection and other forces could produce something as extraordinarily complex as an ant colony. He then championed this kind of research as a way of making sense of all behavior — including our own.

As part of his campaign, Dr. Wilson wrote a string of books that influenced his fellow scientists while also gaining a broad public audience. “On Human Nature” won the Pulitzer Prize for general nonfiction in 1979; “The Ants,” which Dr. Wilson wrote with his longtime colleague Bert Hölldobler, won him his second Pulitzer in 1991.

I've read a few of his books and essays (did so as part of a college class), but Diversity of Life (no Amazon or Kindle link, sorry) and In Search of Nature stick out to me. He's been part of various documentaries over the last 25+ years so if his name rings a bell, that might be why.

He was such a great writer; RIP.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Mon Dec 27, 2021 12:32 pm

Richard Marcinko

Retired Navy SEAL and the first commanding officer of SEAL Team Six, Richard “Dick” Marcinko, has died, according to a post on the Navy Seal Museum’s Facebook page.

He was 81.

A nonny mouse · Post by **A nonny mouse** » Mon Dec 27, 2021 1:02 pm

Smoove_B wrote: ↑Mon Dec 27, 2021 11:39 am Famous biologist and author E.O. Wilson died yesterday at the age of 92:

As an expert on insects, Dr. Wilson studied the evolution of behavior, exploring how natural selection and other forces could produce something as extraordinarily complex as an ant colony. He then championed this kind of research as a way of making sense of all behavior — including our own.

As part of his campaign, Dr. Wilson wrote a string of books that influenced his fellow scientists while also gaining a broad public audience. “On Human Nature” won the Pulitzer Prize for general nonfiction in 1979; “The Ants,” which Dr. Wilson wrote with his longtime colleague Bert Hölldobler, won him his second Pulitzer in 1991.
I've read a few of his books and essays (did so as part of a college class), but Diversity of Life (no Amazon or Kindle link, sorry) and In Search of Nature stick out to me. He's been part of various documentaries over the last 25+ years so if his name rings a bell, that might be why.

He was such a great writer; RIP.

Wow. RIP indeed. This hits home like when Carl Sagan died. I was such an admirer of his for the way he could write. Such a great writer and scientist- as well as being a genuinely humble and nice person. Diversity of Life was our bible for a time during my Masters. A few friends and I road tripped from West Lafayette IN to Champaign IL 2 days in a row to listen to him give a few lectures. I got him to sign a copy of Diversity of Life for my prof who was a huge fan but could not make the talks.

He started one talk with “We know that communism works, we’ve just applied it to the wrong species.” Ah Entomological humor

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Mon Dec 27, 2021 1:45 pm

The timing on this with whats going on in the country now......

Sarah Weddington, the lawyer who at 26 successfully argued Roe v. Wade, has died

Sarah Weddington, a Texas lawyer who as a 26-year-old successfully argued the landmark abortion rights case Roe v. Wade before the U.S. Supreme Court, died Sunday. She was 76.

Susan Hays, Weddington's former student and colleague, said she died in her sleep early Sunday morning at her Austin home. Weddington had been in poor health for some time and it was not immediately clear what caused her death, Hays told The Associated Press.

dbt1949 · Post by **dbt1949** » Mon Dec 27, 2021 2:09 pm

Too bad. Looks like they're going to need him.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Mon Dec 27, 2021 2:44 pm

dbt1949 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 27, 2021 2:09 pm Too bad. Looks like they're going to need him.

Him who?

dbt1949 · Post by **dbt1949** » Mon Dec 27, 2021 3:31 pm

Her. My bad.

Skinypupy · Post by **Skinypupy** » Tue Dec 28, 2021 8:28 pm

John Madden passes at 85. Truly a legend.

Hyena · Post by **Hyena** » Tue Dec 28, 2021 8:37 pm

Skinypupy wrote: ↑Tue Dec 28, 2021 8:28 pm John Madden passes at 85. Truly a legend.

I don't know any specifics, but I think ESPN knew this was coming. They have that special on him airing New Year's Day that I was looking forward to.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Tue Dec 28, 2021 8:37 pm

I'm glad he was around to see the documentary released.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Tue Dec 28, 2021 9:27 pm

Former Senate majority leader Harry Reid (D) has died at age 82.

WaPo:

Harry M. Reid, a Nevada Democrat who rose from a hardscrabble mining town to become one of the longest-serving Senate majority leaders in history and a political force during the presidencies of George W. Bush and Barack Obama, died Dec. 28 at his home in Henderson, Nev. He was 82.

The death was confirmed by David Krone, a former chief of staff. Mr. Reid was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2018.

Hyena · Post by **Hyena** » Tue Dec 28, 2021 9:32 pm

Interesting...and just after J.J. Abrams' UFO documentary.

Coincidence???

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Tue Dec 28, 2021 10:21 pm

I was a kid when Madden coached and dont really remember him. I didn't pay attention to coaches then just the players and game. Although he coached the Raiders who I liked with when Lyle Alzado was there. They were a rough playing team then. I remember him from his commentaries and video games of course.

dbt1949 · Post by **dbt1949** » Tue Dec 28, 2021 10:38 pm

I watched him coach on TV and do his color commentating both. He was okay and I felt rather neutral about him all things considered.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 12:40 am

RIP Madmartigan, Kevin Smith's rescue dog who they saved, has passed away now. She had a great home with them. From skin and bones to plump couch potato

https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/madmartigan

McNutt · Post by **McNutt** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 1:02 am

We're listing celebrity pets now?

Skinypupy · Post by **Skinypupy** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 1:05 am

dbt1949 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 28, 2021 10:38 pm I watched him coach on TV and do his color commentating both. He was okay and I felt rather neutral about him all things considered.

When I was growing up, John Madden WAS football.

First as the coach of the Raiders (dad’s favorite team, so mine by default), then as the voice of the broadcasts, then as the face of the video games. He was synonymous with the NFL.

Although he’s been out of the spotlight for years, I’m not sure his overall impact will ever be equaled.

naednek · Post by **naednek** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 12:43 pm

Skinypupy wrote: ↑Wed Dec 29, 2021 1:05 am
dbt1949 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 28, 2021 10:38 pm I watched him coach on TV and do his color commentating both. He was okay and I felt rather neutral about him all things considered.
When I was growing up, John Madden WAS football.

First as the coach of the Raiders (dad’s favorite team, so mine by default), then as the voice of the broadcasts, then as the face of the video games. He was synonymous with the NFL.

Although he’s been out of the spotlight for years, I’m not sure his overall impact will ever be equaled.

There's always Joe Buck...

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 1:06 pm

WYBaugh · Post by **WYBaugh** » Fri Dec 31, 2021 3:42 pm

Being reported that Betty White has died.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Sat Jan 01, 2022 3:09 pm

Dan Reeves

A hard-nosed running back with the Dallas Cowboys who would go on to be a head coach for the Denver Broncos, New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons, Reeves has passed away at the age of 77.

Reeves' family released a statement to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo:

"Legendary NFL player and coach Dan Reeves passed away early this morning, peacefully and surrounded by his loving family at his home in Atlanta, GA. He passed away at age 77 due to complications from a long illness. His legacy will continue through his many friends, players and fans as well as the rest of the NFL community. Arrangements are still to be determined."

Reeves remains the only person to have ever appeared in multiple Super Bowls as both a player and a coach.

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Sat Jan 01, 2022 3:29 pm

It's always weird when people pass away right around the beginning of a new year. Even though dates on the calendar are essentially arbitrary, you can't help thinking: He made it to 2022.

Hrdina · Post by **Hrdina** » Sat Jan 01, 2022 6:36 pm

My wife always cites the Rule of Threes. Two former NFL coaches have died in quick succession.

dbt1949 · Post by **dbt1949** » Sat Jan 01, 2022 6:39 pm

So now it's time for a defensive end.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Sun Jan 02, 2022 6:26 pm

Paleoanthropologist Richard Leakey is dead at 77.

His discoveries made clearer the ancient ancestry of homo sapiens (and its predecessors) and the origins of humankind in Africa.

I'm surprised to learn that he was only in his 70s. I remember watching his documentaries in junior high in the early 1980s.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Sun Jan 02, 2022 7:00 pm

I remember the Leakeys. Their work fascinated me as a kid with a scientific mind.

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Sun Jan 02, 2022 7:02 pm

Wasn't there some controversy where Leakey was accused of being a charlatan?

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Mon Jan 03, 2022 12:20 pm

Robert Bruce

Robert Bruce, a cast member from the popular reality TV show “Comic Book Men,” was found dead inside a New Jersey storage facility, according to a report.

Bruce, 62, was found Friday at the City Center Plaza Professional Records Storage Facility in Red Bank after his family did not hear from him for several days, NJ.com reported.

Police said his family believed Bruce had been living in a basement unit at the storage facility, which served as his office, the outlet said.

Cops do not suspect foul play.

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Mon Jan 03, 2022 1:13 pm

I loved that show - basically Pawn Stars with comic books and vintage toys. Bruce wasn't so much a cast member as he was the guy that made an occasional appearance when they needed to 'call in an expert.'

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Mon Jan 03, 2022 1:17 pm

Appeared in 34 of 96 episodes, consulting producer for 82.

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Mon Jan 03, 2022 1:26 pm

In context, though, 'appearing' was often a 60-second walk on where he'd look at a toy, drop a piece of lore, and then walk back out. He was like the museum guy from Pawn Stars - a regular visitor, but not what I'd call 'cast.'

Not that it's really all that important, though. He was a guy who knew his stuff, and RIP.

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Mon Jan 03, 2022 1:33 pm

He was a staple figure at many NJ (and I guess regional) horror/comic book/sci-fi conventions. While he might have gained national fame from the TV show (which was great), I think he's definitely always been more of a community celebrity. RIP, my dude.

A nonny mouse · Post by **A nonny mouse** » Mon Jan 03, 2022 5:39 pm

Holman wrote: ↑Sun Jan 02, 2022 6:26 pm Paleoanthropologist Richard Leakey is dead at 77.

His discoveries made clearer the ancient ancestry of homo sapiens (and its predecessors) and the origins of humankind in Africa.

I'm surprised to learn that he was only in his 70s. I remember watching his documentaries in junior high in the early 1980s.

Shit. First E.O. Wilson, and now Leakey.

David Attenborough better keep eating his fucking vegetables! Let's hope the rule of three does not apply to scientists.

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Mon Jan 03, 2022 5:42 pm

Aw geez, missed that one yesterday. I remember him from various documentaries as part of an intro to archeology course I had in college. The instructor was a cranky British woman and I can still hear her saying 'Olduvai gorge' in my head.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Mon Jan 03, 2022 5:56 pm

Jaymann wrote: ↑Sun Jan 02, 2022 7:02 pm Wasn't there some controversy where Leakey was accused of being a charlatan?

Not that I'm aware of, but I didn't follow his life very closely. What are you thinking of?