Bill Bates Passed Away,Twenty Years Ago Today

Editor of college news-
paper, San Marcos, TX

My father, Bill Bates... trained as a journalist, served in combat in W.W.II in the US Navy, worked as a middle school teacher and guidance counselor (his true calling)... passed away on Aug. 1, 1995. It's been 20 years, but to those of us who loved him, his death aches in our hearts as if it happened yesterday.

A word to the wise, gleaned from Dad's death experience: if you smoke, stop now; if you don't smoke, don't start. Here ends the PSA. [/sigh]

B. B. King (1925-2015)B. B. is gone — but the thrill of his music is certainly NOT gone

B.B. King with Lucille

Stella is the serious blues fan at Our House. When the news of B. B. King's passing at the ripe old age of 89 was announced, I had to comfort her with the undeniable fact that he had a good, long run marked by many musical and other successes, and also reportedly leaves 15 children, 50 or so grandchildren, Little Kids Rock, Inc. and at least one famous Gibson guitar named Lucille... a life and a legacy anyone might envy. Stella got that far‑away look in her eye that usually means, "But... I thought he would live forever!"

Of course, no living creature can do that, especially not those like King (and me) who are afflicted with diabetes, who inevitably are said to die of "complications of" that disease. I can infer from his longevity that he must have had his malady well under control — no doubt his harmony as well... <grin_duck_run />

R.I.P., B.B. We'll miss you.

One Person's Collection Of Favorite Terry Pratchett Quotes

Via the indispensable Avedon, we have BuzzFeed staff writer Kaye Toal's illustrated personal collection of her favorite quotes from the late (sob!) Sir Terry Pratchett. See how many of them correspond with your own; realize once again the depth of Pratchett's human understanding and his unparalleled and indefatigable ability to express that understanding in words meaningful to everyone.

Leonard Nimoy (1931—2015)

Nimoy in 2011

... dead at age 83, of complications of COPD. He was Spock and a whole lot more; I can't think of a single public figure who lived a fuller life. Just look at that works list on Wikipedia! What comes next? I don't know, but Nimoy was still wishing people LLAP ("live long and prosper," a canonical Vulcan greeting) even near the end of his life. If that's possible, Nimoy is just the post-Vulcan soul to do it.

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AFTERWORD: Stella likes classic TV. I like Erle Stanley Gardner, in print or in Raymond Burr's fine realization of Gardner's character Perry Mason. Between the two of us, we watch a lot of Perry Mason, and I happened to be watching an episode on MeTV tonight, "The Case of the Shoplifter's Shoe." When the soon-to-be-revealed murderer took the stand, I thought I recognized the actor, but didn't believe my eyes. When the credits rolled at the end, my initial identification was confirmed: yes, it was a very young Leonard Nimoy! His long and prosperous career as Spock notwithstanding, Nimoy was capable of doing just about anything he set his mind to, including hardboiled detective fiction.

Lesley Gore (1946—2015)

Lesley Gore, from intro to PSA version of
"You Don't Own Me," urging women to vote
(implied: for Democrats), 2012 Elections

Apologies for missing Gore's passing away about a week ago; Peter Rothberg at The Nation sums up her life and career for others who may have missed her departure, or are too young to have heard her when she was actively performing. Now there's a memory of my youth I can celebrate! I do wish she could have stuck around longer; 68 seems far too young to die.

Check out the PSA version of Gore's song You Don't Own Me, made independently as her statement on the Obama v. Romney race; it's the last video on Mr. Rothberg's post.

(If you ever have the unenviable task of posting a pic of me for my obit, please post one showing something approximating my true age at death. I am no kid; neither was Ms. Gore. My strong sense: she would want her gravitas revealed in all its glory. Me too.)

R.I.P. Mario Cuomo (1932 — 2015)

Governor of New York 1983–1994, son of Italian immigrants, steadfast Democrat of the old school (i.e., unapologetic liberal advocate for social justice), great orator, consistently reluctant to pursue our nation's highest office, Cuomo may have been the last American politician with an unreservedly liberal philosophical inclination.

This AP article and this wiki between them summarize his life. They literally don't make 'em like him anymore.

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AFTERTHOUGHT: Charles P. Pierce at Esquire, one of the most eloquent political writers alive today, sees Cuomo a bit differently: one might almost summarize Pierce's appraisal of Cuomo as "ineffectual." What can I say: a man who at least twice turned down the opportunity to run for President as candidate of a major party, and once turned down a nomination to the Supreme Court by the most popular president of the late 20^th century (no, I do NOT mean St. Ronald), left himself open to Pierce's legitimate assessment.

‘If It's Not One Thing, It's Your Mother’ — Robin Williams

In one of his famous improv's, waving an imaginary psychoanalyst's cigar in the air, Williams said it on one of Charlie Rose's interviews (2002 or remembrance this week; you'll have to find it yourself) and it went by so fast I almost missed it. But it was simply too good not to record for posterity.

UPDATE: Stella says Marlo Thomas quotes Williams as saying this in a short biography in one of her books. Don't know which book; Stella returned it to the library. Growing Up Laughing.

Robin Williams (1951—2014)

Maybe suicide; officials aren't sure yet. There's nothing I can say, except that most of us will miss his antics on screen and off. To all appearances, he was a troubled man; let us hope he rests in peace.

(As a testament to his popularity, just search Google Images on his name and note the number of pics of sizes suitable for computer desktop images. I thought about it, but no, as fond as I am of Williams's work, kitty Esther retains her place on my desktop.)

Trace Browne Of Adgita Diaries (June 7, 1951 — July 10, 2014)

I am saddened; if you have followed MandT, I know you will be, too. You might stop by and offer Michael your condolences.

Maya Angelou (1928 — 2014)

Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, late 1950s
(photo Chuck Stewart via USA Today)

Poet and activist Maya Angelou died this morning. She was 86. I first became aware of her when she read her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" at Bill Clinton's inauguration, but her life encompassed far more than the works that made her famous.

Civil rights activist, actor and playwright, club entertainer, and occasionally author banned from library shelves (always a high honor in my opinion), Angelou had more to say than many of the rest of us, and said it so very, very finely. See the wiki.

Gabriel García Márquez (1927–2014)

If you haven't read journalist and prizewinning Colombian novelist Gabriel García Márquez's fiction, you probably don't understand the reality of a goodly portion of the Latin American population. The wiki has a good summary of his life and work. There is literally nothing like his fiction, and good English translations are available for some of it. Start with One Hundred Years of Solitude and possibly Love in the Time of Cholera; those are (deservedly) his best-known works in the anglophone world. R.I.P., Gabriel García Márquez.

Jonathan Schell (1943—2014)

Schell speaks to Occupy, 2012

One of the most inspiring journalists/book authors on international affairs and peace has died. He died late last month and I somehow missed it. Jonathan Schell deserves this memorial by Tom Engelhardt, vastly better than anything I could hastily post.

When I was a young man, possibly 35 years ago, Schell influenced many of my own emerging views. My thanks to former colleague and now blogger Anne Buchanan for introducing me to Schell's work all those years ago.

(H/T Michael Moore for directing me to Engelhardt's obituary.)

Sid Caesar (1922 — 2014)

Sid Caesar (d. 2/12/2014)

Sorry to be so late, but the NYT's Mervyn Rothstein and Peter Keepnews tell the story better than I ever could anyway.

R.I.P., Mr. Caesar. You made us laugh!

J. S. Bach: Cantata 106, Gottes Zeit Ist Die Allerbeste Zeit (In Memoriam Robert B. Lynn)

Follow this link to the YouTube video to view the text of the cantata.

I remember performing this funeral cantata, written early in Bach's career, under the baton of Dr. Lynn; Paul Mott and I played the pair of recorders. Those were the days. I was young (relatively speaking); Paul was younger still; Dr. Lynn was younger then than I am now.

In the 17^th and 18^th centuries, recorder was frequently used in sacred cantatas to refer to heaven, sometimes to the ascent to heaven. It was either that, or a pastoral reference in secular cantatas, shepherds charming shepherdesses with their "tuneful flute," etc. So we always got the good parts.

Update On Robert B. Lynn

Through the kind assistance of Lisa [Lynn] Bailey, I now have a photo of Dr. Lynn. I'll post it here and also with the original obituary below.

Robert Burgess Lynn (1930—2014)

My teacher, valued musical colleague, frequent ensemble conductor, thesis committee member, scholar of international repute, and dear friend, Dr. Robert B. Lynn, died yesterday. He was 83. Though not unexpected, his passing saddens me tremendously.

While I mull over what to say of this most influential person in my life, I'll simply quote the Pastor of the church at which Dr. Lynn directed and conducted performances of the Bach Society choir and orchestra:

Robert Burgess Lynn , born in Colorado Springs on St. Cecilia’s day in 1930, passed away February 11, 2014. A musicologist, organist, and harpsichordist, Robert’s BA degree (Phi Beta Kappa) was from Colorado College, followed by an MA in Organ from the Juilliard School of Music, and a PhD in Musicology from Indiana University. He was a Fellow of the American Guild of Organists. A Danforth Associate and Fulbright Scholar, he studied organ in Denmark with Finn Viderø. His studies in Denmark were postponed for several days when the family’s ship, the Stockholm, collided with the Andrea Doria, which sank.

Robert taught musicology for many years at Allegheny College and at the University of Houston where he also directed the Collegium Musicum, and the Graduate Studies Program. Named Professor Emeritus at the Moores School of Music in 1997, he was also a visiting professor at Rice University, Indiana University, and the University of Siegen. He was involved in the Houston Harpsichord Society. From 1982 to 2004, he was the founding director of the Houston Bach Choir and Orchestra at Christ the King Lutheran Church. Robert served as Director of Music and Organist at St. Francis Episcopal Church for 25 years, and also as interim organist at St. Christopher’s, and many other Episcopal and Lutheran churches which were blessed by his gifts.

Robert was a kind, quiet, brilliant person who loved words. His dry sense of humor lives on in his children. He loved learning, reading books in Danish and German, and traveling in Europe where he leaves many friends.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Geraldine and Harold Lynn, and his brother, Harold Lynn. He is survived by his wife, Elaine Steele Lynn, with whom he shared a hospital nursery at birth, and who was his sweetheart since 9th grade, including 62 years of marriage. Their children are Michael Lynn of Wellington, Ohio; Lisa Bailey of Denison, Texas and her spouse, Alvin; William Lynn of Houston and his spouse, Maria; and Sarah Elaine Lynn. Grandchildren who treasure their memories are Jeffrey and Robert E. L. Lynn, Christopher Bailey, Taylor Durr, Rachel Lynn, and Sarah Elizabeth Lynn. Robert always enjoyed the presence of children, including great- grandchildren Eric and Nicky Lynn.

The Rev. Dr. Robert G. Moore, Senior Pastor

Christ the King Lutheran Church

Robert B. Lynn, R.I.P. Those choirs of angels had better be well in tune...

(Try as I might, I cannot find a picture of Dr. Lynn online, or at hand around home. When I find one, I'll post it here.) My thanks to Lisa [Lynn] Bailey for kindly sending me the photo above.

Pete Seeger (1919 — 2014)

I has a sad. :-( And yet... and yet... what a life he led!

Are you a young person who doesn't know about him? The wiki is a decent summary of his long and fruitful life. Believe me... you could do worse for a role model.

Sign Of The Times

IOL News (publisher of 15 South African newspapers):

Memorial sign language man ‘a fake’

December 11 2013 at 10:24am

Mandela

The deaf community is angry over what they say was a fake sign language interpreter used at former president Nelson Mandela's memorial, according to reports.

According to various online reports, the sign language interpreter used at the memorial at FNB Stadium in Soweto on Tuesday may have been unqualified.

Braam Jordaan, a deaf South African citizen and board member of the World Federation of the Deaf Youth Section (WDF), was quoted as saying : “The structure of his hand, facial expressions and the body movements did not follow what the speaker was saying.

“I was really upset and humiliated by the mystery interpreter who was supposed to be signing what Barack Obama, the president of United States of America was saying... He made up his own signs.”

...

How did this happen? Did they think no one would notice? And... is nothing sacred?

Tom Foley (1929-2013)

They don't make 'em like Speaker Foley (see also) anymore. Some of us think that's a damned shame. • Eagle Scout back when being an Eagle Scout meant something more than parroting right-wing slogans (not to mention toppling ancient rock formations); • later an adult Scout leader for many years. • Prosecuting attorney. • Speaker of the House for 30 years. • Swept out of office in the great Republican purge of 1994; his successor as Speaker could only wish Foley's memory would go away... but it didn't. • As far as I could ever tell, deeply decent guy who cared a lot about our country.

R.I.P., Mr. Foley. All of us owe you a lot... even the liars who refuse to admit it.

Shaun Downey (d. 2013) - R.I.P., Jams O'Donnell

Self-portrait, 2011
(Too late to obtain permission)

Bryan has a brief obit, with comments by many of Jams's American friends. Jams, a resident of Romford, UK (near London) was author of The Poor Mouth: excellent photographer, amateur historian, deep thinker, perpetrator of occasional truly awful puns, ^^vegetarian^ (thanks, Bryan, for reminding me), Jams/Shaun was one of my favorite people on the web. I am truly saddened that he is gone. One knows little enough about one's web friends, but Jams was someone I always felt I would get along splendidly with in real life. Now we've all missed that chance. I have no details on his passing, except that it was sudden, and his site has no information that I could find. If anyone knows anything, please...

My condolences to Jams's loved ones, and to his cats, whom he rightly treated like gods.