Keyboard player and co-founder of the British hard-rock band Deep Purple Jon Lord (71) died today in the London Clinic, London, UK of a lung embolism while suffering from pancreatic cancer.
Leadership advisor and author of the bestselling '7 Habits of Highly Effective People' Stephen Covey (79) died today in a hospital in Idaho Falls, ID, of complications following a bicycle accident in April.
Sally Ride was not only the first American woman into space, but the first openly lesbian astronaut as well.
I was personally quite annoyed to see Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney gushing about Sally Ride being one of America's "greatest pioneers," considering that he supports policies that prevent her partner of 27 years from receiving any of Ms. Ride's pension benefits that a heterosexual partner of an astronaut would be entitled to.
The way I heard it was that she was a very private person and was only "outed" in her obituary (somewhat obliquely).
And although it doesn't really matter, you'll also note (at least from the New York Times obit) that she didn't divorce fellow astronaut, Steven Hawley, until 1987 — indicating that they were at least estranged since 1985.
...policies that prevent her partner of 27 years from receiving any of Ms. Ride's pension benefits that a heterosexual partner of an astronaut would be entitled to.
You mean a male heterosexual partner. But I agree that this discriminatory policy is disgusting.
And although it doesn't really matter, you'll also note (at least from the New York Times obit) that she didn't divorce fellow astronaut, Steven Hawley, until 1987 — indicating that they were at least estranged since 1985.
Well, that doesn't necessarily follow. Not all married people with other lovers are estranged from their spouses.
Songwriter and singer of the 60s generational anthem 'San Francisco' (Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair) Scott McKenzie (73) died last Saturday in Los Angeles, CA.
Last night long-time Ethiopian Prime Minister Legesse 'Meles' Zenawi (57) died in Brussels, Belgium of an infection while being treated for an undisclosed disease.
The first man to set foot on the moon ("That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind") Neil Armstrong (82) died earlier today from complications following coronary bypass surgery at a hospital in Columbus, OH.
Armstrong belonged to the relatively small group of people whose work was both dangerous and in the public eye, necessitating contingency plans in case something went wrong. Here is a copy of the speech William Safire prepared for Nixon to read 'in event of moon disaster'. This scan lacks the final two paragraphs of the speech, which is reproduced here in its entirety. Once safely back from the Moon, Armstrong commented: "It’s an interesting place to be. I recommend it.â€
Edit: today The Atlantic's InFocus blog added this picture gallery on Neil Armstrong. I figured a link to it would be appropriate here.
Last edited by alternaut; 08/27/1210:06 PM. Reason: Added image link