News Features
Obituaries and memorials from news sources and our community
Denise Oliver-Velez, a Powerful Voice of the Left, Dies at 78
She became the highest-ranking female member of the Young Lords in New York, where she pressed for women’s rights, and later joined the Black Panthers.
Dave Dawson, Co-founder of Bespoke Lighting Company Urban Electric, Dies at 53
He and his wife knew nothing about the business when they decided to produce lighting in Charleston, S.C. Their company became a beacon of American manufacturing.
Hal Williams, Actor in First Wave of Black Sitcoms, Dies at 91
As a divorced father of three in Ohio, he moved to Hollywood to pursue his boyhood dream to act. He became a recognizable face on “Sanford and Son.”
Lillian Roberts, Crusading New York Labor Leader, Dies at 98
She unionized state hospitals and battled with Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg during her feisty leadership of the nation’s largest municipal workers union.
Joe Melson, 91, Dies; Wrote ‘Only the Lonely’ and Other Hits With Roy Orbison
Working together closely, the pair turned out more than 200 songs, including “Crying,” “Running Scared” and “Blue Bayou.”
Walt Odets, Who Delved Into the Minds of Gay Men, Dies at 79
A psychologist, he wrote during the AIDS crisis about survivor’s guilt and depression in his H.I.V.-negative patients.
Ron Hunt, a Record-Holder for Being Hit by Pitches, Dies at 85
Though he was notable as a Met, his record for being hit by pitches the most times in a modern-era season — 50 — came while playing for the Expos.
Garfield Sobers, Renowned ‘All-Rounder’ Cricket Star, Dies at 89
A longtime West Indian captain, he could do it all on the pitch.
Lam Wing-Kee, Hong Kong Bookseller Who Defied Authorities, Dies at 70
One of five booksellers kidnapped by Chinese officials in 2015, Mr. Lam spoke out after his release and became an international cause célèbre.
Rudolph Marcus, Who Illuminated Electrochemical Processes, Dies at 102
He received a 1992 Nobel Prize for developing a theory that explained fundamental processes behind photosynthesis, respiration, oxidation and even how fireflies produce light.
Brenda Fricker, First Irish Actress to Win an Oscar, Dies at 81
She won for playing a stoic mother in “My Left Foot” (1989) and achieved cult status as a pigeon whisperer in Central Park in “Home Alone 2” (1992).
Roger Summit, Who Invented an Early Online Search Service, Dies at 95
A research scientist at Lockheed, he came up with the idea for a computer system that would search scientific and technical literature almost instantaneously.
Dave Kendall, Creator and Host of MTV’s ‘120 Minutes,’ Dies at 63
With his English accent and ubiquitous leather jacket, Mr. Kendall was the face of alternative music on MTV from 1989 to 1992.
Dave Kendall, Creator and Host of MTV’s ‘120 Minutes,’ Dies at 63
With his English accent and ubiquitous leather jacket, Mr. Kendall was the face of alternative music on MTV from 1989 to 1992.
Mary-Dell Chilton Dies at 87; Helped Create First Genetically Modified Plant
In 1982, she led the research team that figured out how to genetically alter plants, a discovery that would eventually transform global agriculture.
Akihiro Miwa, Actor and Singer With Gender-Fluid Glamour, Dies at 91
In Japan, he was one of the first androgynous pop-culture stars and an inspirational figure. Abroad, he was known for his work in animated films by Hayao Miyazaki.
Guy Scott, Who Caused a Stir as White Leader of Zambia, Dies at 82
Two decades after the fall of apartheid in South Africa, he served briefly as Africa’s only white president.
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Actor, Dies at 68
He originated the role of the scheming Craig Montgomery and appeared in 280 episodes of the CBS soap opera over more than two decades.
Phil Regan, Dodgers’ Closer Known as the Vulture, Dies at 89
He won 14 games in 1966 in relief, some of them following brilliant performances by the team’s starters, including Sandy Koufax, who bestowed the nickname.
Leonard Abramson, Health Care Innovator and Philanthropist, Dies at 93
He created U.S. Healthcare, one of the first H.M.O.s, and used his great wealth from the sale of the company for causes like advancing cancer research.
Antonio Rattín, Whose World Cup Expulsion Led to Penalty-Card System, Dies at 89
The ejection of the Argentine soccer star during a 1966 match against England led to the introduction of yellow and red cards.
Pat Oliphant, Cartoonist Who Skewered the Powerful, Dies at 90
The winner of countless awards, including a Pulitzer Prize, he was described in 1990 as “the most influential political cartoonist now working.”
Ed King, 89, Scarred Veteran of Mississippi’s Civil Rights Struggle, Dies
A minister disfigured in an attack on his life, he became what one historian called “the most visible white activist in the Mississippi movement.”
Tony Rayns, Who Helped Bring Asian Film to the World, Dies at 77
In reviews and at festivals, he played a key role in introducing English-speaking audiences to directors like Wong Kar-wai, Jia Zhangke and Bong Joon Ho.
Shahrnush Parsipur, Iranian Writer Imprisoned for Her Novels, Dies at 80
Her best-known work, “Women Without Men,” was longlisted for the International Booker Prize this year.
Sam Neill, New Zealand Actor Known for ‘Jurassic Park,’ Dies at 78
He appeared in more than 150 productions over a five-decade career but was perhaps best known for his star turn in the “Jurassic Park” series.
Sam Neill, New Zealand Screen Actor and Leading Man, Dies at 78
He appeared in more than 150 productions over a five-decade career but was perhaps best known for his star turn in the “Jurassic Park” series.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa, Ruler Who Transformed Qatar, Dies at 74
Under Sheikh Hamad, the tiny nation of Qatar developed immense natural gas wealth and cultivated influence far beyond its borders.
Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, Dies at 71
Mr. Graham died of a “brief and sudden” illness on Saturday evening, his office said. Over more than two decades in the Senate, he consistently pushed for the use of U.S. military power overseas.
Yaacov Agam, Who Made Kinetic, Kaleidoscopic Art, Dies at 98
A pioneer of Op Art, he became a global sensation, creating sculptures, paintings, toys and public works that delighted the eye and confounded perception.
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