As another year begins in the chronicles of boomer history, it is fitting for us to pause for a moment to remember many of the people who passed on in 2011. In their own way, each played an important role in the lives of boomers, or were boomers themselves.
Jan. 18: Sergeant Shriver
Though he was the former Ambassador to France, Shriver went down in history as the Democratic Vice Presidential running mate of George McGovern in his ill-fated bid for the presidency in 1972. He was 95 years old.
Jan. 24: David Frye
The comic Frye will forever be remembered by boomers for his spot-on satirical impersonation of Richard Nixon. He was 77.
Feb. 12: Joanne Siegel
The wife of Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel, Ms. Siegel was the original model for Lois Lane. Boomers loved the comic, and of course, Lois Lane, but perhaps what kept Superman at the top of boomers’ lists was the television series that ran from 1952-1958. She was 93.
Feb. 24: Suze Rotolo
Ms. Rotolo, an artist, was best remembered as the muse of Bob Dylan in his early years. She is pictured with him on the cover of the album, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan (1963). She was 67 years old.
March 23: Elizabeth Taylor
Boomers may best remember Liz Taylor as the come-hither queen in Cleopatra (1963), a socialite in Giant (1956) and as a young woman with her horse in National Velvet (1944). She won one of her three Academy Awards for her performance in BUtterfield 8 (1960).
March 26: Geraldine Ferraro
Ms. Ferraro was the first woman to be on the ticket of a major political party as the Vice Presidential nominee. She ran alongside Walter Mondale in 1984. The duo lost the election to Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. She was 75.
April 5: Gil Robbins
The father of actor Tim Robbins, Mr. Robbins was a folk singer in the band, The Highwaymen. The band had two Top 20 hits in the early 1960s. He was 80 years old.
May 4: Mary Murphy
It certainly helps to be remembered as an actress when you co-star opposite Marlon Brando. That being said, Mary Murphy starred opposite Brando in one of the best-loved boomer movies of its time, The Wild One (1953). She was 80.
May 5: Dana Wynter
An actress boomers will best recall for her portrayal as Betty Driscoll in Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), Dana Wynter was 80 years old.
May 17: Harmon Killebrew
Many boomers closely followed the career of Baseball Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew. He played 22 years in the major leagues for the Washington Senators, Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals. A consistent hitter through the 1960s, by the time he retired from baseball in 1975 he was second only to Babe Ruth in American League career home runs. Killebrew was 74.
June 3: James Arness
James Arness is the actor boomers recall as Marshall Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke (1955-1975). He was 88.
June 12: Carl Gardner
Carl Gardener will best be remembered as a member of The Coasters (Yakety Yak, Charlie Brown), which was the first vocal group inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He was 83.
July 8: Betty Ford
The First Lady when husband Gerald Ford became president after Richard Nixon’s resignation, she went on to found the Betty Ford Clinic for the treatment of chemical dependency. She was 93 years old.
July 28: Bill O’Leary
A scientist, Mr. O’Leary was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1967. He resigned in 1968 for many reasons, including the cancellation of NASA’s Mars program. He was also known for his strong political views. He protested the incursion into Cambodia during the Vietnam War in 1970, and was an outspoken opponent of the weaponization of space. He was 71.
Oct. 5: Steve Jobs
Read Mister Boomer’s take on the death of Steve Jobs at: Another Boomer Legend Passes On: Steve Jobs
Nov. 7: Joe Frazier
A heavyweight boxing champion in the 1960s, “Smokin’ Joe” Frazier went on to defeat Muhammad Ali in 1971. He later lost to him in a rematch in 1973. He was 67.
Dec. 7: Harry Morgan
Which Harry Morgan will boomers remember best: Officer Bill Gannon in Dragnet (1967-1970) or as Colonel Sherman T. Potter in M*A*S*H (1974-1983)? Both long-running TV shows were a favorite for many boomers. He was 96.
Dec. 18: Ralph MacDonald
A songwriter and percussionist, Mr. MacDonald is perhaps best known for his song Just the Two of Us, a hit for Bill Withers in 1981. He also co-wrote Where Is the Love, which was recorded by Roberta Flack in 1971. He recorded with a host of boomer favorites over the past four decades, including David Bowie, Carole King, James Taylor, Ashford & Simpson, The Average White Band, Art Garfunkel, Aretha Franklin, Steely Dan and a long list of others. His age was 67.
There were many other famous and not-so-famous musicians, artists, authors, singers, actors, politicians, sports stars and more who passed on in 2011. Boomers appreciated and emulated them, and they will be missed.
Which celebrity passing of 2011 caused you to flash back to your youth, boomers?