Who we lost in the first 6 months of 2009

It seems that we lost a great many people in the first six months of 2009. There were many notable people you have heard of, and many you have not. Below is a smattering of names of those no longer with us. I am familiar with practically every name on this list, with only a few exceptions.

As you read through the list, see how many you know. I recommend that you look up some of the ones you don't . They were all special in some way. Some of them were only known to a few, but they made this list because they made a difference to someone. Get to know them. Their names may not pass this way again.

January 2009
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Dewey Martin, 68, Canadian-born American drummer (Buffalo Springfield).
Hélio Gracie, 95, Brazilian martial artist, creator of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Bob May, 69, American actor (Lost in Space, The Time Tunnel), heart failure.
Sir John Mortimer, 85, British barrister, novelist and dramatist (Rumpole of the Bailey), after long illness.
Patrick McGoohan, 80, American-born Irish actor (The Prisoner, Braveheart), after short illness.
Rob Gauntlett, 21, British mountaineer, youngest Briton to climb Mount Everest, climbing accident.

February 2009
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Paul Harvey, 90, American radio broadcaster.
Philip José Farmer, 91, American writer (Riverworld).
Brad Van Pelt, 57, American football player (New York Giants), heart attack.
James Whitmore, 87, American Academy Award–nominated actor, lung cancer.

March 2009
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Dan Seals, 61, American country music singer-songwriter (England Dan & John Ford Coley), mantle cell lymphoma.
Lloyd Ruby, 81, American auto racing driver.
Natasha Richardson, 45, British actress, epidural hematoma.
Ron Silver, 62, American actor and political activist, esophageal cancer.
Jimmy Boyd, 70, American actor and singer ("I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"), cancer.

April 2009
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Hans Holzer, 89, Austrian-born American paranormal investigator and author, after long illness.
Beatrice Arthur, 86, American Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress (Maude, The Golden Girls, Mame), cancer.
Marilyn Chambers, 56, American pornographic film actress (Behind the Green Door), erotic dancer, and politician, heart disease.
Russell E. Dunham, 89, American war veteran, Medal of Honor recipient, heart failure.

May 2009
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Millvina Dean, 97, British woman, last living passenger aboard the Titanic, pneumonia.
Roh Moo-hyun, 62, South Korean politician, President (2003–2008), suicide by jumping.
Adolf Dickfeld, 99, German World War II Luftwaffe flying ace.
Wayman Tisdale, 44, American basketball player and jazz bassist, cancer.
Dom DeLuise, 75, American actor (The Cannonball Run, The Secret of NIMH), writer, chef and cookbook author, kidney failure.

June 2009
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Billy Mays, 50, American pitchman and television host (Pitchmen), hypertensive heart disease.
Gale Storm, 87, American actress (My Little Margie, The Gale Storm Show).
Farrah Fawcett, 62, American actress (Charlie's Angels), anal cancer.
Michael Jackson, 50, American pop singer–songwriter, cardiac arrest.
Ed McMahon, 86, American television host (Star Search) and announcer (The Tonight Show).
Bob Bogle, 75, American guitarist (The Ventures), non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Roger Terry, 87, American airman (Tuskegee Airmen), heart failure.
David Carradine, 72, American actor (Kung Fu, Kill Bill), hanging.
Shih Kien, 96, Hong Kong actor (Enter the Dragon).
Bob Christie, 85, American racing driver.
Tracy Golamb, 55, Diesel mechanic, father, brother, hot rod builder, complications of ALS.

If these walls could talk...

As you already know, I am a big admirer of the life and culture of Korea. There are so many things to envy about the country and its people. Living there gave me a real appreciation, especially since my extended family there has taken the time to show me how exceptional it can be.
Anyway, I was reading the on-line news and I ran across this article about some of Seoul's history. I found it fascinating. It's part of a series, so explore a little if it spurs more interest. Hearing about Seoul's history from my wife Sue has inspired me to delve a little deeper on my own. Check it out. I hope you enjoy it. If these walls could talk...