Michael Spencer's passing

The Associated Baptist Press has a report on the recent death of Michael Spencer, whose blog has been consistently near the top of all Christian blogs. His blog was certainly a regular read for me, and I mourn his passing.

Goodbye, John Hughes

No one made a teen film quite like you, with such memorable characters as Ferris Bueller, Samantha Baker, and John Bender. You will be missed.

Michael Jackson, 1958-2009

For the past two decades, Michael Jackson has been known for his weird lifestyle and accusations of inappropriate sexual behavior. But once upon a time, he was known solely for his music. That is how I will choose to remember the man.

Ricardo Montalban, 1920-2009

Don LaFontaine, a voice out of this world

Pierre Berès, 1913-2008

I occasionally peruse the obit section of the New York Times, and I was intrigued by this one on Pierre Berès, a book collector and seller. He died last Monday at the age of 95.

“We have lost a legendary figure in the world of art, collecting and publishing,” said the French culture minister, Christine Albanel.

Mr. Berès had already staged a memorable exit from the world of books in 2005. Closing the store he had run since the late 1930s on the Avenue Friedland, near the Arc de Triomphe, he put his collection of 12,000 books up for sale. In a series of six sales at Drouet, the auction house, spaced out over two years, records fell as bidders lined up for treasures like the first edition of Rimbaud’s “Season in Hell,” inscribed by the author to Verlaine.

The sale realized more than 35 million euros. Mr. Berès headed off to retirement in his modern villa in St. Tropez, but not before making a final grand gesture. Unexpectedly, he removed from the sale and donated to the French nation an edition of “The Charterhouse of Parma” that included Stendhal’s revisions, undertaken after he read Balzac’s criticisms of the novel’s opening pages.

I've always been intrigued with the idea of owning a bookshop. Berès excelled in acquiring and selling desirable rare books. I guess if you're going to retire from the bookshop world, 35 million euros is a good number to live on.

Mr. Berès excelled at creating a personal mystique. “I do not seek, I find,” he once proclaimed, cryptically, about his uncanny knack for turning up rare editions.

What's your personal mystique? If you have one, would other people say it is "excellent?" If you're going to live a life, you might as well make it an interesting one.

seven words you can say on the internet

George Carlin has died of heart failure. He was to be awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humour.

Tim Russert, 1950-2008

Tim Russert, host of NBC's Sunday morning staple Meet the Press, died earlier today of a heart attack while he was at work. This is indeed shocking. It's too strange to think that we won't be seeing him on election night while his board, writing and crossing off states with his magic markers. He seemed like a genuine and engaging man.

Joyce "Dottie" Rambo, 1934-2008

One of the legends of southern gospel music has passed away after a bus accident. Dottie Rambo was 74.

"She was a giant in the gospel music industry," said Beckie Simmons, Rambo's agent. "Dolly Parton recorded some of her songs."

Parton sent condolences to "everyone involved in this terrible tragedy."

"I know Dottie is in heaven in the arms of God right now, but our earth angel will surely be missed," Parton said in a statement. "Dottie was a dear friend, a fellow singer, songwriter and entertainer, and as of late my duet singing partner."

Charlton Heston, 1924-2008

Charlton Heston, star of the Easter season favorite The Ten Commandments, has died. My favorite film of his would have to be the one with the most memorable climactic scene, Planet of the Apes. Another of his films, Ben-Hur, won 11 Academy Awards, including the grand prize of Best Picture. Later in his life, he became president of the National Rifle Association. Heston was 84 years old.

I'm sorry for the very mild oath in this clip, but I simply must include it here:

more on Collin Bowen

Ten days ago I mentioned my coworker Carolyn's son Collin, who recently passed away from injuries sustained from a bomb explosion in Afghanistan. He was there to support Operation Enduring Freedom. Here is an article and a collection of photos of the memorial service held last Thursday, March 20. I wasn't able to attend the service, but I did go to the viewing. It was very moving to read the notes that several schools had sent to him, offering their support as he struggled to survive. Talking with Carolyn was as difficult as I expected it to be. I can not imagine the pain of losing a child.

Collin's body will be interned at Arlington National Cemetery tomorrow, March 25, at 1:00 PM.

Staff Sergeant Collin Bowen, 1970-2008

Back on January 10, I wrote about my coworker Carolyn's son Collin (here), who had been serving in Afghanistan for the Army. He was in the Army Reserves and had been called up in November 2006. He and three others were injured in a roadside bomb on January 2, two weeks before he was to return home. Two of the men died immediately, and the third succombed to his injuries several days later.

This morning, I read the following news on his CaringBridge page: "Collin passed away peacefully early Friday morning with his family holding his hands at his bedside. May he rest in peace. " Collin also has a personal page.

I have met Carolyn's other two sons, but I never met Collin. She often talked about him when we worked together, and she seemed very proud of his accomplishments. If you have a minute, please pray for his family, especially his wife Ursula, his daughter Gabriela, and two step-daughters.

Update: Collin will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

News articles about Collin:

• Staff Sgt. Collin Bowen dies (Chronicle-Tribune)
• Hoosier soldier dies from wounds (Indianapolis Star)
• Soldiers injured in Afghanistan bombing dies in Texas hospital (MSNBC)
• Ind. soldier dies in Texas (Herald Bulletin)
• Marion soldiers dies (WANE News Channel)
• SSG Collin J. Bowen, In Memoriam (Frederick News Post)

William F. Buckley, Jr. - 1925-2008

Buckley was a giant star in the conservative universe, and he has now gone to join the celestial bodies. He was preceded in death by his wife just last year.

Mr. Buckley suffered from diabetes and emphysema, his son Christopher said, although the exact cause of death was not immediately known. He was found at his desk in the study of his home, his son said. “He might have been working on a column,” Mr. Buckley said.

William Buckley, with his winningly capricious personality, his use of ten-dollar words and a darting tongue writers loved to compare to an anteater’s, was the popular host of one of television’s longest-running programs, “Firing Line,” and founded and shepherded the influential conservative magazine “National Review.”

He also found time to write more than 50 books, ranging from sailing odysseys to spy novels to dissertations on harpsichord fingering to celebrations of his own dashing daily life. He edited at least five more.

Fittingly, National Review pays tribute. Rick Perlstein has a nice article about Buckley as well.

Heath Ledger, 1979-2008

As you must surely know by now, actor Heath Ledger was found dead in a New York apartment yesterday afternoon. (I assume it was his, but I saw one report that claimed the apartment belonged to the actress Mary Kate Olsen.) Police are investigating at this time, but it will indeed be a tragedy if his death is ruled a suicide. On the outside it seemed he had so much going for him: an Oscar nomination a couple years ago for Brokeback Mountain, critical buzz for the recent I'm Not There, and his upcoming role as devious psychopath The Joker in The Dark Knight.

Like numerous actors before him (James Dean, River Phoenix, and the recently deceased Brad Renfro come to mind), he is gone seemingly too soon.

Dan Fogelberg, 1951-2007

Dan Fogelberg lost his battle to prostate cancer. I can't truly say that I've been a fan of his music, but I liked "Along the Road" so much that I chose it when I was asked to sing for an honors ceremony at my grad school.

Julia Carson, 1938-2007

Representative Julia Carson died today, losing her battle to lung cancer. She had served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1996 until her death.

they say evil never dies...

...but Evel has.

Reds sadness

Sounds of mourning can be heard from Cincinnati and Reds' fans all over the world today. Joe Nuxhall, who pitched for the Reds before becoming a radio broadcaster for their games, has died. The Reds' website has a tribute page to Nuxhall.

Marcel Marceau, 1923-2007

And the world was silent.

He once said, "Do not the most moving moments of our lives find us without words?"

Albert Ellis, 1913-2007

Albert Ellis, the recognized father of Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), has died at age 93.

“The trouble with most therapy is that it helps you to feel better,” he said in a 2004 article in The New York Times. “But you don’t get better. You have to back it up with action, action, action.”

Very true, Dr. Ellis.