T/obits

Roberta Alexander, Widely Acclaimed Soprano, Dies at 76
Arts, Today

An African American who spent much of her career based in the Netherlands, she said her race was less of a factor in Europe when being considered for a wide variety of opera roles.

George F. Smoot, Who Showed How the Cosmos Began, Is Dead at 80
Science, Today

He led a team of scientists who helped confirm that a Big Bang was the source of the universe. The discovery earned him a Nobel Prize.

Daniel Naroditsky, Chess Grandmaster, Dies at 29
U.S., Today

He earned the highest title in the chess world as he built a career as an accomplished chess teacher, commentator and author.

Sam Rivers, Bassist for Limp Bizkit, Dies at 48
Arts, Yesterday

As a founding member of the band, he helped it achieve mainstream success.

Manuel Trujillo, Who Helped New Yorkers Heal After 9/11, Dies at 80
New York, October 18

As Bellevue Hospital’s director of psychiatry, he guided rescue workers and grieving families through trauma when terrorists attacked in 2001.

Alison Rose, The New Yorker’s Femme Fatale, Dies at 81
Books, October 18

She started as the magazine’s glamorous receptionist and became one of its more singular writers. In one of her last articles, she memorialized her time (and lovers) there.

Chen Ning Yang, Nobel-Winning Physicist, Is Dead at 103
Science, October 18

He and a colleague, Tsung-Dao Lee, created a sensation in 1956 by proposing that one of the four forces of nature might violate a law of physics.

Teresa Ulloa Ziáurriz, defensora de derechos humanos en México, ha muerto a los 75 años
En español, October 17

En México, donde durante mucho tiempo ha prevalecido el machismo, Ulloa libró una lucha solitaria, a veces peligrosa, contra la prostitución y las redes organizadas de explotación sexual.

Teresa Ulloa Ziáurriz, Rights Advocate Who Fought Sex Traffickers, Dies at 75
World, October 17

In Mexico, where the cult of machismo has long held sway, she waged a lonely, sometimes dangerous and often single-handed fight against prostitution and organized sex rings.

Baek Sehee, Korean Writer Who Bared Her Struggles With Depression, Dies at 35
Arts, October 17

She turned recorded sessions with her therapist into a best-selling memoir, helping to normalize conversations around mental health in South Korea.

Tomiichi Murayama, Japanese Leader Who Gave War Apology, Dies at 101
World, October 17

His televised address as prime minister delivered 50 years to the day after Japan announced its surrender set a marker for his country’s “deep remorse” over wartime atrocities.

Ace Frehley, mítico guitarrista de Kiss, ha muerto a los 74 años
En español, October 17

Durante el tiempo que Frehley formó parte de Kiss, el grupo publicó 11 álbumes, tanto de estudio como en directo, que fueron discos de oro o de platino en Estados Unidos.

Ace Frehley, a Founding Member of Kiss, Is Dead at 74
Arts, October 16

A consummate showman, he was known for playing guitars rigged with pyrotechnic effects and for his distinctive stage persona.

Susan Stamberg, a Longtime Voice of NPR, Is Dead at 87
Business, October 16

In 1972 she became the first woman to anchor a national evening news broadcast. She retired this summer after 50 years on the air.

Jeffrey Meldrum, Scholar Who Stalked Bigfoot, Dies at 67
Science, October 16

His willingness to bring scientific rigor to Sasquatch studies earned him the gratitude of enthusiasts and the withering scorn of debunkers.

Kanchha Sherpa, Last Member of First Team to Conquer Everest, Dies at 92
World, October 16

A trip to India to find work led to a career climbing the world’s highest mountain.

How Raila Odinga Symbolized the Good and Bad of Kenyan Politics
World, October 16

He was one of the most pivotal public figures in Kenya. He died this week after fighting against tribalism for decades.

Gilles Larrain, Photographer of 1970s Drag Culture, Dies at 86
Arts, October 16

He shot portraits of stars like John Lennon and Miles Davis. But he is best remembered for “Idols,” an intimate look at a vital New York underground.

Derek Rose, Impeccable Purveyor of Luxury Pajamas, Dies at 93
Style, October 15

His colorful men’s nightwear was like something made on Savile Row in London — perfect, pricey — except that it was rarely seen outside the bedroom.

Raila Odinga, Former Prime Minister of Kenya, Dies at 80
World, October 15

A pivotal political leader who helped usher in multiparty democracy, he ran unsuccessfully for the presidency five times.

D’Angelo, aclamado y solitario innovador del R&B, muere a los 51 años
En español, October 14

Conquistó las listas de éxitos con “Voodoo”, un álbum que fusionaba géneros y que fue promocionado con un atrevido video musical.

D’Angelo, Acclaimed and Reclusive R&B Innovator, Dies at 51
Arts, October 14

After hitting No. 1 with “Voodoo,” his genre-melding 2000 album that he promoted with a risqué music video, he vanished for more than a decade.

Mike Greenwell, All-Star Outfielder for the Red Sox, Dies at 62
Sports, October 13

Roaming the same grass as Ted Williams, he played for Boston for his entire 12-year major league career and came in second in the 1988 M.V.P. voting.

Alfa-Betty Olsen, Behind-the-Scenes ‘Comic Conspirator,’ Dies at 88
Arts, October 13

After quietly helping Mel Brooks set the irreverent tone on “Get Smart” and “The Producers,” she had a long collaboration as a writer with the actor and humorist Marshall Efron.

Doug Lebda, LendingTree Founder and C.E.O., Dies in A.T.V. Accident
Business, October 13

Mr. Lebda died on Sunday following an all-terrain vehicle accident on his family’s North Carolina farm, a company spokeswoman said.

Milton Esterow, Who Reported on Art Stolen in World War II, Dies at 97
Arts, October 13

At The New York Times and then ARTnews, which he bought, he brought an investigative edge to stories about artwork looted by the Germans during World War II and the Soviets afterward.

Toby Talbot, Impassioned Promoter of Art Films, Dies at 96
Movies, October 13

With her husband, Dan, she ran four theaters in Manhattan and a company that distributed foreign and independent classics.

Diane Keaton, Oscar-Winning Actress, Dies at 79
Video, October 12

Diane Keaton, the vibrant and sometimes unconventional actress, author and filmmaker, has died. Representatives have not said where or when Ms. Keaton died or cited a cause.

Diane Keaton, estrella de ‘Annie Hall’, ‘El padrino’ y ‘El club de las primeras esposas’, muere a los 79 años
En español, October 12

Aportó una personalidad poco convencional a decenas de papeles en televisión y en películas que iban desde comedias disparatadas como ‘El dormilón’ hasta dramas punzantes como ‘El padrino’.

John Searle, Philosopher Who Wrestled With A.I., Dies at 93
Books, October 12

His blunt debating and imaginative theorizing about artificial intelligence and the human mind made him a leading scholar. But sexual-harassment allegations ended his career.

Susan Griffin, a Leading Voice of Ecofeminism, Is Dead at 82
Books, October 12

With books like “Woman and Nature,” she pioneered a unique form of creative nonfiction, linking violence against women to the ravaging of the environment.

Danny Thompson, Bassist Who Defied Folk Conventions, Dies at 86
Arts, October 12

A bedrock of the idiosyncratic British group Pentangle, he went on to play with a host of luminaries, including Roy Orbison, Eric Clapton and Kate Bush.

Jesse L. Douglas, Aide to King in Marches From Selma, Is Dead at 90
U.S., October 11

A lieutenant to Martin Luther King Jr. and a fellow preacher, he played a vital role in organizing voting-rights protests in 1965 that began with “Bloody Sunday.”

Hollywood and Fans Remember Diane Keaton
Arts, October 11

Tributes from colleagues and fans flooded social media as they learned of her death. Many celebrated her onscreen legacy and some noted her impact on their lives.

Diane Keaton, a Star of ‘Annie Hall’ and ‘First Wives Club,’ Dies at 79
Movies, October 11

She brought an unconventional personality to scores of roles on television and in movies ranging from zany comedies like “Sleeper” to piercing dramas like “The Godfather.”

Violeta Parra, madre del folclore que redefinió la música latinoamericana
En español, October 11

Compositora e intérprete autodidacta, tuvo una vida itinerante y poco convencional dedicada a recuperar y difundir la música folclórica chilena.

Clark Olofsson, 78, Dies; Bank Robber Helped Inspire ‘Stockholm Syndrome’
World, October 10

In a 1973 heist, he and another man held hostages who surprisingly came to defend them, drawing attention to a puzzling psychological phenomenon.

Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, 80, Dies; In Congress, a Lifeline for Detroit
U.S., October 10

Over seven terms, she garnered millions in funds in helping to revitalize the city. But the political scandals of her son, an ex-mayor, came to shadow her career.

Nikola Pilic, Whose Wimbledon Boycott Helped Shape Modern Tennis, Dies at 86
Sports, October 10

After he was suspended in 1973, 81 players boycotted the tournament in solidarity, highlighting a power struggle for control of the sport.

Overlooked No More: Violeta Parra, Folk ‘Genius’ Who Redefined Latin American Music
Obituaries, October 10

A self-taught composer and interpreter, she led an unconventional and itinerant life devoted to spreading Chilean folkloric music.

Peter M. Fishbein, Lawyer Accused in Savings-and-Loan Lawsuit, Dies at 91
U.S., October 10

His firm’s $41 million settlement in representing Charles H. Keating Jr. raised questions about government overreach.

Renato Casaro, ‘Michelangelo of Movie Posters,’ Dies at 89
Movies, October 10

Few moviegoers knew his name, but directors like Sergio Leone, Sylvester Stallone and Quentin Tarantino considered his vivid work invaluable.

Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, Loyola Basketball Superfan and Team Chaplain, Dies at 106
Sports, October 10

She led the Ramblers’ players in pregame prayers, pointed out opponents’ strengths and weaknesses and supported the team in N.C.A.A. tournaments.

Jim McNeely, Innovative Composer for Jazz Big Bands, Dies at 76
Arts, October 9

A Grammy-winning pianist, he was renowned for works that created “new ideas about line, harmony, rhythm, sound and musical architecture,” one admirer wrote.

Ruth Weiss, Who Chronicled Apartheid After Fleeing the Nazis, Dies at 101
Books, October 9

Her life and work were shaped by confronting injustice in South Africa and Germany. “Blacks under apartheid — Jews under the swastika. Was it all that different?” she asked.

Oscar S. Wyatt Jr., Wily Texas Oilman, Is Dead at 101
Business, October 9

He made billions selling energy with his Coastal Corporation, courted presidents and dictators, and eventually went to prison for paying kickbacks to the Iraqi government.

Joseph Herbert, Who Helped Catch Copycat Zodiac Killer, Dies at 68
New York, October 8

A New York police detective, he used his knowledge of the killer’s handwriting — and a lucky twist — to solve a confounding case.

Bruce Cutler, Pugnacious Lawyer for the Mob Boss John Gotti, Dies at 77
New York, October 8

He became one of the country’s best-known criminal defense lawyers after winning acquittals in three cases that spawned a new nickname for Mr. Gotti: “the Teflon Don.”

Jonathan Lear, Philosopher Who Embraced Freud, Dies at 76
Books, October 8

Defying scholarly norms, he took a hands-on approach to research. To study resilience, he visited the Crow Nation; to explore Freudian theory, he became a psychoanalyst.

Joan Kennedy, Who Married Into a Dynasty, Dies at 89
U.S., October 8

The wife of Senator Edward Kennedy for a quarter of a century, she both basked and struggled in the reflected glare of a political family in the spotlight.

John B. Gurdon, 92, Dies; Nobelist Paved Way for Cloning of Animals
Science, October 8

His work in the manipulation of cells laid the foundation for stem cell biology and regenerative medicine and led to the first cloned large mammal, a sheep named Dolly.

Saul Zabar, Smoked Fish Czar of Upper West Side, Dies at 97
Food, October 7

He led his parents’ appetizing store, Zabar’s, for more than 70 years, turning it into an institution synonymous with New York.

Ken Jacobs, Visionary Experimental Filmmaker, Is Dead at 92
Movies, October 6

Using found footage and toying with dimensions (2-D could seem like dazzling 3-D), he sought to explode cinema’s traditional boundaries.

Chris Dreja, a Founding Member of the Yardbirds, Dies at 78
Arts, October 6

A rhythm guitarist and bassist, he was a “rock” for a band whose fiery lead players, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, had no shortage of ego.

Jilly Cooper, British Romance Novelist, Is Dead at 88
Books, October 6

A prolific writer and keen observer, she sold millions of copies of her juicy, sometimes racy “Rutshire Chronicles” series.

Darleane Hoffman, Innovator in Nuclear Chemistry, Dies at 98
Science, October 5

Hailed as one of the 50 most important women in science, she found ways to study rare radioactive isotopes and advanced the understanding of nuclear fission.

Belva Davis, West Coast Trailblazer in TV News, Dies at 92
Business, October 4

Overcoming poverty and prejudice, she was the first Black woman to be hired as a television reporter in the region and later became a popular anchor.

Ivan Klima, Czech Novelist Who Chafed Under Totalitarian Regimes, Dies at 94
World, October 4

A writer, dissident, teacher and critic, he was deeply affected by an early experience of his life: incarceration as a boy in a concentration camp near Prague.

Arthur Jones, Former Baltimore Ravens Player, Dies at 39
Sports, October 3

He played for the Ravens when the team won the Super Bowl in 2013.

Phyllis Gardner, Early Skeptic of Theranos, Dies at 75
Science, October 3

A pharmacologist, she was certain Elizabeth Holmes’s blood-testing idea would fail, and spoke up about it. At first, few listened.

Ashleigh Brilliant, Prolific ‘Pot-Shots’ Phrasemaker, Dies at 91
Arts, October 3

Over nearly a half-century, he wrote 10,000 epigrams, none longer than 17 words, and printed them on postcards, T-shirts, mugs and other products.

Margaret Markey, Who Championed Victims of Sexual Abuse, Dies at 83
New York, October 3

As a New York State assemblywoman, she began a campaign that finally bore fruit in 2019, when the Legislature extended the deadlines for victims to file claims.

James Grashow, Who Turned Cardboard Into Art, Dies at 83
Arts, October 3

He was best known for huge, fantastical installations that were not always built to last, including a version of the Trevi Fountain in Rome.

Patricia Routledge, Hoity-Toity Housewife of ‘Keeping Up Appearances,’ Dies at 96
Obituaries, October 3

Before she became known as the snooty suburbanite Hyacinth Bucket, Ms. Routledge was an acclaimed stage performer, appearing with the Royal Shakespeare Company and on the West End and Broadway.

Leo Hindery Jr., Dealmaking Power in the Cable TV Industry, Dies at 77
Business, October 2

He was president of one of the nation’s largest cable operators and chairman of the Yankees’ YES Network. He also drove his sports car to victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Ann Fagan Ginger, Venerable Defender of Civil Liberties, Dies at 100
U.S., October 2

She was among the last of a generation of activists and lawyers who weathered the Red Scare, and then helped train a new cohort in the decades that followed.

Jane Goodall, a Revered Conservationist, Dies at 91
Video, October 1

Jane Goodall, the renowned primate expert, has died. She was 91. Her discoveries about how wild chimpanzees raised their young, established leadership, socialized and communicated broke new ground and attracted immense attention and respect among researchers.

Edward T. Blake, 80, Dies; Forensic Expert Sparked Innocence Movement
Science, October 1

He was the first to use PCR testing on crime-scene DNA, inspiring a practice that has freed thousands of wrongfully convicted people.

Jane Goodall, primatóloga admirada, muere a los 91 años
En español, October 1

Sus descubrimientos sobre cómo se comportaban los chimpancés en la naturaleza abrieron nuevos caminos de estudio y representaron lo que se denominó “uno de los grandes logros científicos del mundo occidental”.

Jane Goodall, Eminent Primatologist Who Chronicled the Lives of Chimps, Dies at 91
Obituaries, October 1

Her discoveries in the 1960s about how chimpanzees behaved in the wild broke new ground and represented what was called “one of the Western world’s great scientific achievements.”

Thomas Perry Dies at 78; Writer of Popular, Unconventional Thrillers
Books, September 30

His many novels, including the prizewinning “The Butcher’s Boy” and the Jane Whitefield series, can have readers rooting for both protagonist and antagonist.

Marilyn Knowlden, Child Actress of 1930s Hollywood, Dies at 99
Movies, September 30

A spontaneous screen test led to a career that lasted into her teens. She appeared alongside stars like Bette Davis and Katharine Hepburn, played piano with Chico Marx and danced with Charles Laughton.

Bobby Cain, Barrier Breaker in School Desegregation, Dies at 85
U.S., September 30

In 1957, facing down white mobs, he became the first Black student to graduate from a public high school in the South under a court mandate.

Lally Weymouth, Globe-Trotting Reporter and Scion of Graham Family, Dies at 82
U.S., September 29

The daughter of Washington Post publisher Katharine Graham, she secured hard-to-land interviews with foreign leaders but found few opportunities for a leadership role.

Otto Obermaier, Who Succeeded Giuliani as U.S. Attorney, Dies at 89
U.S., September 29

His temperate approach was in sharp contrast to his more combative predecessor, but he continued to pursue corrupt unions and financiers.

Mika Immonen, Champion Pool Player Known as the Iceman, Dies at 52
Sports, September 29

He won the world nine-ball title in 2001 and the 10-ball title in 2009, as well as back-to-back U.S. Opens, earning his nickname for his steely demeanor.

George Hardy, Tuskegee Airman Who Fought in Three Wars, Dies at 100
U.S., September 29

At 19, he was one of the youngest pilots in the all-Black unit to see combat in World War II. “I used to say the Army’s No. 1 job was segregation,” he said. “Winning the war was No. 2.”

Viv Prince, Rock’s Original Madman Drummer, Is Dead at 84
Arts, September 28

A drummer for the 1960s British band the Pretty Things, “the high priest of lunacy” set a high bar for fiery performances and offstage misbehavior.

Fred Queller, Lawyer in a Notable Domestic Violence Case, Dies at 93
New York, September 28

His client was 6 years old when her father savagely beat her during a visitation. Her mother had warned police that he was dangerous, but they ignored her.

Russell M. Nelson, 17th President of the Mormon Church, Dies at 101
Obituaries, September 28

He left a career as a pioneering surgeon to become a church leader, diversifying its policies and its senior ranks. He became its president at 93.

Leo Gerard, Who Led a Growing Steelworkers Union, Dies at 78
Business, September 27

He helped make it the largest industrial union in North America as he fought an influx of cheap metal from China and lobbied for anti-dumping tariffs.

Neil Kraft, Visionary Adman Who Sold ‘a Mood and a Lifestyle,’ Dies at 67
Business, September 27

His ads for Calvin Klein and others captured a fizzy moment in the 1980s and ’90s, featuring celebrities like the young rapper Marky Mark wearing nothing but underwear and a grin.

Robert B. Barnett, Washington Master of the Book World Megadeal, Dies at 79
Books, September 26

A powerhouse Washington lawyer, he negotiated blockbuster contracts for A-list clients, including the Clintons, the Obamas and the Bushes, while often acting as their consigliere.

Aron Bell, Last Surviving Brother of World War II Resistance Group, Dies at 98
Obituaries, September 26

His three older brothers led the Bielski partisans, which attacked Nazi soldiers and saved 1,200 fellow Jews. Aron was a scout who ferried warnings to a nearby ghetto.

Assata Shakur Dies at 78; Convicted Revolutionary Found Refuge in Cuba
Obituaries, September 26

A member of a militant Black group, she was found guilty in the 1973 murder of a New Jersey state trooper, escaped from prison and fled to Cuba, where she taught and wrote.

Maxine Clair, Writer Who Came to Her Craft in Middle Age, Dies at 86
Books, September 25

She published her first book of poems at 49 and her first work of prose, the acclaimed novel “Rattlebone,” six years later.

Sara Jane Moore, Would-Be Assassin of President Ford, Dies at 95
U.S., September 25

A mother of four on the fringes of radical leftist movements, she fired at the president outside a San Francisco hotel in 1975. She had hoped to spark a revolution, she said.

Henry Jaglom, Indie Director Who Mined the Personal, Dies at 87
Movies, September 25

His discursive films, often centered on women and their emotions and relationships, confounded and delighted critics in equal measure.

Richard Moe, 88, Dies; Led the National Trust for Historic Preservation
U.S., September 24

After serving as an aide to Vice President Walter Mondale, he spent 17 years at the forefront of the fight to save numerous endangered landmarks.

Akiko Tsuruga, Inventive Jazz Organist, Dies at 58
Arts, September 24

Known for her vast sonic palette, she made her mark playing with the saxophone master Lou Donaldson and also had a prolific solo career.

Mel Taub, Creator of a Pun-Loving Puzzle, Is Dead at 97
Gameplay, September 24

He was the main whiz behind a crossword variation for The Times, whose readers delighted in his anagrams and sometimes groan-inducing wordplay. (Try one yourself.)

La actriz Claudia Cardinale, ‘la novia de Italia’, muere a los 87 años
En español, September 24

Cardinale actuó en más de 150 películas durante sus seis décadas de carrera en Europa, como “8½” y “El gatopardo”. También protagonizó varias cintas de Hollywood, como el clásico “La pantera rosa”.

Abdul Gani Bhat Dies at 93; Kashmiri Separatist Championed Dialogue
World, September 24

Mr. Bhat, a scholar of Persian literature, was a rare and eloquent voice of moderation in Kashmir’s often militant separatist movement.

Tess Johnston, Diplomat Who Helped Preserve ‘Old Shanghai,’ Dies at 93
World, September 24

She worked in American consulates around the world but found a home in China’s “Paris of the East,” where she documented a vanishing colonial architecture.

Claudia Cardinale, Actress Who Was ‘Italy’s Girlfriend,’ Is Dead at 87
Movies, September 23

A sex symbol with girl-next-door appeal, she rose to fame in the 1960s and starred in more than 150 films, including the Oscar-winning ‘8½’ and ‘The Leopard.’

Joe Stevens, Photographer of Rock’s Intimate Moments, Dies at 87
Arts, September 23

After a career shift, he became a fixture in the music world, capturing enduring images of David Bowie, John Lennon, the Sex Pistols and many others.

Bernie Parent, Hall of Fame Goalie for the Brawling Flyers, Dies at 80
Sports, September 23

“Only the Lord saves more than Bernie Parent,” a bumper sticker said of his netminding for Philadelphia, which he led to the Stanley Cup in 1974 and ’75.

Ron DiMenna, Founder of Ron Jon Surf Shop, Dies at 88
Business, September 22

As the founder of a national chain, he was a key figure in surfing’s expansion into mainstream culture, with a life said to be “the stuff of folklore.”

Louise Vincent, Addict Who Led Harm Reduction Movement, Dies at 49
Health, September 22

She was instrumental in helping promote wider use of needle exchanges, naloxone and tests to assist drug users in identifying dangerous ingredients.

Zubeen Garg, Singer Who Charmed India With a Bollywood Hit, Dies at 52
World, September 22

Mr. Garg sang in dozens of languages and his music blended folk, pop and rock. His hit song “Ya Ali” was featured in the 2006 film “Gangster.”

Sonny Curtis Dies at 88; His Songs Included Mary Tyler Moore’s Theme
Arts, September 21

A prolific singer-songwriter who got his start with Buddy Holly, he also wrote “I Fought the Law,” “Walk Right Back” and hundreds of other songs.

D.D. Lewis, Durable Linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys, Dies at 79
Sports, September 21

When he was in college, the Alabama coach Bear Bryant called him the best linebacker in the country. In 13 seasons with the Cowboys, he played in five Super Bowls.

David Nabarro, U.N. Health Expert During Ebola and Covid, Dies at 75
U.S., July 31

He took on some of the world’s most challenging health crises in troubled areas, skillfully coordinating global efforts to reduce the spread of disease.

In China’s Covid Fog, Deaths of Scholars Offer a Clue
Interactive, February 5

The toll of China’s epidemic is unclear. But dozens of obituaries of the country’s top academics show an enormous loss in just a few weeks.

Sister André, World’s Oldest Known Person, Is Dead at 118
Foreign, January 18

A French nun, she lived through two world wars and the 1918 flu pandemic and, more than a century later, survived Covid-19. She enjoyed a bit of wine and chocolate daily.

Laura Anglin, a Leading New York State and City Official, Dies at 57
Obits, October 18

She was budget director in Albany and “was one of the unsung heroes” in helping to shape the pandemic response as a deputy mayor under Bill de Blasio.

Marc Lewitinn, Covid Patient, Dies at 76 After 850 Days on a Ventilator
Obits, September 9

While no definitive statistics exist, doctors say Mr. Lewitinn, a retired Manhattan store owner, likely remained on the device longer than any other Covid patient.

Joseph Hazelwood, Captain of the Exxon Valdez, Is Dead at 75
Obits, September 9

The tanker spilled millions of gallons of oil when it ran aground, causing one of the nation’s worst environmental disasters. He accepted responsibility but was demonized.

Dmitri Vrubel, Who Planted a Kiss on the Berlin Wall, Dies at 62
Obits, August 19

A Russian-born painter, he created a mural of the Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev smooching the East German leader Erich Honecker — and with it a tourist attraction.

Albert Woodfox, Survivor of 42 Years in Solitary Confinement, Dies at 75
Obits, August 5

His term in solitary was perhaps the longest in American history. He described how he kept his sanity, and dignity, in an acclaimed memoir.

Eli N. Evans, Who Wrote About Jews in American South, Dies at 85
Obits, August 2

His book “The Provincials” mixed memoir, travelogue and history to tell the story of a culture that many people never knew existed.

Vladimir Zelenko, 48, Dies; Promoted an Unfounded Covid Treatment
Obits, July 1

A self-described “simple country doctor,” he won national attention in 2020 when the White House embraced his hydroxychloroquine regimen.

Robert Goolrick Dies at 73; Became a Successful Novelist Late in Life
Obits, May 20

Being fired as an advertising executive freed him to write a blistering memoir about his Southern family and an erotic novel that became a best seller.

Stanislav Shushkevich, First Leader of Post-Soviet Belarus, Dies at 87
Obits, May 5

He helped formalize the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, led his country until 1994, then became a vocal critic of his successor, Aleksandr G. Lukashenko.