The deaths continue

Apparently the reason why 2016 has appeared to be a year of death is the combination of the post war baby boom, celebrity culture and the speed and universality now available as far as information is concerned. Here are 19 I have noticed over the last 20 days or so (I missed Robert Vaughn, last of the Magnificent 7 and Man from UNCLE back on November 11).

I found these I recognise on Wikipedia. Missionary Helen Roseveare, Methodist Thomas C Oden and Fundamental Baptist Robert Sumner had completely passed me by. I remember hearing Helen Roseveare as a student in Bryntirion, Bridgend. An odd thing was that I listened to her on an audio relay and never actually cast eyes on her the hour and a half or so she was there!

19 Lionel Blue, 86, British rabbi, journalist and broadcaster, complications from Parkinson's disease.

Andrei Karlov, 62, Russian diplomat, Ambassador to Turkey (since 2013), shot.

18 Zsa Zsa Gabor, 99, Hungarian-born American actress (Moulin Rouge, Touch of Evil, Lili) and socialite, heart attack.

17 Henry Heimlich, 96, American physician, inventor of the Heimlich manoeuvre, complications from a heart attack.

12 E. R. Braithwaite, 104, Guyanese novelist (To Sir, With Love) and diplomat.

Mark Fisher, 57, British pop musician (Matt Bianco).

Jim Prior, Baron Prior, 89, British politician, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1981–1984) and Employment (1979–1981).

Walter Swinburn, 55, British jockey.

11 Bob Krasnow, 82, American record label executive (Elektra Records), co-founder of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Michael Nicholson, 79, British journalist and war correspondent.

10 A. A. Gill, 62, British writer and restaurant critic (The Sunday Times), lung cancer.

Ian McCaskill, 78, British meteorologist and weatherman.

8 John Glenn, 95, American astronaut (Mercury-Atlas 6) and politician, U.S. Senator from Ohio (1974–1999).

Thomas C. Oden, 85, American theologian.

Fred Secombe, 97, Welsh priest and writer of novels. Older brother of comedian and singer Harry Secombe.

7 Greg Lake, 69, English singer and musician (King Crimson, Emerson, Lake & Palmer), cancer. Helen Roseveare, 91, British Christian missionary.

6 Peter Vaughan, 93, British actor (Game of Thrones, Brazil, Porridge).

5 Robert Sumner, 94, American Baptist pastor and author.