Mensans died 1992

Harry T. Johnson III                                  CompuServe: 70641,1471
1546 McKean St                                           Prodigy: THVX78A
Philadelphia, PA                                         RIME Net
215-465-5060                                             FIDO Net

This article has been submitted to, but not [yet] published by Proteus, the
journal of Delaware Valley Mensa (Pennsylvania). In the event of publication,
please notify author so the Editor of Proteus may be notified.

Also, if possible,  forward a courtesy copy of the publication. Thank you.


                              Those We Have Lost
                                      by
                             Harry T. Johnson III

    As we prepare to embark on another year, first I'd like to look back a
little on the year we just finished. While in many ways it was a remarkable
year, we also lost some of our brightest lights. Before we go charging too
quickly into the new year, let's take a moment to remember those who will not
be sharing it with us.
    Lawrence Welk, the man who gave us "champaign" music. Bert Parks who gave
us Miss America. Alfred Drake, the man whose voice opened "Oklahoma" with "Oh,
what a beautiful MORN-ing". Mary Wells and "My Guy" & Eddie Kendricks with "My
Girl."
    Alexander Dubcek, the leader of the 1968 "Prague Spring", who was only
just beginning to see the rebirth of his Czechoslovakia as a free nation.
    For the children of the 60's we lost Chuck Connors, who every child will
remember forever as "The Rifleman"; and Dick York, who we will remember as the
"original" Darren Stevens. Shirley Booth, fine actress though she was, for
many of us will always be "Hazel". Jack Kelly, who played Bart Maverick,
brother to James Garner's Bret.
    Sterling Holloway, comic actor and the cartoon voice behind Winnie the
Pooh and man who introduced the songs "Mountain Green" and "Manhattan".
    Paul Henried will ALWAYS be Victor Laszlo, who won (or was given) Ingrid
Bergman in "Casablanca".
    And there ARE those we lost to the killer of our times, AIDS. "Brady
Bunch" dad Robert Reed, songwriter Peter Allen, British character actor
Denholm Elliott, "Psycho" star Anthony Perkins. Ricky Ray, the hemophiliac
Florida boy who fought against AIDS and public rejection.
    And oh, the laughter we have lost. William M. Gaines, every smart alecky
kid's best friend as the publisher of MAD Magazine. Sam Kinison who turned
rage into something funny. Benny Hill with his shapely sidekicks and a double
entendre for every occasion. Lou Jacobs, the only living person to EVER appear
on a US postage stamp. Hal Roach who brought us Harold Lloyd, Laurel and
Hardy, and the Our Gang comedies.
    Sports lost Lyle Alzado, one of the most feared linebacker in the history
of the game and Carl Stotz, who invented Little League in 1939.
    In public service, John J. Sirica, who at a time when the Presidency was
thought to be on a rampage said "enough is enough", administering stern
justice during the Watergate scandal. Millicent Fenwick representative from
New Jersey who inspired Doonesbury's Lacey Davenport. Richard J. Hughes, New
Jersey state Supreme Court chief justice who wrote the 1976 Karen Ann Quinlan
decision on the care of comatose patients.
    James E. Webb, the man who at the order of his President, put us on the
moon. And writer Isaac Asimov whose work inspired so many that we actually
believed we could get there.
    We've lost brilliance in so many areas. William Shawn, former editor of
"The New Yorker" magazine, who once upon a time, suggested to Truman Capote
that he cover a murder trial in Kansas. JFK conspiracy prosecutor Jim Garrison
who believed in justice before all else.
    And Superman. The only one who will return. If only we could bring back
the others.